Updated
Overview
Rwanda and Burundi are nearly matched in population: 14.57 million versus 14.39 million people (2025).
Rwanda's economy is 4.9 times the size of Burundi's, at $16.37B versus $3.36B.
Per person, Rwanda is the wealthier of the two: $1,124 against $234 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Rwanda | Burundi | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $16.37B | $3.36B | 2025 | $14.25B / $2.16B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $1,124 | $234 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 9.4% | 4.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 5.9% | 34.1% | 2025 | 1.8% / 20.2% |
| Unemployment | 11.4% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 27 | 34 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $53 | $51 | 2024 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2 | $1 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 14.57 million | 14.39 million | 2025 | 13.62 million / 13.59 million |
| Population growth | 2.2% | 2.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 19.9 yrs | 16.4 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.59 | 4.68 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 68.0 yrs | 63.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 31% | 26% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 32% | 9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 26,338 km² | 27,834 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 553.2/km² | 517.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 2.03 Mt | Lower: 0.92 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 0.1 t | Lower: 0.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $175.92M | $171.83M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.2% | 3.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 35,000 | 31,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Rwanda is growing much faster: 9.4% annual GDP growth versus 4.2%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Burundi at 34.1%, while the other economy sits at 5.9%.
Average monthly earnings favour Rwanda: $53 against $51 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Burundi is the younger society: median age 16.4 versus 19.9 years.
Life expectancy is 4.2 years longer in Rwanda (68.0 vs 63.8).
Internet adoption is higher in Rwanda (32% vs 9% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Rwanda is almost exactly the same size as Burundi: 26,338 km² versus 27,834 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $175.92M (Rwanda) and $171.83M (Burundi).
Relative to its economy, Burundi carries the heavier military burden: 3.8% of GDP versus 1.2%.
Rwanda fields the larger armed forces: 35,000 personnel against 31,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Rwanda bigger than Burundi?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. Rwanda covers 26,338 km² while Burundi covers 27,834 km², a difference of under 6%.
- Which has more people, Rwanda or Burundi?
- Rwanda has the larger population: 14.57 million versus 14.39 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Rwanda richer than Burundi?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Rwanda is richer: $1,124 against $234. Total GDP tells the same story: $16.37B for Rwanda versus $3.36B for Burundi.
- Who spends more on their military, Rwanda or Burundi?
- Rwanda spends more: $175.92M versus $171.83M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).