The ratings on Burkina Faso remain constrained by the country's low level of development, with GDP per capita among the lowest in the world, at below $600. This leaves Burkina Faso's narrow economy, mainly dependant on the primary sector, very vulnerable to external shocks, including commodities price swings. Burkina Faso's two biggest export earners are cotton (31% of total exports GDP in 2008) and gold (27%). The cotton sector continues to suffer from depressed prices, exacerbated by the global economic recession, while gold output is benefiting from soaring prices. Standard&Poor's Ratings Services forecasts Burkina Faso's GDP at about 4% in 2009, against 5.3% in 2008, mainly supported by dynamic gold activities, and a good agriculture crop (cereal and
