Demographics of Burundi

At 206.1 persons per sq. km., Burundi has the second-largest population density in Sub-Saharan Africa. Most people live on farms near areas of fertile volcanic soil. The population is made up of three major ethnic groups -- Bahutu (Hutu), Batutsi or Watusi (Tutsi), and Batwa (Twa). Kirundi is the common language. Intermarriage takes place frequently between the Hutus and Tutsis. The terms " pastoralist" and "agriculturist," often used as ethnic designations for Watusi and Bahutu, respectively, are only occupational titles which vary among individuals and groups. Although Hutus encompass the majority of the population, historically Tutsis have been politically and economically dominant.

Demographic data from the CIA World Factbook

Population

6,370,609

Note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2005 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 46% (male 1,479,941/female 1,450,808)

15-64 years: 51.3% (male 1,617,864/female 1,653,331)

65 years and over: 2.6% (male 66,199/female 102,466) (2005 est.)

Median age

Total: 16.6 years

Male: 16.27 years

Female: 16.95 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate

2.22% (2005 est.)

Birth rate

39.66 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate

17.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio

At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

Under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate

Total: 69.29 deaths/1,000 live births

Male: 75.87 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 62.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

Total population: 43.5 years

Male: 42.91 years

Female: 44.12 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.81 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS

Adult prevalence rate: 6% (2003 est.)

People living with HIV/AIDS: 250,000 (2003 est.)

Deaths: 25,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases

Degree of risk: very high

Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

Vectorborne disease: malaria (2004)

Nationality

Noun: Burundian(s)

Adjective: Burundian

Ethnic groups

Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000

Religions

Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10%

Languages

Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)

Literacy

Definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Total population: 51.6%

Male: 58.5%

Female: 45.2% (2003 est.)