Moving to Burundi from Rwanda

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Rwanda to Burundi? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Rwanda to Burundi.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Rwanda to Burundi.

Living there in 2020
76,567 ↑ 19% vs 2015

people born in Rwanda live in Burundi · UN DESA

Who's moving to Burundi?

Top countries of origin for Burundi's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Burundi compared to Rwanda.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

per 100,000 people per year

RW
3.6
BI
5.8
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

RW
11.6
BI
12.3

Rwanda performs better than Burundi across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

RW
$177
BI
$100
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

RW
1.2
BI
0.6

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Burundi leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

RW
62.0
BI
71.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

RW
0.2t
BI
0.1t

Rwanda generally does better on environment, though Burundi leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

RW
0.3
BI
0.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

RW
20.2%
BI
10.2%

Rwanda generally does better on infrastructure, though Burundi leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

RW
14.9%
BI
0.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

RW
$3,000
BI
$900

Rwanda generally does better on employment & economy, though Burundi leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

RW
65.8 yrs
BI
67.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

RW
26.4
BI
37.8

Rwanda generally does better on family life, though Burundi leads in life expectancy.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Kigali Rain: 37.4 in/yr (951 mm)
80° / 60°F

Avg. annual high / low

Bujumbura Rain: 30.9 in/yr (786 mm)
85° / 66°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kigali Bujumbura
Jan–Mar 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 85°/67°F (29°/19°C)
Apr–Jun 79°/61°F (26°/16°C) 86°/66°F (30°/19°C)
Jul–Sep 82°/60°F (28°/16°C) 86°/64°F (30°/18°C)
Oct–Dec 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 85°/66°F (29°/19°C)
View all months
Month Kigali Bujumbura
Jan 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.6°C) 84°/67°F (29.1°/19.2°C)
Feb 81°/60°F (27.4°/15.8°C) 85°/67°F (29.7°/19.3°C)
Mar 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C) 85°/67°F (29.3°/19.3°C)
Apr 79°/61°F (26.2°/16.1°C) 85°/67°F (29.2°/19.6°C)
May 79°/61°F (25.9°/16.2°C) 86°/66°F (29.9°/19.1°C)
Jun 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.3°C) 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.6°C)
Jul 81°/59°F (27.1°/15.0°C) 85°/63°F (29.2°/17.2°C)
Aug 82°/61°F (28.0°/16.0°C) 86°/63°F (30.0°/17.4°C)
Sep 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.0°C) 88°/65°F (30.9°/18.6°C)
Oct 81°/61°F (27.2°/15.9°C) 86°/66°F (30.1°/19.1°C)
Nov 79°/60°F (26.1°/15.5°C) 84°/66°F (29.1°/19.1°C)
Dec 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.6°C) 84°/66°F (28.9°/19.1°C)

Data: Rwanda Meteorology Agency Rwanda Meteorology Agency, Institut Géographique du Burundi (IGEBU) Institut Géographique du Burundi (IGEBU)

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Rwanda and Burundi. To live, work, or study long-term in Burundi, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Burundi's immigration authority.

Rwanda passport

Rwanda passport holder visiting Burundi

Visa Free
Rwanda passport holders can enter Burundi without a visa.
Burundi passport

Burundi passport holder visiting Rwanda

Visa Free
Burundi passport holders can enter Rwanda without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Burundi?

Connectivity is usually fine (Burundi: 0.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Burundi offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Burundi safe for expats?

Rwanda performs better than Burundi across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Burundi is 5.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.6 in Rwanda.

How is healthcare in Burundi compared to Rwanda?

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Burundi leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 0.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Burundi, compared to 1.2 in Rwanda. Burundi scores 41 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Rwanda: 49).

What's the weather like in Burundi compared to Rwanda?

The average high temperature in Bujumbura is 85°F, compared to 80°F in Kigali. Bujumbura receives around 30.9 in of rainfall per year, while Kigali gets 37.4 in.

What language do they speak in Burundi?

The official languages in Burundi are French and Kirundi. In Rwanda, the official languages are English, French and Kinyarwanda.

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At a Glance

RW BI
Population 13,173,730 12,696,478
Currency Rwandan Franc (RWF) Burundian Franc (BIF)
Languages English, French, Kinyarwanda French, Kirundi
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +250 +257
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112