01
Physical geography
Hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains.
Local timeGitega ·
Africa / Eastern Africa · Card 007
Burundi
Burundi is a country in Eastern Africa. Its capital is Gitega.
Find Burundi
● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.
At a glance
- Capital
- Gitega
- Languages
- French & Kirundi
- Currency
- Burundian franc (BIF)
- Population
- 14.4 million2025 · World Bank
- Area
- 27,834 km²10,747 square miles
- Independence
- 1962
Burundi in context
Africa and its surrounding islands. The dot marks Gitega; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.
Natural Earth · locator mapGeography & languages
02
Languages
Languages used in public life include French, Kirundi.
03
Location
Central Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, west of Tanzania.
Flag
Divided by a white diagonal cross into red triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (on each side) with a white disk at the center bearing three six-pointed red stars outlined in green and arranged in a triangular design
History & independence
Burundi became independent on 1 July 1962 after Belgian administration of the UN trust territory of Ruanda-Urundi. It initially retained its monarchy, becoming a republic in 1966. The 2000 Arusha Agreement helped establish a framework for ending civil war.
-
Independence as a kingdom
-
The monarchy is abolished
-
The Arusha peace agreement is signed
Economy
Main activities
Agriculture is central to employment and livelihoods. Coffee and tea are important exports. Limited infrastructure, pressure on land and access to regional markets shape economic development.
Industry and production
light consumer goods (sugar, shoes, soap, beer); cement, assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing (fruits)
Population & economic trends
Dated World Bank observations. Population uses selected years; real GDP uses all available annual observations.
Population, 1970–2025
Millions of people14.42025 · millions of people
Population estimates may be revised. Selected years are shown.
Sources: World Bank · Population
View data table
| Year | People | Millions of people |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 3,530,432 | 3.530 |
| 1980 | 4,383,706 | 4.384 |
| 1990 | 5,587,052 | 5.587 |
| 2000 | 6,470,194 | 6.470 |
| 2010 | 9,376,444 | 9.376 |
| 2020 | 12,617,036 | 12.617 |
| 2025 | 14,390,003 | 14.390 |
Real GDP, 1990–2025
Billions of constant 2015 US dollars3.92025 · billions of constant 2015 US dollars
Constant prices adjust for inflation. This is total economic output, not current-dollar GDP or income per person. Missing years are left as gaps.
Sources: World Bank · Real GDP
View data table
| Year | Constant 2015 US$ | Billions of constant 2015 US dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 2,085,340,574 | 2.085 |
| 1991 | 2,189,541,632 | 2.190 |
| 1992 | 2,211,655,967 | 2.212 |
| 1993 | 2,073,648,634 | 2.074 |
| 1994 | 1,994,227,892 | 1.994 |
| 1995 | 1,836,285,043 | 1.836 |
| 1996 | 1,689,382,239 | 1.689 |
| 1997 | 1,662,521,062 | 1.663 |
| 1998 | 1,741,490,812 | 1.741 |
| 1999 | 1,723,901,755 | 1.724 |
| 2000 | 1,709,130,260 | 1.709 |
| 2001 | 1,744,266,682 | 1.744 |
| 2002 | 1,821,825,838 | 1.822 |
| 2003 | 1,799,531,646 | 1.800 |
| 2004 | 1,886,514,847 | 1.887 |
| 2005 | 1,903,493,481 | 1.903 |
| 2006 | 2,006,544,947 | 2.007 |
| 2007 | 2,075,660,260 | 2.076 |
| 2008 | 2,177,549,065 | 2.178 |
| 2009 | 2,260,014,500 | 2.260 |
| 2010 | 2,375,133,694 | 2.375 |
| 2011 | 2,470,719,238 | 2.471 |
| 2012 | 2,579,999,920 | 2.580 |
| 2013 | 2,707,037,178 | 2.707 |
| 2014 | 2,821,948,416 | 2.822 |
| 2015 | 2,810,532,912 | 2.811 |
| 2016 | 2,900,474,876 | 2.900 |
| 2017 | 3,011,616,942 | 3.012 |
| 2018 | 3,172,504,889 | 3.173 |
| 2019 | 3,313,977,733 | 3.314 |
| 2020 | 3,324,133,213 | 3.324 |
| 2021 | 3,431,737,891 | 3.432 |
| 2022 | 3,511,275,322 | 3.511 |
| 2023 | 3,625,559,222 | 3.626 |
| 2024 | 3,774,652,143 | 3.775 |
| 2025 | 3,934,701,368 | 3.935 |
Human development
The Human Development Index combines health, education and income. Scores range from 0 to 1.
HDI · 20230.439Low human developmentRank 187 of 193 · 2025 report
Human Development Index over time
19900.294
20000.308
20100.416
20200.435
20230.439
63.7 yearsLife expectancy at birth
3.5 yearsMean schooling, adults aged 25+
The latest values refer to 2023. All historical scores use the same report edition. HDI does not describe every aspect of inequality or quality of life.
Sources: UNDP · Human Development Report 2025
Government
Presidential republic. Parliament (Parlement) has two chambers (a bicameral legislature). The president holds executive responsibilities; the legislature makes national laws.
Knowledge check
Three questions about Burundi.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
Which currency is listed for Burundi?
Sources & notes
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived country profile
Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.
Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.