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.

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

3 30 S, 30 00 E

Africa

slightly smaller than Maryland

0 km (landlocked)

none (landlocked)

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)

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

highest point: Heha 2,670 m

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

arable land 38.9%; permanent crops 15.6%; permanent pasture 18.8%

230 sq km (2012)

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

flooding; landslides; drought

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

landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile

11,466,756

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

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%

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.)

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.

3.25% (2017 est.)

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

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

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

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

BUJUMBURA (capital) 751,000 (2015)

21.3 years

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

5.99 children born/woman (2017 est.)

31.7% (2012)

7.5% of GDP (2014)

1.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)

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.)

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.)

1.1% (2016 est.)

84,000 (2016 est.)

2,900 (2016 est.)

5.4% (2016)

29.1% (2010)

5.4% of GDP (2013)

presidential republic

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

1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

mixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

18 years of age; universal

Front for Democracy in Burundi or FRODEBU [Keffa NIBIZI]

Independents of Hope [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 [Pierre BUYOAY]

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

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

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

lion; national colors: red, white, green

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.

$7.849 billion (2016 est.)

$7.831 billion (2015 est.)

$8.066 billion (2014 est.)

$3.138 billion (2016 est.)

-1% (2016 est.)

-4% (2015 est.)

4.5% (2014 est.)

$800 (2016 est.)

$800 (2015 est.)

$900 (2014 est.)

-4.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

-6.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

-3.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

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

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

-7.1% (2016 est.)

4.842 million (2016 est.)

NA%

64.6% (2014 est.)

42.4 (1998)

16.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

-4.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

43.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

39.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

calendar year

5.5% (2016 est.)

5.5% (2015 est.)

11.25% (31 December 2010)

10% (31 December 2009)

14.24% (31 December 2016 est.)

15.33% (31 December 2015 est.)

$456.3 million (31 December 2016 est.)

$397.7 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$612.8 million (31 December 2016 est.)

$571.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$955.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)

$851.3 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$NA

$-411 million (2016 est.)

$-374.7 million (2015 est.)

$109.7 million (2016 est.)

$120.8 million (2015 est.)

coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides

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

$509.4 million (2016 est.)

$595.9 million (2015 est.)

capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs

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

$95.17 million (31 December 2016 est.)

$136.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$622.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)

$626 million (31 December 2015 est.)

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.)

230 million kWh (2015 est.)

303.9 million kWh (2015 est.)

0 kWh (2016 est.)

90 million kWh (2015 est.)

68,000 kW (2015 est.)

13.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

83.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

4.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

1,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

1,636 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

300,000 Mt (2013 est.)

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)

.bi

9U (2016)

7 (2013)

1 (2012)

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

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)

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

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