2017 Edition

Background

Burundi is a small country in East Africa bordered by Tanzania, Rwanda, and Lake Tanganyika. Burundi gained its independence from Belgium in 1962. Much of its history has been turbulent, and Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office. The internationally brokered Arusha Agreement ended the 1993-2005 civil war, paving the way for a new constitution and 2005 elections. Pierre NKURUNZIZA was elected president in 2005 and 2010 and again in a controversial election in 2015. Burundi continues to face many political and economic challenges.

Area

27,830 sq km 25,680 sq km 2,150 sq km

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 Celsius 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

1,504 m lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m highest point: Heha 2,670 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m

highest point

Heha 2,670 m

mean elevation

1,504 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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Law of the Sea

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

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

230 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

1,140 km Democratic Republic of the Congo 236 km, Rwanda 315 km, Tanzania 589 km

border countries (3)

Democratic Republic of the Congo 236 km, Rwanda 315 km, Tanzania 589 km

total

1,140 km

Land use

73.3% arable land 38.9%; permanent crops 15.6%; permanent pasture 18.8% 6.6% 20.1% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

73.3%

forest

6.6%

other

20.1% (2011 est.)

Location

Central Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, west of Tanzania

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

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

Terrain

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

Age structure

45.57% (male 2,628,767/female 2,596,719) 19.15% (male 1,095,213/female 1,100,314) 28.74% (male 1,643,319/female 1,651,679) 3.92% (male 212,074/female 237,324) 2.63% (male 129,482/female 171,865) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

45.57% (male 2,628,767/female 2,596,719)

15-24 years

19.15% (male 1,095,213/female 1,100,314)

25-54 years

28.74% (male 1,643,319/female 1,651,679)

55-64 years

3.92% (male 212,074/female 237,324)

65 years and over

2.63% (male 129,482/female 171,865) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

41.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

29.1% (2010)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

31.7% (2012)

Death rate

8.8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Demographic profile

Burundi is a densely populated country with a high population growth rate, factors that combined with land scarcity and poverty place a large share of its population at risk of food insecurity. About 90% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture. Subdivision of land to sons, and redistribution to returning refugees, results in smaller, overworked, and less productive plots. Food shortages, poverty, and a lack of clean water contribute to a 60% chronic malnutrition rate among children. A lack of reproductive health services has prevented a significant reduction in Burundi’s maternal mortality and fertility rates, which are both among the world’s highest. With two-thirds of its population under the age of 25 and a birth rate of about 6 children per woman, Burundi’s population will continue to expand rapidly for decades to come, putting additional strain on a poor country. Historically, migration flows into and out of Burundi have consisted overwhelmingly of refugees from violent conflicts. In the last decade, more than a half million Burundian refugees returned home from neighboring countries, mainly Tanzania. Reintegrating the returnees has been problematic due to their prolonged time in exile, land scarcity, poor infrastructure, poverty, and unemployment. Repatriates and existing residents (including internally displaced persons) compete for limited land and other resources. To further complicate matters, international aid organizations reduced their assistance because they no longer classified Burundi as a post-conflict country. Conditions have deteriorated since renewed violence erupted in April 2015, causing another outpouring of refugees. In addition to refugee out-migration, Burundi has hosted thousands of refugees from neighboring countries, mostly from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and lesser numbers from Rwanda.

Dependency ratios

89.6 84.8 4.7 21.1 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

4.7

potential support ratio

21.1 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

89.6

youth dependency ratio

84.8

Drinking water source

urban: 91.1% of population rural: 73.8% of population total: 75.9% of population urban: 8.9% of population rural: 26.2% of population total: 24.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

26.2% of population

total

24.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

8.9% of population

Education expenditures

5.4% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

7.5% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.1% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

2,900 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

84,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

58.8 deaths/1,000 live births 65.3 deaths/1,000 live births 52.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

