Introduction ::
BURUNDI
-
Burundi is a small country in East Africa bordered by Tanzania, Rwanda, and Lake Tanganyika. Burundi gained its independence from Belgium in 1962. Much of its history has been turbulent, and Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office. The internationally brokered Arusha Agreement ended the 1993-2005 civil war, paving the way for a new constitution and 2005 elections. Pierre NKURUNZIZA was elected president in 2005 and 2010 and again in a controversial election in 2015. Burundi continues to face many political and economic challenges.
Geography ::
BURUNDI
-
Central Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, west of Tanzania
3 30 S, 30 00 E
Africa
total:
27,830 sq km
land:
25,680 sq km
water:
2,150 sq km
country comparison to the world:
147
slightly smaller than Maryland
total:
1,140 km
border countries (3):
Democratic Republic of the Congo 236 km, Rwanda 315 km, Tanzania 589 km
0 km (landlocked)
none (landlocked)
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 Celsius 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)
hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains
mean elevation:
1,504 m
elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m
highest point: Heha 2,670 m
nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone
agricultural land:
73.3%
arable land 38.9%; permanent crops 15.6%; permanent pasture 18.8%
forest:
6.6%
other:
20.1% (2011 est.)
230 sq km (2012)
one of Africa's most densely populated countries; concentrations tend to be in the north and along the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the west; most people live on farms near areas of fertile volcanic soil
flooding; landslides; drought
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
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
landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile
People and Society ::
BURUNDI
-
11,466,756
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 2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:
78
noun:
Burundian(s)
adjective:
Burundian
Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000
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 (official) and English and other language 0.06%, more than 2 languages 3.7%, unspecified 56.9%
note:
data represent language read and written by people 10 years of age or older; spoken Kirundi is widespread (2008 est.)
Roman 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.)
Burundi is a densely populated country with a high population growth rate, factors that combined with land scarcity and poverty place a large share of its population at risk of food insecurity. About 90% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture. Subdivision of land to sons, and redistribution to returning refugees, results in smaller, overworked, and less productive plots. Food shortages, poverty, and a lack of clean water contribute to a 60% chronic malnutrition rate among children. A lack of reproductive health services has prevented a significant reduction in Burundi’s maternal mortality and fertility rates, which are both among the world’s highest. With two-thirds of its population under the age of 25 and a birth rate of about 6 children per woman, Burundi’s population will continue to expand rapidly for decades to come, putting additional strain on a poor country.
Historically, migration flows into and out of Burundi have consisted overwhelmingly of refugees from violent conflicts. In the last decade, more than a half million Burundian refugees returned home from neighboring countries, mainly Tanzania. Reintegrating the returnees has been problematic due to their prolonged time in exile, land scarcity, poor infrastructure, poverty, and unemployment. Repatriates and existing residents (including internally displaced persons) compete for limited land and other resources. To further complicate matters, international aid organizations reduced their assistance because they no longer classified Burundi as a post-conflict country. Conditions have deteriorated since renewed violence erupted in April 2015, causing another outpouring of refugees. In addition to refugee out-migration, Burundi has hosted thousands of refugees from neighboring countries, mostly from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and lesser numbers from Rwanda.
0-14 years:
45.57% (male 2,628,767/female 2,596,719)
15-24 years:
19.15% (male 1,095,213/female 1,100,314)
25-54 years:
28.74% (male 1,643,319/female 1,651,679)
55-64 years:
3.92% (male 212,074/female 237,324)
65 years and over:
2.63% (male 129,482/female 171,865) (2017 est.)
population pyramid:
Africa
::
BURUNDI
Population Pyramid
A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.
total dependency ratio:
89.6
youth dependency ratio:
84.8
elderly dependency ratio:
4.7
potential support ratio:
21.1 (2015 est.)
total:
17 years
male:
16.8 years
female:
17.3 years (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:
223
3.25% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:
4
41.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:
6
8.8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:
69
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:
77
one of Africa's most densely populated countries; concentrations tend to be in the north and along the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the west; most people live on farms near areas of fertile volcanic soil
urban population:
12.7% of total population (2017)
rate of urbanization:
5.48% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
BUJUMBURA (capital) 751,000 (2015)
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:
0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.74 male(s)/female
total population:
0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
21.3 years
note:
median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2010 est.)
712 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
8
total:
58.8 deaths/1,000 live births
male:
65.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female:
52.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:
19
total population:
60.9 years
male:
59.2 years
female:
62.7 years (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:
202
5.99 children born/woman (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:
4
31.7% (2012)
7.5% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world:
63
1.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)
improved:
urban: 91.1% of population
rural: 73.8% of population
total: 75.9% of population
unimproved:
urban: 8.9% of population
rural: 26.2% of population
total: 24.1% of population (2015 est.)
improved:
urban: 43.8% of population
rural: 48.6% of population
total: 48% of population
unimproved:
urban: 56.2% of population
rural: 51.4% of population
total: 52% of population (2015 est.)
1.1% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
42
84,000 (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
46
2,900 (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
42
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 (2016)
5.4% (2016)
country comparison to the world:
178
29.1% (2010)
country comparison to the world:
16
5.4% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world:
50
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write
total population:
85.6%
male:
88.2%
female:
83.1% (2015 est.)
total:
11 years
male:
11 years
female:
10 years (2013)
Government ::
BURUNDI
-
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
etymology:
name derived from the pre-colonial Kingdom of Burundi (17th-19th century)
presidential republic
name:
Bujumbura
geographic coordinates:
3 22 S, 29 21 E
time difference:
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
18 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rural, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rumonge, Rutana, Ruyigi
1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)
Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
history:
several previous; latest ratified by referendum 28 February 2005
amendments:
proposed by the president of the republic after consultation with the government or by absolute majority support of the membership in both houses of Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Senate membership and at least four-fifths majority vote by the National Assembly; the president can opt to submit amendment bills to a referendum; constitutional articles including those on national unity, the secularity of Burundi, its democratic form of government, and its sovereignty cannot be amended; note - in December 2017, the president began promoting a campaign for a referendum to amend the constitution (2017)
mixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
the father must be a citizen of Burundi
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
10 years
18 years of age; universal
chief of state:
President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Gaston SINDIMWO (since 20 August 2015); Second Vice President Joseph BUTORE (since 20 August 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government:
President Pierre NKURUNZIZA (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Gaston SINDIMWO (since 20 August 2015); Second Vice President Joseph BUTORE (since 20 August 2015)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by president
elections/appointments:
president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 July 2015(next to be held in 2020); vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by Parliament
election results:
Pierre NKURUNZIZA reelected president; percent of vote - Pierre NKURUNZIZA (CNDD-FDD) 69.4%, Agathon RWASA (Independents of Hope - Amizerio y'Abarundi) 19%, other 11.6%
description:
bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Inama Nkenguzamateka (43 seats in the July 2015 election; 36 members indirectly elected by an electoral college of provincial councils using a three-round voting system, which requires a two-thirds majority vote in the first two rounds and a simple majority vote for the two leading candidates in the final round; 4 seats reserved for former heads of state, 3 seats reserved for Twas, and 30% of all votes reserved for women; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly or Inama Nshingamateka (121 seats in the June 2015 election; 100 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 21 co-opted members – 3 seats reserved for Twas and 30% of total seats reserved for women; members serve 5-year terms)
elections:
Senate - last held on 24 July 2015 (next to be held in 2019); National Assembly - last held on 29 June 2015 (next to be held in 2020)
election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 33, FRODEBU 2, CNDD 1, former heads of state 4, Twas 3, women 8; National Assembly - percent of vote by party (provisional results) - CNDD-FDD 60.3%, Independents of Hope 11.2%, UPRONA 2.5%, other 26%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 77, Independents of Hope 21, UPRONA 2, women 18, Twas 3
highest court(s):
Supreme Court (consists of 9 judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and cassation chambers); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members)
judge selection and term of office:
Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial Service Commission, a 15-member independent body of judicial and legal profession officials), appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate and serve 6-year nonrenewable terms
