Country exposure · HV
Burkina Faso
Africa · Ouagadougou · presidential republic
What Burkina Faso means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.
23M
Population
$23.3B
GDP
U.S. exposure
Minimal direct economic exposure
Burkina Faso is not a significant U.S. goods-trade partner and has no tracked tariff actions. Policy changes here are unlikely to reach American prices directly.
Reference
The country itself
Africa · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.
Many of Burkina Faso’s ethnic groups arrived in the region between the 12th and 15th centuries. The Gurma and Mossi peoples established several of the largest kingdoms in the area and used horse-mounted warriors in military campaigns. Of the various Mossi kingdoms, the most powerful were Ouagadougou and Yatenga. In the late 19th century, European states competed for control of the region. France eventually conquered the area and established it as a French protectorate. The country achieved independence from France in 1960 and changed its name to Burkina Faso in 1984. Repeated military coups were common in the country’s first few decades. In 1987 Blaise COMPAORE deposed the president, established a government, and ruled for 27 years. In 2014, COMPAORE resigned after protests against his repeated efforts to amend the constitution's two-term presidential limit. An interim administration led a year-long transition, organizing presidential and legislative elections. In 2015, Roch Marc Christian KABORE was elected president, and he was reelected in 2020. In 2022, the military conducted two takeovers: In January, army colonel Paul Henri DAMIBA overthrew KABORE in a coup d'etat, and then in September, army captain Ibrahim TRAORE deposed DAMIBA and declared himself transition president. The transition government planned to hold elections by July 2024, but they may be delayed due to security concerns. Terrorist groups -- including groups affiliated with Al-Qa’ida and the Islamic State -- began attacks in the country in 2016 and conducted attacks in the capital in 2016, 2017, and 2018. By early 2023, insecurity in Burkina Faso had displaced more than 2 million people and led to significant jumps in humanitarian needs and food insecurity. In addition to terrorism, the country faces a myriad of problems including high population growth, recurring drought, pervasive and perennial food insecurity, and limited natural resources. It is one of the world’s poorest countries.
Geography
- Location
- Western Africa, north of Ghana
- Area
- 274,200 sq km
- Climate
- three climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desert
- Terrain
- mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in the west and southeast; occupies an extensive plateau with savanna that is grassy in the north and gradually gives way to sparse forests in the south
- Natural resources
- gold, manganese, zinc, limestone, marble, phosphates, pumice, salt
- Coastline
- 0 km (landlocked)
- Natural hazards
- recurring droughts
People & society
- Population
- 23,490,300 (2025 est.)
- Nationality
- Burkinabe (singular and plural)
- Ethnic groups
- Mossi 53.7%, Fulani (Peuhl) 6.8%, Gurunsi 5.9%, Bissa 5.4%, Gurma 5.2%, Bobo 3.4%, Senufo 2.2%, Bissa 1.5%, Lobi 1.5%, Tuareg/Bella 0.1%, other 12.8%, foreign 0.7% (2021 est.)
- Languages
- Mossi 52.9%, Fula 7.8%, Gourmantche 6.8%, Dyula 5.7%, Bissa 3.3%, Gurunsi 3.2%, French (official) 2.2%, Bwamu 2%, Dagara 2%, San 1.7%, Marka 1.6%, Bobo 1.5%, Senufo 1.5%, Lobi 1.2%, other 6.6% (2019 est.)
- Religions
- Muslim 63.8%, Roman Catholic 20.1%, Animiste 9%, Protestant 6.2%, other 0.2%, none 0.7% (2019 est.)
- Median age
- 19 years (2025 est.)
- Life expectancy at birth
- 64.2 years (2024 est.)
- Literacy
- 41.4% (2023 est.)
