Burundi Profile

Burundi, with its population of 11.89 million (2020), is both one of the smallest countries in Africa and one of the ten poorest countries in the world. Initially a kingdom, it was then ruled by Germany until the end of the first World War before becoming part of the Belgian colonial empire and eventually gaining independence in 1962. As with many of the newly emerging independent African nations, internal politics were fraught and unstable. It gained its first elected president in 1993, however within one hundred days that president had been assassinated and a civil war, that was to last 12 years and claim the lives of hundreds of thousands of Burundians, had been triggered. That civil war devastated the country's social and economic fabric leaving an already impoverished country in 185th place out of 189 countries and territories in 2019 when ranked in terms of life expectancy, literacy, access to knowledge and the living standards.

The war also created 100,000 internally displaced people within Burundi with a further 352,640 Burundi refugees living in Tanzania, 17,777 refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo and 4400 in Rwanda, in addition to those who had fled further afield having fled due to fear of persecution and poverty in Burundi in search of food and work given the scarcity of both at home. The return of some since 2006 has also created problems with property and land conflicts arising. In order to survive, Burundi is now dependent on foreign aid, but even with that aid, over half the children there under the age of five suffer from chronic malnutrition.

Nearly half the population is aged fourteen years and under and 11% of all children in Burundi die at birth, with 19% dying before their fifth birthday, one of the highest child mortality rates in the world mainly due to malaria, diarrhoea, and pneumonia. More than 70 percent of the population live in poverty and food insecurity levels are running at an alarming rate with 52% of all children under the age of five stunted and there are even higher levels of malnutrition among rural communities (where, in 2019, 86% of the population live). In these rural areas, subsistence farming is the normal way of life, accounting for 90% of all agriculture however it leaves those reliant upon it without the resources to sustain themselves especially as the average farm size is about one acre leading to an inevitable deforestation, soil erosion and habitat loss.

Few children go to school in Burundi, particularly those of an age for secondary education where figures are as low as 8% in some areas due to a lack of qualified teachers and adequate supplies. Today, the children in Burundi face an uncertain future. With poor infrastructure, a very poor level of healthcare, and contagious diseases rife, the cycle needs to be broken. One of the major problems facing children in Burundi is the lack of educational facilities as many were damaged or destroyed in the civil war and there are a lack of teachers. Cost is also a factor with poor families having to choose between food and education. For more detaile dinformation about the country, check out out Burundi prodile pages below.

Burundi Profile: Volunteer in Burundi

Check out all the latest fee paying and free African volunteer work placements and charity work job opportunities abroad with local projects and volunteering organisations in Burundi.

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Burundi Profile: Child Sponsor Burundi

Details of how to sponsor children in Burundi with Burundi child sponsor organisations, charities, programs and projects.

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Burundi Profile: Burundi Children

About life for children in Burundi in facts, information and video where most live in poverty in rural areas together with details of projects and programs to support children there.

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Burundi Profile: Burundi Civil War

A background to the Burundi Civil War together with pictures and images of the conflict and a video documentary of the civil war and its causes.

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Burundi Profile: Burundi Refugees

Refugees from the Burundi Civil War continue to return to Burundi, but many of the refugees have no homes to go to.

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Burundi Profile: Peace in Burundi

Pictures and images of the peace that returned to Burundi after its catastrophic civil war together with a video documentary but now overshadowed by recent conflicts.

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Burundi Profile: Burundi Countryside

Watch this video of the stunning Burundi countryside, its cities and villages set against a backdrop of traditional Burundi music.

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Burundi Profile: Burundi Drumming

A video of internationally acclaimed traditional Burundi drumming together with dance, chanting and song.

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Burundi Profile: Bora Bora Beach

This video of Bora Bora beach on the shores of Lake Tanganyika makes Burundi tourism look not just possible bu desirable!

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Burundi Profile: Bujumbura Profile

A complete profile of Bujumbura, the former capital city of Burundi including Bujumbura information, facts, pictures and tourist attractions.

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Burundi Profile: Burundi Airport

Make a virtual landing at Burundi International Airport in Bujumbura, the country's former capital city, and your probable point of entry into Burundi for voluntary work.

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Burundi Profile: Burundi Quiz