Burundi
Region
🌍 Africa
Population
👥 12
Currency
💱 Burundian franc
Languages
🗣️ French, Rundi
This mark means a fact is linked to a checked source. Hover or tap it to see the source. 33 of 141 facts on this page are sourced.
Official NameSource: REST Countries
Republic of Burundi
Continent
Africa
DemonymSource: REST Countries
Burundian
Independence
July 1, 1962 (from Belgium)
Top-Level Domain
.bi
Calling CodeSource: REST Countries
+257
Time ZoneSource: REST Countries
UTC+02:00
Capital CitySource: REST Countries
Gitega
ISO Alpha-2
BI
ISO Alpha-3
BDI
UN Code
108
Geographic Coordinates
-3.5,30
Area (km²)Source: REST Countries
27,834#147 of 249
PopulationSource: REST Countries
12,332,788#79 of 247
Population Density (per km²)
533.08
Highest Point (m)
2,684
Lowest Point (m)
772
Land Use
Agricultural land accounts for approximately 78% of the total land area.
Irrigated Land
Approximately 120 square kilometers of land is irrigated.
Coastline Length
This landlocked country has no coastline.
Climate
Tropical highlands; considerable temperature variation due to altitude.
Natural Resources
Nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, gold, tin, tungsten
Bordering CountriesSource: REST Countries
DRC, Rwanda, Tanzania
Major Rivers
Ruvubu River, Malagarasi River
Major Lakes
Lake Tanganyika
Government Type
Presidential republic
Administrative Divisions
18 provinces
Legal System
Based on Belgian civil law system and customary law
Chief of State
President of the Republic
Head of Government
Prime Minister
Cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Elections
Presidential elections are held every seven years.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court
Legislative Branch
Parliament (consisting of the Senate and the National Assembly)
Major Political Parties
CNDD-FDD, UPRONA
CurrencySource: REST Countries
Burundian franc
GDP, Nominal (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
3.36#177 of 211
GDP, PPP (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP, PPP (current international $) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
17.96#153 of 201
GDP per Capita (US$)Source: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
233.82#211 of 211
GDP - Agriculture (%)Source: World Bank: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
34.29
GDP - Industry (%)Source: World Bank: Industry (including construction), value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
18.23
GDP - Services (%)Source: World Bank: Services, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
42.05
Inflation Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
34.13#8 of 191
Labor Force (people)Source: World Bank: Labor force, total (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
6,308,213
Unemployment Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
0.92#181 of 185
Public Debt (% of GDP)
Approximately 60% of GDP (2023 est.)
Budget
The Burundian government budget covers various sectors, including education, health, and infrastructure.
Exports (US$ billion)
Approximately $0.1 billion (2022 est.)
Imports (US$ billion)
Approximately $0.4 billion (2022 est.)
Foreign Reserves
Information on foreign reserves may vary; consult recent financial reports.
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange rates can be found at major banks and online financial platforms.
GDP by Sector
Agriculture accounts for a significant portion, followed by services and industry.
Major Industries
Includes coffee, tea, sugar, and textiles.
Major Export Partners
Primarily neighboring countries and the European Union.
Major Import Partners
Primarily neighboring countries, China and India.
Society
Literacy Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) (2020)Checked September 29, 2026
71.34#136 of 169
Birth Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
33.2
Death Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
6.7
Net Migration Rate
Information on net migration varies; consult recent demographic reports.
Median Age
Approximately 18 years (2023 est.)
Urban Population (%)Source: World Bank: Urban population (% of total population) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
25.69#202 of 214
Urbanization Rate
The urbanization rate is relatively low but growing.
Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
63.8#193 of 214
HIV/AIDS Prevalence
Approximately 0.6% of adults (2021 est.)
Health Expenditures (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)Checked September 29, 2026
9.09
Ethnic Groups
Hutu (85%), Tutsi (14%), and Twa (1%).
Religions
Christianity (predominantly Roman Catholic) and indigenous beliefs.
