Factbook
History of Burundi — Timeline
Key dates in the history of Burundi, from the Magna Factbook and the Universal Encyclopedia.
1961In 1961, the Burundian Tutsi king’s oldest son, Louis RWAGASORE, was murdered by a competing political faction shortly before he was set to become prime minister, triggering increased political competition that contributed to later instability.
1962Burundi gained its independence from Belgium in 1962 as the Kingdom of Burundi.
1962Independence: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration).
1965A failed Hutu-led coup in 1965 triggered a purge of Hutu officials and set the stage for Tutsi officers to overthrow the monarchy in 1966 and establish a Tutsi-dominated republic.
1972A Hutu rebellion in 1972 resulted in the deaths of several thousand Tutsi civilians and sparked brutal Tutsi-led military reprisals against Hutu civilians which ultimately killed 100,000-200,000 people.
1992International pressure led to a new constitution in 1992 and democratic elections in 1993.
1993Tutsi military officers feared Hutu domination and assassinated Burundi's first democratically elected president, Hutu Melchior NDADAYE, in 1993 after only 100 days in office, sparking a civil war.
1994In 1994, his successor, Cyprien NTARYAMIRA, died when the Rwandan president’s plane he was traveling on was shot down, which triggered the Rwandan genocide and further entrenched ethnic conflict in Burundi.
2000The internationally brokered Arusha Agreement, signed in 2000, and subsequent cease-fire agreements with armed movements ended the 1993-2005 civil war.
2005Burundi’s second democratic elections were held in 2005, resulting in the election of Pierre NKURUNZIZA as president.
2008Languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), English (official, least spoken), Swahili (2008 est.) 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.) Urban population: 14.8% of total population (2023).
2010He was reelected in 2010 and again in 2015 after a controversial court decision allowed him to circumvent a term limit.
2020President Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE -- from NKURUNZIZA’s ruling party -- was elected in 2020.
2023Generation mix — fossil fuels: 31.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); solar: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); hydroelectricity: 66.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) Energy use: 946,000 Btu/person (2023 est.).
2023Industries: light consumer goods (sugar, shoes, soap, beer); cement, assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing (fruits) Agriculture: cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, beans, maize, vegetables, potatoes, rice, sugarcane, fruits (2023) Electricity access: 10.3% (2022 est.).
2023Major urban areas: 1.207 million BUJUMBURA (capital) (2023) 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 Inflation: 20.2% (2024 est.).
2024Military spending: 3.5% of GDP (2024 est.).
2024Population: 13.6 million (2024 estimate).
