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Burundi
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Explore projects in Burundi that aim to support the economy and the environment through innovative and responsible practices on Innovando.News: The Republic of Burundi is located in East Africa, bordering Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. With a surface area of approximately 27.834 km², the country is characterized by hills and a tropical climate, with cool temperatures in the mountainous areas. With approximately 12 million inhabitants and a high population growth rate, Gitega is the political capital, while Bujumbura, the former capital, remains an important economic center. The economy, with a GDP of USD 3,2 billion, is heavily agricultural, with coffee as the main export product. Burundian culture is influenced by Hutu and Tutsi traditions, with music and drumming playing a central role. Famous for its drum festivals, Burundi celebrates Independence Day on July 1, while local cuisine features dishes such as corn porridge and ugali.
Summary data on Burundi
- Total population: Approximately 13 million inhabitants.
- Population growth rate: About 3% per year, with significant growth.
- Capital: Gitega, with about 40.000 inhabitants; Bujumbura is the former capital and the largest city.
- Main cities: Besides Gitega and Bujumbura, other significant towns include Ngozi, Muyinga and Rutana.
- Countries it borders: It borders Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west (across Lake Tanganyika).
- Nominal GDP: Approximately USD 3,5 billion.
- Pro-capite GDP: Approximately USD 300.
- GDP growth rate: Around 2,5% in 2022, with growth supported by agriculture and international aid.
- Inflation: About 7-8%, influenced by food costs and external factors.
- Unemployment rate: Around 60%, with high rates among young people and high informal unemployment.
- Trade balance: Negative, with a significant trade deficit due to high imports of goods and services.
- Major business partners: Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda.
- Public debt: Approximately 25% of GDP, managed at sustainable levels.
- Public spending on R&D (Research and Development): About 0,1% of GDP, with limited investment in innovation.
- Main economic sectors: Agriculture (coffee, tea, and food products), services and small industries.
- Currency: Burundian franc (BIF).
- Interest rate: Approximately 10% established by the Central Bank of Burundi.
- Foreign exchange reserves: Approximately USD 1 billion.
- Main exports: Coffee, tea and agricultural products.
- Main imports: Food products, consumer goods, fuels and machinery.
- Human Development Index (HDI): Very low, with a score of around 0,417.
- Literacy rate: Approximately 68%.
- Life expectancy: About 60 years old.
- Position in the Global Innovation Index: Very low ranking, with significant improvements in technology and infrastructure needed.
- Corruption Perception Index: High perception of corruption, with a score of around 18 out of 100.
Country - Dashboard
Here you'll find a quick but informative overview of the country, a public dashboard that lists demographic, economic, environmental, and commercial data, with graphs and indicators updated from open sources. The idea isn't to "make statistics," but to provide context (how much it weighs, how it produces, what it trades, what impact it leaves). It's a common foundation, useful for better interpreting the news, without depending solely on the emotionality of the headline or the urgency of the moment.
Map – Burundi highlighted
Interactive map with borders and geographic context. It helps you orient yourself, understand the country's scale and location, and connect data to territorial conditions (climate, infrastructure, density). Border source: Natural Earth. Tiles: OpenStreetMap.
Boundaries Source: Natural Earth (via GeoJSON). Tiles: OpenStreetMap.
GDP (current US$)
Measures the overall size of the economy: annual value of goods and services produced, expressed in current dollars. Useful for scale comparisons, but sensitive to inflation and exchange rates. Source: World Bank, latest available value.
$3.364.713.864
Inflation (CPI, y/y %)
Annual change in consumer prices (CPI). This indicates how much the cost of living changes over time. It is an important macroeconomic signal for interest rates and purchasing power, but it can be volatile. Source: World Bank, latest available data.
34,1 %
Employment-to-population (% 15+)
Ratio of employed people to the population aged 15+. Describes how much of society is actually working (not just those seeking work). Useful for understanding social and productive sustainability. It is influenced by demographics and education. Source: World Bank.
77,5 %
Unemployment (% labor force)
Share of the workforce unemployed but available for work. It helps understand the labor market, but depends on definitions and participation. A low value does not guarantee job quality. Source: World Bank, latest available data.
0,9 %
Life expectancy (years)
Average life expectancy at birth. It summarizes socioeconomic conditions and access to healthcare. It does not show internal inequalities, but is comparable over time. Source: World Bank, latest available value.
