Flag of Burundi
countryThe flag of Burundi was adopted on June 28, 1967. White saltire with red and green quarters and three stars. It uses 3 colours: red, white and green. The official proportions are 3:5.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Burundi |
|---|---|
| Country | Burundi |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Burundi |
| Capital | Gitega |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Eastern Africa |
| ISO Country Code | BI / BDI |
| Internet Domain | .bi |
| Calling Code | +257 |
| Currency | Burundian franc (BIF) |
| National Language(s) | French, Kirundi |
| Demonym | Burundian |
| Area | 27,834 km² |
| Population | 14 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Burundi |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | June 28, 1967 |
| First Used | 1962 |
| Current Version Adopted | June 28, 1967 |
| Flag Proportion | 3:5 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Red, White, Green |
| Design Type | White saltire with red and green quarters and three stars |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Burundi |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #CE1126 | 206, 17, 38 | 0, 92, 82, 19 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Green | #1EB53A | 30, 181, 58 | 83, 0, 68, 29 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the suffering of the independence struggle |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents peace |
| Green colour | Represents hope for the future |
| Three stars | The national motto “Unity, Work, Progress”, and the three main ethnic groups — Hutu, Twa and Tutsi |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1962 | The design was first used |
| 1967-06-28 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Width | 3 units (hoist) |
| Length | 5 units (fly) |
Burundi Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Burundi
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 59 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | June 28, 1967 |
| Oldest Version | 1962 |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Alabama |
| Unique Feature | White saltire with red and green quarters and three stars |
Other saltire (diagonal cross) flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Burundi
- The three six-pointed stars stand for the national motto — unity, work, progress — and also for the country's three main population groups.
- The white saltire divides the field into red and green quarters, an arrangement shared by very few national flags.
- The flag of Burundi was officially adopted on June 28, 1967.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1962, 5 years before it was formally made the flag of Burundi.
- The flag in its present form is 59 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: White saltire with red and green quarters and three stars.
- The official proportions are 3:5. It shares that ratio with 19 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: red, white and green.
- The red on the flag stands for the suffering of the independence struggle.
- The white on the flag stands for peace.
- The green on the flag stands for hope for the future.
- Three stars: The national motto “Unity, Work, Progress”, and the three main ethnic groups — Hutu, Twa and Tutsi.
- The design belongs to the "Saltire (diagonal cross)" family, shared with 3 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Alabama.
- Burundi became independent on 1 July 1962 from Belgium.
- Football is the most popular sport, with middle-distance running the strongest internationally.
- The national anthem is "Burundi Bwacu".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 1 July, Independence Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Burundi
When was the flag of Burundi adopted?
The flag of Burundi was officially adopted on June 28, 1967, though the design had already been in use since 1962.
What do the colours of the flag of Burundi mean?
Red for the suffering of the independence struggle, white for peace and green for hope for the future.
When did Burundi gain independence?
Burundi became independent on 1 July 1962 from Belgium.
What is the national sport of Burundi?
Football is the most popular sport, with middle-distance running the strongest internationally.
What do the symbols on the flag of Burundi represent?
Three stars — The national motto “Unity, Work, Progress”, and the three main ethnic groups — Hutu, Twa and Tutsi.
What are the proportions of the flag of Burundi?
The official ratio is 3:5, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 19 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Burundi?
The national anthem is "Burundi Bwacu".
When is the national day of Burundi?
It falls on 1 July, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Burundi?
The capital is Gitega. The currency is the Burundian franc (BIF) and the language spoken is French, Kirundi.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Burundi?
The closest matches are Alabama, which share both the construction and most of the colours.