World · permanent entity record · BY
Burundi
Thirty-second orientation
Burundi at a glance
- Capital
- Gitega (political capital), Bujumbura (commercial capital)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Burundian(s); adjective: Burundian
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- presidential republic
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Languages
- Kirundi (official), French (official), English (official, least spoken), Swahili (2008 est.)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Burundi through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Burundi became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,390,003World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 13,590,102 (2024 est.) male: 6,755,456 female: 6,834,646CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-08 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $3.4 billion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $234
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 63.8 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 25.7%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 20.1%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 8.6%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Gitega (political capital), Bujumbura (commercial capital)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 27,830 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 14,390,003
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- Burundi francs (BIF)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- Languages
- Kirundi (official), French (official), English (official, least spoken), Swahili (2008 est.)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Burundian(s); adjective: Burundian
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Continent
- Africa
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
- Coastline
- 0 km (landlocked)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees Celsius but is generally moderate; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm with two wet seasons (February to May and September to November) and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Religions
- Christian 93.9% (Roman Catholic 58.6%, Protestant 35.3% [includes Adventist 2.7% and other Protestant religions 32.6%]), Muslim 3.4%, other 1.3%, none 1.3% (2016-17 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- white, red, green
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- lion
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- unnamed elevation on Mukike Range · 8,809 ft (2,685 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Lake Tanganyika · 2,533 ft (772 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- Background
- Established in the 1600s, the Burundi Kingdom has had borders similar to those of modern Burundi since the 1800s. Burundi’s two major ethnic groups, the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi, share a common language and culture and largely lived in peaceful cohabitation under Tutsi monarchs in pre-colonial Burundi. Regional, class, and clan distinctions contributed to social status in the Burundi Kingdom, yielding a complex class structure. German colonial rule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and Belgian rule after World War I preserved Burundi’s monarchy. Seeking to simplify administration, Belgian colonial officials reduced the number of chiefdoms and eliminated most Hutu chiefs from positions of power. In 1961, the Burundian Tutsi king’s oldest son, Louis RWAGASORE, was murdered by a competing political faction shortly before he was set to become prime minister, triggering increased political competition that contributed to later instability. Burundi gained its independence from Belgium in 1962 as the Kingdom of Burundi. Revolution in neighboring Rwanda stoked ethnic polarization as the Tutsi increasingly feared violence and loss of political power. A failed Hutu-led coup in 1965 triggered a purge of Hutu officials and set the stage for Tutsi officers to overthrow the monarchy in 1966 and establish a Tutsi-dominated republic. A Hutu rebellion in 1972 resulted in the deaths of several thousand Tutsi civilians and sparked brutal Tutsi-led military reprisals against Hutu civilians which ultimately killed 100,000-200,000 people. International pressure led to a new constitution in 1992 and democratic elections in 1993. Tutsi military officers feared Hutu domination and assassinated Burundi's first democratically elected president, Hutu Melchior NDADAYE, in 1993 after only 100 days in office, sparking a civil war. In 1994, his successor, Cyprien NTARYAMIRA, died when the Rwandan president’s plane he was traveling on was shot down, which triggered the Rwandan genocide and further entrenched ethnic conflict in Burundi. The internationally brokered Arusha Agreement, signed in 2000, and subsequent cease-fire agreements with armed movements ended the 1993-2005 civil war. Burundi’s second democratic elections were held in 2005, resulting in the election of Pierre NKURUNZIZA as president. He was reelected in 2010 and again in 2015 after a controversial court decision allowed him to circumvent a term limit. President Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE -- from NKURUNZIZA’s ruling party -- was elected in 2020.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography19 fields
- Location
- Central Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, west of Tanzania
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 27,830 sq km land: 25,680 sq km water: 2,150 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- slightly smaller than Maryland
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land boundaries
- total: 1,140 km border countries (3): Democratic Republic of the Congo 236 km; Rwanda 315 km; Tanzania 589 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees Celsius but is generally moderate; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm with two wet seasons (February to May and September to November) and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: unnamed elevation on Mukike Range 2,685 m lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m mean elevation: 1,504 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 83.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 51.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 13.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 18.8% (2023 est.) forest: 10.9% (2023 est.) other: 5.2% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major lakes (area sq km)
- fresh water lake(s): Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia) - 32,000 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major watersheds (area sq km)
- Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- one of Africa's most densely populated countries; concentrations tend to be in the north and along the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the west; most people live on farms near areas of fertile volcanic soil, as shown in this population distribution map