Economy
- Economic overview
- highly agrarian, low-income economy; limited natural resources; widespread poverty; terrorism disrupting potential economic activity; improving trade balance via increases in gold exports; economy inflating after prior deflation; growing public debt but still manageable
- Industries
- cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold
- Agricultural products
- maize, sorghum, fruits, vegetables, millet, cowpeas, cotton, groundnuts, sugarcane, rice (2023)
- Exports - partners
- Switzerland 72%, UAE 10%, India 3%, Mali 3%, Cote d'Ivoire 2% (2023)
- Imports - partners
- Cote d'Ivoire 14%, China 13%, Ghana 9%, Russia 9%, France 7% (2023)
Government
- Government type
- presidential republic
- Capital
- Ouagadougou
- Independence
- 5 August 1960 (from France)
- Constitution
- several previous; latest approved by referendum 2 June 1991, adopted 11 June 1991, temporarily suspended late October to mid-November 2014; initial draft of a new constitution to usher in the new republic was completed in January 2017 and a final draft was submitted to the government in December 2017; a constitutional referendum originally scheduled for adoption in March 2019 was postponed; on 1 March 2022 a transition charter was adopted, allowing military authorities to rule for three years and barring the transitional president from being an electoral candidate after the transition
- Executive branch
- Transitional President Capt. Ibrahim TRAORE (since 30 September 2022)
- Legislative branch
- Parliament (Parlement)
Full reference data
Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.
Introduction
Background
Many of Burkina Faso’s ethnic groups arrived in the region between the 12th and 15th centuries. The Gurma and Mossi peoples established several of the largest kingdoms in the area and used horse-mounted warriors in military campaigns. Of the various Mossi kingdoms, the most powerful were Ouagadougou and Yatenga. In the late 19th century, European states competed for control of the region. France eventually conquered the area and established it as a French protectorate. The country achieved independence from France in 1960 and changed its name to Burkina Faso in 1984. Repeated military coups were common in the country’s first few decades. In 1987 Blaise COMPAORE deposed the president, established a government, and ruled for 27 years. In 2014, COMPAORE resigned after protests against his repeated efforts to amend the constitution's two-term presidential limit. An interim administration led a year-long transition, organizing presidential and legislative elections. In 2015, Roch Marc Christian KABORE was elected president, and he was reelected in 2020. In 2022, the military conducted two takeovers: In January, army colonel Paul Henri DAMIBA overthrew KABORE in a coup d'etat, and then in September, army captain Ibrahim TRAORE deposed DAMIBA and declared himself transition president. The transition government planned to hold elections by July 2024, but they may be delayed due to security concerns. Terrorist groups -- including groups affiliated with Al-Qa’ida and the Islamic State -- began attacks in the country in 2016 and conducted attacks in the capital in 2016, 2017, and 2018. By early 2023, insecurity in Burkina Faso had displaced more than 2 million people and led to significant jumps in humanitarian needs and food insecurity. In addition to terrorism, the country faces a myriad of problems including high population growth, recurring drought, pervasive and perennial food insecurity, and limited natural resources. It is one of the world’s poorest countries.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Burkina Faso due to COVID-19, terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country.
US Embassy/Consulate
[226] 25-49-53-00; US Embassy in Ouagadougou, Secteur 15, Ouaga 2000, Avenue Sembène Ousmane, Rue 15.873, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; https://bf.usembassy.gov/; ouagaACS@state.gov
Telephone Code
226
Local Emergency Phone
Local numbers only
Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Burkina Faso is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine. http://www.who.int/
Climate
Tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Currency (Code)
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (Western African CFA francs, XOF)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E
Major Languages
French, native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of population
Major Religions
Muslim 63.2%, Roman Catholic 24.6%, Protestant 6.9%, traditional/animist 4.2%
Time Difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Cour Royale; Sindou Peaks; Réserve de Nazinga; Niansogoni Village; Ouagadougou (includes Grande Mosquée, Grand Marché, Moro-Naba Palace); Dômes de Fabedougou; ruins of Loropeni
Major Sports
Soccer, cycling, rugby, basketball
Cultural Practices
In Burkina Faso, when the national flag is lowered, people are expected to stand at attention.
