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Burundi vs Eswatini
Side-by-side comparison of Burundi and Eswatini from official statistics: size, economy, people, trade, natural resources, health, infrastructure and military, with world ranks, years and sources.
Eswatini
Sub-Saharan Africa · nation age 58 years
In short
Eswatini scores 22.3 in the NationsTree Index (182nd in the world) and Burundi scores 16.8 (193rd), a gap of 5.5 points. Their trees are 2.1 m and 2.0 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.
Burundi has 11 times the population of Eswatini. Burundi has 60% more land area than Eswatini. The economy of Burundi is 14% larger than that of Eswatini (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Burundi 14.4 million and Eswatini 1.3 million (2025).
GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $12,529 in Eswatini and $1,248 in Burundi (2025, international dollars). Life expectancy is almost the same: 63.8 and 64.3 years.
Of 27 indicators reported by both countries, Burundi ranks higher in the world on 8 and Eswatini on 19. Burundi is clearly stronger in military, land & people and tourism. Eswatini is clearly stronger in infrastructure & digital, main industries and society & health.
As a nation, Burundi is the older of the two (statehood since 1962, 64 years), compared with Eswatini (since 1968). Over the last five years Burundi improved faster (direction score 30 vs 2 out of 100).
Where they differ most
The indicators with the biggest gap in world position between Burundi and Eswatini.
Burundibetter
0.9%
5th of 187
Eswatini
34.2%
187th of 187
Air pollution (PM2.5)Environment & energy
Burundi
35.7
169th of 200
Eswatinibetter
16.7
98th of 200
GDP per person (PPP)Economy
Burundi
$1,248
199th of 199
Eswatinibetter
$12,529
132nd of 199
Human Development IndexSociety & health
Burundi
0.439
187th of 193
Eswatinibetter
0.695
126th of 193
PhysiciansSociety & health
Burundi
0.08
169th of 174
Eswatinibetter
0.56
119th of 174
Over time
How the two countries moved against each other, from the yearly data.
Eswatini overtook Burundi in life expectancy in 2022 and has stayed ahead since.
Burundi overtook Eswatini in GDP (PPP) in 2020 and has stayed ahead since.
Eswatini has been ahead of Burundi in the NationsTree Index in every year since 1996.
Eswatini has been ahead of Burundi in GDP per person (PPP) in every year since 1990.
Burundi has been ahead of Eswatini in population in every year since 1990.
Strength by category
Average world percentile of the indicators in each category (0–100, direction taken into account). i
BurundiEswatini All indicators
Latest available value for each country with its year and world rank. Green: the better world position of the two, red: the weaker one.
| Indicator | Burundi | Eswatini |
|---|---|---|
| Land & people | ||
| Surface area km² | 27,834143rd/216 · 2024 | 17,364155th/216 · 2024 |
| Land area km² | 25,680144th/216 · 2024 | 17,200155th/216 · 2024 |
| Population people | 14.4 m77th/217 · 2025 | 1.3 m158th/217 · 2025 |
| Population growth % | 2.41%25th/217 · 2025 | 1.07%97th/217 · 2025 |
| Population density people/km² | 547.021st/216 · 2024 | 72.3135th/216 · 2024 |
| Urban population % | 25.7%205th/217 · 2025 | 26.7%201st/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 0–14 % | 44.0%9th/217 · 2025 | 33.0%59th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 65+ % | 2.5%208th/217 · 2025 | 4.3%161st/217 · 2025 |
| Economy | ||
| GDP USD | $3.36 bn177th/210 · 2025 | $5.16 bn168th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP (PPP) intl. USD | $17.96 bn153rd/199 · 2025 | $15.74 bn155th/199 · 2025 |
| Real GDP (PPP, constant 2021 prices) intl. USD 2021 | $15.35 bn153rd/199 · 2025 | $13.45 bn155th/199 · 2025 |
| GDP per person USD | $234210th/210 · 2025 | $4,108148th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP per person (PPP) intl. USD | $1,248199th/199 · 2025 | $12,529132nd/199 · 2025 |
| GNI per person (Atlas) USD | $240201st/201 · 2025 | $3,730144th/201 · 2025 |
| GDP growth % | 4.2%73rd/210 · 2025 | 4.2%76th/210 · 2025 |
| Inflation % | 34.1%174th/180 · 2025 | 2.6%2019 |