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society35 fields
- Population
- total: 13,590,102 (2024 est.) male: 6,755,456 female: 6,834,646
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Burundian(s) adjective: Burundian
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Languages
- Kirundi (official), French (official), English (official, least spoken), Swahili (2008 est.) major-language sample(s): Igitabo Mpuzamakungu c'ibimenyetso bifatika, isoko ntabanduka ku nkuru z'urufatiro. (Kirundi) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: data represent languages read and written by people 10 years of age or older; spoken Kirundi is nearly universal
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Religions
- Christian 93.9% (Roman Catholic 58.6%, Protestant 35.3% [includes Adventist 2.7% and other Protestant religions 32.6%]), Muslim 3.4%, other 1.3%, none 1.3% (2016-17 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Age structure
- 0-14 years: 42.3% (male 2,895,275/female 2,848,286) 15-64 years: 54.4% (male 3,662,688/female 3,727,022) 65 years and over: 3.4% (2024 est.) (male 197,493/female 259,338)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 83.9 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 77.7 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 6.2 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 16.2 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 17.6 years (2025 est.) male: 18 years female: 18.7 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 35.91 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 5.51 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- -0.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- one of Africa's most densely populated countries; concentrations tend to be in the north and along the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the west; most people live on farms near areas of fertile volcanic soil, as shown in this population distribution map
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 14.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 5.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 1.207 million BUJUMBURA (capital) (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sex ratio
- at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Mother's mean age at first birth
- 21.5 years (2016/17 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 392 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 35.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 39.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 31.5 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 68.1 years (2024 est.) male: 66 years female: 70.3 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 4.94 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 90.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 57.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 62.4% of population (2022 est.) urban: 9.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 42.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 37.6% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 9.1% of GDP (2021) 4.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 87.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 53.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 58.6% of population (2022 est.) urban: 12.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 46.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 41.4% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 4.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.84 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 2.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 9.1% (2025 est.) male: 14% (2025 est.) female: 4.3% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Children under the age of 5 years underweight
- 28.3% (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Currently married women (ages 15-49)
- 58.2% (2017 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Child marriage
- women married by age 15: 2.8% (2017) women married by age 18: 19% (2017) men married by age 18: 1.4% (2017)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 4.9% of GDP (2021 est.) 14.4% national budget (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Literacy
- total population: 71.4% (2020 est.) male: 78.2% (2020 est.) female: 66.2% (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total: 10 years (2018 est.) male: 10 years (2018 est.) female: 10 years (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment10 fields
- Environmental issues
- soil erosion from overgrazing and agricultural expansion; deforestation; wildlife habitat loss
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International environmental agreements
- party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees Celsius but is generally moderate; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm with two wet seasons (February to May and September to November) and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 83.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 51.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 13.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 18.8% (2023 est.) forest: 10.9% (2023 est.) other: 5.2% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 14.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 5.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 838,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 32,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 806,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 26.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.872 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 7.1% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total water withdrawal
- municipal: 43.1 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 15 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 222 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 12.536 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government24 fields
- Country name
- conventional long form: Republic of Burundi conventional short form: Burundi local long form: République du Burundi (French)/ Republika y'u Burundi (Kirundi) local short form: Burundi former: Urundi, German East Africa, Ruanda-Urundi, Kingdom of Burundi etymology: name dates from 1966 and is derived from the name of the local Bantu people, the Rundi or Barundi; ba- is the prefix for the people, and bu- is the prefix for the country; the former name, Urundi, is the Swahili version
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Capital
- name: Gitega (political capital), Bujumbura (commercial capital) geographic coordinates: 3 25 S, 29 55 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the origin of the name Bujumbura is unclear, but "bu-" is a Bantu prefix meaning "place" note: in January 2019, the Burundian parliament voted to make Gitega the political capital of the country while Bujumbura would remain its economic capital; as of 2023, the government's move to Gitega remains incomplete
