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Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 13,979 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2020 est.)

Broadcast media [time series]

since the official inauguration of Terrestrial Digital Television (TNT) in December 2017, Burkina Faso now has 14 digital TV channels among which 2 are state-owned; there are more than 140 radio stations (commercial, religious, community) available throughout the country including a national and regional state-owned network; the state-owned Radio Burkina and the private Radio Omega are among the most widespread stations and both include broadcasts in French and local languages (2019)

Internet country code [time series]

.bf

Internet users [time series]

total: 5.46 million (2021 est.) percent of population: 16% (2019 est.)

Telecommunication systems [time series]

general assessment: Burkina Faso s telecom services are some of the most expensive in the world, hindered by regulatory procedures, insufficient mobile spectrum, poor fixed-line networks; mobile telephony but below African average; Internet is provided by mobile operators; Internet penetration is low and expensive, despite improved international bandwidth via fiber links through submarine cables to adjacent countries; increased telecom tax; government infrastructure project largely completed; parliament launched inquiry on mobile network infrastructure coverage, pricing of services, and quality of service; government began computer subsidy program for university students; government progressed with large project to provide metropolitan fiber-optic infrastructure (2020) domestic: fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage 100 per 100, with multiple providers there is competition and the hope for growth from a low base; Internet penetration is 11% countrywide, but higher in urban areas (2019) international: country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 75,039 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2020 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 22,117,218 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 105.8 (2020 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products [time series]

sorghum, maize, millet, cotton, cow peas, sugar cane, groundnuts, rice, sesame seed, vegetables

Budget [time series]

revenues: 2.666 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.655 billion (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-7.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Credit ratings [time series]

Standard & Poors rating: B (2017)

Current account balance [time series]

-$1.019 billion (2017 est.) -$820 million (2016 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$3.056 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.88 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Economic overview [time series]

Burkina Faso is a poor, landlocked country that depends on adequate rainfall. Irregular patterns of rainfall, poor soil, and the lack of adequate communications and other infrastructure contribute to the economy’s vulnerability to external shocks. About 80% of the population is engaged in subsistence farming and cotton is the main cash crop. The country has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. Cotton and gold are Burkina Faso’s key exports - gold has accounted for about three-quarters of the country’s total export revenues. Burkina Faso’s economic growth and revenue depends largely on production levels and global prices for the two commodities. The country has seen an upswing in gold exploration, production, and exports. In 2016, the government adopted a new development strategy, set forth in the 2016-2020 National Plan for Economic and Social Development, that aims to reduce poverty, build human capital, and to satisfy basic needs. A new three-year IMF program (2018-2020), approved in 2018, will allow the government to reduce the budget deficit and preserve critical spending on social services and priority public investments. While the end of the political crisis has allowed Burkina Faso’s economy to resume positive growth, the country’s fragile security situation could put these gains at risk. Political insecurity in neighboring Mali, unreliable energy supplies, and poor transportation links pose long-term challenges.

Exchange rates [time series]

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 605.3 (2017 est.) 593.01 (2016 est.) 593.01 (2015 est.) 591.45 (2014 est.) 494.42 (2013 est.)

Exports [time series]

$4.47 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) $4.51 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

gold, cotton, zinc, cashews, sesame seeds (2019)

Exports - partners [time series]

Switzerland 59%, India 21% (2019)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$14.271 billion (2018 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 56.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 23.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 28.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -34.4% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 31% (2017 est.) industry: 23.9% (2017 est.) services: 44.9% (2017 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income [time series]

35.3 (2014 est.) 48.2 (1994)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 32.2% (2009 est.)

Imports [time series]

$5.02 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) $5.17 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.) $5.3 billion (2017 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

refined petroleum, delivery trucks, packaged medicines, electricity, aircraft (2019)

Imports - partners [time series]

Cote d'Ivoire 15%, China 9%, Ghana 8%, France 8%, India 6%, United States 5% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

10.4% (2017 est.)

Industries [time series]

cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

-3.2% (2019 est.) 1.9% (2018 est.) 1.4% (2017 est.)

Labor force [time series]

8.501 million (2016 est.) note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 90% industry and services: 10% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

41.4% (2018 est.)

Public debt [time series]

38.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 38.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]

$45.16 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.) $44.27 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.) $41.88 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars

Real GDP growth rate [time series]

6.4% (2017 est.) 5.9% (2016 est.) 3.9% (2015 est.)

