Burundi 🇧🇮

Burundi is a sovereign country in Eastern Africa, in the wider region of Africa. The long form of the name is Republic of Burundi. The capital is Gitega.

Its territory runs to 27,834 km², which ranks it 148th of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind Equatorial Guinea and just ahead of Haiti. For scale, it is a fraction smaller than Belgium.

Some 14.0 million people call it home, placing it 78th of 250 by population — between Rwanda above it and Bolivia below. Measured only against its own subregion, it is 12th of 20 in size and 12th in population.

Location, borders and position

The coordinates the dataset gives are 3.5° S, 30.0° E, which puts it in the southern hemisphere, roughly 390 km from the equator, in what geographers would call the equatorial belt.

Indonesia and Ecuador sit at almost exactly the same latitude on other parts of the globe.

It borders 3 neighbours: DR Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. The largest of them by area is DR Congo, which is also the most populous. Together those neighbours hold about 192.1 million people.

This is one of the world's landlocked countries. That is true of 45 of the 250 entries here, which reliably raises the cost of trade, because port access depends on a transit agreement with a neighbour. One of its neighbours, Rwanda, is landlocked too. You can see the full picture on the landlocked countries page.

Population, density and language

Density comes out at around 505 people per square kilometre, which makes it densely populated. For comparison, the median entry on this list sits near 90 per square kilometre.

People from Burundi are called Burundians.

Officially it is multilingual, listing French and Kirundi. Kirundi is listed for no other entry in this dataset, which makes it effectively unique to Burundi. French, the first listed, is shared with 45 other entries worldwide.

Inside Africa it places 30th of 59 by population, and it accounts for 2.9% of everyone living in Eastern Africa.

Money, internet and phone codes

Money there is the Burundian franc (Fr, BIF). It is issued for Burundi alone.

Gitega is the city to remember for this country.

Websites there use the .bi domain. Calls from overseas start with +257. Its ISO codes are bi and BDI, which is what most databases and flag files use.

As a sovereign state it is among the 193 UN members listed here. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.

Neighbouring countries

Burundi shares borders with 3 countries:

• 🇨🇩 DR Congo
• 🇷🇼 Rwanda
• 🇹🇿 Tanzania

Fun facts about Burundi

• Indonesia and Ecuador sit at almost the same latitude, on the far side of the globe.
• Kirundi is listed as an official language for no other entry in this dataset.
• Its capital city is Gitega.
• It is 78th of 250 by population, with about 14.0 million residents.
• It is landlocked, one of 45 entries here with no coastline of its own.
• Its full official name is Republic of Burundi.
• Within Eastern Africa it is the 12th largest of 20.

Burundi — frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Burundi?

The capital of Burundi is Gitega.

What is the population of Burundi?

Burundi has a population of about 14.0 million, which makes it the 78th most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. Rwanda sits just above it and Bolivia just below.

What currency does Burundi use?

Burundi uses the Burundian franc, written Fr (currency code BIF). No other entry in this dataset uses it.

Which countries border Burundi?

Burundi borders 3 countries: DR Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania. DR Congo is the largest of them by area.

How big is Burundi?

Burundi covers 27,834 km², ranking 148th of 250 by land area. That makes it a fraction smaller than Belgium.

What language is spoken in Burundi?

Burundi lists 2 official languages: French and Kirundi. Kirundi does not appear as an official language anywhere else in this dataset.

Where is Burundi located?

Burundi is in Eastern Africa, part of Africa. Its reference coordinates are 3.5° south and 30.0° east, roughly 390 km from the equator in equatorial latitudes.

Is Burundi landlocked?

Yes. Burundi has no sea coast, which makes it one of 45 landlocked entries in this dataset. Everything it imports or exports by sea has to cross a neighbour's territory first, and that transit dependency is a well-documented drag on trade costs.

Is Burundi a country?

Yes. Burundi is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.