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- 5 provinces: Buhumuza, Bujumbura, Burunga, Butanyerera, Gitega
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- mixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: several previous, ratified by referendum 28 February 2005 amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic after consultation with the government or by absolute majority support of the membership in both houses of Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Senate membership and at least four-fifths majority vote by the National Assembly; the president can opt to submit amendment bills to a referendum; constitutional articles including those on national unity, the secularity of Burundi, its democratic form of government, and its sovereignty cannot be amended
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew from ICCt in October 2017
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Citizenship
- citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Burundi dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Executive branch
- chief of state: President Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE (since 18 June 2020) head of government: Prime Minister Nestor NTAHONTUYE (since 5 August 2025) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by Parliament most recent election date: 20 May 2020 election results: 2020: Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE elected president; percent of vote - Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE (CNDD-FDD) 71.5%, Agathon RWASA (CNL) 25.2%, Gaston SINDIMWO (UPRONA) 1.7%, other 1.6% 2015: Pierre NKURUNZIZA reelected president; percent of vote - Pierre NKURUNZIZA (CNDD-FDD) 69.4%, Agathon RWASA (Hope of Burundians - Amizerio y'ABARUNDI) 19%, other 11.6% expected date of next election: May 2027
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: Parliament (Parlement) legislative structure: bicameral
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - lower chamber
- chamber name: National Assembly (Inama Nshingamateka) number of seats: 111 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 6/5/2025 parties elected and seats per party: National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) (108); Other (3) percentage of women in chamber: 39.6% expected date of next election: June 2030 note: 60% of seats in the National Assembly are allocated to Hutus and 40% to Tutsis; 3 seats are reserved for Twas; 30% of total seats are reserved for women
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - upper chamber
- chamber name: Senate (Inama Nkenguzamateka) number of seats: 13 (all indirectly elected) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 7/23/2025 parties elected and seats per party: National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) (10) percentage of women in chamber: 46.2% expected date of next election: July 2030 note: 3 seats in the Senate are reserved for Twas, and 30% of all votes are reserved for women
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Judicial branch
- highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 9 judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and cassation chambers); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial Service Commission, a 15-member body of judicial and legal profession officials), appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate and serve 6-year nonrenewable terms subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; County Courts; Courts of Residence; Martial Court; Commercial Court
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- Council for Democracy and the Sustainable Development of Burundi or CODEBU Front for Democracy in Burundi-Sahwanya or FRODEBU-Sahwanya National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD National Congress for Liberty or CNL National Liberation Forces or FNL Union for National Progress (Union pour le Progress Nationale) or UPRONA
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Jean Bosco BAREGE (since 27 February 2024) chancery: 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574 FAX: [1] (202) 342-2578 email address and website: burundiembusadc@gmail.com Burundi Embassy Washington D.C. (burundiembassy-usa.com)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa PETERSON (since 27 June 2024) embassy: No 50 Avenue Des Etats-Unis, 110-01-02, Bujumbura mailing address: 2100 Bujumbura Place, Washington DC 20521-2100 telephone: [257] 22-207-000 FAX: [257] 22-222-926 email address and website: BujumburaC@state.gov https://bi.usembassy.gov/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International organization participation
- ACP, AfDB, ATMIS, AU, CEMAC, CEPGL, CICA, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICGLR, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Independence
- 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: divided by a white diagonal cross into red triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (on each side) with a white disk at the center bearing three six-pointed red stars outlined in green and arranged in a triangular design meaning: green stands for hope and optimism, white for purity and peace, and red for the blood shed in the struggle for independence; the three stars represent the major ethnic groups (Hutu, Twa, Tutsi), as well as unity, work, and progress
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "Burundi Bwacu" (Our Beloved Burundi) lyrics/music: Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO history: adopted 1962
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy31 fields
- Economic overview
- highly agrarian, low-income Sub-Saharan economy; declining foreign assistance; increasing fiscal insolvencies; dense and still growing population; COVID-19 weakened economic recovery and flipped two years of deflation
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $11.739 billion (2024 est.) $11.343 billion (2023 est.) $11.048 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 3.5% (2024 est.) 2.7% (2023 est.) 1.8% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $800 (2024 est.) $800 (2023 est.) $800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $2.162 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 20.2% (2024 est.) 26.9% (2023 est.) 18.8% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 25.3% (2023 est.) industry: 9.6% (2023 est.) services: 49% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 75.9% (2023 est.) government consumption: 30.7% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 13.1% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 5.3% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -24.4% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, beans, maize, vegetables, potatoes, rice, sugarcane, fruits (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- light consumer goods (sugar, shoes, soap, beer); cement, assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing (fruits)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- -0.2% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 6.107 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 1% (2024 est.) 1% (2023 est.) 1% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 1.6% (2024 est.) male: 2.1% (2024 est.) female: 1.2% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population below poverty line
