2018 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2018 Archive (Wayback Machine)

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Countries

268

Data Records

69,324

Burundi

2018 Edition · 302 data fields

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Introduction

Background

Burundi is a small country in Central-East Africa bordered by Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Lake Tanganyika. Burundi gained its independence from Belgium in 1962. Much of its history has been marked by political violence and non-democratic transfers of power; Burundi's first democratically elected president, a Hutu, was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office. The internationally brokered Arusha Agreement, signed in 2000, and subsequent ceasefire agreements with armed movements ended the 1993-2005 civil war. Burundi’s second democratic elections were held in 2005. Pierre NKURUNZIZA was elected president in 2005 and 2010, and again in a controversial election in 2015. Burundi continues to face many economic and political challenges.

Geography

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 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

elevation extremes: 772 m lowest point: Lake Tanganyika
mean elevation: 1,504 m
note: 2670 highest point: Heha

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

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

border countries (3): Democratic Republic of the Congo 236 km, Rwanda 315 km, Tanzania 589 km
total: 1,140 km

Land Use

arable land: 38.9% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 15.6% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 18.8% (2011 est.)
agricultural land: 73.3% (2011 est.)
forest: 6.6% (2011 est.)
other: 20.1% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map References

Africa

Maritime Claims

note: 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

People and Society

Age Structure

0-14 years: 45.52% (male 2,712,836 /female 2,678,223)
15-24 years: 19.21% (male 1,135,145 /female 1,139,717)
25-54 years: 28.7% (male 1,694,547 /female 1,704,369)
55-64 years: 3.89% (male 218,272 /female 242,855)
65 years and over: 2.69% (male 137,590 /female 180,966) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

40.9 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

29.3% (2016)

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

28.5% (2016/17)

Death Rate

8.6 deaths/1,000 population (2018 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

elderly dependency ratio: 4.7 (2015 est.)
potential support ratio: 21.1 (2015 est.)
total dependency ratio: 89.6 (2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 84.8 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 91.1% of population

rural: 73.8% of population

total: 75.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 8.9% of population

rural: 26.2% of population

total: 24.1% of population (2015 est.)

Education Expenditures

5.4% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic Groups

Hutu 85%, Tutsi 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% (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids Deaths

1,700 (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids People Living With Hiv Aids

78,000 (2017 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

0.8 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Infant Mortality Rate

female: 50.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 63.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
total: 57.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

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

Life Expectancy At Birth

female: 63.2 years (2018 est.)
male: 59.6 years (2018 est.)
total population: 61.4 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)
female: 83.1% (2015 est.)
male: 88.2% (2015 est.)
total population: 85.6% (2015 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases

animal contact diseases: rabies (2016)
degree of risk: very high (2016)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016)
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever (2016)
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis (2016)

Major Urban Areas Population

899,000 BUJUMBURA (capital) (2018)

Maternal Mortality Rate

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

Median Age

female: 17.3 years (2018 est.)
male: 16.8 years
total: 17.1 years

Mother S Mean Age At First Birth

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

Nationality

adjective: Burundian
noun: Burundian(s)

Net Migration Rate

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

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

5.4% (2016)

Population

11,844,520 (July 2018 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

Population Growth Rate

3.23% (2018 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

improved: urban: 43.8% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 48.6% of population (2015 est.)

total: 48% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban: 56.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 51.4% of population (2015 est.)

total: 52% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

female: 10 years (2013)
male: 11 years (2013)
total: 11 years (2013)

Sex Ratio

0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

5.93 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

female: 2% (2014 est.)
male: 4.4% (2014 est.)
total: 2.9% (2014 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization: 5.68% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
urban population: 13% of total population (2018)

Government

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

geographic coordinates: 3 22 S, 29 21 E
name: Bujumbura
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

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

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; amended 2018 (2018)
history: several previous; latest ratified by referendum 28 February 2005 (2018)

Country Name

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, German East Africa, Kingdom of Burundi
local long form: Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi
local short form: Burundi

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

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

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

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 (Hope of Burundians - 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; note - a 2018 constitutional referendum effective for the 2020 election, approved reinstatement of the prime minister position, reduced the number of vice presidents from 2 to 1, and increased the presidential term from 5 to 7 years with a 2-consecutive-term limit
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

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; withdrew from ICCt in October 2017

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

highest courts: 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

description: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of: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 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) 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; 60% of seats allocated to Hutu and 40% to Tutsi; 3 seats reserved for Twas; 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; composition - men 25, women 18, percent of women 41.9%; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - 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; composition - men 77, women 44, percent of women 36.4%; note - total Parliament percent of women 37.8%
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

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

Political Parties And Leaders

Front for Democracy in Burundi or FRODEBU [Keffa NIBIZI]Hope of Burundians (Amizero y'Abarundi) [Agathon RWASA, Charles NDITIJE]Movement for Solidarity and Development or MSD [Alexis SINDUHIJE]National Council for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD [Leonard NYANGOMA]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]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Economy

Agriculture Products

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

Budget

expenditures: 729.6 million (2017 est.)
revenues: 536.7 million (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-5.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

11.25% (31 December 2010)

10% (31 December 2009)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

14.8% (31 December 2017 est.)

