Burundi: immigration

How many refugees are there in Burundi?

Burundi hosted 110,800 refugees and 1,466 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics, up from 89,075 refugees a year earlier. Almost all came from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (109,885).

UNHCR also counts 6,815 internally displaced people in Burundi and 734 stateless people. Figures are end-year counts from UNHCR and the Burundian authorities.

Official sources: UNHCR: Population statistics, Burundi as host (2025) · UNHCR: Refugees in Burundi by origin (2025)

How many Burundian refugees are there?

318,291 refugees and 64,899 asylum seekers from Burundi were living abroad at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics, down from 322,462 refugees a year earlier. 17,827 Burundian refugees returned home during 2025.

The largest groups were in Tanzania (131,156), Rwanda (50,746), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (46,897) and Uganda (43,677). The figures count people recognised as refugees by host governments or UNHCR, and asylum seekers whose claims have not yet been decided.

Official sources: UNHCR: Population statistics, Burundi as origin (2025) · UNHCR: Burundian refugees by country of asylum (2025)

How many immigrants live in Burundi?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people born abroad in Burundi at 2.8% in 2024. It was 2.7% in 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 2.2%; Burundi is 20th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 116th of 193.

Are more people leaving Burundi than arriving?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is -34,727. The peak was 184,359 in 2009 and the low -236,207 in 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa median: -5,646; Burundi is 43rd highest of 48. Worldwide: 166th of 193.

How many refugees does Burundi host?

110,800: that is the number of refugees in the country in Burundi for 2025, according to UNHCR. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 15th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 35,241. Of 169 countries with 2025 data, 50th highest.

How many refugees come from Burundi?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Burundi at 318,291 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2017, at 439,320; its low point was 2014, at 72,477. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 12,726; Burundi is 10th highest of 48. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 15th highest.

How much money do migrants send home to Burundi?

In 2025, personal remittances received in Burundi was 8.1% of GDP, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 2.6% of GDP; Burundi is 4th highest of 20. Worldwide: 23rd of 127.