Tipping Guidelines
A 10-15% service charge is usually included in the bill for restaurants. However, it is customary to tip taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Souvenirs
Woven baskets and rugs, leather goods, hand-carved chess sets and wooden statues, bronze models, tribal masks and jewelry
Traditional Cuisine
Riz gras — white rice, tomato paste, and vegetables such as eggplant, carrots, onions, chili peppers, and garlic boiled together into a thick rice stew and served with raw onions
CIA source last updated
Wednesday, October 05, 2022
Travel resources
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, October 05, 2022
Geography
Location
Western Africa, north of Ghana
Geographic coordinates
13 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references
Africa
Area - total
274,200 sq km
Area - land
273,800 sq km
Area - water
400 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly larger than Colorado
Land boundaries - total
3,611 km
Land boundaries - border countries
Benin 386 km; Cote d'Ivoire 545 km; Ghana 602 km; Mali 1325 km; Niger 622 km; Togo 131 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
three climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desert
Terrain
mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in the west and southeast; occupies an extensive plateau with savanna that is grassy in the north and gradually gives way to sparse forests in the south
Elevation - highest point
Tena Kourou 749 m
Elevation - lowest point
Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m
Elevation - mean elevation
297 m
Natural resources
gold, manganese, zinc, limestone, marble, phosphates, pumice, salt
Land use - agricultural land
53.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 28.9% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 2.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 21.9% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
12.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
33.9% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
550 sq km (2016)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Volta river source (shared with Ghana [m]) - 1,600 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km) - Atlantic Ocean drainage
Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)
Population distribution
most of the population is located in the center and south; nearly one third lives in cities, including the capital city of Ouagadougou (Ouaga), as shown in this population distribution map (2019)
Natural hazards
recurring droughts
Geography - note
landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers, the Black, Red, and White Voltas
People and Society
Population - total
23,490,300 (2025 est.)
Population - male
11,529,979
Population - female
11,960,321
Nationality - noun
Burkinabe (singular and plural)
Nationality - adjective
Burkinabe
Ethnic groups
Mossi 53.7%, Fulani (Peuhl) 6.8%, Gurunsi 5.9%, Bissa 5.4%, Gurma 5.2%, Bobo 3.4%, Senufo 2.2%, Bissa 1.5%, Lobi 1.5%, Tuareg/Bella 0.1%, other 12.8%, foreign 0.7% (2021 est.)
Languages
Mossi 52.9%, Fula 7.8%, Gourmantche 6.8%, Dyula 5.7%, Bissa 3.3%, Gurunsi 3.2%, French (official) 2.2%, Bwamu 2%, Dagara 2%, San 1.7%, Marka 1.6%, Bobo 1.5%, Senufo 1.5%, Lobi 1.2%, other 6.6% (2019 est.)
Religions
Muslim 63.8%, Roman Catholic 20.1%, Animiste 9%, Protestant 6.2%, other 0.2%, none 0.7% (2019 est.)
Age structure - 0-14 years
41.6% (male 4,868,488/female 4,727,316)
Age structure - 15-64 years
55.1% (male 6,116,674/female 6,590,775)
Age structure - 65 years and over
3.2% (2024 est.) (male 312,587/female 426,359)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
79 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
73.2 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
5.8 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
17.3 (2025 est.)
Median age - total
19 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
17.9 years
Median age - female
19.5 years
Population growth rate
2.39% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
31.74 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
7.24 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
most of the population is located in the center and south; nearly one third lives in cities, including the capital city of Ouagadougou (Ouaga), as shown in this population distribution map (2019)
Urbanization - urban population
32.5% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
4.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
3.204 million OUAGADOUGOU (capital), 1.129 million Bobo-Dioulasso (2023)
Sex ratio - at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.03 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
0.93 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
0.73 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - total population
0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
20.1 years (2021 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth - note
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio
242 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate - total
48 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate - male
51.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
42.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
64.2 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
62.3 years
Life expectancy at birth - female
66.1 years
Total fertility rate
4.02 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.98 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: urban
urban: 80.9% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: rural
rural: 34.8% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: total
total: 49.5% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: urban
urban: 19.1% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: rural
rural: 65.2% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: total
total: 50.5% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
6.4% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
8.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.15 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
0.2 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: urban
urban: 91.2% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: rural
rural: 42.6% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: total
total: 58.1% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: urban
urban: 8.8% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: rural
rural: 57.4% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: total
total: 41.9% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
5.6% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita - total
7.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
0.08 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
0.31 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
5.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use - total
12.4% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - male
20.4% (2025 est.)
Tobacco use - female
4.6% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
16.9% (2021 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
74.3% (2021 est.)
Child marriage - women married by age 15
8.9% (2015)
Child marriage - women married by age 18
51.3% (2015)
Child marriage - men married by age 18
1.6% (2015)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% GDP)
5.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure - Education expenditure (% national budget)
20.3% national budget (2023 est.)
Literacy - total population
41.4% (2023 est.)
Literacy - male
48.4% (2023 est.)
