World's Poorest Country 'Burundi' (I can’t forget the things I saw)

Ruhi Çenet
4 Feb 202233:52
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script provides a heart-wrenching depiction of life in Burundi, consistently ranked as one of the world's poorest countries. With a population of approximately 12.5 million, the majority of Burundians live in extreme poverty, with an annual income of about 180 USD for the average citizen. The country's challenges are compounded by a high unemployment rate, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of access to basic necessities like electricity and clean water. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, yet the terrain and deforestation make it difficult to sustain the population. The documentary also touches on the social issues, including a lack of education and healthcare, and the impact of historical ethnic tensions and colonial policies. Despite these hardships, the people of Burundi display resilience and hope, with many relying on community and traditional practices for support. The script ends with a note on Burundi's main exports and the potential of Lake Tanganyika, highlighting the country's untapped resources and the ongoing struggle for development.

Takeaways
  • 🌍 Burundi is recognized by the World Bank, IMF, and other institutions as the poorest country in the world for the majority of the last 62 years.
  • 🏭 The average annual income of a working citizen in Burundi is approximately 180 US dollars, with a significant portion of the population unemployed or underemployed.
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Life in Burundi is marked by extreme poverty, with families of eight surviving on a monthly salary as low as 15 US dollars.
  • 📚 Only 32% of students complete secondary education, and less than 1% attend university, with many children having to work instead of continuing their education.
  • 🏡 The majority of the population lives in rural areas, with almost 90% engaged in farming, yet the country struggles with food scarcity.
  • 👴 A youthful population with 65% under the age of 25 and only 3% aged 65 or older faces a life expectancy of about 49 years.
  • 💰 The country's currency, the Burundian franc, has limited value, with the most valuable banknote being worth approximately 3.3 US dollars.
  • 🛣️ Infrastructure is lacking, with only a small fraction of roads paved, and the majority of the population living without access to electricity or modern technology.
  • 🚴‍♂️ Professions are scarce, and owning a bicycle can be considered a job in itself, with individuals transporting goods long distances for meager pay.
  • ⚖️ Socioeconomic disparities are evident, with a small percentage of the population controlling monopolized industries, and a significant portion living in extreme poverty.
  • ⛰️ Burundi's geography, with its mountainous areas, contributes to its food insecurity despite the high percentage of the population involved in agriculture.
Q & A
  • Which organization has consistently identified Burundi as the poorest country in the world?

    -The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), among other official institutions, have consistently identified Burundi as the poorest country in the world.

  • What is the approximate annual income of the average working citizen in Burundi?

    -The annual income of the average working citizen in Burundi is approximately 180 US dollars.

  • What is the estimated unemployment rate in Burundi, if it is not officially known?

    -The official unemployment rate in Burundi is not known, but it is estimated that one out of every three people is unemployed.

  • What is the estimated monthly salary for someone who is lucky enough to work day and night in Burundi?

    -If someone is fortunate enough to work day and night in Burundi, their monthly salary is only about 15 US dollars.

  • What is the population of Burundi's most populous city, Bujumbura?

    -The population of Bujumbura, the most populous city in Burundi, is approximately 380,000 people.

  • What is the percentage of Burundi's population that is under the age of 25?

    -65 percent of Burundi's population is under the age of 25.

  • What is the average life expectancy of people in Burundi according to United Nations data from 10 years ago?

    -According to United Nations data from 10 years ago, the average life expectancy of people in Burundi was about 49 years.

  • How much does a policeman earn per month in Burundi, and what additional income might they receive?

    -A policeman in Burundi earns around 14 US dollars per month, but they might also receive additional unofficial income, which is sometimes used for personal expenses like drinking beer.

  • What is the average salary for a professional cyclist in Burundi, who transports goods between cities?

    -Professional cyclists in Burundi, who transport goods between cities, earn approximately 90 cents a day.

  • What is the current economic situation in Burundi that has led to people resorting to bartering instead of using money?

    -The economic infrastructure in Burundi is not functional enough, leading people to resort to bartering things they grow instead of using money.

  • What are the main export products of Burundi?

