Map of Burundi | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
Military | Transportation | Transnational Issues | Year: Guide198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024 | More stats

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Background:


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Location: Central Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, west of Tanzania

Geographic coordinates: 3 30 S, 30 00 E

Map reference: Africa

Area
Total: 27,830 km²
Land: 25,680 km²
Water: 2,150 km²
Comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Country comparison total: 1,140 km
Country comparison border countries: (3) Democratic Republic of the Congo 236 km; Rwanda 315 km; Tanzania 589 km

Land boundaries
Total: 1,140 km
Border countries: (3) Democratic Republic of the Congo 236 km; Rwanda 315 km; Tanzania 589 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Climate: equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees Celsius but is generally moderate; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm with two wet seasons (February to May and September to November) and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January)

Terrain: hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains

Elevation
Highest point: unnamed elevation on Mukike Range 2,685 m
Lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m
Mean elevation: 1,504 m

Natural resources: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone

Land use
Agricultural land: 73.3% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land arable land: 38.9% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land permanent crops: 15.6% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land permanent pasture: 18.8% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land forest: 6.6% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land other: 20.1% (2018 est.)

Irrigated land: 230 km² (2012)

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 km²), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 km²)

Total water withdrawal
Municipal: 40 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Industrial: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Agricultural: 220 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total renewable water resources: 12.54 billion m³ (2020 est.)

Natural hazards: flooding; landslides; drought

Geography
Note: landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile


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Population
Distribution: one of Africa's most densely populated countries; concentrations tend to be in the north and along the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the west; most people live on farms near areas of fertile volcanic soil as shown in this population distribution map
Total: 13,590,102
Male: 6,755,456
Female: 6,834,646 (2024 est.)
Growth rate: 2.81% (2024 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Burundian(s)
Adjective: Burundian

Ethnic groups: Hutu, Tutsi, Twa, South Asian

Languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), English (official, least spoken), Swahili (2008 est.)
Major-language samples: Igitabo Mpuzamakungu c'ibimenyetso bifatika, isoko ntabanduka ku nkuru z'urufatiro. (Kirundi); Gheos World Guide, the indispensable source for basic information.
Note: data represent languages read and written by people 10 years of age or older; spoken Kirundi is nearly universal

Religions: Christian 93.9% (Roman Catholic 58.6%, Protestant 35.3% [includes Adventist 2.7% and other Protestant religions 32.6%]), Muslim 3.4%, other 1.3%, none 1.3% (2016-17 est.)

Demographic profile

Age structure
0-14 years: 42.3% (male 2,895,275/female 2,848,286)
15-64 years: 54.4% (male 3,662,688/female 3,727,022)
65 years and over: 3.4% (2024 est.) (male 197,493/female 259,338)

Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 95.2
Youth dependency ratio: 90.4
Elderly dependency ratio: 4.8
Potential support ratio: 20.7 (2021 est.)

Median age
Total: 18.4 years (2024 est.)
Male: 18 years
Female: 18.7 years

Population growth rate: 2.81% (2024 est.)

Birth rate: 34.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate: 5.7 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Population distribution: one of Africa's most densely populated countries; concentrations tend to be in the north and along the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the west; most people live on farms near areas of fertile volcanic soil as shown in this population distribution map

Urbanization
Urban population: 14.8% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 5.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas
Population: 1.207 million BUJUMBURA (capital) (2023)

Environment
Current issues: soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
International agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
International agreements signed but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban

Air pollutants
Particulate matter emissions: 28 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 0.5 megatons (2016 est.)
Methane emissions: 1.42 megatons (2020 est.)

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mothers mean age at first birth: 21.5 years (2016/17 est.)
Note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

Maternal mortality ratio: 494 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Infant mortality rate
Total: 35.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male: 39.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 31.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 68.1 years (2024 est.)
Male: 66 years
Female: 70.3 years

Total fertility rate: 4.9 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate: 28.5% (2016/17)

Drinking water source
Improved urban: 98.7% of population
Unimproved rural: 21.1% of population
Unimproved total: 18.4% of population (2020 est.)
Unimproved urban: 1.3% of population

Current health expenditure

Physicians density

Hospital bed density: 0.8 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Sanitation facility access
Improved urban: 87.4% of population
Improved rural: 53.7% of population
Improved total: 58.4% of population
Unimproved urban: 12.6% of population
Unimproved rural: 46.3% of population
Unimproved total: 41.6% of population (2020 est.)

Hiv/Aids

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate: 5.4% (2016)

Alcohol consumption
Per capita total: 4.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Per capita beer: 1.84 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Per capita wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Per capita spirits: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Per capita other alcohols: 2.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use
Total: 11.8% (2020 est.)
Male: 17.4% (2020 est.)
Female: 6.1% (2020 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 27.6% (2022)

Education expenditures: 5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 74.7%
Male: 81.3%
Female: 68.4% (2021)

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Total: 11 years
Male: 11 years
Female: 11 years (2018)

Youth unemployment
Rate ages 15 24 total: 1.7% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 male: 2.2% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 female: 1.3% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment


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Country name
Conventional long form: Republic of Burundi
Conventional short form: Burundi
Local long form: République du Burundi (French)/ Republika y'u Burundi (Kirundi)
Local short form: Burundi
Former: Urundi, German East Africa, Ruanda-Urundi, Kingdom of Burundi
Etymology: name derived from the pre-colonial Kingdom of Burundi (17th-19th century)

Government type: presidential republic

Capital
Name: Gitega (political capital), Bujumbura (commercial capital)
Geographic coordinates: 3 25 S, 29 55 E
Time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Etymology: the naming origins for both Gitega and Bujumbura are obscure; Bujumbura's name prior to independence in 1962 was Usumbura
Note: in January 2019, the Burundian parliament voted to make Gitega the political capital of the country while Bujumbura would remain its economic capital; as of 2023, the government's move to Gitega remains incomplete

Administrative divisions: 18 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rural, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rumonge, Rutana, Ruyigi
Note: - a law was passed in March 2023 reducing the number of provinces to five: Buhumuza, Bujumbura, Burunga, Butanyerera, Gitega, with full implementation by 2025.

Dependent areas

Independence: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)

National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

Constitution
History: several previous, ratified by referendum 28 February 2005
Amendments: proposed by the president of the republic after consultation with the government or by absolute majority support of the membership in both houses of Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Senate membership and at least four-fifths majority vote by the National Assembly; the president can opt to submit amendment bills to a referendum; constitutional articles including those on national unity, the secularity of Burundi, its democratic form of government, and its sovereignty cannot be amended; amended 2018 (amendments extended the presidential term from 5 to 7 years, reintroduced the position of prime minister, and reduced the number of vice presidents from 2 to 1)

Legal system: mixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law

International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew from ICCt in October 2017

Citizenship
Citizenship by birth: no
Citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Burundi
Dual citizenship recognized: no
Residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE (since 18 June 2020)
Head of government: Minister Gervais NDIRAKOBUCA (since 7 September 2022)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president
Elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 May 2020 (next to be held in May 2,027); vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by Parliament
Note: a 2018 constitutional referendum, effective for the 2020 election, increased the presidential term from 5 to 7 years with a 2-consecutive-term limit, reinstated the position of the prime minister position, and reduced the number of vice presidents from 2 to 1
Election results: 2020: Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE elected president; percent of vote - Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE (CNDD-FDD) 71.5%, Agathon RWASA (CNL) 25.2%, Gaston SINDIMWO (UPRONA) 1.7%, other 1.6%; 2015: Pierre NKURUNZIZA reelected president; percent of vote - Pierre NKURUNZIZA (CNDD-FDD) 69.4%, Agathon RWASA (Hope of Burundians - Amizerio y'ABARUNDI) 19%, other 11.6%