| Unemployment % | 0.9%5th/187 · 2025 | 34.2%187th/187 · 2025 |
| Central government debt % of GDP | — | 35.7%12th/55 · 2021 |
| General government gross debt % of GDP | 42.0%66th/189 · 2025 | 44.8%74th/189 · 2025 |
| Government budget balance % of GDP | -3.2%114th/192 · 2025 | -7.8%178th/192 · 2025 |
| Main industries | ||
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing % of GDP | 34.3%7th/197 · 2025 | 6.4%97th/197 · 2025 |
| Industry incl. construction % of GDP | 18.2%139th/200 · 2025 | 33.6%40th/200 · 2025 |
| Manufacturing % of GDP | 13.1%64th/192 · 2025 | 28.1%6th/192 · 2025 |
| Services % of GDP | 42.1%179th/200 · 2025 | 52.4%132nd/200 · 2025 |
| Trade | ||
| Exports of goods & services USD | — | $2.61 bn147th/182 · 2024 |
| Imports of goods & services USD | — | $2.61 bn154th/182 · 2024 |
| Exports % of GDP | — | 53.8%49th/183 · 2024 |
| Imports % of GDP | — | 53.7%68th/183 · 2024 |
| Trade openness % of GDP | — | 107.5%51st/183 · 2024 |
| Fuel exports % of merchandise exports | 1.9%100th/170 · 2023 | 3.6%84th/170 · 2023 |
| Manufactures exports % of merchandise exports | 15.2%118th/171 · 2023 | 59.8%54th/171 · 2023 |
| Food exports % of merchandise exports | 46.0%34th/171 · 2023 | 29.7%49th/171 · 2023 |
| Ores & metals exports % of merchandise exports | 1.9%108th/171 · 2023 | 0.6%147th/171 · 2023 |
| High-tech exports % of manufactured exports | 1.3%144th/168 · 2023 | 0.3%157th/168 · 2023 |
| Current account balance % of GDP | -6.4%156th/191 · 2025 | 2.4%54th/191 · 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment, inflows % of GDP | 1.0%137th/196 · 2025 | 1.0%143rd/196 · 2025 |
| Natural resources | ||
| Natural resource rents % of GDP | 14.0%35th/209 · 2021 | 3.0%86th/209 · 2021 |
| Oil rents % of GDP | 0.00%120th/197 · 2021 | 0.00%120th/197 · 2021 |
| Natural gas rents % of GDP | 0.00%100th/197 · 2021 | 0.00%100th/197 · 2021 |
| Coal rents % of GDP | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 | 0.14%27th/195 · 2021 |
| Mineral rents % of GDP | 0.00%91st/209 · 2021 | 0.00%91st/209 · 2021 |
| Forest rents % of GDP | 13.96%3rd/209 · 2021 | 2.86%24th/209 · 2021 |
| Arable land % of land area | 43.7%10th/206 · 2024 | 10.3%102nd/206 · 2024 |
| Renewable freshwater per person m³ | 755143rd/183 · 2022 | 2,166102nd/183 · 2022 |
| Tourism | ||
| International tourist arrivals arrivals | 299,000145th/194 · 2017 | 345,300138th/194 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts USD | $3.7 m2011 | $7.3 m169th/175 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts % of exports | 1.6%2011 | 0.4%161st/168 · 2020 |
| Outbound trips departures | 35,0002001 | 488,00079th/107 · 2020 |
| Society & health | ||
| Life expectancy years | 63.8198th/217 · 2024 | 64.3192nd/217 · 2024 |
| Under-5 mortality per 1,000 births | 47.1163rd/196 · 2024 | 45.1162nd/196 · 2024 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 0.08169th/174 · 2022 | 0.56119th/174 · 2023 |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 0.72014 | 2.02013 |
| DPT immunization % of children 12–23 months | 89%110th/193 · 2024 | 84%136th/193 · 2024 |
| Completed lower secondary, 25+ % of adults | 9.3%2017 | 49.1%116th/153 · 2022 |
| Secondary enrolment % gross | 23.1%171st/173 · 2025 | 82.0%2016 |
| Social protection coverage (incl. pensions) % of population | 9.2%50th/55 · 2019 | 81.2%2016 |
| Old-age dependency ratio % of working-age population | 4.8%203rd/217 · 2025 | 6.9%161st/217 · 2025 |
| Health spending % of GDP | 9.1%43rd/193 · 2023 | 7.5%75th/193 · 2023 |
| Adult literacy % | 71.3%78th/98 · 2020 | 90.8%50th/98 · 2022 |
| Tertiary enrolment % gross | 6.4%145th/150 · 2025 | 6.4%2013 |
| Human Development Index index 0–1 | 0.439187th/193 · 2023 | 0.695126th/193 · 2023 |
| Income inequality (Gini) index | 37.52020 | 54.62016 |
| Extreme poverty % of population | 74.2%2020 | 44.5%2016 |
| Infrastructure & digital | ||
| Access to electricity % of population | 20.1%211th/215 · 2024 | 89.3%162nd/215 · 2024 |
| Safely managed drinking water % of population | — | 38.2%121st/150 · 2024 |
| Safely managed sanitation % of population | — | 60.8%73rd/144 · 2024 |