Literacy - female
35.7% (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - total
7 years (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - male
7 years (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - female
7 years (2023 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
none
Country name - conventional short form
Burkina Faso
Country name - local long form
none
Country name - local short form
Burkina Faso
Country name - former
Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta
Country name - etymology
name translates as "Land of the Worthy Men," from the Dyula words burkina , or "worthy," and faso , which means "land" or literally "father village," from fa , or "father," and so , or "village"
Government type
presidential republic
Capital - name
Ouagadougou
Capital - geographic coordinates
12 22 N, 1 31 W
Capital - time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - etymology
Ouagadougou is a Francophone spelling of the native name "Wogodogo," which may come from the personal name "Waga" or "Woga" and the Dyula word "dugu," meaning "village"
Administrative divisions
13 regions; Boucle du Mouhoun, Cascades, Centre, Centre-Est, Centre-Nord, Centre-Ouest, Centre-Sud, Est, Hauts-Bassins, Nord, Plateau-Central, Sahel, Sud-Ouest
Legal system
civil law based on the French model and customary law
Constitution - history
several previous; latest approved by referendum 2 June 1991, adopted 11 June 1991, temporarily suspended late October to mid-November 2014; initial draft of a new constitution to usher in the new republic was completed in January 2017 and a final draft was submitted to the government in December 2017; a constitutional referendum originally scheduled for adoption in March 2019 was postponed; on 1 March 2022 a transition charter was adopted, allowing military authorities to rule for three years and barring the transitional president from being an electoral candidate after the transition
Constitution - amendment process
proposed by the president, by a majority of National Assembly membership, or by petition of at least 30,000 eligible voters submitted to the Assembly; passage requires at least three-fourths majority vote in the Assembly; failure to meet that threshold requires majority voter approval in a referendum; constitutional provisions on the form of government, the multiparty system, and national sovereignty cannot be amended
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
no
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Burkina Faso
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
yes
Citizenship - residency requirement for naturalization
10 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch - chief of state
Transitional President Capt. Ibrahim TRAORE (since 30 September 2022)
Executive branch - head of government
Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel OUEDRAOGO (since 9 December 2024)
Executive branch - cabinet
prior to the 2022 coups and ad hoc suspension of laws and constitutional provisions, Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
Executive branch - election/appointment process
prior to the 2022 coups and ad hoc suspension of laws and constitutional provisions, president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of the National Assembly
Executive branch - most recent election date
22 November 2020
Executive branch - election results
2020: Roch Marc Christian KABORE reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Roch Marc Christian KABORE (MPP) 57.9%, Eddie KOMBOIGO (CDP) 15.5%, Zephirin DIABRE (UPC) 12.5%, other 14.1%
Executive branch - expected date of next election
were to be held by July 2024, but were delayed
Executive branch - note
note: on 30 September 2022, a military junta led by TRAORE took power and ousted Transition President Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo DAMIBA
Legislative branch - legislature name
Parliament (Parlement)
Legislative branch - legislative structure
unicameral
Legislative branch - chamber name
Transitional Legislative Assembly (Assemblée législative de la transition)
Legislative branch - number of seats
71
Legislative branch - electoral system
proportional representation
Legislative branch - most recent election date
11/11/2022
Legislative branch - percentage of women in chamber
18.3%
Legislative branch - expected date of next election
June 2029
Legislative branch - note
note: a series of coups in 2022 led to the ad hoc suspension of laws and constitutional provisions, including the unicameral National Assembly; a military junta in 2022 appointed the 71-member Transnational Legislative Assembly (ALT); a Transitional Charter, adopted in October 2022, provided for a transitional period that was extended in May 2024 until July 2029
Judicial branch - highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (consists of NA judges); Council of State (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (consists of the council president and 9 members)
Judicial branch - judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court judge appointments mostly controlled by the president of Burkina Faso; judges have no term limits; Council of State judge appointment and tenure NA; Constitutional Council judges appointed by the president of Burkina Faso after a proposal from the minister of justice and the president of the National Assembly; judges appointed for 9-year terms with one-third of membership renewed every 3 years
Judicial branch - subordinate courts
Appeals Court; High Court; first instance tribunals; district courts; specialized courts relating to issues of labor, children, and juveniles; village (customary) courts
Political parties
Act Together African Democratic Rally/Alliance for Democracy and Federation or ADF/RDA Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP Convergence for Progress and Solidarity-Generation 3 or CPS-G3 Movement for the Future Burkina Faso or MBF National Convention for Progress or CNP New Era for Democracy or NTD Pan-African Alliance for Refoundation or APR Party for Democracy and Socialism/Metba or PDS/Metba Party for Development and Change or PDC Patriotic Rally for Integrity or RPI Peoples Movement for Progress or MPP Progressives United for Renewal or PUR Union for Progress and Reform or UPC Union for Rebirth - Sankarist Party or UNIR-PS
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Kassoum COULIBALY (since 24 July 2025)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 332-5577
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 667-1882
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Joann M. LOCKARD (since 28 June 2024)
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
Secteur 15, Ouaga 2000, Avenue Sembene Ousmane, Rue 15.873, Ouagadougou
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address
2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone
(226) 25-49-53-00
Diplomatic representation from the US - FAX
(226) 25-49-56-23
Diplomatic representation from the US - email address and website
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU (suspended), CD, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSCA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
5 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday
Republic Day, 11 December (1958)
National holiday - note
note: commemorates the day that Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community
Flag
description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green, with a five-pointed yellow star in the center meaning: red stands for the country's struggle for independence, green for hope and abundance, and yellow for the country's mineral wealth history: uses the colors of the Pan-African movement
National symbol(s)
white stallion
National color(s)
red, yellow, green
National anthem(s) - title
"Le Ditanye" (Anthem of Victory)
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
Thomas SANKARA
National anthem(s) - history
adopted 1974; also known as "Une Seule Nuit"(One Single Night) ; written by the country's former president, an avid guitar player
National heritage - total World Heritage Sites
4 (3 cultural, 1 natural)
National heritage - selected World Heritage Site locales
Ruins of Loropéni (c); Ancient Ferrous Metallurgy Sites of Burkina Faso (c); W-Arly-Pendjari Complex (n); Royal Court of Tiébélé (c)
Economy
Economic overview
highly agrarian, low-income economy; limited natural resources; widespread poverty; terrorism disrupting potential economic activity; improving trade balance via increases in gold exports; economy inflating after prior deflation; growing public debt but still manageable
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$60.001 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$57.152 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$55.508 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
5% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
3% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
1.5% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$2,500 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$2,500 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$2,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$23.25 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
4.2% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
0.7% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
14.3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
18.6% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
29.7% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
40.2% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
60.6% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
18.8% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
16.5% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
10.6% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
28.5% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-34.9% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
maize, sorghum, fruits, vegetables, millet, cowpeas, cotton, groundnuts, sugarcane, rice (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold
Industrial production growth rate
-5.4% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
6.461 million (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
5.2% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
5.4% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
5.4% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
8.1% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
7.8% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
8.5% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Population below poverty line
43.2% (2021 est.)
Population below poverty line - note
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021
37.4 (2021 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - note
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%
3% (2021 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - highest 10%
30.2% (2021 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - note
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances - Remittances 2023
2.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2022
2.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2021
2.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances - note
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget - revenues
$5.174 billion (2023 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$6.308 billion (2023 est.)
Budget - note
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt - Public debt 2023
61.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Public debt - note
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
Taxes and other revenues
18.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues - note
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Current account balance - Current account balance 2023
-$1.017 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2022
-$1.404 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2021
$77.255 million (2021 est.)
Current account balance - note
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports - Exports 2023
$5.912 billion (2023 est.)
Exports - Exports 2022
$5.814 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - Exports 2021
$6.234 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - note
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
Switzerland 72%, UAE 10%, India 3%, Mali 3%, Cote d'Ivoire 2% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
gold, cotton, oil seeds, coconuts/brazil nuts/cashews, cement (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2023
$6.834 billion (2023 est.)
Imports - Imports 2022
$6.761 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - Imports 2021
$5.835 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - note
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
Cote d'Ivoire 14%, China 13%, Ghana 9%, Russia 9%, France 7% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, plastic products, cement, electricity, packaged medicine (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Debt - external - Debt - external 2023
$3.565 billion (2023 est.)
Debt - external - note
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024
606.345 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
606.57 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
623.76 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
554.531 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
575.586 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
19.5% (2022 est.)
