Discover Fascinating Burundi Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Burundi.
Burundi
Background
๐ฅ Background of Burundi ๐ง๐ฎ
Burundi is a country with a rich yet tumultuous history. It gained independence from Belgium in 1962, beginning its journey as the Kingdom of Burundi. Just a few years later, in 1966, the monarchy was overthrown and a republic was established.
Sadly, the country faced dark times after the assassination of its president in 1993, which sparked 12 years of intense ethnic conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi groups. This period was marked by significant political violence and non-democratic changes in leadership, shaping much of Burundi's past.
Through all this, the spirit of the Burundian people has remained strong, and their story is one of resilience and hope! ๐
Year of Independence
1962
Overthrow of Monarchy
1966
Years of Ethnic Violence
12
Exports - commodities
Burundi's exports are an important part of its economy! ๐ Here are some cool facts about what the country exports:
- Gold: A shiny, valuable item for trade! โจ
- Coffee: Burundi is famous for its delicious coffee! โ๏ธ
- Tea: Another tasty beverage that's loved worldwide! ๐ต
- Rare Earth Ores: These are super important for technology! โ๏ธ
- Tobacco: A crop that has been historically significant for trade! ๐ฌ
Each of these commodities adds color to Burundi's economic picture!
Commodities exported by Burundi
5
Exports - partners
Burundi has some interesting export partners! ๐ As of 2022, the largest partner is the United Arab Emirates, making up a whopping 32% of Burundi's exports. The Democratic Republic of the Congo follows with 14%. Other notable partners include China and Sudan, both at 5%, and Germany at 4%. This shows a diverse range of partnerships that help boost Burundi's economy! ๐โจ
Largest Export Partner
United Arab Emirates (32%)
Second Largest Export Partner
Democratic Republic of the Congo (14%)
Other Notable Export Partners
China (5%), Sudan (5%), Germany (4%)
Export Partners of Burundi (2022)
Capital
Burundi has two important cities serving different roles! ๐ The political capital of the country is Gitega, while the bustling Bujumbura serves as the commercial capital. ๐๏ธ Each city plays a unique part in the nation's governance and economy.
Imports - commodities
Burundi imports a variety of commodities to support its economy and meet the needs of its people! ๐ข Here's a look at some of the key imports in 2022:
- Refined Petroleum: Energy is crucial for every country, and Burundi relies on imported petroleum to power up its progress!
- Fertilizers: Helping farmers boost their crop yields, fertilizers are essential for agriculture in Burundi. ๐ฑ
- Packaged Medicine: Health is wealth! The country imports medicine to ensure that everyone has access to healthcare. ๐
- Cement: Building infrastructure is important for growth, so cement is a key import for construction projects. ๐๏ธ
- Plastic Products: From packaging to everyday items, plastic products are commonly used in daily life.
These imports are vital for Burundi's development and economic stability! ๐
Key Imports
Refined Petroleum, Fertilizers, Packaged Medicine, Cement, Plastic Products
Climate
Burundi has a really cool climate! ๐ It's located on a high plateau with mountains that rise from 772 m to 2,670 m above sea level. This means the weather can change a lot depending on how high you are! โ๏ธ
The average temperature in Burundi can go from 23ยฐC to 17ยฐC, mainly depending on the altitude. So if you enjoy a nice moderate temperature, this is the place for you! โ๏ธโ๏ธ
Rainfall is pretty important too! ๐ง๏ธ The average annual rainfall is about 150 cm, with two wet seasons: from February to May and September to November. But don't forget, there are two dry seasons too, from June to August and December to January! ๐๏ธ
Altitude Variation
772 m to 2670 m
Average Annual Temperature
23ยฐC to 17ยฐC
Average Annual Rainfall
150 cm
Executive branch
In Burundi, the Executive Branch is led by some key figures! ๐๏ธ
The chief of state is President Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE, who has been in office since 18 June 2020. This marks over 3 years of leadership! On the other hand, the head of government is Minister Gervais NDIRAKOBUCA, who took his position on 7 September 2022. This means he has been leading the government's efforts for over a year! ๐
These leaders play crucial roles in steering the country towards its goals and responding to its challenges. ๐
Years in Office (President)
3
Years in Office (Minister)
1
Legislative branch
๐ง๐ฎ The Legislative branch of Burundi is a bicameral Parliament! ๐๏ธ This means it has two parts: the Senate and the National Assembly. Together, they help make important decisions for the country.
