Burkina Faso
Region
🌍 Africa
Population
👥 22
Currency
💱 West African CFA franc
Languages
🗣️ French
This mark means a fact is linked to a checked source. Hover or tap it to see the source. 36 of 141 facts on this page are sourced.
Official NameSource: REST Countries
Burkina Faso
Continent
Africa
DemonymSource: REST Countries
Burkinabe
Independence
August 5, 1960 (from France)
Top-Level Domain
.bf
Calling CodeSource: REST Countries
+226
Time ZoneSource: REST Countries
UTC
Capital CitySource: REST Countries
Ouagadougou
ISO Alpha-2
BF
ISO Alpha-3
BFA
UN Code
854
Geographic Coordinates
13,-2
Area (km²)Source: REST Countries
272,967#75 of 249
PopulationSource: REST Countries
22,489,126#61 of 247
Population Density (per km²)
84.16
Highest Point (m)
Mount Tenakourou, 749 m
Lowest Point (m)
Mouhoun River, 200 m
Land Use
44.6% arable land, 25.1% permanent crops, 30.3% other (2018)
Irrigated Land
260 sq km (2012)
Coastline Length
This landlocked country has no coastline.
Climate
Tropical climate with a distinct rainy season (May to October) and dry season (November to April).
Natural Resources
Manganese, gold, limestone, marble, phosphates, zinc, copper.
Bordering CountriesSource: REST Countries
Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Togo
Major Rivers
Mouhoun (Black Volta), Nakambé (White Volta), Pendjari.
Major Lakes
This country has no major lakes.
Government Type
Parliamentary Republic
Administrative Divisions
13 regions, 45 provinces, 351 departments
Legal System
Based on French civil law system.
Chief of State
President of Burkina Faso
Head of Government
Prime Minister of Burkina Faso
Cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the President.
Elections
President elected by popular vote for a 5-year term; National Assembly members elected by popular vote.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court; Constitutional Council.
Legislative Branch
Unicameral National Assembly
Major Political Parties
Movement of the People for Progress (MPP), Union for Progress and Reform (UPR), and others.
CurrencySource: REST Countries
West African CFA franc
GDP, Nominal (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
27.63#120 of 211
GDP, PPP (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: GDP, PPP (current international $) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
73.95#118 of 201
GDP per Capita (US$)Source: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
1,147.57#190 of 211
GDP - Agriculture (%)Source: World Bank: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
19.94
GDP - Industry (%)Source: World Bank: Industry (including construction), value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
30.06
GDP - Services (%)Source: World Bank: Services, value added (% of GDP) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
41.52
Inflation Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
-0.59#185 of 191
Labor Force (people)Source: World Bank: Labor force, total (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
9,914,873
Unemployment Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
3.48#130 of 185
Public Debt (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Central government debt, total (% of GDP) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
64.18
Budget
Information on the current budget is subject to change; please consult official sources.
Exports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Exports of goods and services (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
9.67#112 of 192
Imports (US$ billion)Source: World Bank: Imports of goods and services (current US$) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
8.29#123 of 192
Foreign Reserves
Information on foreign reserves is subject to change; please consult official financial sources.
Currency Exchange
Please consult a financial website for real-time exchange rates for the West African CFA franc (XOF).
GDP by Sector
Primarily agriculture (approx. 30%), services, and industry.
Major Industries
Mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Major Export Partners
Switzerland, Mali, and Ivory Coast.
Major Import Partners
France, Ivory Coast, and Togo.
Society
Literacy Rate (%)Source: World Bank: Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) (2023)Checked September 29, 2026
41.57#162 of 169
Birth Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
31.3
Death Rate (per 1,000 people)Source: World Bank: Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
7.9
Net Migration Rate
Approximately -2 migrants per 1,000 population (2021 est.).
Median Age
Approximately 18 years (2021 est.).
Urban Population (%)Source: World Bank: Urban population (% of total population) (2025)Checked September 29, 2026
28.92#195 of 214
Urbanization Rate
Approximately 4.3% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.).
Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, total (years) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
61.3#205 of 214
HIV/AIDS Prevalence
Approximately 0.9% of adults (2021 est.).
Health Expenditures (% of GDP)Source: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)Checked September 29, 2026
7.8
Ethnic Groups
Mossi (approx. 50%), other Gur-speaking groups, and various other groups.
