• 78.6% of working-age population active in 2024–2025
• Over 90% of jobs estimated to be informal
• Youthful population adds pressure to formal job creation

Burundi’s labor market presents a distinct profile. A large share of the population participates in economic activity, but most workers hold precarious or unregulated jobs. In 2024–2025, about 78.6% of the working-age population was considered economically active, according to TheGlobalEconomy, meaning they were employed or seeking work.

This strong participation rate reflects a more complex reality. Most workers operate in the informal sector, where income levels, working conditions, and labor rights fall short of formal employment standards. Recent estimates indicate that more than 90% of jobs are informal, often self-employed and without social protection. This structure offers flexibility but also exposes workers to significant vulnerability.

Informal employment covers a wide range of activities, from small urban trades and street vending to rural self-employment. While these jobs help meet daily needs, they often involve long and irregular hours, without social security coverage, paid leave, or health insurance.

Demographic pressures and training challenges

Burundi is experiencing rapid population growth and has a very young demographic profile, with more than half of its population under 20 years old. Each year, large cohorts of young people enter the labor market. In the absence of a sufficiently developed formal job base, many turn to informal work or self-employment due to limited structured opportunities.

At the same time, efforts are underway to strengthen training and employability. Forums and workshops bring together public authorities, private sector actors, and training institutions to address entrepreneurship and vocational education as tools for labor market integration. These discussions focus on aligning skills development with the needs of growth sectors and improving the link between training and labor demand.

The government updated its national employment policy in 2025, with the aim of better integrating young people and women into the labor market, encouraging the creation of productive jobs, and strengthening the role of the private sector. These measures form part of a broader strategy to shift the economy toward more stable and better-paying employment.

Balancing participation with job quality

Understanding Burundi’s labor market requires looking beyond headline participation rates. Although economic participation is high, it does not ensure stable employment or long-term prospects. The majority of workers remain in informal activities, often self-employed or engaged in small-scale urban and rural trades, without social protection or formal contracts.

In 2024, the labor force participation rate stood at an estimated 78.61%, well above the global average of 60%. Yet with more than 90% of jobs classified as informal, the figures show that high activity does not equate to job quality.

Demographic dynamics intensify the challenge. With more than half the population under 20, the labor market absorbs large numbers of young entrants each year. Without sufficient formal job creation, many pursue informal work out of necessity rather than as a path to long-term career development.

Addressing these structural constraints will require expanded vocational training, the creation of structured employment opportunities, and closer alignment between workforce skills and economic needs. These steps are central to converting Burundi’s youthful population into inclusive and sustainable growth.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou