Burundi

Republic of BurundiRepublika y'u Burundi

republic

Burundi as the 2003 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 116 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalBujumbura

Position3 30 S, 30 00 E

Area27,830 sq km

LocationCentral Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Populationas each edition published it

6.1 million July 2003 est. · 5.65m in 1990

Population growth% a year

2.18% 2003 est. · 2.34% in 1993

Median ageyears

16.3 years 2002 · 17.6 yrs in 2025

Life expectancyyears at birth

43.2 years 2003 est. · 40.75 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

5.99 children per woman 2003 est. · 7 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

71.54 deaths per 1,000 live births 2003 est. · 111 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$500 2002 est. · $205 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

4.5% 2002 est. · 5% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only four months in office. Since then, some 200,000 Burundians have perished in widespread, often intense ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. Hundreds of thousands have been internally displaced or have become refugees in neighboring countries. Burundi troops, seeking to secure their borders, intervened in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1998.

More recently, many of these troops have been redeployed back to Burundi to deal with periodic upsurges in rebel activity. A new transitional government, inaugurated on 1 November 2001, was to be the first step toward holding national elections in three years. While the Government of Burundi signed a cease-fire agreement in December 2002 with three of Burundi's four Hutu rebel groups, implementation of the agreement has been problematic and one rebel group refuses to sign on, clouding prospects for a sustainable peace.

Geography

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

18 fields

Land useshare of 27,830 sq km

arable land 29.98%permanent crops 12.85%other 57.17% (1998 est.)irrigated 740 sq km (1998 est.)

Area

27,830sq km

water: 2,180 sq kmland: 25,650 sq kmslightly smaller than Maryland

Coastline

0km

(landlocked)Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Highest point

2,670m

Mount Hehalowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m

Land boundaries

974km

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

Location

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic coordinates

3 30 S, 30 00 E

Map references

Africa

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;
wet seasons from February to May and September to November, and dry seasons from June to August and December to January

Terrain

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

Natural resources

nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum (not yet exploited), vanadium, arable land, hydropower

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
signed, but not ratified:: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban

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 Nile

People

19 fields

Population

6,096,156

growth rate: 2.18% (2003 est.)

Note

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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2003 est.)

Birth

39.72Death

17.8Net migration

-0.12

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2003 est.)43.2

42.54 · 43.88Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)71.54

78.45 · 64.42

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (2003 est.)51.6%

58.5% · 45.2%Median age years (2002)16.3

15.9 · 16.7

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Religions

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

8.3%

(2001 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years:: 46.7% (male 1,438,759; female 1,409,567)
15-64 years:: 50.6% (male 1,516,833; female 1,564,513)
65 years and over:: 2.7% (male 66,355; female 100,129) (2003 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.66 male(s)/female
total population:: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.99 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

390,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

40,000 (2001 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Burundian(s)
adjective:: Burundian

Ethnic groups

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

Languages

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

Government

Republic; President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April 2003); President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April 2003)

18 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

71.04%

FRODEBU 71.04%UPRONA 21.4%other 7.56%last held 29 June 1993 (next was scheduled to be held in 1998, but was suspended by presidential decree in 1996

Legislature, 121 seats, elected 29 June 1993one dot, one seat

FRODEBU 65UPRONA 16civilians 27other parties 13

Percent of vote

FRODEBU 71.04%UPRONA 21.4%other 7.56%

Country name

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

Government type

republic

Capital

Bujumbura

Administrative divisions

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

Independence

1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

Constitution

13 March 1992;
provided for establishment of a plural political system;
supplanted on 6 June 1998 by a Transitional Constitution which enlarged the National Assembly and created two vice presidents

Legal system

based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch

chief of state:: President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April 2003);
note - NDAYIZEYE, a Hutu, was sworn in as president for the second half of the three-year transitional government inaugurated on 1 November 2001;
Vice President Alphonse KADEGE (since 30 April 2003);
note - from the Tutsi minority
head of government:: President Domitien NDAYIZEYE (since 30 April 2003);
note - NDAYIZEYE, a Hutu, was sworn in as president for the second half of the three-year transitional government inaugurated on 1 November 2001;
Vice President Alphonse KADEGE (since 30 April 2003);
note - from the Tutsi minority
cabinet:: Council of Ministers appointed by president
elections:: NA; current president assumed power on 30 April 2003 as part of the transitional government established by the 2000 Arusha Accord

Legislative branch

bicameral, consists of a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (expanded from 121 to approximately 140 seats under the transitional government inaugurated 1 November 2001; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and a Senate (54 seats; term length is undefined, the current senators will likely serve out the three-year transition period)

elections:: last held 29 June 1993 (next was scheduled to be held in 1998, but was suspended by presidential decree in 1996; elections are planned to follow the completion of the three-year transitional government)
election results:: percent of vote by party - FRODEBU 71.04%, UPRONA 21.4%, other 7.56%; seats by party - FRODEBU 65, UPRONA 16, civilians 27, other parties 13

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme;
Constitutional Court;
Courts of Appeal (there are three in separate locations);
Tribunals of First Instance (17 at the province level and 123 small local tribunals)

Political parties and leaders

the two national, mainstream, governing parties are:: Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Alphonse KADEGE, president]; Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Jean MINANI, president]

note: a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are: Burundi African Alliance for the Salvation or ABASA [Terrence NSANZE]; Rally for Democracy and Economic and Social Development or RADDES [Joseph NZEYIMANA];

Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA]; People's Reconciliation Party or PRP [Mathias HITIMANA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

loosely organized Hutu and Tutsi militias, often affiliated with Hutu and Tutsi extremist parties or subordinate to government security forces

International organization participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador James Howard YELLIN
embassy:: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura
mailing address:: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura
telephone:: [257] 223454
FAX:: [257] 222926

Flag description

divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer 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)

Economy

Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector.

37 fields

Real growth rate

4.5%

(2002 est.)industrial production growth: 18% (2001)

Inflation, consumer prices

12%

(2002 est.)

Population below poverty line

70%

(2002 est.)

Labor force

3.7million

(2000)

GDP - composition by sector(2002 est.)

agriculture 50%industry 19%services 31% (2002 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

28.8%

Switzerland

20.2%

Germany

9.4%

Belgium

12.4%

Saudi Arabia

12.3%

Tanzania

9.3%

7.8%

Kenya

7.7%

France

7.4%

6.5%

Rwanda

4.6%

Netherlands

India

4.5%

Exports $26 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)Imports $135 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)(2002)

Budget

Revenues

$125 millionExpenditures

$176 million (2000 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA

Electricity

fossil fuel 0.6%hydro 99.4%other 0% · nuclear 0%

Electricity production

155.4 million (2001)Electricity consumption

177.5 million (2001)Electricity imports

33 million (2001)

Economy - overview

Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural with roughly 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture. Economic growth depends on coffee and tea exports, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings.

The ability to pay for imports, therefore, rests primarily on weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi minority, 14% of the population, dominates the government and the coffee trade at the expense of the Hutu majority, 85% of the population. Since October 1993 an ethnic-based war has resulted in the death of over 200,000 persons, sent 800,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 525,000 others internally.

Doubts about the prospects for sustainable peace continue to impede development. Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in ten adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $3.146 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $500 (2002 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

42.5 (1998)

Labor force - by occupation

Unemployment rate

NA%

Industries

light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap;
assembly of imported components;
public works construction;
food processing

Communications

8 fields

Mobile cellular

30,000

(2002)

Internet users

(2000)

Fixed lines

18,000

(2002) · country code .bi

Telephone system

general assessment:: primitive system
domestic:: sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relay
international:: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Transportation

7 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

over 3,047 m

Airports by runway lengthunpaved only

914 to 1,523 m

3under 914 m

Networkskm

Highways

14,480Railways

Highways: paved: 1,028 km · unpaved: 13,452 km (1999 est.)

Highways

total:: 14,480 km
paved:: 1,028 km
unpaved:: 13,452 km (1999 est.)

Military

Army (including naval and air units), Gendarmerie

7 fields

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

5.3%

(FY02)

Transnational Issues