14.24% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current Account Balance

-$418 million (2017 est.)

-$411 million (2016 est.)

Debt External

$610.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$622.4 million (31 December 2016 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 half of foreign exchange earnings, but these earnings are subject to fluctuations in weather and international coffee and tea prices, Burundi is heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors, as well as foreign exchange earnings from participation in the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). Foreign aid represented 48% of Burundi's national income in 2015, one of the highest percentages in Sub-Saharan Africa, but this figure decreased to 33.5% in 2016 due to political turmoil surrounding President NKURUNZIZA’s bid for a third term. Burundi joined the East African Community (EAC) in 2009.Burundi faces several underlying weaknesses – low governmental capacity, corruption, a high poverty rate, poor educational levels, a weak legal system, a poor transportation network, and overburdened utilities – that have prevented the implementation of planned economic reforms. The purchasing power of most Burundians has decreased as wage increases have not kept pace with inflation, which reached approximately 18% in 2017.Real GDP growth dropped precipitously following political events in 2015 and has yet to recover to pre-conflict levels. Continued resistance by donors and the international community will restrict Burundi’s economic growth as the country deals with a large current account deficit.

Exchange Rates

Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar -

1,731 (2017 est.)

1,654.63 (2016 est.)

1,654.63 (2015 est.)

1,571.9 (2014 est.)

1,546.7 (2013 est.)

Exports

$119 million (2017 est.)

$109.7 million (2016 est.)

Exports Commodities

coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides

Exports Partners

Democratic Republic of the Congo 25.5%, Switzerland 18.4%, UAE 14.9%, Belgium 6% (2017)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Gdp Composition By End Use

exports of goods and services: 5.5% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 20.8% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 83% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -25.3% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 16% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)

Gdp Composition By Sector Of Origin

agriculture: 39.5% (2017 est.)
industry: 16.4% (2017 est.)
services: 44.2% (2017 est.)

Gdp Official Exchange Rate

$3.396 billion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

Gdp Per Capita Ppp

$700 (2017 est.); $800 (2016 est.); $800 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Purchasing Power Parity

$8.007 billion (2017 est.); $8.007 billion (2016 est.); $8.091 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Real Growth Rate

0% (2017 est.)

-1% (2016 est.)

-4% (2015 est.)

Gross National Saving

-5.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

-4.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

-6.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

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

Imports

$603.8 million (2017 est.)

$527.2 million (2016 est.)

Imports Commodities

capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs

Imports Partners

India 18.5%, China 13%, Kenya 7.9%, UAE 6.8%, Saudi Arabia 6.8%, Uganda 6%, Tanzania 5.4%, Zambia 4.6% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

-2% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

16.6% (2017 est.)

5.5% (2016 est.)

Labor Force

5.012 million (2017 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

agriculture: 93.6%
industry: 2.3%
services: 4.1% (2002 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

note: NA

Population Below Poverty Line

64.6% (2014 est.)

Public Debt

51.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

48.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

$97.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$95.17 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Broad Money

$540 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$476.7 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Domestic Credit

$1.116 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.03 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Narrow Money

$540 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$476.7 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes And Other Revenues

15.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

note: NA

Energy

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2017 est.)
total: 3,914 (2017 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

percent of population: 5.2% (July 2016 est.)
total: 574,236 (July 2016 est.)

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 approaching 52 per 100 persons (2017)
general assessment: with the great population density Burundi remains one of the most alluring telecom markets in Africa for investors; the government in early 2018 began the Burundi Broadband project, which plans to deliver nationwide connectivity by 2025; mobile operators have launched 3G and LTE mobile services to capitalise on the expanding demand for Internet access (2018)
international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); the government, supported by the Word Bank, has backed a joint venture with a number of prominent telcos to build a national fibre backbone network, offering onward connectivity to submarine cable infrastructure landings in Kenya and Tanzania (2017)

Telephones Fixed Lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2017 est.)
total subscriptions: 23,409 (2017 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 52 (2017 est.)
total subscriptions: 5,920,612 (2017 est.)

Transportation

Airports

7 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

over 3,047 m: 1 (2017)
total: 1 (2017)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2013)
total: 6 (2013)
under 914 m: 2 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

9U (2016)

Heliports

1 (2012)

Ports And Terminals

lake port(s): Bujumbura (Lake Tanganyika)

Roadways

paved: 1,500 km (2016)
total: 12,322 km (2016)
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 and Security

Military Branches

National Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army (includes maritime wing, air wing), National Police (Police Nationale du Burundi) (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)

Transnational Issues

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 1965cross-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

IDPs: 147,086 (some ethnic Tutsis remain displaced from intercommunal violence that broke out after the 1,993 coup and fighting between government forces and rebel groups; violence since April 2015) (2018)
refugees (country of origin): 75,297 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2018)
stateless persons: 974 (2017)

Trafficking In Persons

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)