Country Profile: Burundi

Burundi, a small landlocked nation located in Central Africa, is characterized by its hilly and mountainous terrain, rich natural resources, and a population exceeding 13 million. The country is marked by a complex ethnic history, primarily between the Hutu and Tutsi groups, which has shaped its socio-political landscape. Burundi's economy is predominantly agrarian, heavily reliant on agriculture, yet faces challenges such as high inflation and fiscal insolvency. The governance structure is a presidential republic, with Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE serving as the current president since 2020.

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 has a total area of 27,830 sq km, making it slightly smaller than the state of Maryland. As a landlocked nation, Burundi lacks a coastline and is characterized by hilly terrain and a moderate equatorial climate, with significant altitude variations affecting temperature and rainfall.

1,140 km: Total land boundaries with neighboring countries
83.9%: Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023 est.)
10.9%: Percentage of forested land (2023 est.)
2,685 m: Elevation of the highest point in the Mukike Range
772 m: Elevation of the lowest point at Lake Tanganyika

People and Society

Burundi's population is estimated at 13,590,102 in 2024, with a young median age of 17.6 years. The society is ethnically diverse, primarily comprising Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa groups, and has a significant Christian majority. The literacy rate stands at 71.4%, with the urban population making up only 14.8% of the total as of 2023.

2.96%: Projected population growth rate (2025 est.)
35.91: Birth rate per 1,000 population (2025 est.)
68.1 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
51%: Percentage of the population living below the poverty line (2020 est.)
392: Maternal mortality ratio (2023 est.)

Economy

Burundi has a highly agrarian economy, with agriculture accounting for 25.3% of its GDP in 2023. The nation faces economic challenges exacerbated by declining foreign assistance and inflation rates reaching 20.2% in 2024. Despite these issues, the GDP in terms of purchasing power parity is projected at $11.739 billion for 2024.

$800: Real GDP per capita (2024 est.)
1%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.)
7.5%: Remittances as a percentage of GDP (2023 est.)
51.4%: Percentage of arable land in agricultural use (2023 est.)
$378.229 million: Total exports (2023 est.)

Government

Burundi is a presidential republic with a bicameral legislature consisting of the National Assembly and Senate. The current president is Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE, elected in May 2020. The political system is characterized by a history of ethnic conflict, leading to various reforms, including a mixed legal system of civil and customary law.

18 years: Minimum voting age
5 years: Term length for National Assembly members
30%: Percentage of National Assembly seats reserved for women
46.2%: Percentage of women in the Senate (2025 expected)
1 July 1962: Date of independence from Belgian administration

Military and Security

The Burundi National Defense Force (BNDF) is responsible for the country's defense and internal security. Military expenditures are estimated at 3.5% of GDP in 2024, and the armed forces have participated in various peacekeeping missions. The nation continues to face security challenges from ethnic tensions and rebel groups.

25,000-30,000: Estimated active-duty personnel (2025)
770: Troops deployed in the Central African Republic
18 years: Minimum age for voluntary military service
100 km: Length of coastline monitored by the Naval Force on Lake Tanganyika
39.994 million kWh: Electricity transmission/distribution losses (2023 est.)

Energy

Burundi faces significant energy access challenges, with only 10.3% of the total population having electricity access as of 2022. The electricity generation is largely reliant on hydroelectric sources, constituting 66.7% of the installed capacity.

131,000 kW: Total installed electricity generating capacity (2023 est.)
444.018 million kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023 est.)
100 million kWh: Electricity imports (2023 est.)
31.2%: Percentage of installed capacity from fossil fuels (2023 est.)
946,000 Btu/person: Total energy consumption per capita (2023 est.)

Environment

Burundi faces various environmental issues, including soil erosion, deforestation, and wildlife habitat loss. The country is a party to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and biodiversity conservation.

150 cm: Average annual rainfall
12.536 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022 est.)
838,000 metric tonnes: Total CO2 emissions (2023 est.)
222 million cubic meters: Total water withdrawal for agriculture (2022 est.)
9%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.)

Transportation

Burundi has six airports as of 2025, facilitating both domestic and international travel. The country is working on improving its transportation infrastructure to better connect its districts and enhance economic activity.

6: Total airports (2025)
9U: Aircraft registration country code prefix

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Burundi is growing, with mobile subscriptions surpassing fixed lines. Internet usage remains low, with only 11% of the population connected as of 2023.

8,646,690: Total mobile cellular subscriptions (2023 est.)
14,000: Total fixed-line subscriptions (2023 est.)
3,000: Total broadband fixed subscriptions (2023 est.)
.bi: Internet country code
63%: Mobile subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	13,590,102 (2024 est.)
Area	27,830 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$11.739 billion (2024 est.)
Energy consumption	946,000 Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth rate	35.91 births/1,000 (2025 est.)
Unemployment	1% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	68.1 years (2024 est.)
Total fertility rate	4.94 children/woman (2025 est.)
Percentage of urban population	14.8% (2023)
Literacy rate	71.4% (2020 est.)