Burundi: cost of living

How fast are food prices rising in Burundi?

Food prices in Burundi were 1.6% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the National Institute of Statistics of Burundi (INSBU), while non-food prices were 15.1% higher. Over the last twelve months on average, food prices rose 7.9%, led by bread and cereals (12.7%), with rice up 23.1%.

Among non-food items, average prices rose 20.0% for fuels, 21.2% for restaurants and cafés and 14.4% for road passenger transport. Clothing and footwear rose 40.4%. INSBU publishes the consumer price index each month, with a detailed breakdown by product group and province.

Official sources: INSBU: Consumer price index, September 2026 (PDF)

What is the poverty rate in Burundi?

51.0% of Burundi's population lived below the national poverty line in 2020, according to World Bank data based on Burundi's household survey. At the international line of $3.00 a day (2021 prices), the share was 74.2%, according to the World Bank.

The national line is based on the cost of a basic basket of food and other needs in Burundi, while the international line allows comparison between countries. Both are measured by household consumption, including food grown for own use. The figures come from the 2019/2020 integrated household living conditions survey.

Official sources: World Bank: Poverty at national poverty lines, Burundi · World Bank: Poverty at $3.00 a day, Burundi

How fast are prices rising in Burundi?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in Burundi at 34.1% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 3.4%, and Burundi placed 1st highest of 39. Worldwide: 3rd of 165.

What is household spending per person in Burundi?

According to the World Bank, household consumption per person in Burundi was $195 in 2025. The peak was $232 in 2006 and the low $194 in 2023. It is 37th highest of 37 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $840. World rank, highest first: 124th of 124.

How many people in Burundi live on under $3 a day?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2020, is 74.2%. In 2006 the figure was 81.5%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 44.4%, and Burundi placed 2nd highest of 5. Of 69 countries with 2020 data, 2nd highest.

What is the poverty rate in Burundi?

51.0%: that is the share of people below the national poverty line in Burundi for 2020, according to the World Bank. It is 4th highest of 5 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 51.3%. Of 57 countries with 2020 data, 4th highest.

What is Burundi's Gini coefficient?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2020, is 37.5. In 2006 the figure was 33.4. It is 3rd highest of 5 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 37.5. Of 69 countries with 2020 data, 19th highest.

How many people in Burundi face food insecurity?

In 2024, moderate or severe food insecurity in Burundi was 70.8%, according to the FAO. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 60.5%; Burundi is 9th highest of 34. Of 135 countries with 2024 data, 12th highest.