The Senate has 39 seats ๐ช, while the National Assembly has 123 seats. That's a total of 162 seats in the Parliament! ๐ณ๏ธ
Total Seats in Parliament
162
Seats in the Senate
39
Seats in the National Assembly
123
Seats in Burundi's Parliament
Natural resources
Burundi is rich in natural resources! ๐ It has a treasure trove of valuable materials including:
- Nickel ๐ชจ
- Uranium โข๏ธ
- Rare earth oxides ๐
- Peat ๐ฟ
- Cobalt ๐
- Copper โก
- Platinum ๐
- Vanadium ๐ง
- Arable land ๐พ
- Hydropower ๐ง
- Niobium ๐งช
- Tantalum โณ
- Gold ๐ฐ
- Tin ๐ฅซ
- Tungsten ๐ฉ
- Kaolin ๐จ
- Limestone ๐๏ธ
With such a variety of natural resources, Burundi has a great potential for economic growth and development! ๐
Economic overview
Burundi has an economy that is primarily based on agriculture and is classified as a low-income Sub-Saharan nation. ๐พ However, the country is facing some tough challenges! There has been a decline in foreign assistance, leading to an increase in fiscal insolvencies. This means the government is having a hard time balancing its budget. ๐ On top of that, the population is dense and still growing, which adds more pressure on resources. Furthermore, the pandemic has affected the economy by reversing two years of price decline, making things even trickier! ๐
Economic classification
Low-income Sub-Saharan economy
Decline in foreign assistance
Declining
Fiscal insolvencies
Increasing
Population status
Dense and still growing
Impact of COVID-19
Weakened economic recovery and flipped two years of deflation
Government type
Burundi is a presidential republic! ๐ณ๏ธ This means that the President is the head of state and also the head of government. In this system, the President is elected by the people and has significant powers in directing the nation's affairs. It's exciting to see how different countries manage their governments, right?
Ethnic groups
In the beautiful country of Burundi, the people come together from different backgrounds and cultures! ๐ The ethnic groups that make up Burundi's rich tapestry include:
- Hutu: The largest ethnic group, known for their agricultural lifestyle.
- Tutsi: A prominent group often associated with cattle herding.
- Twa: The smallest group, traditionally known as potters and hunter-gatherers. ๐๏ธ
- South Asian: A minority that adds to the diversity of Burundi! ๐
Each group contributes to the colorful fabric of Burundi's identity. Let's celebrate the differences that make this nation unique! ๐
Religions
In Burundi, religion plays an important role in the lives of many people. ๐ Hereโs how the religious beliefs break down:
-
Christianity is the major faith, with 93.9% of the population embracing it!
- Within Christianity:
- Roman Catholics make up 58.6%.
- Protestants account for 35.3% (including Adventists - 2.7% and other Protestants - 32.6%).
- Within Christianity:
-
Islam is practiced by 3.4% of the population.
-
A small percentage follows other religions (1.3%) or identifies as having no religion (1.3%). โ
This diversity in beliefs showcases the rich cultural tapestry of Burundi. ๐
Percentage of Christians
93.9%
Percentage of Roman Catholics
58.6%
Percentage of Protestants
35.3%
Percentage of Muslims
3.4%
Percentage of Other Religions
1.3%
Percentage with No Religion
1.3%
Religious Composition in Burundi
Languages
In Burundi, people speak a variety of languages! ๐ง๐ฎ Hereโs a quick rundown:
- Kirundi: This is the official language and is spoken by most people.
- French: Another official language that many Burundians use for communication.
- English: Also official, but itโs the least spoken among them. ๐ฌ๐ง
- Swahili: Recognized since 2008, it's becoming more popular as well!
