Burundi: health and care

How common is malaria in Burundi?

Burundi's health centres recorded 3,208,352 cases of malaria among people aged five and over and 1,759,131 among children under five in 2024, according to the INSBU Statistical Yearbook 2024, using Ministry of Public Health data. The total for people aged five and over was 2,418,383 in 2023.

The counts cover cases recorded by health centres, so they depend on how many people seek care and are tested. The World Bank, using WHO estimates, puts incidence at 315 cases per 1,000 people at risk in 2024.

Official sources: INSBU: Statistical Yearbook 2024 (PDF) · World Bank: Incidence of malaria, Burundi

How many doctors are there in Burundi?

Burundi had 1,016 general practitioners and 153 specialist doctors in 2024, according to the INSBU Statistical Yearbook 2024, which uses Ministry of Public Health data. There were 10,091 nurses and 246 anaesthetists.

The number of general practitioners rose from 623 in 2020. The yearbook also lists 1,206 health centres and 158 hospitals in 2024. Staff counts depend on what health facilities report to the ministry's health information system, so totals can change between years partly because of reporting.

Official sources: INSBU: Statistical Yearbook 2024 (PDF)

What is the life expectancy in Burundi?

Life expectancy at birth in Burundi was 63.8 years in 2024, according to the World Bank, using UN population estimates, up from 63.7 years in 2023. The maternal mortality ratio was 392 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the UN estimate published by the World Bank.

Life expectancy is the average number of years a newborn would live if current death rates stayed the same. Burundi's own estimates come from its census and Demographic and Health Surveys, run by INSBU.

Official sources: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, Burundi · World Bank: Maternal mortality ratio, Burundi

How much does Burundi spend on health?

Current health spending in Burundi was 9.1% of GDP in 2023, up from 8.7% in 2022, according to the World Bank, using WHO Global Health Expenditure data.

Current health expenditure covers spending by government, donors, insurers and households on health goods and services, but not investment in buildings and equipment. The INSBU Statistical Yearbook 2024 counts 1,206 health centres and 158 hospitals in 2024, and reports health staff numbers from the Ministry of Public Health.

Official sources: INSBU: Statistical Yearbook 2024 (PDF) · World Bank: Current health expenditure, Burundi

What is life expectancy in Burundi?

In 2024, life expectancy at birth in Burundi was 63.8 years, according to the UN Population Division. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.3 years; Burundi is 30th highest of 48. Worldwide: 174th of 193.

How many babies die in Burundi?

According to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, the infant mortality rate in Burundi was 30.5 per 1,000 in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 37.2 per 1,000; Burundi is 35th highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 45th highest.

What is maternal mortality in Burundi?

In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in Burundi was 392 per 100,000, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 13th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 257 per 100,000. Worldwide: 14th of 192.

What share of GDP does Burundi spend on health care?

In 2023, current health spending in Burundi was 9.1% of GDP, according to the WHO. The peak was 11.3% of GDP in 2010 and the low 6.3% of GDP in 2015. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 4.4% of GDP, and Burundi placed 6th highest of 48. Worldwide: 42nd of 191.

How much of health care in Burundi do patients pay for?

24.5%: that is out-of-pocket health spending in Burundi for 2023, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 42.9%; its low point was 2020, at 20.5%. It is 35th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 32.4%. Worldwide: 112th of 191.

How many doctors does Burundi have?

0.08 per 1,000: that is the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Burundi for 2022, according to the WHO. The peak was 0.09 per 1,000 in 2017 and the low 0.04 per 1,000 in 2011. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.18 per 1,000, and Burundi placed 42nd highest of 46. Worldwide: 121st of 125.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Burundi?

WHO and UNICEF puts measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Burundi at 86.0% in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 98.0%; its low point was 2008, at 84.0%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 81.0%, and Burundi placed 19th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 120th of 191.