- 51% (2020 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
- 37.5 (2020 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Household income or consumption by percentage share
- lowest 10%: 2.9% (2020 est.) highest 10%: 29.9% (2020 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 7.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 4.9% of GDP (2022 est.) 6.1% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $713.694 million (2021 est.) expenditures: $737.898 million (2021 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Taxes and other revenues
- 15.6% (of GDP) (2021 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- -$625.597 million (2023 est.) -$621.969 million (2022 est.) -$393.88 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $378.229 million (2023 est.) $333.637 million (2022 est.) $302.752 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- UAE 59%, Uganda 8%, China 5%, Germany 5%, USA 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- gold, coffee, tea, tin ores, iron bars (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $1.433 billion (2023 est.) $1.42 billion (2022 est.) $1.166 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- Tanzania 26%, China 15%, Uganda 10%, Kenya 10%, India 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- fertilizers, cement, packaged medicine, plastic products, cars (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $90.35 million (2023 est.) $158.53 million (2022 est.) $266.164 million (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Debt - external
- $805.174 million (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar - 2,574.052 (2023 est.) 2,034.307 (2022 est.) 1,975.951 (2021 est.) 1,915.046 (2020 est.) 1,845.623 (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy6 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 10.3% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 64% electrification - rural areas: 1.7%
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 131,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 444.018 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 100 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 39.994 million kWh (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 31.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 66.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Coal
- consumption: 1,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 10,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- refined petroleum consumption: 6,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 946,000 Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 14,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 8,646,690 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 63 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadcast media
- state-controlled Radio Television Nationale de Burundi (RTNB) operates a TV station and a national radio network; 3 private TV stations and about 10 privately owned radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available in Bujumbura (2019)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 11% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 3,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation2 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- 9U
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security7 fields
- Military and security forces
- Burundi National Defense Force (BNDF; Force de Defense Nationale du Burundi, FDNB): Land Force (Army), Naval Force, Air Force, Specialized Units Ministry of Interior, Community Development, and Public Security: Burundi National Police (Police Nationale du Burundi, PNB) (2024) note: the Naval Force is responsible for monitoring Burundi’s 175-km shoreline on Lake Tanganyika; the Specialized Units include a special security brigade for the protection of institutions (aka BSPI), commandos, special forces, and military police
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military expenditures
- 3.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 3% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 2% of GDP (2021 est.) 2.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- limited available information; estimated 25-30,000 active-duty Defense Force troops (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the military has a mix of mostly older armaments typically of French, Russian, and Soviet origin, and a smaller selection of more modern equipment from such countries as China, Egypt, South Africa, and the US (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military service age and obligation
- 18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military deployments
- 770 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); up to 10,000 Democratic Republic of the Congo (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- the National Defense Force (FDNB) is responsible for defending Burundi’s territorial integrity and protecting its sovereignty; it has an internal security role, including maintaining and restoring public order if required; the FDNB also participates in providing humanitarian/disaster assistance, countering terrorism, narcotics trafficking, piracy, and illegal arms trade, and protecting the country’s environment; the FDNB conducts limited training with foreign partners such as Russia and participates in regional peacekeeping missions, most recently in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Somalia; in recent years the FDNB has conducted operations against anti-government rebel groups based in the neighboring DRC that have carried out sporadic attacks in Burundi, such as the such as National Forces of Liberation (FNL), the Resistance for the Rule of Law-Tabara (aka RED Tabara), and Popular Forces of Burundi (FPB or FOREBU); Burundi has accused Rwanda of supporting the RED-Tabara the Arusha Accords that ended the 1993-2005 civil war created a unified military by balancing the predominantly Tutsi ex-Burundi Armed Forces (ex-FAB) and the largely Hutu dominated armed movements and requiring the military to have a 50/50 ethnic mix of Tutsis and Hutus (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues1 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees: 91,164 (2024 est.) IDPs: 92,174 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 791 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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