Religions
Islam (approx. 60%), Christianity (approx. 23%), and traditional beliefs.
LanguagesSource: REST Countries
French
Education
Education System
The system includes primary, secondary, and higher education. Challenges include low enrollment rates and infrastructure issues.
School Life Expectancy (years)Source: World Bank: School life expectancy, primary to tertiary, both sexes (years) (2019)Checked September 29, 2026
9.3
Government Education Spending
Government spending on education is a significant portion of the budget, but funding remains a challenge.
Primary Education Access
—
Secondary Education Access
—
Higher Education Access
—
Major Universities
University of Ouagadougou, Université Norbert Zongo.
Culture
Cultural Overview
Rich in diverse ethnic groups, traditions, and arts. Music, dance, and storytelling are important.
National HolidaysSource: Nager.Date
- New Year's Day (2026-01-01)
- Revolution Day (2026-01-03)
- International Women’s Day (2026-03-08)
- Easter Monday (2026-04-06)
- Labour Day (2026-05-01)
- Ascension Day (2026-05-14)
- Day of Customs and Traditions (2026-05-15)
- Independence Day (2026-08-05)
- Assumption Day (2026-08-15)
- Martyrs' Day (2026-10-31)
- All Saints' Day (2026-11-01)
- Proclamation of Independence Day (2026-12-11)
Popular Music
Features influences from traditional music, blended with modern styles such as Afrobeat and hip hop.
Traditional Food
Tô (thick porridge), riz gras (rice with sauce and meat), and sauces made with vegetables and meat.
Sports
Football (soccer) is the most popular sport.
Major Festivals
FESPACO (Pan-African Film Festival), SIAO (International Art and Craft Fair).
Famous People
Thomas Sankara (revolutionary), Idrissa Ouédraogo (filmmaker).
Cultural Heritage Sites
Mostly intangible heritage, with some sites of historical significance.
UNESCO Sites
Ruins of Loropéni.
Annual Tourist Visits
—
Tourism Overview
—
Top Tourist Attractions
—
Famous Cities
—
National Parks
—
Protected Areas
—
Best Time to Visit
—
Tourist Visa Info
—
Visa Requirements Overview
—
Travel Advisory
—
Healthcare
Healthcare Quality
The healthcare quality index for Burkina Faso is subject to change; please consult recent reports.
Medical Cost
Medical costs vary; information can be obtained from local healthcare providers.
Number of Hospitals
The number of hospitals may vary; please consult official healthcare resources for up-to-date information.
Universal Healthcare
Healthcare access is limited, with significant out-of-pocket expenses. Coverage is not universal.
Medical Services Overview
Medical services are available, but access and quality can be limited in some areas. Public and private healthcare options exist.
Emergency Medical Access
Emergency medical services exist, but may be limited in some areas.
Emergency & Safety
Emergency Number (Police)
—
Emergency Number (Ambulance)
—
Emergency Number (Fire)
—
Crime Rate
—
Safety Index
—
Military Expenditure
—
Emergency Services Overview
—
Safety Overview
—
Military Branches
—
Infrastructure
Electricity Access
—
Water Access
—
Sanitation Access
—
Railways
Limited railway network, primarily for freight transport.
Roadways
—
Transportation System
Roads are the primary mode of transport, with some railways. Public transport is available in urban areas.
AirportsSource: OurAirports
Bobo Dioulasso Airport (BOY), Ouagadougou Thomas Sankara International Airport (OUA)
Ports
—
Public Transit
—
Technology & Communication
Internet Penetration (%)Source: World Bank: Individuals using the Internet (% of population) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
28.25#185 of 211
Mobile Subscriptions (per 100)
—
Tech Startups
—
Innovation Index
—
ICT Development Index
—
TV Broadcast Stations
—
Radio Broadcast Stations
—
Plug Type & Voltage
—
CO2 Emissions (t per capita)Source: World Bank: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) (2024)Checked September 29, 2026
0.27#176 of 202
Air Quality Index
—
Water Pollution Level
—
Renewable Energy Usage
—
Environmental Issues
—
Natural Hazards
—
Waste Management
—
Environmental Agreements
—
UN MembershipSource: REST Countries
Yes
Diplomatic Missions
—