​​FDPs in Burundi 

Overall objectives

The primary objective of the activity is to integrate data on refugees and returnees into Burundi’s national statistical processes, ensuring their inclusion in key national surveys. By incorporating displacement data into the 2026/27 Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICVMB) and analyzing refugee- and returnee-specific data from the 2024 Population and Housing Census, the project aims to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and improve humanitarian and development responses. 

This effort will provide insights into the socioeconomic conditions of forcibly displaced populations (FDPs), helping to address disparities between refugees, returnees, and host communities. The project supports Burundi’s commitment to international statistical standards and aligns with global initiatives to enhance FDP data collection and analysis. 

Activity description

The initiative consists of two interconnected components:

1 Analysis of 2024 Population and Housing Census Data on Refugees and Returnees

• Support the Burundi National Institute of Statistics (INSBU) in analyzing refugee- and returnee-specific census data.
• Produce and disseminate a thematic report on refugees and returnees, covering key indicators such as demographics, education, employment, housing, and agricultural activities.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange with countries experienced in refugee census data analysis.
• Provide technical assistance for report writing and high-level dissemination of findings.

2. Inclusion of Refugees and Returnees in the 2026/27 EICVMB

• Support INSBU in designing representative samples for refugees and returnees.
• Assist in refining the survey questionnaire to align with international standards, ensuring coverage of FDP living conditions.
• Conduct policy dialogue with relevant government departments to address data needs.
• Ensure adherence to the Expert Group on Refugee, Internally Displaced, and Stateless Persons Statistics (EGRISS) standards for data collection and FDP disaggregation

Engagement with partners

INSBU will lead the implementation of the project in collaboration with the World Bank and UNHCR. In addition to the Bank-UNHCR partnership, the proposal will require close collaboration with both INSBU and the Ministry of Interior, Community Development and Public Security. The peer-to-peer exchange and capacity-building activities will also include the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union. 

Background and Context

Burundi’s post-independence history has been defined by recurring civil conflicts and violence, which have resulted in widespread displacement. These challenges have severely constrained the country’s development, as reflected in Burundi’s low GDP per capita – $1,051 (2021 PPP) in 2024. 

Burundi is not only a country of origin for refugees but also hosts a significant number, particularly from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with an estimated 180,000 refugees currently residing in the country. Additionally, as of 2025, approximately 272,000 Burundian returnees have voluntarily returned to the country, primarily from neighboring countries such as Tanzania, Rwanda, the DRC, and Kenya. 

At the end of 2025, there were around 254,000 Burundian refugees registered in the region, with the largest populations in Tanzania, the DRC, and Rwanda. 

The integration of FDPs into Burundi’s statistical framework is essential to designing effective policies and interventions. Previous studies, such as the 2019/20 Burundi Refugee Socioeconomic Survey, established a baseline for refugee living conditions. The current initiative seeks to build on this foundation by incorporating refugee and returnee data into national surveys, enabling more comprehensive analyses of poverty, service access, employment, and overall welfare trends. 

By systematically including displaced populations in national statistical efforts, this project will enhance Burundi’s ability to address the needs of FDPs, support sustainable development, and inform both national and international policy responses.