Editing Economy of Burundi

{{Short description|None}}
{{Infobox economy
| country = Burundi
| image = BujumburaFromCathedral.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Bujumbura, Burundi's largest city
| currency = [[Burundian franc]] (BIF, FBu)
| fixed exchange = 
| year = Calendar year
| organs = [[African Union|AU]], [[African Continental Free Trade Agreement|AfCFTA]] (signed), [[World Trade Organization|WTO]]
| group = {{plainlist|
*[[Least developed countries|Least Developed]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2019/01/weodata/weoselco.aspx?g=2200&sg=All+countries+%2f+Emerging+market+and+developing+economies |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2019 |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=IMF.org |access-date=29 September 2019}}</ref>
*Low-income economy<ref>{{cite web |url=https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups |title=World Bank Country and Lending Groups |publisher=[[World Bank]] |website=datahelpdesk.worldbank.org |access-date=29 September 2019}}</ref>}}
| gdp = {{plainlist|
*{{Increase}} $6.75 billion (nominal, 2025 est.)<ref name="IMF" />
*{{increase}} $13.97 billion ([[Purchasing power parity|PPP]], 2025 est.)<ref name="IMF">{{Cite web |title=Burundi |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/BDI |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=www.imf.org}}</ref>}}
| growth = {{plainlist|
*0.3% (2020) 3.1% (2021)
*1.8% (2022) 3.3% (2023e)<ref name="IMF" />}}
| per capita = {{plainlist|
*{{Increase}} $489 (nominal, 2025 est.)<ref name="IMFWEOBI">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2019/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=41&pr.y=16&sy=2017&ey=2021&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=618&s=NGDPD%2CPPPGDP%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPPC%2CPCPIPCH&grp=0&a= |title=World Economic Outlook Database, May 2025 |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=IMF.org |access-date=17 April 2023}}</ref>
*{{increase}} $1,011 ([[Purchasing power parity|PPP]], 2025 est.)<ref name="IMFWEOBI"/>}}
| components = 
| sectors = [[agriculture]] (32.9%), [[Industrial sector|industry]] (21.3%), [[Service (economics)|services]] (45.8%) ({{As of|2008|alt=2008}})
| inflation = 200% (2024 est.)<ref name="IMFWEOBI"/>
| poverty = 1% ({{As of|2010|alt=2010}})
| gini = 
| hdi = {{plainlist|
*{{decrease}} 0.426 {{color|red|low}} (2021)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/indicators/137506 |title=Human Development Index (HDI) |publisher=[[Human Development Report|HDRO (Human Development Report Office)]] [[United Nations Development Programme]] |website=hdr.undp.org |access-date=8 September 2021}}</ref> ([[List of countries by Human Development Index|187th]])
*0.296 [[List of countries by inequality-adjusted HDI|IHDI]] (2018)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/table-3-inequality-adjusted-human-development-index-ihdi |title=Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) |publisher=[[Human Development Report|HDRO (Human Development Report Office)]] [[United Nations Development Programme]] |website=hdr.undp.org |access-date=11 December 2019}}</ref>}}
| edbr = 
| labor = 4.08 million ({{As of|2010|alt=2010}})
| occupations = [[agriculture]] (89%), [[Industrial sector|industry]] (5.3%, [[Service (economics)|services]] (4.1%) ({{As of|2010|alt=2002}})
| unemployment = 90% (2023)
| industries = light consumer goods such as [[blanket]]s, [[shoes]], [[soap]], assembly of imported components, public works [[construction]], [[food processing]]<br />Agriculture: [[coffee]], [[cotton]], [[tea]], [[maize|corn]], [[sorghum]], [[sweet potato]]es, [[banana]]s, [[manioc]] ([[tapioca]]); [[beef]], [[milk]], [[Hide (skin)|hides]]
| exports = $208 million ({{As of|2022|alt=2022}})
| export-goods = [[coffee]], [[tea]], [[sugar]], [[cotton]], [[Hide (skin)|hides]]
| export-partners = {{flag|Germany}} 15.2% <br> {{flag|Pakistan}} 9.3% <br> {{flag|Kenya}} 8.5% <br> {{flag|China}} 7.8% <br> {{flag|Sweden}} 7.3% <br> {{flag|Belgium}} 5.3% <br> {{flag|Canada}} 4.6% <br> {{flag|Rwanda}} 4.5% <br> {{flag|United States}} 4.2% (2018 est.)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2050.html#by|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613004055/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2050.html#by|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2007|title=Export Partners of Burundi|publisher=[[CIA World Factbook]]|year=2017|access-date=2018-07-29}}</ref>
| imports = $1.260 billion ({{As of|2022|alt=2022}})
| import-goods = capital goods, [[petroleum]] products, foodstuffs
| import-partners = {{flag|Saudi Arabia}} 17.3% <br> {{flag|China}} 8.1% <br> {{flag|Uganda}} 7.8% <br> {{flag|Belgium}} 7.2% <br> {{flag|Kenya}} 6.9% <br> {{flag|Zambia}} 6.7% <br> {{flag|India}} 5.6% <br> {{flag|United Arab Emirates}} 5.3% (2018 est.)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2061.html#by|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613003031/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2061.html#by|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2007|title=Import Partners of Burundi|publisher=[[CIA World Factbook]]|year=2017|access-date=2018-07-28}}</ref>
| gross external debt = $820 million ({{As of|2010|alt=2010}})
| revenue = $350.4 million ({{As of|2018|alt=2018}})
| expenses = $351.3 million ({{As of|2017|alt=2017}})
| aid = $90.7 million ({{As of|2010|alt=2010}})
| credit = 
| reserves = $412.2 million
| cianame = burundi
| spelling = 
}}
The '''economy of Burundi''' is $6.75 billion by [[gross domestic product]] as of 2025, being heavily dependent on [[agriculture]], which accounts for 32.9% of [[gross domestic product]] as of 2008. [[Burundi]] itself is a [[Landlocked country|landlocked]] country lacking resources, and with almost nonexistent industrialization. Agriculture supports more than 70% of the labor force, the majority of whom are [[Subsistence agriculture|subsistence farmers]].

