Country Profile: Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in Western Africa, north of Ghana, characterized by a diverse geography that includes flat plains and savanna. With a population of approximately 23.5 million, the nation faces significant challenges such as high poverty levels, rapid population growth, and security threats from terrorist groups. The economy is primarily agrarian, heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly gold exports, but suffers from limited natural resources and widespread poverty. Governance has been unstable, marked by military coups and transitional leadership, complicating efforts toward democratic and economic reforms.

Geography

Burkina Faso is situated in Western Africa, bordered by six countries: Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger, and Togo. The country spans an area of approximately 274,200 square kilometers, featuring a primarily flat terrain with some hilly regions. The climate varies from a hot tropical savanna in the south to a semi-arid steppe in the north, with a small part bordering the Sahara Desert.

Total area: 274,200 sq km
Land boundaries: 3,611 km
Highest point: Tena Kourou at 749 m
Natural resources: Includes gold, manganese, and zinc
Agricultural land use: 53.4% of total land

People and Society

The population of Burkina Faso is estimated to be around 23.5 million, with a youthful median age of just 19 years. The populace is diverse, comprising various ethnic groups including the Mossi, Fulani, and Gurunsi. French is the official language, but numerous local languages are also spoken. The country has a high birth rate and a significant portion of the population lives in urban areas, particularly in the capital, Ouagadougou.

Population (2025 est.): 23,490,300
Urban population: 32.5% of total
Life expectancy at birth: 64.2 years
Total fertility rate: 4.02 children/woman
Literacy rate: 41.4% (2023 est.)

Economy

Burkina Faso's economy is primarily agrarian and low-income, with agriculture accounting for a significant share of its GDP. The GDP (PPP) for 2024 is estimated at $60 billion, reflecting a gradual recovery from economic stagnation. The country faces challenges including widespread poverty and high inflation, but it is seeing improvements in its trade balance thanks to increasing gold exports.

GDP (official exchange rate): $23.25 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate: 5% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.2% (2024 est.)
Percentage of population below poverty line: 43.2% (2021 est.)
Main agricultural products: maize, cotton, fruits

Government

Burkina Faso is governed as a presidential republic, with a capital in Ouagadougou. The political landscape has been tumultuous, experiencing multiple military coups, including the latest in 2022. The current transitional government has promised elections by July 2024, but these may be delayed due to ongoing security issues.

Capital: Ouagadougou
Government type: Presidential republic
Chief of state: Transitional President Capt. Ibrahim TRAORE (since September 2022)
Next expected elections: July 2024 (subject to delay)
Suffrage: Universal at age 18

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Burkina Faso are actively involved in counter-terrorism operations against various extremist groups. The military has a history of involvement in the country's politics, conducting several coups, the most recent in September 2022. The nation's security forces are increasingly focused on internal stability amidst growing threats from terrorist organizations.

Military expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Estimated military personnel: 20,000 Armed Forces
Homeland Defense Volunteers: 50,000 (2025)
Counter-terrorism focus: Combatting groups like al-Qaida and ISIS

Energy

Burkina Faso faces significant challenges in energy access, with only 19.5% of the population having access to electricity as of 2022. The country relies heavily on fossil fuels for its electricity generation, primarily from imports, while renewable energy resources are still in development.

Electricity access: 19.5% of total population
Installed electricity generating capacity: 749,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 3.096 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Sources of electricity: 82.9% fossil fuels; 5.4% solar

Environment

Burkina Faso grapples with environmental issues such as drought, desertification, and soil degradation. The country is party to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these challenges and promoting sustainable development.

Main environmental issues: droughts, soil degradation, deforestation
Total renewable water resources: 13.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Waste recycling rate: 23% of municipal solid waste (2022 est.)

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure comprises a network of roads, railways, and airports essential for internal and external connectivity. However, the railway system is limited, and air travel is crucial for reaching international destinations.

Total railways: 622 km (2014)
Number of airports: 49 (2025)
Civil aircraft registration code: XT

Communications

Burkina Faso's communication infrastructure includes a growing number of mobile cellular subscriptions relative to the population. However, internet access remains limited, with about 17% of the population using the internet as of 2023.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 26.9 million (2022)
Internet users: 17% of the population (2023 est.)
Fixed-line subscriptions: 72,700 (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	23,490,300 (2025 est.)
Area	274,200 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$60.001 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	5.2% (2024 est.)
Birth rate	31.74 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life expectancy	64.2 years (2024 est.)
Energy consumption per capita	3.481 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Urban population	32.5%
Military expenditures	4.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line	43.2% (2021 est.)