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.
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
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Bujumbura
geographic coordinates: 3 22 S, 29 21 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
Constitution:
several previous; latest ratified by popular referendum 28 February 2005 (2012)
Legal system:
mixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law
International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA - Hutu (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Prosper BAZOMBAZA (since 13 February 2014); Second Vice President Gervais RUFYIKIRI - Hutu (since 29 August 2010); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA - Hutu (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Prosper BAZOMBAZA (since 13 February 2014); Second Vice President Gervais RUFYIKIRI - Hutu (since 29 August 2010)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president
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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
Legislative branch:
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
Judicial branch:
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 9 judges and organized into Judicial, administrative, and cassation chambers)
judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the Judicial Service Commission, a 15-member independent body of judicial and legal profession officials); judges appointed by the president with the approval of the Senate; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; County Courts; Courts of Residence
Political parties and leaders:
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 introduced in 1998 includes:
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 pressure groups and leaders:
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)
chief of mission: Ambassador Ernest NDABASHINZE (since 21 May 2014)
chancery: Suite 408, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574
FAX: [1] (202) 342-2578
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dawn M. LIBERI (since 10 July 2012)
embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura
mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura
telephone: [257] 22-207-000
FAX: [257] 22-222-926
Flag description:
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
National symbol(s):
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 2006-13. 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. Government corruption is hindering the development of a healthy private sector as companies seek to navigate an environment with ever changing rules.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$5.75 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
$5.504 billion (2012 est.)
$5.291 billion (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.676 billion (2013 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
4% (2012 est.)
4.2% (2011 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$600 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 225
$600 (2012 est.)
$600 (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
Gross national saving:
-0.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
-0.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
6.3% of GDP (2011 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption: 88.8%
government consumption: 22.4%
investment in fixed capital: 22.1%
investment in inventories: -4.6%
exports of goods and services: 7.2%
imports of goods and services: -35.9%
(2013 est.)
Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates:
3 30 S, 30 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 27,830 sq km
country comparison to the world: 147
land: 25,680 sq km
water: 2,150 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 1,140 km
border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 236 km, Rwanda 315 km, Tanzania 589 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
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)
Terrain:
hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m
highest point: Heha 2,670 m
total: 0.29 cu km/yr (15%/5%/79%)
per capita: 43.27 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
flooding; landslides; drought
Environment - current issues:
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
Environment - international agreements:
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
Geography - note:
landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nilea
Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000
Languages:
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.)
Religions:
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.)
Population:
10,395,931
country comparison to the world: 86
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 (July 2014 est.)
total: 17 years
male: 16.7 years
female: 17.2 years (2014 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.28% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Birth rate:
42.33 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Death rate:
9.54 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Urbanization:
urban population: 10.9% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 4.12% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
BUJUMBURA (capital) 605,000 (2011)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
21.3
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2010 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
800 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 6
Infant mortality rate:
total: 63.44 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 20
male: 70.22 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 56.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 59.55 years
country comparison to the world: 196
male: 57.94 years
female: 61.22 years (2014 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.14 children born/woman (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
21.9% (2010/11)
Health expenditures:
8.7% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 50
Physicians density:
0.03 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
Hospital bed density:
1.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 91.5% of population
rural: 73.2% of population
total: 75.3% of population
unimproved:
urban: 8.5% of population
rural: 26.8% of population
total: 24.7% of population (2012 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 42.7% of population
rural: 48.1% of population
total: 47.5% of population
unimproved:
urban: 57.3% of population
rural: 51.9% of population
total: 52.5% of population (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
89,500 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,800 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
2.9% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 176
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
29.1% (2011)
country comparison to the world: 19
Education expenditures:
5.8% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 50
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 67.2%
male: 72.9%
female: 61.8% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 10 years (2010)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
total number: 433,187
percentage: 19 % (2005 est.)
17,400 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 193
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.247 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 140
Telephone system:
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)
Broadcast media:
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:
.bi
Internet hosts:
229 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 198
Internet users:
157,800 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 147
total: 12,322 km
country comparison to the world: 127
paved: 1,286 km
unpaved: 11,036 km (2004)
Waterways:
(mainly on Lake Tanganyika between Bujumbura, Burundi's principal port, and lake ports in Tanzania, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo) (2011)