Legislative branch
Description: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of: Senate or Inama Nkenguzamateka (39 seats in the July 2020 election); 36 members indirectly elected by an electoral college of provincial councils using a three-round voting system, which requires a two-thirds majority vote in the first two rounds and simple majority vote for the two leading candidates in the final round; members serve 5-year terms), National Assembly or Inama Nshingamateka (123 seats in the May 2020 election; 100 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 23 co-opted members; members serve 5-year terms)
Elections: Senate - last held on 20 July 2020 (next to be held in 2025), National Assembly - last held on 20 May 2020 (next to be held in 2025)
Elections results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 87.2%, Twa 7.7%, CNL 2.6%, UPRONA 2.6%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 34, Twa 3, CNL 1, UPRONA 1; composition - men 23, women 16, percentage women 37.2%, National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 70.9%, CNL 23.4%, UPRONA 2.5%, other (co-opted Twa) 3.2%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 86, CNL 32, Twa 3, UPRONA 2; composition - men 76, women 47, percentage women 38.2%
Note: total Parliament percentage women 38%

Judicial branch
Highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 9 judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and cassation chambers); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members)
Judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial Service Commission, a 15-member body of judicial and legal profession officials), appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate and serve 6-year nonrenewable terms
Subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; County Courts; Courts of Residence; Martial Court; Commercial Court

Political parties and leaders: Council for Democracy and the Sustainable Development of Burundi or CODEBU , Front for Democracy in Burundi-Sahwanya or FRODEBU-Sahwanya , National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD , National Congress for Liberty or CNL , National Liberation Forces or FNL , Union for National Progress (Union pour le Progress Nationale) or UPRONA

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, ATMIS, AU, CEMAC, CEPGL, CICA, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICGLR, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation
In the us: chief of mission: Ambassador Jean Bosco BAREGE (since 27 February 2024)
In the us chancery: 2,233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20,007
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 342-2,574
In the us fax: [1] (202) 342-2,578
In the us email and websitel: burundiembusadc@gmail.com, Burundi Embassy Washington D.C. (burundiembassy-usa.com)
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa PETERSON (since 27 June 2024)
From the us embassy: No 50 Avenue Des Etats-Unis, 110-01-02, Bujumbura
From the us mailing address: 2,100 Bujumbura Place, Washington DC 20,521-2,100
From the us telephone: [257] 22-207-000
From the us fax: [257] 22-222-926
From the us email address and website: BujumburaC@state.gov; [link]

Flag description: divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and fly side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below); green symbolizes hope and optimism, white purity and peace, and red the blood shed in the struggle for independence; the three stars in the disk represent the three major ethnic groups: Hutu, Twa, Tutsi, as well as the three elements in the national motto: unity, work, progress

National symbols: lion; national colors: red, white, green

National anthem
Name: 'Burundi Bwacu' (Our Beloved Burundi)
Lyrics/music: Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO
Note: adopted 1962

National heritage


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Economy overview: highly agrarian, low-income Sub-Saharan economy; declining foreign assistance; increasing fiscal insolvencies; dense and still growing population; COVID-19 weakened economic recovery and flipped two years of deflation

Real gdp purchasing power parity: $11.347 billion (2023 est.); $11.048 billion (2022 est.); $10.848 billion (2021 est.)
Note: data in 2021 dollars

Real gdp growth rate: 2.7% (2023 est.); 1.85% (2022 est.); 3.1% (2021 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real gdp per capita: $900 (2023 est.); $900 (2022 est.); $900 (2021 est.)
Note: data in 2021 dollars

Gross national saving

Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 75.6% (2023 est.)
Government consumption: 30.5% (2023 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 13% (2023 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 5.3% (2023 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -24.3% (2023 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 25.2% (2023 est.)
Industry: 9.6% (2023 est.)
Services: 48.8% (2023 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Agriculture products: cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, vegetables, beans, potatoes, maize, sugarcane, fruits, rice (2022)
Note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries: light consumer goods (sugar, shoes, soap, beer); cement, assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing (fruits)

Industrial production growth rate: 2.75% (2023 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force: 5.722 million (2023 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate: 0.93% (2023 est.); 0.92% (2022 est.); 1.11% (2021 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment
Rate ages 15 24 total: 1.7% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 male: 2.2% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 female: 1.3% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Population below poverty line

Gini index

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Distribution of family income gini index

Budget
Revenues: $713.694 million (2021 est.)
Expenditures: $506.147 million (2021 est.)
Note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Taxes and other revenues: 15.64% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

Public debt: 51.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

Revenue
From forest resources: 10.31% of GDP (2018 est.)
From coal: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Fiscal year

Inflation rate consumer prices: 26.94% (2023 est.); 18.8% (2022 est.); 8.4% (2021 est.)
Note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Central bank discount rate

Commercial bank prime lending rate

Stock of narrow money

Stock of broad money

Stock of domestic credit

Market value of publicly traded shares

Current account balance: -$362.645 million (2018 est.); -$373.389 million (2017 est.); -$339.695 million (2016 est.)
Note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Exports: $285.105 million (2018 est.); $270.686 million (2017 est.); $315 million (2017 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Partners: UAE 32%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 14%, China 5%, Sudan 5%, Germany 4% (2022)
Partners note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Commodities: gold, coffee, tea, rare earth ores, tobacco (2022)
Commodities note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports: $905.294 million (2018 est.); $885.422 million (2017 est.); $1.295 billion (2017 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Partners: China 15%, UAE 14%, Saudi Arabia 13%, Tanzania 12%, India 7% (2022)
Partners note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Commodities: refined petroleum, fertilizers, packaged medicine, cement, plastic products (2022)
Commodities note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $90.35 million (2023 est.); $158.53 million (2022 est.); $266.164 million (2021 est.)
Note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Debt external: $444.292 million (2022 est.)
Note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Stock of direct foreign investment at home

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad

Exchange rates:


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Electricity
Access electrification total population: 10.3% (2022 est.)
Access electrification urban areas: 64%
Access electrification rural areas: 1.7%
Installed generating capacity: 114,000 kW (2022 est.)
Consumption: 415.198 million kWh (2022 est.)
Imports: 101 million kWh (2022 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 40 million kWh (2022 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels: 33.9% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Generation sources solar: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 62.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Generation sources biomass and waste: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Coal
Imports: 9,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

Petroleum
Refined petroleum consumption: 6,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

Crude oil

Refined petroleum

Natural gas

Carbon dioxide emissions: 800,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 5,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 795,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

Energy consumption per capita: 961,000 Btu/person (2022 est.)


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Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 15,000 (2022 est.)
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 7.471 million (2022 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 58 (2022 est.)

Telephone system

Broadcast media

Internet

Broadband fixed subscriptions


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Military expenditures: 3.7% of GDP (2023 est.); 2.8% of GDP (2022 est.); 2% of GDP (2021 est.); 2.1% of GDP (2020 est.); 3% of GDP (2019 est.)

Military and security forces: Burundi National Defense Force (BNDF; Force de Defense Nationale du Burundi or FDNB) : Land Force (la Force Terrestre), the Navy Force (la Force de la Marine), the Air Force (la Force Aérienne) and Specialized Units (des Unités Spécialisées); Ministry of Interior, Community Development, and Public Security: Burundi National Police (Police Nationale du Burundi) (2024)
Note 1: the Naval Force is responsible for monitoring Burundi’s 175-km shoreline on Lake Tanganyika; the Specialized Units include a special security brigade for the protection of institutions (aka BSPI), commandos, special forces, and military police
Note 2: in 2022, Burundi created a new reserve force (Force de réserve et d’appui au développement, FRAD); the FRAD's duties include organizing paramilitary trainings, supporting other components in protecting the integrity of the national territory, conceiving and implementing development projects, and operationalizing national and international partnerships

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women (2023)

Space program

Terrorist groups


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National air transport system

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9U

Airports: 6 (2024)

Heliports

Pipelines

Railways

Roadways
Total: 12,000 km
Paved: 1,500 km (2020)

Waterways: 673 km (2022) (mainly on Lake Tanganyika between Bujumbura, Burundi's principal port, and lake ports in Tanzania, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Merchant marine

Ports and terminals


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Disputes international

Refugees and internally displaced persons
Refugees country of origin: 87,157 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2024)
Idps: 76,987 (some ethnic Tutsis remain displaced from intercommunal violence that broke out after the 1993 coup and fighting between government forces and rebel groups; violence since April 2015) (2023)
Stateless persons: 767 (mid-year 2021)

Illicit drugs