This diverse language scene shows how rich the culture is in Burundi! ๐
Number of official languages
3
Year Swahili was estimated to be recognized
2008
Imports - partners
๐ง๐ฎ Burundi's Import Partners in 2022 ๐
Let's take a peek at where Burundi gets its goods from! Hereโs a fun breakdown of Burundi's top import partners:
- China: 15%
- UAE (United Arab Emirates): 14%
- Saudi Arabia: 13%
- Tanzania: 12%
- India: 7%
These countries play a big role in supplying Burundi with essential products! ๐๐ผ
Isn't it interesting to see how much of these imports add up to 100%? Let's visualize it! ๐๐
Total of All Import Percentages
100%
Burundi's Import Partners (2022)
Population
Burundi is home to approximately 13,590,102 people! ๐ That's a big number and it reflects the vibrancy and diversity of life in this beautiful country. ๐ From bustling markets to peaceful villages, there's so much happening in the heart of Africa!
Total Population
13,590,102
Area
๐ Let's explore the area of Burundi! This tiny but beautiful country covers a total land area of 27,830 sq km. ๐บ๏ธ Out of this, 25,680 sq km is land, which means thereโs a lot of room for activities like hiking and exploring nature! ๐ณ And don't forget the 2,150 sq km of water, where you might spot some amazing wildlife! ๐ฆ๐
Total Area
27830 sq km
Land Area
25680 sq km
Water Area
2150 sq km
Burundi Area Breakdown
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ Let's dive into the Real GDP (purchasing power parity) of Burundi! This statistic helps us understand how much the country's economy is growing over the years. ๐
Hereโs how the Real GDP has changed:
- 2021: $10.848 billion
- 2022: $11.048 billion
- 2023: $11.347 billion
Itโs exciting to see that Burundiโs economy is on the rise! ๐
Growth Over the Years:
- From 2021 to 2022, there was an increase of $200 million.
- From 2022 to 2023, the growth continued with another increase of $299 million.
This is great news for Burundi's future! ๐
GDP in 2023
$11.347 billion
GDP in 2022
$11.048 billion
GDP in 2021
$10.848 billion
Growth from 2021 to 2022
$200 million
Growth from 2022 to 2023
$299 million
Burundi's Real GDP Growth (PPP)
Real GDP per capita
In Burundi, the Real GDP per capita has remained steady at $900 for three consecutive years! ๐ This shows a constant economic status per person in the country from 2021 to 2023. Let's take a closer look at this data over the years.
Burundi's Real GDP per Capita Over Time
Imports
๐ Burundi's Import Trends Over Time!
Burundi has seen some fluctuations in its import values over the last few years. Let's take a look:
- In 2017, imports were estimated at $1,295 million! That's quite a lot of goods coming into the country! ๐ฆ
- However, the estimate for the same year was refined to $885.422 million.
- By 2018, imports decreased slightly to $905.294 million. ๐
These figures show how Burundi's import needs can change over time, reflecting the economic situation and demand for products! ๐
Total Imports in 2018
$905.294 million
Total Imports in 2017 (estimate)
$1,295 million
Total Imports in 2017 (refined estimate)
$885.422 million
Burundi Imports Over Years
Exports
๐ Burundi's Export Trends!
Let's dive into the world of exports for Burundi over the recent years! In 2017, the export values had some interesting swings:
- In one estimate, exports reached $315 million! ๐ฐ
- However, another estimate for the same year showed a decrease to $270.686 million. ๐
By 2018, the exports were estimated at $285.105 million. ๐
It's fascinating to see how these numbers change over time, reflecting the country's economic shifts. Let's visualize this to better understand the trends!
Exports in 2017 (Estimate 1)
315 million $
Exports in 2017 (Estimate 2)
270.686 million $
Exports in 2018
285.105 million $
Burundi's Export Estimates Over Years
Population growth rate
๐ The population of Burundi is on the rise! As of 2024, the estimated population growth rate is 2.81%. This means that more and more people are calling this beautiful country home! ๐โค๏ธ
Estimated Population Growth Rate in 2024
2.81%