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Economy of Burundi vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $41.5B for Zimbabwe, ranking 169/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $30.3B (73% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Burundi vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Burundi
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Zimbabwe
2024 $3,082,433,067 $41,539,411,516
2023 $3,430,949,250 $35,871,779,681
2022 $4,036,192,553 $40,757,561,709
2021 $3,435,598,073 $41,287,673,690
2020 $3,227,847,281 $31,980,334,561
2019 $2,871,555,326 $33,357,695,635
2018 $2,913,411,408 $34,141,666,667
2017 $2,831,362,208 $51,035,657,371
2016 $2,618,093,125 $20,559,250,000
2015 $2,810,532,912 $19,973,250,000
2014 $2,705,826,648 $19,505,500,000
2013 $2,451,624,638 $19,100,750,000
2012 $2,327,402,363 $17,123,500,000
2011 $2,235,812,880 $14,109,000,000
2010 $2,032,135,192 $12,047,750,000
2009 $1,775,495,032 $9,670,750,000
2008 $1,611,835,857 $4,418,000,000
2007 $1,356,199,387 $5,294,750,000
2006 $1,273,375,078 $5,446,750,000
2005 $1,117,113,080 $5,758,250,000
2004 $915,257,323 $5,808,500,000
2003 $784,654,424 $5,730,500,000
2002 $825,394,519 $6,345,250,000
2001 $876,794,723 $6,780,750,000
2000 $870,486,066 $6,693,250,000
1999 $808,077,223 $6,861,500,000
1998 $893,770,740 $6,405,250,000
1997 $972,896,268 $8,534,000,000
1996 $869,033,856 $8,557,500,000
1995 $1,000,428,394 $7,115,000,000
1994 $925,030,590 $6,894,250,000
1993 $938,632,612 $6,567,250,000
1992 $1,083,037,671 $6,755,000,000
1991 $1,167,398,478 $8,646,000,000
1990 $1,132,101,253 $8,788,301,546
1989 $1,113,924,130 $8,290,553,535
1988 $1,082,403,219 $7,818,774,177
1987 $1,131,466,494 $6,744,657,033
1986 $1,201,725,497 $6,220,698,247
1985 $1,149,979,286 $5,640,137,575
1984 $987,143,931 $6,355,369,172
1983 $1,082,926,304 $7,768,031,182
1982 $1,013,222,222 $8,544,060,905
1981 $969,046,667 $8,015,464,252
1980 $919,726,667 $6,682,278,300
1979 $782,496,667 $5,180,102,910
1978 $610,225,556 $4,353,822,343
1977 $547,535,556 $4,366,610,469
1976 $448,412,754 $4,320,576,877
1975 $420,986,667 $4,373,532,601
1974 $345,263,492 $3,984,194,614
1973 $304,339,524 $3,311,043,292
1972 $246,804,571 $2,679,096,597
1971 $252,842,286 $2,179,828,710
1970 $242,732,571 $1,885,168,339
1969 $190,205,714 $1,748,891,294
1968 $183,200,000 $1,480,355,355
1967 $178,297,143 $1,397,715,282
1966 $165,444,571 $1,282,403,936
1965 $158,994,963 $1,312,105,394
1964 $260,750,008 $1,217,759,447
1963 $232,749,998 $1,160,103,724
1962 $213,500,006 $1,118,172,226
1961 $202,999,992 $1,097,206,526
1960 $195,999,990 $1,053,528,036

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/zimbabwe | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Zimbabwe by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $2,497 $5,928
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $303 $1,105 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $265 $1,036 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $255.8 $958 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $234.3 $868 $2,184 $4,166
2018 $245.7 $823 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $246.1 $791 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $232.9 $764 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $254.4 $722 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $250.5 $724 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $234.8 $687 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $231.1 $637 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $230.1 $629 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $216.7 $614 $902 $2,661
2009 $198.4 $605 $736 $2,233
2008 $189.5 $609 $341 $1,987
2007 $166.2 $594 $414 $2,396
2006 $161.9 $580 $431 $2,454
2005 $147.2 $553 $461 $2,496
2004 $125.2 $552 $470 $2,591
2003 $111.4 $532 $468 $2,708
2002 $121 $545 $525 $3,238
2001 $132.2 $528 $566 $3,533
2000 $134.5 $519 $563 $3,429
1999 $127.5 $523 $582 $3,491
1998 $144.5 $533 $552 $3,527
1997 $160.3 $513 $751 $3,457
1996 $143.2 $513 $767 $3,372
1995 $164.9 $548 $648 $3,051
1994 $161.9 $619 $634 $3,012
1993 $165.3 $634 $605 $2,703
1992 $184.9 $640 $631 $2,651
1991 $204.7 $636 $831 $2,930
1990 $202.6 $598 $867 $2,757
1989 $203.6 - $840 -
1988 $201.7 - $816 -
1987 $215.6 - $726 -
1986 $234.3 - $693 -
1985 $228.4 - $649 -
1984 $200.4 - $757 -
1983 $225.2 - $959 -
1982 $216.4 - $1,096 -
1981 $212.2 - $1,069 -
1980 $209.8 - $949 -
1979 $186.2 - $779 -
1978 $148.8 - $665 -
1977 $137.4 - $677 -
1976 $115.5 - $687 -
1975 $110.9 - $717 -
1974 $93.2 - $674 -
1973 $84.3 - $579 -
1972 $68.2 - $483 -
1971 $69.9 - $406 -
1970 $68.8 - $361 -
1969 $55.1 - $346 -
1968 $54.2 - $302 -
1967 $54 - $294.4 -
1966 $51.4 - $278.7 -
1965 $50.6 - $294.3 -
1964 $85.3 - $281.9 -
1963 $78.4 - $277.1 -
1962 $73.4 - $275.7 -
1961 $71.6 - $279.2 -
1960 $70.9 - $276.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/zimbabwe | CC BY

