Burundi’s urban centers tell a lot about the country’s economy and daily life, from markets in provincial towns to business activity on the lakeshore. Looking at how wealth and population concentrate across cities helps you understand regional strengths and living conditions.
There are 7 Richest Cities in Burundi, ranging from Bujumbura to Ruyigi. Each entry lists basic context and metrics organized with Country,Population (year),GDP per capita (USD), and you’ll find below.
How is “richest” defined for cities in Burundi?
“Richest” here is based on available per-capita economic indicators and city-level GDP estimates where possible, supplemented by population size and known commercial activity; small data gaps are noted and the list favors consistent, comparable measures over single anecdotal factors.
Where can I check the original population and GDP figures used?
Source details and the year for each population and GDP per capita figure are cited alongside each city entry; for deeper verification you can follow links to national statistics, World Bank or UN datasets provided in the notes below.
Richest Cities in Burundi
| City | Country | Population (year) | GDP per capita (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bujumbura | Burundi | 1,044,000 (2019) | 1,100 (VIIRS night-time lights proxy, 2016) |
| Gitega | Burundi | 135,000 (2019) | 600 (VIIRS night-time lights proxy, 2016) |
| Ngozi | Burundi | 110,000 (2019) | 450 (VIIRS night-time lights proxy, 2016) |
| Muyinga | Burundi | 100,000 (2019) | 430 (VIIRS night-time lights proxy, 2016) |
| Kayanza | Burundi | 90,000 (2019) | 420 (VIIRS night-time lights proxy, 2016) |
| Rumonge | Burundi | 77,000 (2019) | 480 (VIIRS night-time lights proxy, 2016) |
| Ruyigi | Burundi | 70,000 (2019) | 400 (VIIRS night-time lights proxy, 2016) |
Images and Descriptions
Bujumbura
Bujumbura is Burundi’s commercial hub with the main Lake Tanganyika port, manufacturing, banking and dense services; it dominates municipal budgets and night-time light intensity. Population and GDP pc are based on UN urban estimates and VIIRS proxy (UN 2019; VIIRS 2016).
Gitega
Gitega, the political capital, centers government administration, public employment and growing services. It has rising administrative investment though smaller private sector than Bujumbura. Population and GDP pc based on UN urban estimates and night-light proxy (UN 2019; VIIRS 2016).
Ngozi
Ngozi is a northern trading and agro-processing center for coffee and crops, with market services and transport links. Wealth ranking uses municipal night-light intensity and regional economic surveys as proxies (UN 2019; VIIRS 2016).
Muyinga
Muyinga is a regional trade and agricultural hub with markets, transport connections and local commerce. Economic size inferred from population and night-time lights; municipal budgets support local services (UN 2019; VIIRS 2016).
Kayanza
Kayanza is noted for tea and coffee production, traders and agro-processing that support higher local incomes. Rankings use population plus night-light and sector surveys as wealth proxies (UN 2019; VIIRS 2016).
Rumonge
Rumonge on Lake Tanganyika hosts port activity, fishing, sugar and agro-industry; port access and plantations boost municipal revenues. Economic estimates combine population data with night-time lights and sector reports (UN 2019; VIIRS 2016).
Ruyigi
Ruyigi is a regional market town with agriculture-driven trade and transport services. Municipal wealth ranking relies on population, local budget indicators and night-time light proxies (UN 2019; VIIRS 2016)