63,8
Urban population (% of total)
Percentage of the population living in urban areas. Helps interpret infrastructure, services, and environmental pressure. It does not describe urban quality, but rather the settlement structure. Source: World Bank, latest available value.
25,7 %
Net migration (people)
Net migration: the difference between population inflows and outflows. It indicates attractiveness or pressure to leave, but must be interpreted in conjunction with crises, employment, and policies. It can fluctuate widely. Source: World Bank, latest available data.
-34.727
CO₂ per capita (t)
Per capita CO₂ emissions. Useful for comparing energy models and per-person intensity, but does not reflect emissions embodied in imports. Source: World Bank, latest available value.
CO₂ total (kt)
Total CO₂ emissions in kilotons. Shows the overall impact on the climate, but depends on population and economic scale. It should be read in conjunction with the per capita figure. Source: World Bank, latest available data.
Land area (km²)
Land area (km²). Used to contextualize density, resources, and economic geography. It is a structural figure, useful as a basis for interpretation. Source: World Bank.
25.680 km²
Surface area (km²)
Total area (km²), including water. Useful for territorial comparisons and for interpreting logistics and geography. Does not indicate "habitability," but rather physical scale. Source: World Bank.
27.830 km²
Agriculture (% of GDP)
Agriculture's share of GDP. Indicates the relative weight of the primary sector and the degree of economic transformation. A low value does not mean little agriculture, but often more industry and services. Source: World Bank.
34,3 %
Industry (% of GDP)
Industry's share of GDP. Measures the relative weight of manufacturing, construction, and mining. Helps understand production structure and economic cyclicality. Source: World Bank, latest available data.
18,2 %
Services (% of GDP)
Share of services in GDP. Indicates how much the economy is oriented towards trade, finance, tourism, and public/private services. It does not measure the quality of services, but their economic centrality. Source: World Bank, latest available data.
42,1 %
Trade balance (% of GDP)
Trade balance of goods and services as a percentage of GDP. Positive values indicate surpluses, negative values indicate deficits. A gauge of competitiveness and external dependence, but sensitive to commodities and global cycles. Source: World Bank, latest available data.
Exports (US$)
Value of exports of goods and services (current US$). Indicates integration into global chains and the ability to sell abroad. It does not distinguish the quality of exports, but their scale. Source: World Bank, latest available data.
Imports (US$)
Value of imports of goods and services (current US$). Indicates external dependence on energy, technology, and consumption. It is not "negative" in itself, but rather indicates structure and needs. Source: World Bank, latest available data.
Government debt (% of GDP)
Public debt as a ratio to GDP. Helps assess fiscal sustainability and economic policy margins. It doesn't tell you everything (interest rates, maturities, currency), but it's a comparable indicator. Source: World Bank, latest available data.
R&D expenditure (% of GDP)
Research and development spending (% of GDP). Proxy of innovation potential and the ability to generate technological advantage over time. It should be interpreted in conjunction with education and industrial structure. Source: World Bank, latest available data.
0,2 %
Foreign reserves (US$)
Foreign exchange reserves (US$). They indicate the ability to manage external shocks and stabilize the currency. They do not represent all of the national wealth, but they do represent a significant financial cushion. Source: World Bank, latest available data.
$90.349.885
Adult literacy rate (%)
Adult literacy rate. It measures a minimum cultural basis for economic and civic participation. It is a structural indicator, but it is rarely updated and depends on national surveys. Source: World Bank.
71,3 %
General data and insights
View all data
General data and insights
Insights on Burundi
1. Country Name
- Official Country Name: Republic of Burundi
- Short form and long form: Burundi (short form); Republic of Burundi (long form)
2. Geography
- Geographical position: Burundi is located in East Africa, in the Great Lakes region. It borders Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south. To the west it overlooks Lake Tanganyika.
- Area Approximately 27.834 km².
- Description of the landscape: Burundi's landscape is characterized by hills, mountains and river valleys. The region has a tropical climate, with cool temperatures in the mountainous areas and warmer temperatures in the lowlands.
3. Population
- Number of inhabitants: About 12 million inhabitants.
- Population growth rate: The population growth rate is high, around 3% per year.
- Major cities and population distribution: Major cities include Gitega (the political capital), Bujaumbura (former capital), Ngozi, and Rumonge. The population is concentrated in rural areas, with a significant percentage living in poverty.
4. Capital and main cities
- Name of the capital: Trip.
- Information on the main cities: Gitega is the political and cultural capital of Burundi, while Bujumbura, which was the capital until 2019, remains an important economic and commercial center, located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
5. economy
Nominal GDP and GDP per capita
Burundi has a nominal GDP of about US$3,2 billion, with a GDP per capita of about US$280. The economy is among the poorest in the world, with a heavy dependence on agriculture.Main economic sectors (agriculture, industry, services)
Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and employs the majority of the population. Major agricultural products include coffee, tea, bananas, and potatoes. Burundi is one of Africa's largest producers of coffee, which is a significant export. The industrial sector is limited, but includes food processing, consumer goods manufacturing, and tea and coffee processing. The service sector is growing, but represents a relatively small portion of the economy.GDP growth rate and inflation
In recent years, Burundi has seen GDP growth rates of around 1-2%, with fluctuations due to political instability and economic crises. Inflation has been a significant problem, ranging between 5 and 10%.Unemployment rate and trade balance
The unemployment rate is high, around 70%, especially among young people. The trade balance is negative, as the country imports more goods than it exports, with a strong dependence on imported food and consumer goods.Public debt
Burundi's public debt is relatively high, around 50% of GDP. The government has faced challenges in maintaining debt sustainability due to economic and political instabilities.Main exports and imports
Major exports include coffee, tea, agricultural products and minerals. Imports consist mainly of food, fuel and consumer goods, with major trading partners including Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.6. Political system and government
- Type of government: Presidential republic.
- Political structure: Burundi has a presidential system in which the president is both the head of state and the head of government. The parliament is bicameral, composed of the National Assembly and the Senate.
- Main political parties and electoral organization: The main parties include the National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) and the Party of the Union for Freedom and Solidarity (PALIPEHUTU-FNL). The elections have been criticized for their lack of transparency and fairness.
7. History and culture
Brief historical overview of the country
Burundi has a complex history, marked by ethnic conflicts between the Hutu and Tutsi populations. It gained independence from Belgium in 1962, but has suffered a long period of political instability and violence, including genocide and civil war. In recent years, the country has attempted to stabilize, but political tensions remain.Cultural and linguistic traditions
Burundian culture is influenced by Hutu and Tutsi traditions, with a strong emphasis on music, dance and crafts. The official language is Kirundi, but French and English are also widely spoken. Cultural traditions include Burundian drumming, which is an important part of celebrations and events.Cultural heritage (monuments, UNESCO sites, cultural events)
Burundi is home to several historical and cultural sites, including the Martyrs' Monument and the Gitega Museum. Cultural events such as the Gitega Drumming Festival celebrate local traditions and attract visitors.8. Innovation and development
- Position in the Global Innovation Index: Burundi is a developing country and is not among the most innovative, but there are initiatives to improve education and innovation.
- R&D (Research and Development) Spending: Spending on R&D is limited and resources are mainly allocated to agricultural and health projects.
- Advanced technological sectors and main innovations of the country: The country is trying to develop its information and communication technology sector, but there are still many challenges related to access to the Internet and technology.
9. Education and health
- Literacy rate: About 68%.
- Structure of the education system: Education is free and compulsory until the age of 13. The education system includes public and private schools, but there are significant challenges regarding access and quality of education.
- Quality and accessibility of the health system: The health system is mixed, with both public and private services. There are challenges related to access to care and the quality of health facilities, but the government has worked to improve the situation.
- Life expectancy: About 61 years old.
10. International rankings
- Position in the Human Development Index (HDI): Low, with an HDI around 0,433.
- Position in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI): Low ranking, with significant concerns about corruption in the public sector.
- Position in global economic indices: Low ranking for ease of doing business, with opportunities for improvement in the business environment.
11. Environmental policies
- The country's efforts in terms of sustainability: Burundi has initiated policies to address environmental issues and promote sustainability, but faces significant challenges related to deforestation and water management.
- Environmental policies and international commitments: The country is party to several international agreements on environmental protection and is working to improve the management of natural resources.
12. Curiosities and peculiarities
- Interesting or unique facts about the country: Burundi is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in Africa. It is known for its drumming tradition and festivals celebrating music and dance.
- Important events, national holidays, gastronomic specialties: Independence Day on July 1 is a national holiday. Burundian cuisine includes dishes such as corn porridge and ugali, a corn dough served with various sauces.
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