Real GDP per capita [time series]

$2,200 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.) $2,200 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.) $2,100 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$49 million (31 December 2017 est.) $50.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

21.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

77% (2004)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 8.6% male: 8.9% female: 8.4% (2019)

Energy

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.551 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

80% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

9% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

12% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

630 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

342,400 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

990 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

electrification - total population: 22% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 69% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 2% (2019)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

23,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

23,580 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Environment

Air pollutants [time series]

particulate matter emissions: 36.78 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 3.42 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 12.85 megatons (2020 est.)

Climate [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation (2019)

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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 signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban

Food insecurity [time series]

severe localized food insecurity: due to civil insecurity in the north - according to the latest analysis, about 2.87 million people are estimated to need humanitarian assistance in the June August 2021; in Centre-Nord and Sahel regions, insecurity continues to cause population displacements, further deteriorating the food security situation (2021)

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 44.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 22% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 37% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 21.93% (2018 est.) forest: 19.3% (2018 est.) other: 36.5% (2018 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis

Major rivers (by length in km) [time series]

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) [time series]

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)

Revenue from coal [time series]

coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources [time series]

forest revenues: 4.54% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources [time series]

13.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total water withdrawal [time series]

municipal: 375.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 21.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 420.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 31.2% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 4.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling [time series]

municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,575,251 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 309,030 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12% (2005 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 274,200 sq km land: 273,800 sq km water: 400 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than Colorado

Climate [time series]

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation [time series]

highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m mean elevation: 297 m

Geographic coordinates [time series]

13 00 N, 2 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas

Irrigated land [time series]

550 sq km (2016)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 3,611 km border countries (6): Benin 386 km, Cote d'Ivoire 545 km, Ghana 602 km, Mali 1325 km, Niger 622 km, Togo 131 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 44.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 22% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 37% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 21.93% (2018 est.) forest: 19.3% (2018 est.) other: 36.5% (2018 est.)

Location [time series]

Western Africa, north of Ghana

Major rivers (by length in km) [time series]

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) [time series]

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

recurring droughts

Natural resources [time series]

gold, manganese, zinc, limestone, marble, phosphates, pumice, salt

Population distribution [time series]

Most of the population is located in the center and south. Nearly one-third of the population lives in cities. The capital and largest city is Ouagadougou (Ouaga), with a population of 1.8 million as shown in this population distribution map (2019)

Terrain [time series]

Mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in the west and southeast. Occupies an extensive plateau with s avanna that is grassy in the north and gradually gives way to sparse forests in the south. (2019)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

13 regions; Boucle du Mouhoun, Cascades, Centre, Centre-Est, Centre-Nord, Centre-Ouest, Centre-Sud, Est, Hauts-Bassins, Nord, Plateau-Central, Sahel, Sud-Ouest

Capital [time series]

name: Ouagadougou geographic coordinates: 12 22 N, 1 31 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Ouagadougou is a Francophone spelling of the native name "Wogodogo," meaning "where people get honor and respect"

Citizenship [time series]

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Burkina Faso dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Constitution [time series]

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 has been postponed amendments: 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; amended several times, last in 2012

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Burkina Faso local long form: none local short form: Burkina Faso former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta etymology: name translates as "Land of the Honest (Incorruptible) Men"

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Sandra E. CLARK (since 25 September 2020) embassy: Secteur 15, Ouaga 2000, Avenue Sembene Ousmane, Rue 15.873, Ouagadougou mailing address: 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440 telephone: (226) 25-49-53-00 FAX: (226) 25-49-56-23 email address and website: ouagaACS@state.gov https://bf.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Seydou KABORE (since 18 January 2017) chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882 email address and website: contact@burkina-usa.org https://burkina-usa.org/

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Roch Marc Christian KABORE (since 29 December 2015; reelected 22 November 2020) head of government: Prime Minister Lassina ZERBO (since 10 December 2021); note - on 8 December 2021, President KABORE accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Christophe DABIRE; on 10 December 2021 Kabor named ZERBO prime minister. (2021) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections/appointments: president elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second); last held on 22 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2025); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of the National Assembly election results: 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%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; red recalls the country's struggle for independence, green is for hope and abundance, and yellow represents the country's mineral wealth note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type [time series]

presidential republic

Independence [time series]

5 August 1960 (from France)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, 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, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

highest courts: 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) 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 upon the proposal of 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 subordinate courts: Appeals Court; High Court; first instance tribunals; district courts; specialized courts relating to issues of labor, children, and juveniles; village (customary) courts

