Burundi: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Burundi — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
11,175,378
#82 of 197 countries
Area
27,830 km²
#148 of 248 countries
Density
401.6 / km²
#31 of 245 countries

Burundi has a population of 11,175,378 spread across 27,830 km², giving it an average density of 401.6 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Demographics

Median Age
17.6
Life Expectancy
68.1 yrs
Literacy Rate
71.4%
Government
presidential republic
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Burundi is classified as a low income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 22% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Low income
GDP per Capita
$251
Cost of Living
22% of US
Inflation
26.9%
Inequality
37.5
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$800
Unemployment
1.0%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 1.6% of Burundi's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism % of Exports
1.6%
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Burundi has 0.08 physicians per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Physicians
0.08/1k
Hospital Beds
0.69/1k
Health Spend
$28/person
Infant Mortality
31.5/1k
Immunization
86%
Safe Drinking Water
65.9%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
44.6%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Burundi, 11% of the population uses the internet — connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 63 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
11.1%
Mobile Subs
63/100
Broadband
0.0/100
Electricity Access
11.6%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data