Electricity access - electrification - urban areas
60.5%
Electricity access - electrification - rural areas
3.4%
Electricity - installed generating capacity
749,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
3.096 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - imports
1.577 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
212.254 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
82.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - solar
5.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - hydroelectricity
6.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - biomass and waste
5.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal - exports
1 metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - imports
74 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum - refined petroleum consumption
37,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita - Total energy consumption per capita 2023
3.481 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
72,700 (2022 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2022 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
26.9 million (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
119 (2022 est.)
Broadcast media
14 digital TV channels, of which 2 are state-owned; over 140 national radio stations (commercial, religious, community), including a national and regional state-owned network; state-owned Radio Burkina and private Radio Omega are among the most widely available and broadcast in both French and local languages (2019)
Internet country code
.bf
Internet users - percent of population
17% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total
15,000 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2022 est.) less than 1
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
XT
Airports
49 (2025)
Railways - total
622 km (2014)
Railways - narrow gauge
622 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge
Railways - note
note: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote d'Ivoire
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Armed Forces of Burkina Faso (FABF; aka National Armed Forces (FAN), aka Defense and Security Forces (Forces de Défense et de Sécurité or FDS)): Army of Burkina Faso, Air Force of Burkina Faso, National Gendarmerie, National Fire Brigade (Brigade Nationale de Sapeurs-Pompiers or BNSP); Homeland Defense Volunteers (Forcés de Volontaires de Défense pour la Patrie or VDP) Ministry of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Security (Ministère de l'Administration Territoriale, de la Décentralisation et de la Sécurité): National Police of Burkina Faso (includes Border Police, Judicial Police, and Intervention Units, as well as State and Public Security forces) (2025)
Military and security forces - note
note 1: the National Gendarmerie is under the Ministry of Defense, but usually operates in support of the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Decentralization, and Security; the Gendarmerie's primary mission is counterterrorism note 2: the VDP is a lightly armed civilian defense/militia force established in 2019 to act as auxiliaries to the Army; the volunteers receive two weeks of training and typically assist with carrying out surveillance, information-gathering, and escort duties, as well as local defense; they are based in each of the country's municipalities
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2024
4.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2023
4% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2022
2.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2021
2.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2020
2.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
estimated 20,000 Armed Forces; estimated 50,000 Homeland Defense Volunteers (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the FABF has a mix of older and some modern armaments from a variety of suppliers, including China, Egypt, France, Russia, South Africa, Türkiye, the UK, and the UAE (2025)
Military service age and obligation
generally, 18-35 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; citizens 18-77 years of age are eligible to volunteer for the VDP (2025)
Military service age and obligation - note
note: the military regime implemented an emergency law in 2023 that allows the president extensive powers to combat terrorist groups operating in the country, including conscripting citizens into the security services; the VDP reportedly has been used by the military regime as a platform for the forced recruitment of dissidents and activists to silence critics
Military - note
the Armed Forces of Burkina Faso (FABF) are responsible for external defense but also have an internal security role and can be called out to assist internal security forces in restoring public order, combating crime, securing the border, and conducting counterterrorism/counterinsurgency/internal defense operations; the FABF has a history of involvement in the country’s politics, having conducted eight coups since its formation in 1960-61, including the most recent in September 2022 the FABF's primary focus is combatting militants of the al-Qa'ida and Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) terrorist groups, which have operated in Burkina Faso for more than a decade and control portions of the country; Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), a coalition of al-Qa'ida linked militant groups that act as al-Qa'ida in the Land of the Islamic Magreb's (AQIM) arm in the Sahel, is strongest in the north but active in nearly all of the country's 13 provinces, while ISIS in the Greater Sahara (aka ISIS-Sahel) operates in the eastern part of the country (2025)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Ansarul Islam; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS); al-Mulathamun Battalion (al-Mourabitoun); Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM)
Terrorist group(s) - note
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons - refugees
41,408 (2024 est.)
Refugees and internally displaced persons - IDPs
2,065,358 (2024 est.)
Trafficking in persons - tier rating
Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Burkina Faso remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/burkina-faso/
Environment
Environmental issues
droughts; desertification; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation (2019)
International environmental agreements - party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
Nuclear Test Ban
Climate
three climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desert
Land use - agricultural land
53.4% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 28.9% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 2.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 21.9% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
12.7% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
33.9% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
32.5% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
4.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
5.243 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from coal and metallurgical coke
7 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
5.243 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
38.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
2.575 million tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
23% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
375.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
21.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - agricultural
420.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total renewable water resources
13.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)