Burkina Faso: public finances

What is the budget deficit of Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso's general government deficit was 1.5% of GDP in 2025, according to the IMF World Economic Outlook (October 2026), which projects 3.8% for 2026. The deficit was 5.8% in 2024 and 10.9% in 2022.

For 2024, the State financial operations table in the National Statistical Yearbook 2024 shows an overall deficit of 816.5 billion CFA francs on a commitment basis, including grants. Interest due on public debt was 310.5 billion CFA francs, of which 263.2 billion was on domestic debt. The IMF figures cover general government and may differ from national budget execution reports.

Official sources: IMF DataMapper: General government net lending/borrowing, Burkina Faso · INSD: National Statistical Yearbook 2024 (PDF)

What is the public debt of Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso's general government gross debt was 53.2% of GDP in 2025, according to the IMF World Economic Outlook (October 2026), down from 57.2% in 2024. The IMF projects 51.0% for 2026.

The ratio measures all debt owed by the State and other government bodies, both domestic and external, relative to the size of the economy. A falling ratio can reflect smaller deficits, faster growth in nominal GDP, or both. The national statistical yearbook publishes debt stock tables compiled by the Treasury (DGTCP), but some figures in the PDF version are cut off and cannot be read reliably.

Official sources: IMF DataMapper: General government gross debt, Burkina Faso

How much tax does Burkina Faso collect?

Burkina Faso's State collected 2,353.9 billion CFA francs in tax revenue in 2024, according to the National Statistical Yearbook 2024, citing the Directorate General of the Budget. Total budget revenue was 2,947.7 billion CFA francs.

Tax revenue was 1,885.9 billion CFA francs in 2022 and 2,342.0 billion in 2023. The yearbook notes that the 2024 figures come from the budget execution report, because the settlement law for 2024 was not yet available. Non-tax revenue was 414.5 billion CFA francs in 2024.

Official sources: INSD: National Statistical Yearbook 2024 (PDF)

What is Burkina Faso's debt to GDP ratio?

According to the IMF, general government gross debt in Burkina Faso was 53.2% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 59.2% of GDP; its low point was 2006, at 20.1% of GDP. It is 22nd highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 53.0% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 92nd of 185.

What is Burkina Faso's fiscal deficit?

-1.5% of GDP: that is general government net lending or borrowing in Burkina Faso for 2025, according to the IMF, a deficit. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 14.3% of GDP; its low point was 2022, at -10.9% of GDP. It is 14th highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is -3.0% of GDP. Worldwide: 60th of 188.

How much revenue does Burkina Faso's government raise?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 23.6% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 36.2% of GDP; its low point was 2008, at 15.0% of GDP. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 18.4% of GDP, and Burkina Faso placed 12th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 112th of 187.

How big is Burkina Faso's government spending as a share of GDP?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 25.1% of GDP. The peak was 32.9% of GDP in 2022 and the low 18.6% of GDP in 2008. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 20.8% of GDP; Burkina Faso is 15th highest of 46. Worldwide: 119th of 186.

What is Burkina Faso's tax to GDP ratio?

The IMF puts central government tax revenue in Burkina Faso at 18.7% of GDP in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 14.1% of GDP, and Burkina Faso placed 7th highest of 16. Worldwide: 43rd of 92.

What is Burkina Faso's military budget as a share of GDP?

The latest figure from SIPRI, for 2025, is 3.3% of GDP. The peak was 4.4% of GDP in 2024 and the low 1.1% of GDP in 2006. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 1.3% of GDP; Burkina Faso is 3rd highest of 44. Worldwide: 17th of 149.