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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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)

Internet country code [time series]

.bi

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

229 (2012) country comparison to the world: 199

Internet users [time series]

157,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 147

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays 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 increasing but remains at roughly 20 per 100 persons international: country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

30,000 (2011) country comparison to the world: 177

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

1.915 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 141

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $473.2 million expenditures: $558.5 million (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-3.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Central bank discount rate [time series]

11.25% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 10% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

17% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 13.33% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$337.4 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 -$253.4 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$231.7 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 $322.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

42.4 (1998) country comparison to the world: 50

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural; agriculture accounts for just over 30% 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, though exports are a relatively small share of GDP. Burundi's export earnings - and its ability to pay for imports - rests primarily on weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices. An ethnic-based war that lasted for over a decade resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more than 48,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 140,000 others internally. Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in 15 adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply. Less than 2% of the population has electricity in its homes. Burundi's GDP grew around 4% annually in 2006-12. Political stability and the end of the civil war have improved aid flows and economic activity has increased, but underlying weaknesses - a high poverty rate, poor education rates, a weak legal system, a poor transportation network, overburdened utilities, and low administrative capacity - risk undermining planned economic reforms. The purchasing power of most Burundians has decreased as wage increases have not kept up with inflation. Burundi will remain heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors - foreign aid represents 42% of Burundi's national income, the second highest rate in Sub-Saharan Africa. Burundi joined the East African Community in 2009, which should boost Burundi's regional trade ties, and also in 2009 received $700 million in debt relief. Government corruption is hindering the development of a healthy private sector as companies seek to navigate an environment with ever changing rules.

Exchange rates [time series]

Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar - 1,439.5 (2012 est.) 1,261.07 (2011 est.) 1,230.8 (2010 est.) 1,230.18 (2009) 1,198 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$107.4 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 $90.8 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 15.6%, China 10.5%, Sweden 9.5%, Belgium 9%, Pakistan 7.4%, US 7.4%, France 4.3% (2011)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$2.53 billion (2012 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$5.489 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 $5.268 billion (2011 est.) $5.057 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 31.1% industry: 21.3% services: 47.7% (2012 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$600 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 225 $600 (2011 est.) $600 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 4.2% (2011 est.) 3.8% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 28% (2006)

Imports [time series]

$569.7 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 $536.6 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs

Imports - partners [time series]

Saudi Arabia 17.1%, Belgium 8.3%, China 7.6%, Uganda 7.5%, Kenya 6.6%, Zambia 6.5%, US 6.3%, France 5.1%, India 4.1% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

16% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 9.7% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

21.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Labor force [time series]

4.245 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 88

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Population below poverty line [time series]

68% (2002 est.)

Public debt [time series]

72.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 80.4% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$335.8 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $295.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$519 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 $465.4 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$642.7 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 $576.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$372.4 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 $333.9 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

18.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

527,800 Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Electricity - consumption [time series]

198.1 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

1.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

98.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Electricity - imports [time series]

80 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

52,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Electricity - production [time series]

127 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

2,290 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

1,334 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 27,830 sq km country comparison to the world: 147 land: 25,680 sq km water: 2,150 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Maryland

Climate [time series]

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 centigrade 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 [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m highest point: Heha 2,670 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.29 cu km/yr (17%/6%/77%) per capita: 38 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

3 30 S, 30 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

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 [time series]

230 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 974 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 35.57% permanent crops: 13.12% other: 51.31% (2005)

Location [time series]

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

flooding; landslides; drought

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Total renewable water resources [time series]

3.6 cu km (1987)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

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

Constitution [time series]

ratified by popular referendum 28 February 2005

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Burundi conventional short form: Burundi local long form: Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi local short form: Burundi former: Urundi

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador [vacant]; Charge d'Affaires Samuel R. WATSON embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura telephone: [257] 223454 FAX: [257] 222926