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $2,497 in Zimbabwe, ranking 148/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Burundi Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
1.74%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
121/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$2,897
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
12.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
736%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
12.1%
2024
Population
14833763
17361868

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 12.9% 73%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 15.5% 76.1%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 14.4% 66.8%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 12.8% 39.9%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 9.27% 56.8%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 9.36% 53.9%
2018 26% 53% 13.9% 33%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 19.8% 49%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 16.6% 35.1%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 14.7% 34.1%
2014 28.5% 38% 14.1% 29.2%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 14.7% 26.4%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 14.6% 27.2%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 16.2% 30%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 12.8% 33.2%
2009 38% 25.7% 7.93% 39.7%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 2.54% 41.3%
2007 39% 129.6% 3.43% 30.2%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 5.72% 26.7%
2005 33.1% 137% 10.5% 22.4%
2004 39.2% 166.1% - -
2003 33.9% 159.9% - -
2002 21.9% 144.8% - -
2001 22.7% 113.6% - -
2000 21.7% 120% - -
1999 20.5% 140.6% - -
1998 19.9% 138.9% - -
1997 18.8% 122.8% - -
1996 24.4% 139.4% - -
1995 22.1% 117.1% - -
1994 19.4% 119.6% - -
1993 24% 112% - -
1992 26.1% 93.5% - -
1991 19.2% - - -
1990 17.4% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $5.37B, or 12.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 73% in Zimbabwe, ranking 101/185 and 50/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Zimbabwe
2024 -4.84% -1.06%
2023 -7.7% -3.9%
2022 -10.7% -3.3%
2021 -4.6% -2.24%
2020 -6.58% -0.34%
2019 -6.4% -1.72%
2018 -6.66% -3.81%
2017 -5.01% -7.37%
2016 -7.11% -4.63%
2015 -7.56% -1.45%
2014 -3.93% -0.71%
2013 -1.9% -0.69%
2012 -3.79% -0.13%
2011 -3.49% -1.72%
2010 -3.64% -0.11%
2009 -5.14% -1.39%
2008 -2.7% -1.2%
2007 -2.51% -1.67%
2006 -9.92% -1.4%
2005 -10.6% -3.46%
2004 -14.9% -
2003 -13.7% -
2002 -4.9% -
2001 -7.78% -
2000 -5.66% -
1999 -5.33% -
1998 -4.43% -
1997 -4.48% -
1996 -8.61% -
1995 -3.72% -
1994 -1.76% -
1993 -1.22% -
1992 -4.16% -
1991 4.14% -
1990 8.14% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $149M, equivalent to 4.84% of GDP. This compares to Zimbabwe's deficit of $438M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.74% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.11% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Zimbabwe
2024 20.2% 736%
2023 26.9% 667%
2022 18.8% 193.4%
2021 8.4% 98.5%
2020 7.32% 557%
2019 -0.69% 255.3%
2018 -2.81% 10.6%
2017 16.1% 0.9%
2016 5.56% -1.6%
2015 5.54% -2.4%
2014 4.41% -0.2%
2013 7.94% 1.6%
2012 18.2% 3.7%
2011 9.59% 3.5%
2010 6.49% 3%
2009 10.6% 6.2%
2008 24.4% 157%
2007 8.41% -72.7%
2006 2.75% 33%
2005 13.3% -31.5%
2004 8.18% 113.6%
2003 10.6% -8.6%
2002 -1.37% -34.4%
2001 9.3% -37.2%
2000 24.4% 4.5%
1999 3.39% -13.4%
1998 12.5% -28%
1997 31.1% -1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/zimbabwe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 93.4% in Zimbabwe. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 736% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $36K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15K
Machinery & equipment $6K
Miscellaneous $1K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $332K
Machinery & equipment $2K

Balance of trade

Burundi Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
18%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Burundi Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 40.2 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 190/197
Property rights 27.2 19.4
Government integrity 15.5 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 16.8
Tax burden 76.1 73.6
Government spending 76.3 93.9
Fiscal health 14.6 52.4
Business freedom 27.2 42
Labor freedom 49.9 33.3
Monetary freedom 55.5 0
Trade freedom 52.2 50.4
Investment freedom 50 10
Financial freedom 30 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Zimbabwe
2026 40.2 35.2
2025 39.7 35.1
2024 38.4 38.2
2023 41.9 39
2022 39.4 33.1
2021 49.9 39.5
2020 49 43.1
2019 48.9 40.4
2018 50.9 44
2017 53.2 44
2016 53.9 38.2
2015 53.7 37.6
2014 51.4 35.5
2013 49 28.6
2012 48.1 26.3
2011 49.6 22.1
2010 47.5 21.4
2009 48.8 22.7
2008 46.2 29.5
2007 46.9 32
2006 48.7 33.5
2005 - 35.2
2004 - 34.4
2003 - 36.7
2002 - 36.7
2001 - 38.8
2000 42.6 48.7
1999 41.1 47.2
1998 44.7 44.6
1997 45.4 48
1996 - 46.7
1995 - 48.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/zimbabwe | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
35%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
8.69%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$39.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$5,870
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
157/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
8.85%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/zimbabwe | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.