Economy Overview
In 2015, Burundi’s economy suffered from political turmoil, including street protests and an attempted coup, following President NKURUNZIZA’s controversial announcement that he would run for a third term. Insecurity and refugee flows to neighboring countries slowed down economic activity and donors withdrew aid, increasing Burundi’s budget deficit and decreasing hard currency reserves. Real GDP growth dropped precipitously and has yet to recover to pre-conflict levels.
Agriculture Products
coffee, cotton, tea, corn, beans, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, cassava (manioc, tapioca); beef, milk, hides
Industries
light consumer goods (sugar, shoes, soap, beer); cement, assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing (fruits)
Industrial Production Growth Rate
-7.1% (2016 est.)
Labor Force
4.842 million (2016 est.)
Labor Force by Occupation
Agriculture: 93.6%
Industry: 2.3%
Services: 4.1% (2002 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line
64.6% (2014 est.)
Household Income or Consumption by Percentage Share
Lowest 10%: 4.1%
Highest 10%: 28% (2006)
Distribution of Family Income Gini Index
42.4 (1998)
Budget
Revenues: $528.4 million
Expenditures: $669.6 million (2016 est.)
Public Debt
39.6% of GDP (2015 est.)
Central Bank Discount Rate
10% (31 December 2009)
Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
Stock of Narrow Money
$397.7 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Broad Money
$571.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Domestic Credit
$851.3 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares
$NA
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
$136.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Debt External
$626 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad
Exchange Rates
1,442.51 (2012 est.)