Legal system [time series]

civil law based on the French model and customary law; in mid-2019, the National Assembly amended the penal code

Legislative branch [time series]

description: unicameral National Assembly (127 seats; 111 members directly elected in 13 multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote and 26 members elected in a nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; all member serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 22 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party (preliminary results) - MPP 56, CDP 20, NTD 13, UPC 12

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Le Ditanye" (Anthem of Victory) lyrics/music: Thomas SANKARA note: adopted 1974; also known as "Une Seule Nuit" (One Single Night); written by the country's former president, an avid guitar player

National holiday [time series]

Republic Day, 11 December (1958); note - commemorates the day that Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community

National symbol(s) [time series]

white stallion; national colors: red, yellow, green

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

African Democratic Rally/Alliance for Democracy and Federation or ADF/RDA [Gilbert Noel OUEDRAOGO] African People s Movement or MAP [Victorien TOUGOUMA] Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Eddie KOMBOIGO] Le Faso Autrement [Ablasse OUEDRAOGO] New Alliance of the Faso or NAFA [Mahamoudou DICKO] New Time for Democracy or NTD [Vincent DABILGOU] Organization for Democracy and Work or ODT [Anatole BONKOUNGOU] Party for Development and Change or PDC [Aziz SEREME] Party for Democracy and Progress-Socialist Party or PDP-PS [Drabo TORO] Party for Democracy and Socialism/Metba or PDS/Metba [Philippe OUEDRAOGO] Party for National Renaissance or PAREN [Michel BERE] People's Movement for Progress or MPP [Simon COMPAORE] Rally for Democracy and Socialism or RDS [Francois OUEDRAOGO] Rally for the Development of Burkina or RDB [Celestin Saidou COMPAORE] Rally of Ecologists of Burkina Faso or RDEB [Adama SERE] Soleil d Avenir [Abdoulaye SOMA] Union for a New Burkina or UBN [Diemdioda DICKO] Union for Progress and Change or UPC [Zephirin DIABRE] Union for Rebirth - Sankarist Party or UNIR-MS [Benewende Stanislas SANKARA] Union for the Republic or UPR [Toussaint Abel COULIBALY] Youth Alliance for the Republic and Independence or AJIR [Adama KANAZOE]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Many of Burkina Faso s ethnic groups arrived in the region between the 12 th and 15 th 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 area 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. The last successful coup occurred in 1987 when Blaise COMPAORE deposed the former president, established a government, and ruled for 27 years. In October 2014, COMPAORE resigned following protests against his repeated efforts to amend the constitution's two-term presidential limit. An interim administration led a year-long transition period organizing presidential and legislative elections. In November 2015, Roch Marc Christian KABORE was elected president; he was reelected in November 2020. 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 late 2021, insecurity in Burkina Faso had displaced 1.4 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.

Military and Security

Military - note [time series]

since at least 2016, the Armed Forces of Burkina Faso have been actively engaged in combat operations with terrorist groups linked to al-Qa'ida and ISIS; military operations have occurred in the Centre‐Est, Centre‐Nord, Est, Nord, and Sahel administrative regions Burkina Faso is part of a five-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G5 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger; it has committed 550 troops and 100 gendarmes to the force; the G5 force is backed by the UN, US, and France; G5 troops periodically conduct joint operations with French forces deployed to the Sahel under Operation Barkhane; in early 2020, G5 Sahel military chiefs of staff agreed to allow defense forces from each of the states to pursue terrorist fighters up to 100 km into neighboring countries (2021)

Military and security forces [time series]

Armed Forces of Burkina Faso (FABF): Army of Burkina Faso (L Armee de Terre, LAT), Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso, FABF), National Gendarmerie; Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (a civilian defense force established in 2019 to act as auxiliaries to the military in the fight against militants) (2021) note - the National Gendarmerie officially reports to the Ministry of Defense, but usually operates in support of the Ministry of Security and the Ministry of Justice; Gendarmerie troops are typically integrated with Army forces in anti-terrorism operations; for example, Gendarmerie, Army, and police forces were combined to form a 1,500-member task force known as the Groupement des Forces Anti-Terroristes (GFAT) to address terrorist activities along the country's northern border in 2013

Military and security service personnel strengths [time series]

the Armed Forces of Burkina Faso (FABF) have approximately 12,000 personnel (7,000 Army; 500 Air Force; 4,500 National Gendarmerie) (2021)

Military deployments [time series]