Although Burundi is potentially self-sufficient in food production, issues such as [[Civil disorder|civil unrest]], [[Human overpopulation|overpopulation]], and [[soil erosion]] have contributed to the contraction of the [[subsistence economy]] by 25% in recent years. Large numbers of [[internally displaced person]]s have been unable to produce their own food and are largely dependent on international humanitarian assistance. Burundi is a net food importer, with food accounting for 17% of imports in 1997. Burundi is a [[Least developed countries|least developed country]] according to the [[United Nations]].

==Agriculture==
Burundi produced in 2022:

* 2.6 million tons of [[cassava]];
* 1.3 million tons of [[banana]];
* 808 thousand tons of [[sweet potato]];
* 507 thousand tons of [[vegetables]];
* 499 thousand tons of [[beans]];
* 355 thousand tons of [[potato]];
* 280 thousand tons of [[maize]];
* 188 thousand tons of [[sugar cane]];
* 130 thousand tons of [[fruit]];
* 127 thousand tons of [[rice]];
* 94 thousand tons of [[taro]];
* 89 thousand tons of [[palm oil]];
* 50 thousand tons of [[tea]];

In addition to smaller productions of other agricultural products, like [[sorghum]] (25 thousand tons) and [[coffee]] (17 thousand tons).<ref>[http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/ Burundi production in 2022, by FAO]</ref>

==Industry==
Little industry exists except for the processing of agricultural exports. Although potential wealth in [[petroleum]], [[nickel]], [[copper]], and other natural resources is being explored, the uncertain security situation has prevented meaningful investor interest. Industrial development also is hampered by Burundi's distance from the sea and high transport costs. [[Lake Tanganyika]] remains an important trading point. The trade [[embargo]], lifted in 1999, negatively impacted trade and industry. Since October 1993 the nation has suffered from massive ethnic-based violence which has resulted in the death of perhaps 250,000 people and the displacement of about 800,000 others. Foods, medicines, and electricity remain in short supply.

Burundi is heavily dependent on bilateral and multilateral aid, with external debt totaling $1.247 [[1000000000 (number)|billion]] (1.247 G$) in 1997. A series of largely unsuccessful 5-year plans initiated in July 1986 in partnership with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund attempted to reform the foreign exchange system, liberalize imports, reduce restrictions on international transactions, diversify exports, and reform the coffee industry.

[[File:Karuzi Burundi goats.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Goat rearing has been promoted as a source of income for rural-dwelling Burundians.]][[Structural adjustment|IMF structural adjustment]] programs in Burundi were suspended following the outbreak of the crisis in 1993. The World Bank has identified key areas for potential growth, including the productivity of traditional crops and the introduction of new exports, light manufactures, industrial mining, and services. Other serious problems include the state's role in the economy, the question of governmental transparency, and debt reduction.

To protest the [[1996 Burundian coup d'état|1996 coup]] by President [[Pierre Buyoya]], neighboring countries imposed an economic embargo on Burundi. Although the embargo was never officially ratified by the [[United Nations Security Council]], most countries refrained from official trade with Burundi. Following the coup, the [[United States]] also suspended all but humanitarian aid to Burundi. The regional embargo was lifted on January 23, 1999, based on progress by the government in advancing national reconciliation through the Burundi peace process.

