Burundi presents a paradox in its labor market: while a significant portion of the population is economically active, the majority of workers remain trapped in informal and precarious employment.
In 2024–2025, approximately 78.6 percent of the working-age population was considered economically active, according to TheGlobalEconomy, a figure well above the global average of around 60 percent. Yet this robust participation rate conceals the fragile nature of employment, with over 90 percent of jobs estimated to fall within the informal sector.
Informal employment in Burundi spans a diverse range of activities, from urban street vending and small-scale trading to rural self-employment and subsistence agriculture. Workers in these roles typically lack social protection, contracts, or formal labor rights, leaving them exposed to irregular incomes, long working hours, and vulnerability to economic shocks. While the informal sector offers flexibility and immediate access to livelihood opportunities, it falls short in providing stable, long-term career paths or reliable social safety nets.
Demographic trends intensify these challenges. Burundi has a youthful population, with more than half of its citizens under the age of 20. Every year, large cohorts of young people enter the labor market, seeking employment opportunities. In the absence of a sufficiently developed formal economy, many are compelled to take informal work out of necessity rather than choice. This dynamic creates a persistent tension between high labor participation and limited job quality.
The government recognizes the structural challenges posed by informal employment and demographic pressure. In 2025, Burundi updated its national employment policy, emphasizing the integration of youth and women into the labor market, promoting productive job creation, and strengthening the role of the private sector. These reforms are part of a broader strategy to shift the economy toward more structured and sustainable employment while harnessing the demographic dividend.
Efforts to improve workforce skills are also underway. Public authorities, private sector stakeholders, and training institutions have initiated forums and workshops to enhance vocational education, entrepreneurship, and employability. These initiatives aim to better align workforce skills with market demand, particularly in growth sectors, and to encourage a smoother transition from training to formal employment. By equipping workers with relevant technical and entrepreneurial skills, policymakers hope to expand the pool of labor capable of participating in formal, higher-quality employment.
Despite these interventions, the gap between participation and job quality remains substantial. The headline labor force participation rate of 78.6% suggests an engaged workforce, but the predominance of informal jobs means that many workers lack the benefits and protections typically associated with formal employment. Social safety nets, health insurance, and predictable incomes remain inaccessible to the majority, leaving them vulnerable to economic disruptions and limiting their ability to invest in skills development or household welfare.
The government’s policy focus emphasizes a dual approach: increasing the number of formal employment opportunities while strengthening the capacity of informal workers to earn secure incomes. Expanding vocational training programs, fostering private-sector job creation, and improving access to finance for small enterprises are seen as critical levers for transforming the labor market. These measures aim not only to improve livelihoods but also to convert Burundi’s large and youthful population into a driver of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Understanding Burundi’s labor market, therefore, requires looking beyond high participation figures. While the majority of working-age citizens are active in economic life, most do not enjoy the stability, protections, or upward mobility associated with formal employment. Addressing these structural constraints is essential to ensure that Burundi’s human capital contributes meaningfully to the country’s long-term development, rather than remaining trapped in cycles of vulnerability and informal work.
In conclusion, Burundi illustrates the tension between engagement and opportunity in African labor markets. High labor force participation rates can mask deep structural vulnerabilities, particularly when the informal sector dominates. Policymakers and development partners face the urgent task of expanding formal employment, improving skill alignment, and creating pathways for young people to participate in sustainable, secure, and productive work—key steps toward harnessing the potential of a youthful population and fostering long-term economic resilience.