subordinate courts:
Courts of Appeal; County Courts; Courts of Residence; Martial Court; Court Against Corruption; Commercial Court; Commerce Court
Front for Democracy in Burundi or FRODEBU [Keffa NIBIZI]
Independents of Hope (Amizero y'Abarundi) [Agathon RWASA and Charles NDITIJE]
Movement for Solidarity and Development or MSD [Alexis SINDUHIJE]
National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD [Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE]
National Liberation Forces or FNL [Jacques BIGITIMANA]
Union for National Progress (Union pour le Progress Nationale) or UPRONA [Abel GASHATSI]
Forum for the Strengthening of Civil Society or FORSC (civil society umbrella organization) [Vital NSHIMIRIMANA]
ACP, AfDB, AU, CEMAC, CEPGL, CICA, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, 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
chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge D’Affaires Benjamin MANIRAKIZA (since 7 December 2017)
chancery:
2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 408, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:
[1] (202) 342-2574
FAX:
[1] (202) 342-2578
chief of mission:
Ambassador Anne S. CASPER (since 20 October 2016)
embassy:
Avenue Des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura
mailing address:
B.P. 1720, Bujumbura
telephone:
[257] 22-207-000
FAX:
[257] 22-222-926
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
lion; national colors: red, white, green
name:
"Burundi Bwacu" (Our Beloved Burundi)
lyrics/music:
Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO
note:
adopted 1962
Economy ::
BURUNDI
-
Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. Agriculture accounts for over 40% of GDP and employs more than 90% of the population. Burundi's primary exports are coffee and tea, which account for more than 60% of foreign exchange earnings. Thus, Burundi's export earnings - and its ability to pay for imports - rest primarily on favorable weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices, although exports are a relatively small share of GDP. Burundi is heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors. Foreign aid represented 48% of Burundi's national income in 2015, one of the highest percentages in Sub-Saharan Africa, but decreased to 33.5% in 2016. Burundi joined the East African Community (EAC) in 2009.
The 1993-2005 civil war resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more than 48,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 140,000 others internally. Political stability, aid flows, and economic activity improved following the war’s end, but underlying weaknesses – low governmental capacity, a high poverty rate, poor educational levels, a weak legal system, a poor transportation network, and overburdened utilities – have prevented the implementation of planned economic reforms. Government corruption has also hindered the development of a private sector. The purchasing power of most Burundians has decreased as wage increases have not kept pace with inflation.
In 2015, Burundi’s economy suffered from political turmoil, including street protests and an attempted coup, following President NKURUNZIZA’s controversial announcement that he would run for a third term. Insecurity and refugee flows to neighboring countries slowed down economic activity and donors withdrew aid, increasing Burundi’s budget deficit and decreasing hard currency reserves. Real GDP growth dropped precipitously and has yet to recover to pre-conflict levels.
$7.985 billion (2017 est.)
$7.985 billion (2016 est.)
$8.069 billion (2015 est.)
note:
data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world:
164
$3.393 billion (2016 est.)
0% (2017 est.)
-1% (2016 est.)
-4% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
203
$800 (2017 est.)
$800 (2016 est.)
$900 (2015 est.)
note:
data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world:
228
-5.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
-4.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
-6.7% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
181
household consumption:
80.5%
government consumption:
21.3%
investment in fixed capital:
15.6%
investment in inventories:
0%
exports of goods and services:
5.5%
imports of goods and services:
-22.9% (2017 est.)
agriculture:
40%
industry:
16%
services:
44.1% (2017 est.)
coffee, cotton, tea, corn, beans, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, cassava (manioc, tapioca); beef, milk, hides
light consumer goods (sugar, shoes, soap, beer); cement, assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing (fruits)
-5% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:
198
5.012 million (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:
84
agriculture:
93.6%
industry:
2.3%
services:
4.1% (2002 est.)
NA%
64.6% (2014 est.)
lowest 10%:
4.1%
highest 10%:
28% (2006)
42.4 (1998)
country comparison to the world:
50
revenues:
$607.6 million
expenditures:
$748.9 million (2017 est.)
17.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:
169
-4.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:
145
40.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
43.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
135
calendar year
18% (2017 est.)
5.5% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
216
11.25% (31 December 2010)
10% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world:
17
15.9% (31 December 2017 est.)