In an article titled "The Blood Cries Out," ''[[Foreign Policy]] (FP)'' reported that the Burundian [[population growth rate]] is 2.5 percent per year, more than double the average global pace, and that a Burundian woman has on average 6.3 children, nearly triple the international [[fertility rate]].  ''FP'' further reported that "The vast majority of Burundians rely on subsistence farming, but under the weight of a booming population and in the long-standing absence of coherent policies governing land ownership, many people barely have enough earth to sustain themselves." In 2014, the average size for a farm was about one acre. ''FP'' added that "The consequence is remarkable scarcity: In the 2013 [[Global Hunger Index]], Burundi had the severest hunger and malnourishment rates of all 120 countries ranked."<ref>Jillian Keenan, [https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/03/27/the-blood-cries-out-burundi-land-conflict/ The Blood Cries Out]. "In one of Africa’s most densely populated countries, brothers are killing brothers over the right to farm mere acres of earth. There’s just not enough land to go around in Burundi — and it could push the country into civil war."  ''[[Foreign Policy]] (FP)''</ref>

== Energy ==
Burundi is one of the least electrified countries in the world, only about 10% of the country's population has access to electricity.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Africa |first=E. S. I. |date=2024-10-04 |title=Hydropower energy: Saving lives and boosting Burundi's economy |url=https://www.esi-africa.com/news/hydropower-energy-saving-lives-and-boosting-burundis-economy/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=ESI-Africa.com |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ritchie |first=Hannah |last2=Roser |first2=Max |last3=Rosado |first3=Pablo |date=2020-05-11 |title=CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions |url=https://ourworldindata.org/energy/country/burundi |journal=Our World in Data}}</ref> In 2022, the country produced a total of 565 GWh of electricity, 50% of which was generated via [[fossil fuel]]s while the other 50% was generated via [[Renewable energy|renewables]]. [[Petroleum|Oil]] is the main fossil fuel in use, while the renewable energy is sourced primarily from [[hydropower]] and to a much lesser degree from [[solar energy]]  as well as [[bioenergy]]. This domestic production however does not fulfil Burundi's demand and it imports sizeable amount of energy from neighbouring countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statistical Profiles |url=https://www.irena.org/Data/Energy-Profiles |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=www.irena.org |language=en}}</ref>

The opening of the [[Rusumo Hydroelectric Power Station]] in 2023 was a boon to the country as Burundi receives 27 MW of electricity generated in it. The power station combined with improved transmission cables allowed Burundi to provide the capital city of [[Gitega]] with a more reliable and consistent power supply. At the same time it allowed the government to decommission the old oil-fired power station that supplied the city before and save over two million USD in costs. This project was a part of a wider international aid-assisted initiative in Burundi to pursue low-carbon electrification and improving access to electricity across the country.<ref name=":0" /> The government also pursues a much greater domestic hydropower project, a power station located in Rubrizi with the help of  extensive funding by the [[African Development Bank]] and the [[European Union]]. The power station, scheduled to be completed in December 2024, is designed to generate 160 MW of electricity, making it the largest power station in Burundi. Together with associated improvements to transmission in infrastructure, it's predicted to provide electricity access to 7% of the country's population.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hako |first=Nasi |date=2024-08-15 |title=Largest electricity substation in Burundi to up energy access by 7% |url=https://www.esi-africa.com/industry-sectors/transmission-and-distribution/largest-electricity-substation-in-burundi-to-up-energy-access-by-7/ |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=ESI-Africa.com |language=en-ZA}}</ref>

