Burundi · Africa
How many people die in Burundi every day?
In Burundi, about 260 people die every day, roughly one death every 6 minutes. That is about 95,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 85th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 61.7 years and the leading cause of death is lower respiratory infections. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
260
Deaths per year
95,000
Life expectancy
61.7 years
Population
13,238,559
Death rate
7.2 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Lower respiratory infections
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Burundi
61.7
World avg
72.8
-11.1 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Burundi
7.2
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Burundi by time period
| Per hour | 11 |
| Per day | 260 |
| Per week | 1,822 |
| Per month | 7,917 |
| Per year | 95,000 |
What people die of in Burundi
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Burundi in 2023 was pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections, which accounted for 9.9% of all deaths, about 22 a day. It was followed by malaria and stroke.
Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have risen by 95% since 2000, from about 1,911 to 3,718 a year. Deaths from diarrhoeal diseases have fallen by 57% since 2000, from about 12,605 to 5,418 a year.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 7,910 | 22 | 9.9% | -16% |
| 2 | Malaria | 6,302 | 17 | 7.9% | -47% |
| 3 | Stroke | 5,747 | 16 | 7.2% | +51% |
| 4 | Diarrhoeal diseases | 5,418 | 15 | 6.8% | -57% |
| 5 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 3,718 | 10 | 4.6% | +95% |
| 6 | Preterm birth complications | 3,571 | 9.8 | 4.5% | +24% |
| 7 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 2,221 | 6.1 | 2.8% | +31% |
| 8 | Road injuries | 2,175 | 6.0 | 2.7% | +15% |
| 9 | Birth asphyxia and birth trauma | 2,015 | 5.5 | 2.5% | -28% |
| 10 | Kidney diseases | 1,929 | 5.3 | 2.4% | +86% |
Deaths in Burundi since 2000
WHO estimates that about 80,205 people died in Burundi in 2023, 27% fewer than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 109,234 deaths |
| 2010 | 82,947 deaths |
| 2019 | 77,288 deaths |
| 2023 | 80,205 deaths |
Life expectancy in Burundi since 1950
A baby born in Burundi in 1950 could expect to live about 40.9 years. By 2023 that had risen to 63.7, a gain of 22.8 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 40.9 years |
| 1980 | 45.7 years |
| 2000 | 47.6 years |
| 2010 | 57.1 years |
| 2019 | 62.2 years |
| 2023 | 63.7 years |
Burundi compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, Burundi ranks 26th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burundi | 260 | 61.7 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Benin | 260 | 62.8 | Malaria |
| Tunisia | 192 | 76.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Rwanda | 186 | 66.1 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Guinea | 301 | 58.9 | Malaria |
| South Sudan | 301 | 55 | Lower respiratory infections |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Burundi every day?
In Burundi, about 260 people die every day, or roughly one death every 6 minutes. That adds up to about 95,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Burundi?
Lower respiratory infections is the leading cause of death in Burundi. It is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, and most deaths from it could be avoided with prevention and treatment. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections first in 2023, with 9.9% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Burundi?
Life expectancy at birth in Burundi is 61.7 years, 11.1 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 170th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Burundi high?
Burundi records about 7.2 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.