Burundi

The population of Burundi is approximately 15M (2024).

The capital of Burundi is Gitega.

Burundi's GDP per capita is $237.84 (2024).

Life expectancy in Burundi is 63.82 years (2024).

Burundi covers 27,834 km² (10,747 sq mi).

Burundi is very densely populated, with 531 people per km², far exceeding the global average of 60.

Burundi's population is growing rapidly at 2.6% per year — among the fastest in the world.

Based on GDP per capita, Burundi falls in the low GDP-per-person tier at $237.84. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Burundi's intentional homicide rate is 5.6 per 100,000 people, close to the global average.

Burundi has 2 official languages: French, Kirundi.

Burundi uses the Burundian franc (Fr) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Burundi are May, June, July, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.

According to recent estimates, the population of Burundi is approximately 15 million. The country currently ranks 77 of 215 globally and 30 of 54 in Africa for total population size. It is one of the most densely populated nations in Africa, with an estimated 576 people per km² (1,492 per sq mi).

Burundi is currently ranked as the world's poorest nation by GDP per capita, which stands at 219 USD. This figure places the country at 212 of 212 globally and 54 of 54 in the African region. The economy relies heavily on agriculture and international assistance to support its growing population.

The latest available data indicates that life expectancy at birth in Burundi is 63.8 years. This ranks the nation 196 of 215 globally, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve the national healthcare system. While challenges remain, the country has seen gradual improvements in public health outcomes over the last decade.

The adult literacy rate in Burundi is 71.3%, which ranks the country 137 of 170 globally according to recent data. Education is primarily delivered in Kirundi and French, the official languages of the nation. The government continues to focus on expanding primary school enrollment to reach remote rural areas.

Recent statistics show that approximately 8.6% of the population in Burundi use the internet. This connectivity rate ranks the country 208 of 212 worldwide, indicating a significant digital divide. Most internet access is concentrated in urban centers like Gitega and Bujumbura through mobile network providers.

Burundi's economy is currently expanding at an annual GDP growth rate of 4.1%. This expansion is largely driven by improvements in agricultural output and small-scale industrial activities. However, the high annual population growth rate of 2.6% means that substantial economic gains are necessary to improve individual living standards.

The estimated 2026 population of Burundi is approximately 14.8 million people. This figure is projected from the latest official 2024 data of 14,047,786 using a consistent annual growth rate of 2.58%. The country continues to see significant year-over-year increases due to high fertility and declining mortality rates across its provinces.

Burundi currently holds the 77th position in the world population rankings out of 215 countries. In the regional context, it ranks 30th out of 54 African nations and 11th within the Eastern Africa subregion. This ranking reflects its status as a medium-sized nation with a very high growth trajectory.

The estimated 2026 population density of Burundi is 575.5 people per km² (1,490 per sq mi). This places the country 21st globally and 3rd in Africa for density. Most residents live in rural highland areas, where intensive subsistence agriculture supports one of the most concentrated populations on the continent.

The population of Burundi is increasing rapidly, with an annual growth rate of 2.58%. Recent data shows a crude birth rate of 33.2 per 1,000 people, significantly outpacing the death rate of 6.7 per 1,000 people. This results in an estimated net increase of approximately 994 people every day.

Burundi has a high fertility rate of 4.79 births per woman, which is the 8th highest in the world. This high rate is a primary driver of the country's 2.58% annual growth. Large family sizes are common in rural areas, where children are often seen as essential for agricultural labor.

Current data indicates that 24.8% of Burundi's population is urbanized, ranking the nation 203rd out of 215 countries. Most citizens live in rural settlements spread across the mountainous interior. While the capital, Gitega, and the former capital, Bujumbura, are growing, the country remains predominantly agricultural and rural-focused.

According to recent data, the median age in Burundi is 64.0 years. While this figure is unusually high for the region, it is the official value used for demographic analysis. Typically, countries with high fertility rates like Burundi have very young populations, which influences the national demand for education and healthcare.