== Macro-economic trend ==
The following table shows the main economic indicators in 1980–2024.<ref>{{cite web|title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects|url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2018/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=40&pr.y=2&sy=1980&ey=2023&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=618&s=NGDP_RPCH,PPPGDP,PPPPC,GGXWDG_NGDP&grp=0&a=|access-date=2018-08-24|language=en-US}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;"
|- style="font-weight:bold;"
! Year
! GDP<br />(in bil. US$ PPP)
! GDP per capita<br />(in US$ PPP)
!GDP<br />(in bil. US$ nominal)
! GDP Growth<br />(real)
! Inflation rate<br />(in Percent)
!Government debt<br />(Percentage of GDP)
|-
|'''1980'''
|1.54
|375
|0.95
|−6.8%
|1.2%
|n/a
|-
|'''1981'''
|1.88
|448
|0.99
|12.2%
|12.2%
|n/a
|-
|'''1982'''
|1.98
|457
|1.05
| -1.1%
|5.9%
|n/a
|-
|'''1983'''
|2.13
|478
|1.11
|3.7%
|8.2%
|n/a
|-
|'''1984'''
|2.21
|482
|1.01
|0.2%
|14.3%
|n/a
|-
|'''1985'''
|2.55
|540
|1.17
|11.8%
|3.8%
|n/a
|-
|'''1986'''
|2.69
|553
|1.23
|3.3%
|1.7%
|n/a
|-
|'''1987'''
|2.91
|581
|1.16
|5.5%
|7.1%
|n/a
|-
|'''1988'''
|3.16
|614
|1.09
|5.0%
|4.5%
|n/a
|-
|'''1989'''
|3.33
|628
|1.13
|1.3%
|11.7%
|n/a
|-
|'''1990'''
|3.57
|655
|1.13
|3.5%
|7.0%
|n/a
|-
|'''1991'''
|3.91
|696
|1.17
|5.8%
|9.0%
|n/a
|-
|'''1992'''
|4.04
|699
|1.08
|1.0%
|1.8%
|n/a
|-
|'''1993'''
|3.88
|672
|0.94
|−6.2%
|9.7%
|n/a
|-
|'''1994'''
|3.81
|649
|0.92
|−3.8%
|14.9%
|n/a
|-
|'''1995'''
|3.58
|599
|1.00
|−7.9%
|19.2%
|n/a
|-
|'''1996'''
|3.35
|551
|0.87
|−8.0%
|26.5%
|n/a
|-
|'''1997'''
|3.43
|553
|0.97
|0.4%
|31.1%
|n/a
|-
|'''1998'''
|3.63
|576
|0.89
|4.8%
|12.5%
|n/a
|-
|'''1999'''
|3.72
|574
|0.87
|1.2%
|3.5%
|n/a
|-
|'''2000'''
|3.87
|580
|0.87
|1.8%
|25.5%
|136.4%
|-
|'''2001'''
|4.03
|585
|0.88
|1.7%
|7.9%
|127.4%
|-
|'''2002'''
|4.19
|590
|0.83
|2.4%
| -1.3%
|159.1%
|-
|'''2003'''
|4.37
|603
|0.79
|2.5%
|10.6%
|172.0%
|-
|'''2004'''
|4.66
|623
|0.92
|3.8%
|8.2%
|172.7%
|-
|'''2005'''
|5.02
|668
|1.12
|4.4%
|13.3%
|137.0%
|-
|'''2006'''
|5.45
|705
|1.27
|5.4%
|2.7%
|130.3%
|-
|'''2007'''
|5.79
|727
|1.36
|3.5%
|8.4%
|129.6%
|-
|'''2008'''
|6.19
|752
|1.61
|4.9%
|24.4%
|102.5%
|-
|'''2009'''
|6.47
|761
|1.78
|3.8%
|10.6%
|25.7%
|-
|'''2010'''
|6.88
|784
|2.03
|5.1%
|6.5%
|46.9%
|-
|'''2011'''
|7.31
|808
|2.24
|4.0%
|9.6%
|42.7%
|-
|'''2012'''
|7.77
|833
|2.33
|4.4%
|18.2%
|41.4%
|-
|'''2013'''
|8.30
|863
|2.46
|4.9%
|7.9%
|37.9%
|-
|'''2014'''
|8.80
|888
|2.71
|4.2%
|4.4%
|38.0%
|-
|'''2015'''
|8.53
|836
|3.10
|−3.9%
|5.6%
|39.9%
|-
|'''2016'''
|8.56
|813
|2.96
|−0.6%
|5.5%
|46.1%
|-
|'''2017'''
|8.76
|806
|3.17
|0.5%
|16.6%
|46.9%
|-
|'''2018'''
|8.94
|798
|3.04
|1.6%
|−2.8%
|53.0%
|-
|'''2019'''
|9.55
|828
|3.01
|1.8%
|−0.7%
|60.0%
|-
|'''2020'''
|9.92
|836
|3.09
|0.3%
|7.3%
|66.0%
|-
|'''2021'''
|10.85
|887
|3.35
|3.1%
|8.3%
|66.6%
|-
|'''2022'''
|11.83
|939
|3.92
|1.8%
|18.9%
|68.4%
|-
|'''2023'''
|12.59
|970
|4.24
|2.7%
|27.0%
|62.4%
|-
|'''2024'''
|13.17
|986
|4.29
|2.2%
|20.0%
|86.8%
|}

==See also==
* [[United Nations Economic Commission for Africa]]
* [[List of companies based in Burundi]]
* {{portal-inline|Burundi}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*{{CIA World Factbook}}

==External links==
*[http://www.trademap.org/open_access/Index.aspx?proceed=true&reporter=108 Burundi latest trade data on ITC Trade Map]

{{Africa in topic|Economy of}}
{{Burundi topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Economy Of Burundi}}
[[Category:Economy of Burundi| ]]
[[Category:African Union member economies|Burundi]]