LanguagesSource: REST Countries
French, Rundi
Education
Education System
Education system faces challenges, including low enrollment rates, especially in secondary and higher education, and quality issues. Primary education is free and compulsory.
School Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: School life expectancy, primary to tertiary, both sexes (years) (2018)Checked September 29, 2026
10.8
Government Education Spending
Government spending on education is relatively low compared to other sectors and remains a challenge.
Primary Education Access
—
Secondary Education Access
—
Higher Education Access
—
Major Universities
University of Burundi.
Culture
Cultural Overview
Burundian culture is influenced by the Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups. Traditional music, dance, and storytelling are important aspects of cultural expression. Kinship ties are strong.
National HolidaysSource: Nager.Date
- New Year's Day (2026-01-01)
- Unity Day (2026-02-05)
- Ntaryamira Day (2026-04-06)
- Labour Day (2026-05-01)
- Ascension Day (2026-05-14)
- National Patriotism Day (2026-06-08)
- Independence Day (2026-07-01)
- Assumption Day (2026-08-15)
- Rwagasore Day (2026-10-13)
- Ndadaye Day (2026-10-21)
- All Saints' Day (2026-11-01)
- Christmas Day (2026-12-25)
Popular Music
Influenced by traditional rhythms and modern styles, with a growing local music scene. Gospel music is also popular.
Traditional Food
Traditional foods include beans, plantains, cassava, and fish. Ubugali (a porridge made from cassava or maize flour) is a staple.
Sports
Football (soccer) is the most popular sport. Athletics and boxing are also practiced.
Major Festivals
Various local festivals, including cultural events and celebrations tied to harvest and historical events.
Famous People
Pierre Nkurunziza, Melchior Ndadaye.
Cultural Heritage Sites
No specific widely recognized cultural heritage sites.
UNESCO Sites
None.
Annual Tourist Visits
—
Tourism Overview
—
Top Tourist Attractions
—
Famous Cities
—
National Parks
—
Protected Areas
—
Best Time to Visit
—
Tourist Visa Info
—
Visa Requirements Overview
—
Travel Advisory
—
Healthcare
Healthcare Quality
The healthcare quality index for Burundi is relatively low compared to developed countries.
Medical Cost
Medical costs can vary; consult local healthcare providers for details.
Number of Hospitals
Burundi has a number of hospitals and clinics.
Universal Healthcare
Healthcare system is underdeveloped; access to quality care is limited. The government is working to improve access.
Medical Services Overview
Medical services are available, but resources may be limited.
Emergency Medical Access
Emergency medical access can be limited in some areas.
Emergency & Safety
Emergency Number (Police)
—
Emergency Number (Ambulance)
—
Emergency Number (Fire)
—
Crime Rate
—
Safety Index
—
Military Expenditure
—
Emergency Services Overview
—
Safety Overview
—
Military Branches
—
Infrastructure
Electricity Access
—
Water Access
—
Sanitation Access
—
Railways
No railways.
Roadways
—
Transportation System
Roads are the primary mode of transportation, but many are in poor condition. Public transport is limited. Air travel is available.
AirportsSource: OurAirports
Bujumbura Melchior Ndadaye International Airport (BJM), Gitega Airport (GID)
Ports
—
Public Transit
—
Technology & Communication
Internet Penetration (%)Source: World Bank: Individuals using the Internet (% of population) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
8.6#206 of 211
Mobile Subscriptions (per 100)
—
Tech Startups
—
Innovation Index
—
ICT Development Index
—
TV Broadcast Stations
—
Radio Broadcast Stations
—
Plug Type & Voltage
—
CO2 Emissions (t per capita)Source: World Bank: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
0.07#190 of 202
Air Quality Index
—
Water Pollution Level
—
Renewable Energy Usage
—
Environmental Issues
—
Natural Hazards
—
Waste Management
—
Environmental Agreements
—
UN MembershipSource: REST Countries
Yes
Diplomatic Missions
—