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 integrated defense forces, and established a new constitution and elected a majority Hutu government in 2005. The government of President Pierre NKURUNZIZA, who was reelected in 2010 and again in a disputed election in 2015, 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)

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

11,099,298

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 and English and other language 0.06%, more than 2 languages 3.7%, unspecified 56.9% (2008 est.)

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.

3.26% (2016 est.)

41.7 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

9 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

BUJUMBURA (capital) 751,000 (2015)

21.3

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

6.04 children born/woman (2016 est.)

21.9% (2010/11)

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.)

1.04% (2015 est.)

77,400 (2015 est.)

3,000 (2015 est.)

2.1% (2014)

29.1% (2011)

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)

several previous; latest ratified by popular referendum 28 February 2005 (2016)

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

Burundians' Hope Independent (also called Hope for Burundians)

Front for Democracy in Burundi or FRODEBU [Leonce NGENDAKUMANA]

National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD [Pascal NYABENDA]

National Liberation Forces or FNL [Agathon RWASA]

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]

Union for National Progress (Union pour le Progress Nationale) or UPRONA [Pierre BUYOYA]

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)

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 90% of foreign exchange earnings. Thus, Burundi's export earnings - and its ability to pay for imports - rest primarily on 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 in 2014 represented 42% of Burundi's national income, the second highest rate in Sub-Saharan Africa. Burundi joined the East African Community (EAC) in 2009.

An ethnic war that ended in 2005 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 end of the civil war, but underlying weaknesses - a high poverty rate, poor education rates, a weak legal system, a poor transportation network, overburdened utilities, and low administrative capacity – have prevented the government from implementing planned economic reforms. Government corruption has also hindered the development of a private sector as companies have to deal with ever changing rules. 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 over President NKURUNZIZA’s controversial third term. Blocked transportation routes disrupted the flow of agricultural goods. And donors withdrew aid, increasing Burundi’s budget deficit. When the unrest ends, regional infrastructure improvements driven by the EAC and funded by the World Bank may help improve Burundi’s transport connections and lower transportation costs.

$7.711 billion (2015 est.)

$8.041 billion (2014 est.)

$7.683 billion (2013 est.)

$2.881 billion (2015 est.)

-4.1% (2015 est.)

4.7% (2014 est.)

4.5% (2013 est.)

$800 (2015 est.)

$900 (2014 est.)

$900 (2013 est.)

6.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

10.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

10.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

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

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

-10.7% (2015 est.)

5.119 million (2015 est.)

NA%

68% (2002 est.)

42.4 (1998)

25.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

-5.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

39.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

34.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

calendar year

5.5% (2015 est.)

4.4% (2014 est.)

11.25% (31 December 2010)

10% (31 December 2009)

15.3% (31 December 2015 est.)

15.67% (31 December 2014 est.)

$397.7 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$412.4 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$594.6 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$568.6 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$851.3 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$721.9 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$NA

-$444 million (2015 est.)

-$544 million (2014 est.)

$119.6 million (2015 est.)

$130.1 million (2014 est.)

coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides

Germany 12.3%, Pakistan 10.7%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 10.7%, Uganda 8.1%, Sweden 7.8%, US 7.1%, Belgium 6.3%, Rwanda 4.6%, France 4.4% (2015)

$800.1 million (2015 est.)

$913 million (2014 est.)

capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs

Kenya 15%, Saudi Arabia 14%, Belgium 9.9%, Tanzania 8.3%, Uganda 7.3%, China 7.1%, India 4.9%, France 4% (2015)

$136.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$317.1 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$684.1 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$690.2 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar -

1,571.9 (2015 est.)

1,546.69 (2014 est.)

1,546.7 (2013 est.)

1,442.51 (2012 est.)

1,261.07 (2011 est.)

300 million kWh (2014 est.)

400 million kWh (2014 est.)

0 kWh (2013 est.)

100 million kWh (2014 est.)

66,000 kW (2014 est.)

1.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

98.2% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

1,500 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

1,636 bbl/day (2013 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 La Radiodiffusion et Television Nationale de Burundi (RTNB) operates the lone TV station and the only national radio network; about 10 privately owned radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available in Bujumbura (2007)

.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)

National Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army (includes maritime wing, Air Wing), National Gendarmerie (2013)

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 age 45 (enlisted), 50 (NCOs), and 55 (officers) (2012)

2.39% of GDP (2012)

NA% (2011)

2.39% of GDP (2010)

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