    -Burundi's main export products are coffee, tea, cotton, potatoes, beans, cassava flour, corn, and bananas.

  • What are some of the major challenges faced by the people of Burundi, as described in the transcript?

    -Major challenges faced by the people of Burundi include extreme poverty, low life expectancy, high child mortality rates, lack of access to basic needs, malnutrition, limited educational opportunities, and a lack of employment opportunities outside of subsistence farming.

Outlines
00:00
🌍 Burundi: The World's Poorest Country

Rohit Chanet introduces Burundi, recognized as the poorest country globally for 62 years, with a population of 12.5 million living in extreme poverty. The average annual income is a mere 180 USD, and unemployment is rampant. Despite its agricultural focus, the country struggles to feed its people due to its mountainous terrain. The capital, Bujumbura, is highlighted, with 65% of the population under 25 and a striking lack of modern technology and infrastructure. The video also touches on the living conditions, with families of ten挤 in one-room homes without electricity, and the challenges faced by farmers who try to support their families on extremely low incomes.

05:00
🏙️ Life in Burundi's Densely Populated Cities

Burundi, Africa's second most densely populated country, faces severe challenges with over 70% of its people living below the poverty line and a high rate of malnutrition. The local currency, the Burundian franc, is weak against the US dollar, exacerbating the difficulty of purchasing goods. The lack of technology means jobs are scarce, and even basic professions like bicycle taxi drivers face harsh working conditions, earning less than a dollar a day. The video also covers the limited food sources, with people surviving on meager diets, and the common sight of begging and the struggle for survival being a daily reality for many.

10:06
📚 Education and Employment in Burundi

The video discusses the limited educational opportunities in Burundi, where only 32% of students complete secondary education and less than 1% attend university. The University of Burundi is highlighted as the sole state university. The dreams of students are explored, with many aspiring to become great through education, but facing the reality of having to work instead. The daily lives of children are shown, with many working long hours for little pay, and the challenges faced by carpenters and other local craftsmen are also depicted.

15:08
🛣️ Travel and Trade in Burundi

This segment covers the transportation and trade in Burundi, with a focus on the market in the capital city, which offers little beyond food. The video discusses the country's second-largest city, Gitega, and the political turbulence that affects daily life, including police checkpoints and bribes. It also explores the high costs of living, with a list of basic necessities far exceeding the average income, and the manual labor-intensive methods of construction and brick-making.

20:10
👪 Family Life and Social Issues in Burundi

The video provides an insight into family life in Burundi, where large families are common, and many children are forced into marriage or work at young ages. The importance of children in Burundian culture is highlighted, with an average of 5.5 children per woman. The nutritional deficiencies leading to stunted growth and anemia are discussed, along with the country's low meat consumption. The healthcare system's inadequacies are also covered, with a severe shortage of doctors and many people lacking access to hospitals.

25:21
⛪️ Religion, Culture, and the Colonial Legacy

The segment delves into the religious and cultural aspects of Burundian life, with a majority of the population being Christian and a significant minority following traditional beliefs. The influence of Belgian colonial rule is explored, including the introduction of Christianity and the ethnic discrimination that followed. The video also touches on the issue of child trafficking and the country's efforts to combat it. The legacy of the colonial period is shown through the use of French and the educational system.

