Life in Burundi: Every Number That Shapes It (1800–2100)

Data tells the story of time passing through the lives of individuals. In Burundi, these metrics reveal a profound shift in the conditions of survival and capability over the last seventy years. As health outcomes improved, the burdens of childhood have eased, while access to electricity and the internet has fundamentally altered the daily rhythm of life. These figures capture a society in transition, where the basic mechanics of existing are measured against a backdrop of steady, incremental change in education, income, and the physical environments where families now reside.

The historical arc from the 1950s to the 2020s reflects a sequence of major adjustments. In the 1950s, life expectancy was 36 years, whereas today, a child born in Burundi in the 2020s can expect to live 62 years. Child mortality has dropped from 320 to 75 per 1,000 births, while schooling increased from 1.2 to 6 years. With extreme poverty falling from 75 to 35 %, and the population in cities rising from 11 to 41 %, the structural landscape of the country has been reshaped by these measurable human advancements.

For a person born in the 2020s, the world offers a different set of opportunities than it did for previous generations. With an average income of 3,800 international dollars and electricity at home now reaching 48 % of the population, the daily experience is defined by greater connectivity. While the homicide rate has shifted from 11 to 9.5 per 100,000 and working hours remain around 2,050 hours/year, these statistics define the parameters of a life in progress. See your parallel life in Burundi to understand exactly where the birth lottery placed its people.