14.24% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
35
$498.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$456.3 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
169
$663.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$612.8 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
181
$1.05 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$955.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
167
$NA
-$422 million (2017 est.)
-$411 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
101
$100.3 million (2017 est.)
$109.7 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
196
coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides
Democratic Republic of the Congo 30.6%, UAE 15.7%, Kenya 14.5%, Rwanda 7.2% (2016)
$442.1 million (2017 est.)
$509.4 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
189
capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs
China 13.3%, India 13%, Tanzania 8.6%, Saudi Arabia 7.9%, Kenya 7.5%, UAE 5.2%, Uganda 5% (2016)
$79.3 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$95.17 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
167
$619.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$622.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
175
Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar -
1,731 (2017 est.)
1,654.63 (2016 est.)
1,654.63 (2015 est.)
1,571.9 (2014 est.)
1,546.7 (2013 est.)
Energy ::
BURUNDI
-
population without electricity:
9,700,000
electrification - total population:
5%
electrification - urban areas:
28%
electrification - rural areas:
2% (2013)
230 million kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
185
303.9 million kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
184
0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
114
90 million kWh (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
98
68,000 kW (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
187
13.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
200
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
60
83.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
13
4.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
102
0 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
117
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
102
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
104
0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)
country comparison to the world:
116
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
125
1,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
200
0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
138
1,636 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
192
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
115
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
163
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
77
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
100
0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)
country comparison to the world:
121
300,000 Mt (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
192
Communications ::
BURUNDI
-
total subscriptions:
19,540
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
less than 1 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
182
total:
5,357,816
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
48 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
138
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 approaching 50 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2016)
state-controlled Radio Television Nationale de Burundi (RTNB) operates a TV station and a national radio network; 3 private TV stations and about 10 privately owned radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available in Bujumbura (2017)
.bi
total:
574,236
percent of population:
5.2% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:
165
Transportation ::
BURUNDI
-
9U (2016)
7 (2013)
country comparison to the world:
165
total:
1
over 3,047 m:
1 (2017)
total:
6
914 to 1,523 m:
4
under 914 m:
2 (2013)
1 (2012)
total:
12,322 km
paved:
1,500 km
unpaved:
10,822 km (2016)
country comparison to the world:
128
(mainly on Lake Tanganyika between Bujumbura, Burundi's principal port, and lake ports in Tanzania, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2011)
lake port(s):
Bujumbura (Lake Tanganyika)
Military and Security ::
BURUNDI
-
2.21% of GDP (2016)
2.14% of GDP (2015)
2.01% of GDP (2014)
2.24% of GDP (2013)
2.39% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world:
32
National Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army (includes maritime wing, Air Wing), National Police (2017)
18 years of age for voluntary military service; 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 ages: 45 (enlisted), 50 (NCOs), 55 (officers), and 60 (officers with the rank of general) (2017)
Transnational Issues ::
BURUNDI
-
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 (country of origin):
61,427 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2017)
IDPs:
179,901 (some ethnic Tutsis remain displaced from intercommunal violence that broke out after the 1993 coup and fighting between government forces and rebel groups; violence since April 2015) (2017)
stateless persons:
974 (2016)
current situation:
Burundi is a source country for children and possibly women subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; business people recruit Burundian girls for prostitution domestically, as well as in Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and the Middle East, and recruit boys and girls for forced labor in Burundi and Tanzania; children and young adults are coerced into forced labor in farming, mining, informal commerce, fishing, or collecting river stones for construction; sometimes family, friends, and neighbors are complicit in exploiting children, at times luring them in with offers of educational or job opportunities
tier rating:
Tier 3 – Burundi does not comply fully with the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; corruption, a lack of political will, and limited resources continue to hamper efforts to combat human trafficking; in 2014, the government did not inform judicial and law enforcement officials of the enactment of an anti-trafficking law or how to implement it and approved – but did not fund – its national anti-trafficking action plan; authorities again failed to identify trafficking victims or to provide them with adequate protective services; the government has focused on transnational child trafficking but gave little attention to its domestic child trafficking problem and adult trafficking victims (2015)