52.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

65.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total

58.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Kirundi 29.7% (official), Kirundi and other language 9.1%, French (official) and French and other language 0.3%, Swahili and Swahili and other language 0.2% (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area), English (official) and English and other language 0.06%, more than 2 languages 3.7%, unspecified 56.9% data represent language read and written by people 10 years of age or older; spoken Kirundi is widespread (2008 est.)

note

data represent language read and written by people 10 years of age or older; spoken Kirundi is widespread (2008 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

60.9 years 59.2 years 62.7 years (2017 est.)

female

62.7 years (2017 est.)

male

59.2 years

total population

60.9 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 85.6% 88.2% 83.1% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

83.1% (2015 est.)

male

88.2%

total population

85.6%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever schistosomiasis rabies (2016)

animal contact disease

rabies (2016)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

BUJUMBURA (capital) 751,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio

712 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

17 years 16.8 years 17.3 years (2017 est.)

female

17.3 years (2017 est.)

male

16.8 years

total

17 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

21.3 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2010 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2010 est.)

Nationality

Burundian(s) Burundian

adjective

Burundian

noun

Burundian(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.4% (2016)

Population

11,466,756 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 2017 est.)

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 2017 est.)

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

Population growth rate

3.25% (2017 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 62.1%, Protestant 23.9% (includes Adventist 2.3% and other Protestant 21.6%), Muslim 2.5%, other 3.6%, unspecified 7.9% (2008 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 43.8% of population rural: 48.6% of population total: 48% of population urban: 56.2% of population rural: 51.4% of population total: 52% of population (2015 est.)

rural

51.4% of population

total

52% of population (2015 est.)

urban

56.2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 10 years (2013)

female

10 years (2013)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 0.74 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.89 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.74 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.99 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

12.7% of total population (2017) 5.48% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

5.48% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

12.7% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Bujumbura 3 22 S, 29 21 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

3 22 S, 29 21 E

name

Bujumbura

time difference

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

Citizenship

no the father must be a citizen of Burundi no 10 years

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

Constitution

several previous; latest ratified by referendum 28 February 2005 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 (2017)

amendments

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 (2017)

history

several previous; latest ratified by referendum 28 February 2005

Country name

Republic of Burundi Burundi Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi Burundi Urundi name derived from the pre-colonial Kingdom of Burundi (17th-19th century)

conventional long form

Republic of Burundi

conventional short form

Burundi

etymology

name derived from the pre-colonial Kingdom of Burundi (17th-19th century)

former

Urundi

local long form

Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi

local short form

Burundi

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Anne S. CASPER (since 20 October 2016) Avenue Des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura B.P. 1720, Bujumbura [257] 22-207-000 [257] 22-222-926

chief of mission

Ambassador Anne S. CASPER (since 20 October 2016)

embassy

Avenue Des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura

FAX

[257] 22-222-926

mailing address

B.P. 1720, Bujumbura

telephone

[257] 22-207-000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge D’Affaires Benjamin MANIRAKIZA (since 7 December 2017) 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 408, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 342-2574 [1] (202) 342-2578

chancery

2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 408, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge D’Affaires Benjamin MANIRAKIZA (since 7 December 2017)

FAX

[1] (202) 342-2578

telephone

[1] (202) 342-2574

Executive branch

President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Gaston SINDIMWO (since 20 August 2015); Second Vice President Joseph BUTORE (since 20 August 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Gaston SINDIMWO (since 20 August 2015); Second Vice President Joseph BUTORE (since 20 August 2015) Council of Ministers appointed by president president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 July 2015(next to be held in 2020); vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by Parliament Pierre NKURUNZIZA reelected president; percent of vote - Pierre NKURUNZIZA (CNDD-FDD) 69.4%, Agathon RWASA (Independents of Hope - Amizerio y'Abarundi) 19%, other 11.6%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by president

chief of state

President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Gaston SINDIMWO (since 20 August 2015); Second Vice President Joseph BUTORE (since 20 August 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Pierre NKURUNZIZA reelected president; percent of vote - Pierre NKURUNZIZA (CNDD-FDD) 69.4%, Agathon RWASA (Independents of Hope - Amizerio y'Abarundi) 19%, other 11.6%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 July 2015(next to be held in 2020); vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by Parliament

head of government

President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Gaston SINDIMWO (since 20 August 2015); Second Vice President Joseph BUTORE (since 20 August 2015)

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

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 abov

Hutu, Twa, Tutsi, as well as the three elements in the national motto: unity, work, progress

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of 9 judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and cassation chambers); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members) Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial Service Commission, a 15-member independent 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 Courts of Appeal; County Courts; Courts of Residence; Martial Court; Court Against Corruption; Commercial Court; Commerce Court

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 independent 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; Court Against Corruption; Commercial Court; Commerce Court

Legal system

mixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Inama Nkenguzamateka (43 seats in the July 2015 election; 36 members indirectly elected by an electoral college of provincial councils using a three-round voting system, which requires a two-thirds majority vote in the first two rounds and a simple majority vote for the two leading candidates in the final round; 4 seats reserved for former heads of state, 3 seats reserved for Twas, and 30% of all votes reserved for women; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly or Inama Nshingamateka (121 seats in the June 2015 election; 100 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 21 co-opted members – 3 seats reserved for Twas and 30% of total seats reserved for women; members serve 5-year terms) Senate - last held on 24 July 2015 (next to be held in 2019); National Assembly - last held on 29 June 2015 (next to be held in 2020) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 33, FRODEBU 2, CNDD 1, former heads of state 4, Twas 3, women 8; National Assembly - percent of vote by party (provisional results) - CNDD-FDD 60.3%, Independents of Hope 11.2%, UPRONA 2.5%, other 26%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 77, Independents of Hope 21, UPRONA 2, women 18, Twas 3

description

bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Inama Nkenguzamateka (43 seats in the July 2015 election; 36 members indirectly elected by an electoral college of provincial councils using a three-round voting system, which requires a two-thirds majority vote in the first two rounds and a simple majority vote for the two leading candidates in the final round; 4 seats reserved for former heads of state, 3 seats reserved for Twas, and 30% of all votes reserved for women; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly or Inama Nshingamateka (121 seats in the June 2015 election; 100 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 21 co-opted members – 3 seats reserved for Twas and 30% of total seats reserved for women; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 33, FRODEBU 2, CNDD 1, former heads of state 4, Twas 3, women 8; National Assembly - percent of vote by party (provisional results) - CNDD-FDD 60.3%, Independents of Hope 11.2%, UPRONA 2.5%, other 26%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 77, Independents of Hope 21, UPRONA 2, women 18, Twas 3

elections

Senate - last held on 24 July 2015 (next to be held in 2019); National Assembly - last held on 29 June 2015 (next to be held in 2020)

National anthem

"Burundi Bwacu" (Our Beloved Burundi) Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO adopted 1962

lyrics/music

Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO

name

"Burundi Bwacu" (Our Beloved Burundi)

note

adopted 1962

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

National symbol(s)

lion; national colors: red, white, green

lion; national colors

red, white, green

Political parties and leaders

Front for Democracy in Burundi or FRODEBU [Keffa NIBIZI] Independents of Hope (Amizero y'Abarundi) [Agathon RWASA and Charles NDITIJE] Movement for Solidarity and Development or MSD [Alexis SINDUHUE] National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD [Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE] National Liberation Forces or FNL [Jacques BIGITIMANA] Union for National Progress (Union pour le Progress Nationale) or UPRONA [Abel GASHATSI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Forum for the Strengthening of Civil Society or FORSC (civil society umbrella organization) [Vital NSHMIRIMANA]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$528.4 million $669.6 million (2016 est.)

expenditures

$669.6 million (2016 est.)

revenues

$528.4 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

11.25% (31 December 2010) 10% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14.24% (31 December 2016 est.) 15.33% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-411 million (2016 est.) $-374.7 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$622.4 million (31 December 2016 est.) $626 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

42.4 (1998)

Economy - overview

Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. Agriculture accounts for over 40% of GDP and employs more than 90% of the population. Burundi's primary exports are coffee and tea, which account for more than 60% of foreign exchange earnings. Thus, Burundi's export earnings - and its ability to pay for imports - rest primarily on favorable weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices, although exports are a relatively small share of GDP. Burundi is heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors. Foreign aid represented 48% of Burundi's national income in 2015, one of the highest percentages in Sub-Saharan Africa, but decreased to 33.5% in 2016. Burundi joined the East African Community (EAC) in 2009. The 1993-2005 civil war resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more than 48,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 140,000 others internally. Political stability, aid flows, and economic activity improved following the war’s end, but underlying weaknesses – low governmental capacity, a high poverty rate, poor educational levels, a weak legal system, a poor transportation network, and overburdened utilities – have prevented the implementation of planned economic reforms. Government corruption has also hindered the development of a private sector. The purchasing power of most Burundians has decreased as wage increases have not kept pace with inflation. In 2015, Burundi’s economy suffered from political turmoil, including street protests and an attempted coup, following President NKURUNZIZA’s controversial announcement that he would run for a third term. Insecurity and refugee flows to neighboring countries slowed down economic activity and donors withdrew aid, increasing Burundi’s budget deficit and decreasing hard currency reserves. Real GDP growth dropped precipitously and has yet to recover to pre-conflict levels.

Exchange rates

Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar - 1,654.63 (2016 est.) 1,654.63 (2015 est.) 1,571.9 (2014 est.) 1,546.7 (2013 est.) 1,442.51 (2012 est.)

Exports

$109.7 million (2016 est.) $120.8 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides

Exports - partners

Democratic Republic of the Congo 30.6%, UAE 15.7%, Kenya 14.5%, Rwanda 7.2% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

87.3% 21.5% 16.9% 0% 6.2% -31.9% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

6.2%

government consumption

21.5%

household consumption

87.3%

imports of goods and services

-31.9% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

16.9%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

39.8% 16.6% 43.7% (2016 est.)

agriculture

39.8%

industry

16.6%

services

43.7% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$800 (2016 est.) $800 (2015 est.) $900 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-1% (2016 est.) -4% (2015 est.) 4.5% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.138 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$7.849 billion (2016 est.) $7.831 billion (2015 est.) $8.066 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

-4.1% of GDP (2016 est.) -6.7% of GDP (2015 est.) -3.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

4.1% 28% (2006)

highest 10%

28% (2006)

lowest 10%

4.1%

Imports

$509.4 million (2016 est.) $595.9 million (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 13.3%, India 13%, Tanzania 8.6%, Saudi Arabia 7.9%, Kenya 7.5%, UAE 5.2%, Uganda 5% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

-7.1% (2016 est.)

Industries

light consumer goods (sugar, shoes, soap, beer); cement, assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing (fruits)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.5% (2016 est.) 5.5% (2015 est.)

Labor force

4.842 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

93.6% 2.3% 4.1% (2002 est.)

agriculture

93.6%

industry

2.3%

services

4.1% (2002 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

64.6% (2014 est.)

Public debt

43.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 39.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$95.17 million (31 December 2016 est.) $136.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$612.8 million (31 December 2016 est.) $571.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$955.1 million (31 December 2016 est.) $851.3 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$456.3 million (31 December 2016 est.) $397.7 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

16.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

300,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

303.9 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

13.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

83.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

4.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

90 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

68,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

230 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

9,700,000 5% 28% 2% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

2% (2013)

electrification - total population

5%

electrification - urban areas

28%

population without electricity

9,700,000

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,636 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

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 (2017)

Internet country code

.bi

Internet users

574,236 5.2% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

5.2% (July 2016 est.)

total

574,236

Telephone system

sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays 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 approaching 50 per 100 persons country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2016)

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 approaching 50 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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

19,540 less than 1 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

19,540

Telephones - mobile cellular

5,357,816 48 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

48 (July 2016 est.)

total

5,357,816

Airports

7 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

over 3,047 m

1 (2017)

total

1

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

4

total

6

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9U (2016)

Heliports

1 (2012)

Ports and terminals

Bujumbura (Lake Tanganyika)

lake port(s)

Bujumbura (Lake Tanganyika)

Roadways

12,322 km 1,500 km 10,822 km (2016)

paved

1,500 km

total

12,322 km

unpaved

10,822 km (2016)

Waterways

(mainly on Lake Tanganyika between Bujumbura, Burundi's principal port, and lake ports in Tanzania, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2011)

Military branches

National Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army (includes maritime wing, Air Wing), National Police (2017)

National Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN)

Army (includes maritime wing, Air Wing), National Police (2017)

Military expenditures

2.21% of GDP (2016) 2.14% of GDP (2015) 2.01% of GDP (2014) 2.24% of GDP (2013) 2.39% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; the armed forces law of 31 December 2004 did not specify a minimum age for enlistment, but the government claimed that no one younger than 18 was being recruited; mandatory retirement ages: 45 (enlisted), 50 (NCOs), 55 (officers), and 60 (officers with the rank of general) (2017)

18 years of age for voluntary military service; the armed forces law of 31 December 2004 did not specify a minimum age for enlistment, but the government claimed that no one younger than 18 was being recruited; mandatory retirement ages

45 (enlisted), 50 (NCOs), 55 (officers), and 60 (officers with the rank of general) (2017)

Disputes - international

Burundi and Rwanda dispute two sq km (0.8 sq mi) of Sabanerwa, a farmed area in the Rukurazi Valley where the Akanyaru/Kanyaru River shifted its course southward after heavy rains in 1965; cross-border conflicts persist among Tutsi, Hutu, other ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces in the Great Lakes region

Refugees and internally displaced persons

61,427 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2017) 187,626 (some ethnic Tutsis remain displaced from intercommunal violence that broke out after the 1993 coup and fighting between government forces and rebel groups; violence since April 2015) (2017) 974 (2016)

IDPs

187,626 (some ethnic Tutsis remain displaced from intercommunal violence that broke out after the 1993 coup and fighting between government forces and rebel groups; violence since April 2015) (2017)

refugees (country of origin)

61,427 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2017)

stateless persons

974 (2016)

Trafficking in persons

Burundi is a source country for children and possibly women subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; business people recruit Burundian girls for prostitution domestically, as well as in Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and the Middle East, and recruit boys and girls for forced labor in Burundi and Tanzania; children and young adults are coerced into forced labor in farming, mining, informal commerce, fishing, or collecting river stones for construction; sometimes family, friends, and neighbors are complicit in exploiting children, at times luring them in with offers of educational or job opportunities Tier 3 – Burundi does not comply fully with the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; corruption, a lack of political will, and limited resources continue to hamper efforts to combat human trafficking; in 2014, the government did not inform judicial and law enforcement officials of the enactment of an anti-trafficking law or how to implement it and approved – but did not fund – its national anti-trafficking action plan; authorities again failed to identify trafficking victims or to provide them with adequate protective services; the government has focused on transnational child trafficking but gave little attention to its domestic child trafficking problem and adult trafficking victims (2015)

current situation

Burundi is a source country for children and possibly women subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; business people recruit Burundian girls for prostitution domestically, as well as in Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and the Middle East, and recruit boys and girls for forced labor in Burundi and Tanzania; children and young adults are coerced into forced labor in farming, mining, informal commerce, fishing, or collecting river stones for construction; sometimes family, friends, and neighbors are complicit in exploiting children, at times luring them in with offers of educational or job opportunities

tier rating

Tier 3 – Burundi does not comply fully with the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; corruption, a lack of political will, and limited resources continue to hamper efforts to combat human trafficking; in 2014, the government did not inform judicial and law enforcement officials of the enactment of an anti-trafficking law or how to implement it and approved – but did not fund – its national anti-trafficking action plan; authorities again failed to identify trafficking victims or to provide them with adequate protective services; the government has focused on transnational child trafficking but gave little attention to its domestic child trafficking problem and adult trafficking victims (2015)