2010 Edition

Background

Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office, triggering widespread ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. More than 200,000 Burundians perished during the conflict that spanned almost a dozen years. Hundreds of thousands of Burundians were internally displaced or became refugees in neighboring countries. An internationally brokered power-sharing agreement between the Tutsi-dominated government and the Hutu rebels in 2003 paved the way for a transition process that led to an integrated defense force, established a new constitution in 2005, and elected a majority Hutu government in 2005. The new government, led by President Pierre NKURUNZIZA, signed a South African brokered ceasefire with the country's last rebel group in September of 2006 but still faces many challenges.

Area

land

25,680 sq km

total

27,830 sq km

water

2,150 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland

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 centigrade but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; two wet seasons (February to May and September to November), and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January)

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Heha 2,670 m

lowest point

Lake Tanganyika 772 m

Environment - current issues

soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat loss threatens wildlife populations

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

38 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.29 cu km/yr (17%/6%/77%)

Geographic coordinates

3 30 S, 30 00 E

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

Irrigated land

210 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

border countries

Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km

total

974 km

Land use

arable land

35.57%

other

51.31% (2005)

permanent crops

13.12%

Location

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

flooding; landslides; drought

Natural resources

nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone

Terrain

hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains

Total renewable water resources

3.6 cu km (1987)

Age structure

0-14 years: 46.3% (male 2,213,667/female 2,189,197) 15-64 years: 51.2% (male 2,399,466/female 2,470,743) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 95,324/female 142,933) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

41.43 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

9.87 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

7.2% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

2% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

11,000 (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

110,000 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

58.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

68.02 deaths/1,000 live births

total

63.38 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)

Life expectancy at birth

female

59.98 years (2010 est.)

male

56.65 years

total population

58.29 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

52.2% (2000 est.)

male

67.3%

total population

59.3%

Major infectious diseases

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Median age

female

17.2 years (2010 est.)

male

16.5 years

total

16.8 years

Nationality

adjective

Burundian

noun

Burundian(s)

Net migration rate

4.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

9,863,117 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

3.561% (2010 est.)

Religions

Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

7 years (2008)

male

9 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

6.25 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

6.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

10% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

17 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rural, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi

Capital

geographic coordinates

3 22 S, 29 21 E

name

Bujumbura

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

ratified by popular referendum 28 February 2005

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Burundi

conventional short form

Burundi

former

Urundi

local long form

Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi

local short form

Burundi

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Pamela J. H. SLUTZ

embassy

Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura

FAX

[257] 222926

mailing address

B. P. 1720, Bujumbura

telephone

[257] 223454

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Angele NIYUHIRE

FAX

[1] (202) 342-2578

telephone

[1] (202) 342-2574

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by president (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President Pierre NKURUNZIZA - Hutu (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Therence SINUNGURUZA - Tutsi (since 29 August 2010); Second Vice President Gervais RUFYIKIRI - Hutu (since 29 August 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Pierre NKURUNZIZA elected president by popular vote; Pierre NKURUNZIZA 91.6%, other 8.4%; note - opposition parties withdrew from the election due to alleged government interference in the electoral process

elections

the president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); note - the constitution adopted in February 2005 permited the post-transition president to be elected by a two-thirds majority of the parliament; elections last held 28 June 2010 (next to be held in 2015); vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by parliament

head of government

President Pierre NKURUNZIZA - Hutu (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Therence SINUNGURUZA - Tutsi (since 29 August 2010); Second Vice President Gervais RUFYIKIRI - Hutu (since 29 August 2010)

Flag description

divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and fly side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below); green symbolizes hope and optimism, white purity and peace, and red the blood shed in the struggle for independence; the three stars in the disk represent the three major ethnic groups: Hutu, Twa, Tutsi, as well as the three elements in the national

motto

unity, work, progress

Government type

republic

Independence

1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; High Court of Justice (composed of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court)

Legal system

based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament or Parlement, consists of a Senate (54 seats; 34 members elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms, with remaining seats assigned to ethnic groups and former chiefs of state) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (minimum 100 seats, 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi with at least 30% being women; additional seats appointed by a National Independent Electoral Commission to ensure ethnic representation; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - TBD; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CNDD 81.2%, UPRONA 11.6%, FRODEBU 5.9%, others 1.3%; seats by party - CNDD 81, UPRONA 17, FRODEBU 5, other 3

elections

Senate - last held on 23 July 2010 (next to be held in 2015); National Assembly - last held on 23 July 2010 (next to be held in 2015)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO note: adopted 1962

name

"Burundi Bwacu" (Our Beloved Burundi)

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

Political parties and leaders

governing parties

Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Leonce NGENDAKUMANA]; National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD [Jeremie NGENDAKUMANA]; Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Bonaventure NIYOYANKANA] note: a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are: National Council for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD [Leonard NYANGOMA]; National Resistance Movement for the Rehabilitation of the Citizen or MRC-Rurenzangemero [Epitace BANYAGANAKANDI]; Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Forum for the Strengthening of Civil Society or FORSC [Pacifique NININAHAZWE] (civil society umbrella organization); Observatoire de lutte contre la corruption et les malversations economiques or OLUCOME [Gabriel RUFYIRI] (anti-corruption pressure group)

other

Hutu and Tutsi militias (loosely organized)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal (adult)

Agriculture - products

coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides

Central bank discount rate

10% (31 December 2009) 10.08% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14.08% (31 December 2009 est.) 16.52% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$136 million (2010 est.) -$127 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$1.2 billion (2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

42.4 (1998)

Economy - overview

Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural which accounts for about 35% of GDP and employs more than 90% of the population. Burundi's primary exports are coffee and tea, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings, though exports are a relatively small share of GDP. Burundi's export earning - and its ability to pay for imports - rests primarily on weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi minority, 14% of the population, dominates the coffee trade. An ethnic-based war that lasted for over a decade resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more than 48,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 140,000 others internally. Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in 15 adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply. Burundi's GDP grew around 4% annually in 2006-09. Political stability and the end of the civil war have improved aid flows and economic activity has increased, but underlying weaknesses - a high poverty rate, poor education rates, a weak legal system, and low administrative capacity - risk undermining planned economic reforms. Burundi will continue to remain heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors; the delay of funds after a corruption scandal cut off bilateral aid in 2007 reduced government's revenues and its ability to pay salaries. Burundi joined the East African Community, which should boost Burundi's regional trade ties, and received $700 million in debt relief in 2009. Instability spilling over from eastern Congo-Kinshasa and the ban on minerals smuggled across Burundi's border will be the main challenges to economic growth.

Electricity - consumption

125.6 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

40 million kWh; note - supplied by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

92 million kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar - 1,250.75 (2010), 1,230.18 (2009), 1,198 (2008), 1,065 (2007), 1,030 (2006)

Exports

$71 million (2010 est.) $68 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides

Exports - partners

Germany 21.6%, Switzerland 14.86%, Belgium 9.32%, Sweden 8.94%, Pakistan 5.82% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

31.6%

industry

21.4%

services

47% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$300 (2010 est.) $300 (2009 est.) $300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.9% (2010 est.) 3.5% (2009 est.) 4.5% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.469 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.418 billion (2010 est.) $3.29 billion (2009 est.) $3.178 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 28% (2006)

Imports

$336 million (2010 est.) $275 million (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Saudi Arabia 16.87%, Belgium 11.17%, Uganda 8.62%, Kenya 7.57%, China 5.66%, France 5.35%, Germany 4.46%, India 4.24%, Tanzania 4.21% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

7% (2010 est.)

Industries

light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.2% (2010 est.) 10.7% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

25.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

4.245 million (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

93.6%

industry

2.3%

services

4.1% (2002 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

3,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

2,495 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

68% (2002 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$320 million (31 December 2010 est.) $323 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$568.3 million (31 December 2010 est.) $506.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$465.7 million (31 December 2010 est.) $415.2 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$329.3 million (31 December 2010 est) $293.6 million (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Broadcast media

state-controlled La Radiodiffusion et Television Nationale de Burundi (RTNB) operates the lone TV broadcast station and the only national radio network; about 10 privately-owned radio broadcast stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available in Bujumbura (2007)

Internet country code

.bi

Internet hosts

201 (2010)

Internet users

157,800 (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at a meager 10 per 100 persons

general assessment

sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays

international

country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

31,500 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

838,400 (2009)

Airports

8 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

7 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Ports and terminals

Bujumbura

Roadways

paved

1,286 km

total

12,322 km

unpaved

11,036 km (2004)

Waterways

mainly on Lake Tanganyika between Bujumbura, Burundi's principal port, and lake ports in Tanzania, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,099,541 females age 16-49: 2,118,918 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,337,935 females age 16-49: 1,414,035 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

111,802 (2010 est.)

male

111,829

Military branches

National Defense Force (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army (includes naval detachment and Air Wing), National Gendarmerie (2010)

Military expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2006 est.)

Military service age and obligation

military service is voluntary; the armed forces law of 31 December 2004 did not specify a minimum age for enlistment, but the government had previously said each recruit must have a primary school-leaving certificate; mandatory retirement age 45 (enlisted), 50 (NCOs), and 55 (officers) (2010)

Disputes - international

Burundi and Rwanda dispute sections of border on the Akanyaru/Kanyaru and the Kagera/Nyabarongo rivers, which have changed course since the 1960s, when the boundary was delimited; cross-border conflicts among Tutsi, Hutu, other ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces persist in the Great Lakes region

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

100,000 (armed conflict between government and rebels; most IDPs in northern and western Burundi) (2007) page last updated on January 12, 2011 ======================================================================

refugees (country of origin)

9,849 (Democratic Republic of the Congo)