Quick facts
Burundi population overview
Burundi is the 30th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 14,560,146 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.3% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 921 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 465,925 births (32 per 1,000 people) and 96,097 deaths (6.6 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 34,944 people. The infant mortality rate is 33.9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 2,764,258 in 1960 to 14,390,003 in 2025 — a change of +420.6%, or +2.6% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 16.6 years; life expectancy at birth is 64.1 years; women have on average 4.8 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 44% of residents are under 15 and 2.5% are 65 or older (2025); 25.7% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Bujumbura. Burundi covers 27,830 km², giving a population density of about 533 people per km². GDP was $3.36B in 2025 — about $234 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
Burundi population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 14,828,367 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 14,560,146 |
| World rank | #78 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #30 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.2% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.3% |
| Births per year est. | 465,925 |
| Deaths per year est. | 96,097 |
| Net migration per year est. | -34,944 |
| Birth rate | 32 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.6 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 33.9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 98.7 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 16.6 years |
| Life expectancy | 64.1 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 4.8 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 25.7% |
| Surface area 2023 | 27,830 km² |
| Population density | 533 per km² |
| Capital | Bujumbura |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $3.36B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $234 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
Burundi population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 14,828,367 | – | – |
| 2025 | 14,390,003 | +342,217 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | 14,047,786 | +358,336 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | 13,689,450 | +368,353 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | 13,321,097 | +355,616 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | 12,965,481 | +348,445 | +2.8% |
| 2020 | 12,617,036 | +1,569,456 | +2.7% |
| 2015 | 11,047,580 | +1,671,136 | +3.3% |
| 2010 | 9,376,444 | +1,789,145 | +4.3% |
| 2005 | 7,587,299 | +1,117,105 | +3.2% |
| 2000 | 6,470,194 | +403,878 | +1.3% |
| 1995 | 6,066,316 | +479,264 | +1.7% |
| 1990 | 5,587,052 | +553,010 | +2.1% |
| 1985 | 5,034,042 | +650,336 | +2.8% |
| 1980 | 4,383,706 | +587,094 | +2.9% |
| 1975 | 3,796,612 | +266,180 | +1.5% |
| 1970 | 3,530,432 | +389,065 | +2.4% |
| 1965 | 3,141,367 | +377,109 | +2.6% |
| 1960 | 2,764,258 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Burundi
Population over time
- From 2,764,258 in 1960 to 14,828,367 today — up 436.4%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 63.8 years (2024), up 20.6 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 4.8 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 33.2 births vs 6.7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 26.5 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 44% of the population is under 15 and 2.5% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 3.2% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.97 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0.07 t in 2024, vs 0.02 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 83% of final energy in 2022 (-11.6 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 10.9% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0.1 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 25.7% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 1.8% in 1960 (+23.8 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 2.8% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 755 m³ in 2022, down 78.7% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $3.36B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 19.7% since 2015.
- That works out to $234 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 0.9% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 34.1% in 2025 — persistently high inflation erodes real incomes.
Internet & mobile
- 8.6% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 63.2 per 100 people (2023).
Burundi in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Burundi in 2026?
As of October 2026, Burundi has an estimated population of 14,828,367. The United Nations estimated 14,560,146 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.3% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Burundi growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.3% per year — roughly 921 more people every day. Each year there are about 465,925 births and 96,097 deaths, with net migration of -34,944.
What is the population density of Burundi?
About 533 people per square kilometre: 14,828,367 people living on 27,830 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Burundi?
The median age is 16.6 years, and life expectancy at birth is 64.1 years. 44% of the population is under 15 and 2.5% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Burundi rank by population?
Burundi is the 78th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 30th in Africa, with 0.2% of the global population.
How has the population of Burundi changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 2,764,258; by 2025 it had grown to 14,390,003 (+420.6%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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BoliviaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.3%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.