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Angele NIYUHIRE chancery: Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574 FAX: [1] (202) 342-2578

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA - Hutu (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Therence SINUNGURUZA - Tutsi (since 29 August 2010); Second Vice President Gervais RUFYIKIRI - Hutu (since 29 August 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA - Hutu (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Therence SINUNGURUZA - Tutsi (since 29 August 2010); Second Vice President Gervais RUFYIKIRI - Hutu (since 29 August 2010) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 28 June 2010 (next to be held in 2015); vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by parliament election results: Pierre NKURUNZIZA elected president by popular vote; Pierre NKURUNZIZA 91.6%, other 8.4%; note - opposition parties withdrew from the election due to alleged government interference in the electoral process

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, 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 [time series]

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; High Court of Justice (composed of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court)

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Parliament or Parlement, consists of a Senate (54 seats; 34 members elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms, with remaining seats assigned to ethnic groups and former chiefs of state) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (minimum 100 seats, 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi with at least 30% being women; additional seats appointed by a National Independent Electoral Commission to ensure ethnic representation; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 23 July 2010 (next to be held in 2015) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - TBD; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 81.2%, UPRONA 11.6%, FRODEBU 5.9%, others 1.3%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 81, UPRONA 17, FRODEBU 5, other 3

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Burundi Bwacu" (Our Beloved Burundi) lyrics/music: Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO note: adopted 1962

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

National symbol(s) [time series]

lion

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

governing parties: Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Leonce NGENDAKUMANA]; National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD [Jeremie NGENDAKUMANA]; Union for National Progress (Union pour le Progress Nationale) or UPRONA [Bonaventure NIYOYANKANA] note: a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are: 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]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

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) other: Hutu and Tutsi militias (loosely organized)

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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 led to an integrated defense force, established a new constitution in 2005, and elected a majority Hutu government in 2005. The government of President Pierre NKURUNZIZA, who was reelected in 2010, continues to face many political and economic challenges.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 2,182,327 females age 16-49: 2,202,125 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,398,769 females age 16-49: 1,481,417 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 117,956 female: 116,956 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

National Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army (includes naval detachment, Air Wing, and Coast Guard), National Gendarmerie (2011)

Military expenditures [time series]

5.9% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Military service age and obligation [time series]

military service is voluntary; 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) (2011)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 45.8% (male 2,431,155/ female 2,405,176) 15-64 years: 51.7% (male 2,694,891/ female 2,765,234) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 104,391/ female 156,412) (2012 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

40.58 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

38.9% (2000) country comparison to the world: 6

Death rate [time series]

9.36 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

8.3% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 10

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

3.3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

15,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

180,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

13.1% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 7

Hospital bed density [time series]

0.73 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 60.32 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 27 male: 64.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 55.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages [time series]

Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 59.24 years country comparison to the world: 191 male: 57.52 years female: 61.02 years (2012 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 67.2% male: 72.9% female: 61.8% (2010 est.)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

BUJUMBURA (capital) 455,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

800 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 5

Median age [time series]

total: 17 years male: 16.6 years female: 17.3 years (2012 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Burundian(s) adjective: Burundian

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.03 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population [time series]

10,557,259 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 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 [time series]

3.104% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Religions [time series]

Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10%

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 49% of population rural: 46% of population total: 46% of population unimproved: urban: 51% of population rural: 54% of population total: 54% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 10 years male: 9 years female: 7 years (2009)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

6.08 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 11% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 4.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 35,213 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2011) IDPs: 78,796 (the majority are ethnic Tutsi displaced by inter-communal violence that broke out after the 1993 coup and fighting between government forces and rebel groups; no new displacements since 2008 when the last rebel group laid down its arms) (2011)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

7 (2012) country comparison to the world: 168

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2012)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2012)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Bujumbura

Roadways [time series]

total: 12,322 km country comparison to the world: 129 paved: 1,286 km unpaved: 11,036 km (2004)

Waterways [time series]

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