Burkina Faso External Debt to GNI
External debt stocks as % of GNI DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS
Burkina Faso's external debt to gni was 48.54% in 2025, ranked 47th globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Burkina Faso's external debt to gni stood at 48.54% in 2025, a decline of +0.22pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 48.54% by 2025. Burkina Faso ranked 47th globally.
Burkina Faso’s external debt to gross national income has risen sharply from a modest 4.54 % in 1970 to 48.54 % in 2025, placing the country 47th globally and closely aligned with peers such as Ghana (48.36 %) and St. Lucia (48.88 %). The indicator surged to an all‑time peak of 111.59 % in 2015, reflecting a period of extensive borrowing that coincided with fiscal pressures and infrastructure financing, before retreating to a trough of 3.47 % in 1972 during a relatively debt‑light era. Over the 56‑year coverage span, the upward trajectory has been punctuated by episodic spikes, yet the recent level remains well below the 2015 apex while still markedly higher than the early 1970s low. Continued fiscal consolidation, improved debt management and stronger export performance will be crucial to temper the upward pressure and potentially reverse the current high‑debt path.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt to GNI | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 44.94% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 46.74% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 48.54% | - | - |
| 2025 | 48.54% | −0.22pp | #47 |
| 2024 | 48.76% | −5.01pp | #67 |
| 2023 | 53.77% | −1.17pp | #72 |
| 2022 | 54.94% | −0.09pp | #71 |
| 2021 | 55.04% | −2.07pp | #64 |
| 2020 | 57.11% | −2.66pp | #69 |
| 2019 | 59.77% | −9.28pp | #77 |
| 2018 | 69.05% | −25.01pp | #92 |
| 2017 | 94.06% | +10.45pp | #105 |
| 2016 | 83.61% | −27.98pp | #101 |
| 2015 | 111.59% | +34.34pp | #113 |
| 2014 | 77.24% | +8.85pp | #101 |
| 2013 | 68.39% | +7.63pp | #95 |
| 2012 | 60.76% | +9.20pp | #89 |
| 2011 | 51.56% | +2.54pp | #82 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Burkina Faso matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw external debt to gni improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Burkina Faso's external debt to gni was 48.54% in 2025. Ranked 47th globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from the previous year.
Burkina Faso's external debt to gni peaked at 111.59% in 2015.
The lowest external debt to gni in Burkina Faso was 3.47% in 1972.
Burkina Faso ranks 47th globally in external debt to gni as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.GN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Burkina Faso's external debt to gni is projected to reach 48.54% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The external debt to gni of Burkina Faso in 2025 was 48.54%. This ranks 47th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_burkina-faso_external-debt-to-gni,
title = {Burkina Faso External Debt to GNI},
url = {https://historysaid.com/burkina-faso/external-debt-to-gni/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}