30:23
🏞️ Lake Tanganyika and Burundi's Natural Resources

The video concludes with a look at Burundi's natural resources, particularly Lake Tanganyika, which holds 16% of the world's freshwater. The fishing industry on the lake is highlighted, with the dangers of crocodile attacks and the primitive methods of fishing. The country's main exports are listed, and the impact of climate and deforestation on the country's susceptibility to floods is discussed. The video ends on a hopeful note, with the people of Burundi looking forward to better times.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Poverty
Poverty is a condition where individuals or a community lack the financial means to meet their basic needs, including food, clean water, housing, education, and healthcare. In the video, Burundi is described as the poorest country in the world, with the average annual income of a working citizen being approximately 180 US dollars, illustrating the extreme level of poverty.
💡Unemployment
Unemployment refers to the state of being without a job while actively seeking work. The transcript mentions that while the unemployment rate in Burundi is not precisely known, it is estimated that one out of every three people is unemployed, highlighting the economic challenges faced by the country.
💡Agriculture
Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock to produce food, fiber, and other products. The video emphasizes that nearly everyone in Burundi is engaged in agriculture, which is the mainstay of the country's economy, despite the challenging terrain and limited resources.
💡Life Expectancy
Life expectancy is a statistical measure of the average number of years a person is expected to live, based on their current age, country of residence, and other demographic factors. The transcript notes that the average life expectancy in Burundi was about 49 years, which is relatively low compared to other countries.
💡Malnutrition
Malnutrition refers to a state of poor health caused by a lack of essential nutrients in the diet. The video script mentions that one out of every 20 people in Burundi dies from malnutrition or starvation, underscoring the severity of the food crisis in the country.
💡Densely Populated
A densely populated area is one where the number of people living in a given space is high. Burundi is described as the second most densely populated country in Africa, with 451 people per square kilometer, which exacerbates the issues of poverty and resource scarcity.
💡Ethnic Discrimination
Ethnic discrimination is the unfair treatment of individuals based on their ethnic group. The video discusses how the Belgian government introduced ethnic discrimination in Burundi, creating social divisions and contributing to the country's ongoing conflicts.
💡Orphan Population
The orphan population refers to the number of children who have lost both parents. The video states that there are 610,000 orphans in Burundi, which is 5% of the total population, a significant number that reflects the impact of past conflicts and the HIV/AIDS crisis.
💡Child Labor
Child labor is the practice of employing children in work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally harmful. The video highlights that many children in Burundi are forced into labor, with some being trafficked for agricultural work or other inappropriate tasks.
💡Economic Infrastructure
Economic infrastructure refers to the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a modern economy, such as transportation, communication, and healthcare facilities. The video script indicates that the economic infrastructure in Burundi is not functional enough, leading to a reliance on bartering and subsistence farming.
💡Flood Disasters
Flood disasters occur when an overflow of water causes damage to human structures and environments. The video mentions that Burundi has become vulnerable to flood disasters due to deforestation and its mountainous terrain, which has led to the destruction of homes and the ruin of farms.
Highlights

Burundi has been identified as the poorest country in the world by the World Bank and IMF for the past 62 years.

Approximately 12.5 million people live in Burundi, with an average annual income of $180 USD for working citizens.

One out of every three people in Burundi is thought to be unemployed, with limited information on the actual unemployment rate.

The country's most populous city, Bujumbura, has a population of 380,000 people, with children making up 65% of the population.

Life expectancy in Burundi is about 49 years, and only 7.6% of the population has access to electricity.

Agriculture is the primary occupation for 90% of the population, yet the country struggles to feed its people due to its mountainous terrain.

The average farmer in Burundi earns around $10 a month and often entire families sleep in a single room without electricity.

Burundi is the second most densely populated country in Africa with 451 people per square kilometer.

Malnutrition and starvation are prevalent, with one out of every 20 people dying from these causes.

The value of the local currency, the Burundian franc, is so low that it's almost impossible to buy US dollars at the official rate.

Many jobs in Burundi are physically demanding, such as bicycle taxi drivers who transport heavy loads over long distances for minimal pay.

The lack of technology and infrastructure means that jobs that exist in other countries are scarce in Burundi.

Burundi's main export products include coffee, tea, cotton, potatoes, and beans, with key export markets being Belgium, China, and Uganda.

The country experiences two rainy seasons per year, which, combined with deforestation, makes it prone to flooding and crop failure.

Despite the hardships, the national motto of Burundi is 'Unity, Work, and Development', and the population remains hopeful for a better future.

Burundi has a rich cultural heritage, with 84% of the population being Christian and traditional music and dance remaining important aspects of community life.

The country has a significant youth population, with 45% under the age of 15, presenting both challenges and opportunities for development.

The documentary provides a firsthand account of the living conditions and resilience of the Burundian people amidst extreme poverty.

Transcripts
Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating: