Burundi

Burundi is a landlocked country in Sub-Saharan Africa. In international classification systems, it is identified by UN M49 code 108, ISO alpha-2 code BI, ISO alpha-3 code BDI, and is listed under the UN region Africa, subregion Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a UN member state. The World Bank capital field lists Bujumbura. These codes and classifications come from the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) M49 overview ( which is the standard source for statistical geography and should not be read as a political or territorial claim.

Classification facts

• UN M49 code: 108
• ISO alpha-2: BI
• ISO alpha-3: BDI
• UN region: Africa
• UN subregion: Sub-Saharan Africa
• UN member state: Yes
• World Bank capital field: Bujumbura

These classification codes come from the UN Statistics Division’s M49 standard and the World Bank country API ( M49 codes are statistical identifiers, not political statements. They are used by UN agencies for data collection and do not imply any position on sovereignty or borders. The capital field shown by the World Bank reflects the administrative seat as listed in their database; it is a data point, not a political endorsement.

People and society

Population

Population figures change continuously and depend on the source and the reference year. For Burundi, the most reliable starting points are:

• United Nations World Population Prospects, the UN Population Division publishes annual estimates and projections for all countries. The latest revision (2024) is the source for UN figures.
• World Bank, the World Bank’s estimates are drawn from the UN and national sources. Use the World Bank API to retrieve the current series: ` The response includes the value and the reporting year.
• Institut de statistiques et d’études économiques du Burundi (ISTEEBU), Burundi’s national statistical office is the primary source for census and survey data. Check their latest publications for national figures, which may differ from international estimates.

Do not freeze the number. Population figures change yearly, and each source uses a different projection method. Always cite the dataset and the reference year. The most current figure changes between censuses and estimates. The UN Population Division publishes annual estimates; the World Bank reports the same underlying data with a two-year lag. For the latest figure, query the World Bank country API and note the reference year printed in the dataset. Do not treat the latest estimate as a precise census count: the last national census was in 2008, and subsequent figures are projections. Official estimates often undercount rural communities and informal settlements. For a detailed comparison of data sources, see the country comparison guide.

Burundi’s residents are young, with a high proportion under age 15, and the majority lives in rural areas. Census data is typically 5-10 years old and may undercount mobile or remote groups; national estimates are projections between censuses and carry uncertainty margins.

Languages

Language data on Burundi is published by the national statistical office and summarized in the CIA World Factbook. Burundi’s national languages are Kirundi, French, and English. The 2018 constitutional revision added English alongside Kirundi and French. Kirundi is the most widely spoken language. Swahili is used as a lingua franca in parts of the region. Language figures change slowly, but definitions of “first language” vs “second language” vary by source, and the distribution between Kirundi, French, English and other minority languages is best sourced from national census or survey documentation rather than secondary compilations. Always cite the exact survey or census year when comparing. For current language policy, refer to the government’s channels or UNESCO’s education and culture profiles.

Economy

Currency

The currency of Burundi is the Burundian franc (BIF). Exchange rates fluctuate daily; the World Bank and IMF publish periodic reference rates. For current conversion values, check the central bank of Burundi (Banque de la République du Burundi) or a major financial data provider. Do not rely on a single rate from a travel blog or a static conversion figure from a country profile. Use the reference date and source.

Government and economy

Burundi is a presidential republic. The current constitution dates from 2005 and was amended in 2018; the president serves as head of state and head of government. For current leadership, election results, and political events, consult the government portal or your own foreign ministry’s country profile. Do not rely on third-party summaries for time-sensitive political information. The current head of government and political situation are time-sensitive facts; verify them through the World Bank country profile or national sources rather than relying on a static page.

The World Bank classifies Burundi as a low-income economy. GDP figures, growth rates, and poverty statistics change frequently; always cite the World Bank API or data portal with the specific indicator and reference year. Economic indicators such as GDP, GDP per capita, and income classification are published with a defined reference year; always check the vintage of the data before citing it.

Capital

The World Bank capital field lists Bujumbura. This is a statistical classification, not a political statement. In 2019 the government of Burundi announced plans to move the political capital to Gitega while Bujumbura would remain the economic centre. Political decisions about capital status can change independently of statistical databases. Check the current status with the Government of Burundi or your own foreign ministry, because the administrative situation may have changed since then. The World Bank country API is the stable source for the capital field used in this comparison; it returns the capital field as a static attribute, not a real-time political status.

Travel and entry

Travel and entry requirements change without notice. Always check your own government’s travel advisory and the IATA Travel Centre for current visa, passport, and health entry rules. Do not rely on a static page for real-time travel decisions.

How to verify current facts

Population, languages, currency, and government type are all changing or contested fields. The World Bank API returns estimates with a reference year; the UN Population Division publishes projections; the CIA World Factbook gives a secondary compilation with its own date stamp. For languages, consult Ethnologue or the national census; for currency, check the issuing central bank; for government structure, check the national gazette or constitution. Always cite the source and the reference year, and do not mix figures from different datasets.