| Internet users % of population | 8.6%186th/186 · 2024 | 63.4%135th/186 · 2024 |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 63188th/210 · 2023 | 14042nd/210 · 2024 |
| Fixed broadband per 100 people | 0.0202nd/208 · 2023 | 2.5155th/208 · 2024 |
| Trade & transport infrastructure quality (LPI) score 1–5 | 1.95153rd/164 · 2018 | — |
| Rail lines route-km | — | 3002011 |
| Air passengers carried passengers | 12,0001998 | 34,663148th/161 · 2023 |
| Environment & energy | ||
| CO₂ emissions per person t CO₂e | 0.0713th/203 · 2024 | 0.8860th/203 · 2024 |
| Renewable energy % of final energy use | 83.0%10th/212 · 2022 | 64.7%32nd/212 · 2022 |
| Air pollution (PM2.5) µg/m³ | 35.7169th/200 · 2023 | 16.798th/200 · 2023 |
| Forest area % of land area | 10.9%167th/214 · 2024 | 25.3%118th/214 · 2024 |
| Energy use per person kg oil eq. | — | 97791st/149 · 2024 |
| Institutions & safety | ||
| Government effectiveness score 0–100 | 26.7188th/205 · 2025 | 35.2169th/205 · 2025 |
| Control of corruption score 0–100 | 17.0198th/207 · 2025 | 31.9158th/207 · 2025 |
| Rule of law score 0–100 | 35.0191st/207 · 2025 | 45.8150th/207 · 2025 |
| Political stability score 0–100 | 44.0182nd/207 · 2025 | 55.6160th/207 · 2025 |
| Regulatory quality score 0–100 | 40.6170th/205 · 2025 | 43.9151st/205 · 2025 |
| Voice & accountability score 0–100 | 29.5183rd/205 · 2025 | 31.0179th/205 · 2025 |
| Homicide rate per 100,000 | 5.62016 | 12.5122nd/145 · 2021 |
| Military | ||
| Military expenditure USD | $226.6 m123rd/156 · 2025 | $93.4 m140th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of GDP | 3.2%24th/156 · 2025 | 1.6%84th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of government spending | 14.9%17th/154 · 2025 | 5.2%77th/154 · 2025 |
| Armed forces personnel people | 31,00087th/170 · 2020 | 3,0001999 |
| Armed forces personnel % of labour force | 0.59%101st/168 · 2020 | 0.98%1999 |
| Arms imports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 2.0 m2019 | 2.0 m2020 |
| Science & innovation | ||
| R&D spending % of GDP | 0.21%2018 | 0.28%2015 |
| Patent applications by residents applications | 1126th/137 · 2022 | — |
| Scientific articles articles | 36162nd/197 · 2023 | 31167th/197 · 2023 |
Questions and answers
Which has more people, Burundi or Eswatini?
Burundi has the larger population: 14.4 m (2025) compared with 1.3 m for Eswatini (2025). Source: World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL.
Which is bigger by area, Burundi or Eswatini?
Burundi is larger: 27,834 km² (2024) compared with 17,364 km² for Eswatini (2024). Source: World Bank, AG.SRF.TOTL.K2.
Which economy is larger, Burundi or Eswatini?
Burundi has the larger economy at purchasing power parity: $17.96 bn intl. (2025) compared with $15.74 bn intl. for Eswatini (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD.
Which is richer per person, Burundi or Eswatini?
Eswatini has the higher GDP per person (PPP): $12,529 intl. (2025) compared with $1,248 intl. for Burundi (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD.
Where do people live longer, in Burundi or Eswatini?
Eswatini has the higher life expectancy at birth: 64.3 years (2024) compared with 63.8 years for Burundi (2024). Source: World Bank, SP.DYN.LE00.IN.
Which spends more on the military, Burundi or Eswatini?
Burundi spends more on the military: $226.6 m (2025) compared with $93.4 m for Eswatini (2025). Source: World Bank, MS.MIL.XPND.CD.
Which ranks higher in the NationsTree Index, Burundi or Eswatini?
Eswatini: 22.3 points (182nd in the world); Burundi: 16.8 points (193rd). The index combines foundations, economic strength, quality of life, problems and 5-year direction from public statistics.
Equatorial Guinea
Gambia
LiberiaSources
World Bank World Development Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators, compiling UN agencies, the IMF, WHO, SIPRI and national statistical offices; every row links to its world ranking with the source series. See Sources & licences and Methodology.
Cite as: NationsTree (2026). Burundi vs Eswatini — country comparison. https://nationstree.org/compare/burundi-vs-eswatini. Data as of 26 October 2026.