Country Profile: Burundi

Burundi, located in Central Africa, is a landlocked nation bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania. It has a population of approximately 13.6 million, making it one of the most densely populated countries in Africa. The economy is predominantly agrarian, struggling with low income and significant dependence on agriculture, which employs a major portion of the population. Governance has been shaped by a complex history of ethnic conflict, leading to a mixed legal system and a presidency that has seen recent electoral changes.

Geography

Burundi is situated in Central Africa, bordered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Rwanda to the north, and Tanzania to the east. The country's terrain is predominantly hilly and mountainous, with a mean elevation of 1,504 meters, and experiences an equatorial climate that varies with altitude. As a landlocked nation, it has no coastline and is characterized by fertile volcanic soil conducive for agriculture.

Total Area: 27,830 sq km, slightly smaller than Maryland.
Highest Point: 2,685 m on the Mukike Range.
Lowest Point: 772 m at Lake Tanganyika.
Natural Hazards: Risk of flooding, landslides, and drought.
Major Lakes: Lake Tanganyika spans 32,000 sq km.

People and Society

Burundi has an estimated population of 13,590,102 in 2024, consisting mainly of Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa ethnic groups. The nation boasts a rich cultural heritage, with Kirundi as the official language alongside French and English. Christianity is the predominant religion, with a significant majority of the population identifying as Roman Catholic or Protestant.

Population Growth Rate: 2.81% (2024).
Median Age: 18.4 years.
Literacy Rate: 68% (2017).
Life Expectancy: 68.1 years (2024).
Dependency Ratio: 83.9 (2024).
Urban Population: 14.8% (2023).

Economy

Burundi's economy is primarily agrarian and low-income, heavily reliant on agriculture which accounts for about 25.3% of its GDP. The country faces challenges such as declining foreign assistance and fiscal instability. Despite a growing population, economic recovery has been hampered by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

GDP (PPP): $11.739 billion (2024).
Real GDP Growth Rate: 3.5% (2024).
GDP per Capita: $800 (2024).
Unemployment Rate: 1% (2024).
Population Below Poverty Line: 51% (2020).
Major Agricultural Products: Cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, and beans (2023).

Government

Burundi is a presidential republic with a mixed legal system that incorporates both Belgian civil law and customary law. The political capital is Gitega while Bujumbura remains the commercial hub. The government is structured into various branches, with a bicameral legislature comprising the National Assembly and the Senate.

Current President: Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE since June 2020.
Next Election: Scheduled for May 2027.
Administrative Divisions: 18 provinces.
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years.
Constitution: Last ratified on February 28, 2005.

Military and Security

The Burundi National Defense Force (BNDF) is composed of land, naval, and air forces. The country maintains a military presence as part of regional peacekeeping efforts, particularly in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Military Expenditures: 3.5% of GDP (2024).
Active Personnel: Estimated 25,000-30,000 troops (2025).
Military Service Age: 18 years for voluntary service.
Recent Deployments: Involvement in MINUSCA operations since 2025.

Energy

Burundi's energy sector is underdeveloped, with electricity access at approximately 10.3% of the total population. Most of its electricity generation comes from hydropower.

Installed Generating Capacity: 131,000 kW (2023).
Electricity Consumption: 444.018 million kWh (2023).
Fossil Fuels Contribution: 31.2% of installed capacity (2023).
Rural Electrification Rate: 1.7%.

Environment

Burundi faces several environmental challenges including soil erosion, deforestation, and loss of wildlife habitat. It is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at mitigating these issues.

Agricultural Land: 82.8% of total land area (2022).
Total Renewable Water Resources: 12.54 billion cubic meters (2020).
Urbanization Rate: 5.43% annual change (2020-2025).
Air Pollutants: Particulate matter emissions of 28 micrograms/m³ (2019).

Transportation

Burundi has limited transportation infrastructure, with only a few operational airports and a modest number of civil aircraft.

Total Airports: 6 (2025).
Civil Aircraft Registration Code: 9U.

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Burundi includes a handful of mobile cellular subscriptions, though overall internet access remains limited.

Mobile Subscriptions: 8.65 million (2023).
Internet Users: 11% of the population (2023).
Fixed-line Subscriptions: Fewer than 1 per 100 inhabitants.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	13,590,102	2024 estimate
Area	27,830 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$11.739 billion	2024 estimate
Electricity Access	10.3%	2022 estimate
Birth Rate	34.6 births/1,000	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	1%	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	68.1 years	2024 estimate
Total Fertility Rate	4.9 children/woman	2024 estimate
Military Expenditure	3.5% of GDP	2024 estimate
Urban Population	14.8%	2023 estimate