900 Mali (MINUSMA) (Oct 2021) note - Burkina Faso is part of a five-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G5 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions [time series]

the FABF has a mix of foreign-supplied weapons; since 2010, it has received limited amounts of mostly donated second-hand equipment from more than 10 countries (2021)

Military expenditures [time series]

2.5% of GDP (2020 est.) 2.4% of GDP (2019) 2.1% of GDP (2018) 1.4% of GDP (2017) 1.2% of GDP (2016)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; women may serve in supporting roles (2021)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 43.58% (male 4,606,350/female 4,473,951) 15-24 years: 20.33% (male 2,121,012/female 2,114,213) 25-54 years: 29.36% (male 2,850,621/female 3,265,926) 55-64 years: 3.57% (male 321,417/female 423,016) 65 years and over: 3.16% (male 284,838/female 374,057) (2020 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

34.34 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

16.4% (2019)

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

30.1% (2020)

Current health expenditure (Current Health Expenditure) [time series]

5.6% (2018)

Death rate [time series]

7.92 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Demographic profile [time series]

Burkina Faso has a young age structure the result of declining mortality combined with steady high fertility and continues to experience rapid population growth, which is putting increasing pressure on the country s limited arable land. More than 65% of the population is under the age of 25, and the population is growing at 3% annually. Mortality rates, especially those of infants and children, have decreased because of improved health care, hygiene, and sanitation, but women continue to have an average of almost 6 children. Even if fertility were substantially reduced, today s large cohort entering their reproductive years would sustain high population growth for the foreseeable future. Only about a third of the population is literate and unemployment is widespread, dampening the economic prospects of Burkina Faso s large working-age population. Migration has traditionally been a way of life for Burkinabe, with seasonal migration being replaced by stints of up to two years abroad. Cote d Ivoire remains the top destination, although it has experienced periods of internal conflict. Under French colonization, Burkina Faso became a main labor source for agricultural and factory work in Cote d Ivoire. Burkinabe also migrated to Ghana, Mali, and Senegal for work between the world wars. Burkina Faso attracts migrants from Cote d Ivoire, Ghana, and Mali, who often share common ethnic backgrounds with the Burkinabe. Despite its food shortages and high poverty rate, Burkina Faso has become a destination for refugees in recent years and hosts about 33,500 Malians as of May 2017. (2018)

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 87.9 youth dependency ratio: 83.4 elderly dependency ratio: 4.5 potential support ratio: 22.1 (2020 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 94.9% of population rural: 67.9% of population total: 75.6% of population unimproved: urban: 4.5% of population rural: 32.1% of population total: 24.4% of population (2017 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

5.8% of GDP (2019)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Mossi 52%, Fulani 8.4%, Gurma 7%, Bobo 4.9%, Gurunsi 4.6%, Senufo 4.5%, Bissa 3.7%, Lobi 2.4%, Dagara 2.4%, Tuareg/Bella 1.9%, Dioula 0.8%, unspecified/no answer 0.3%, other 7.2% (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.7% (2020 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

3,300 (2020 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

97,000 (2020 est.)

Hospital bed density [time series]

0.4 beds/1,000 population

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 50.71 deaths/1,000 live births male: 55.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 46.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)

Languages [time series]

French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 63.06 years male: 61.28 years female: 64.89 years (2021 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 39.3% male: 49.2% female: 31% (2018)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

Major urban areas - population [time series]

2.915 million OUAGADOUGOU (capital), 1.020 million Bobo-Dioulasso (2021)

Maternal mortality ratio [time series]

320 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 17.9 years male: 17 years female: 18.7 years (2020 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

19.4 years (2010 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29

Nationality [time series]

noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural) adjective: Burkinabe

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

5.6% (2016)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.09 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Population [time series]

21,382,659 (July 2021 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population distribution [time series]

Population growth rate [time series]

2.58% (2021 est.)

Religions [time series]

Muslim 63.2%, Roman Catholic 24.6%, Protestant 6.9%, traditional/animist 4.2%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.4% (2017-18 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 88.2% of population rural: 30.2% of population total: 46.9% of population unimproved: urban: 11.8% of population rural: 69.8% of population total: 53.1% of population (2017 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 9 years male: 9 years female: 9 years (2020)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.76 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.39 children born/woman (2021 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 8.6% male: 8.9% female: 8.4% (2019)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 31.2% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 4.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Terrorism

Terrorist group(s) [time series]

Ansarul Islam; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara; al-Mulathamun Battalion (al-Mourabitoun); Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin 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 Appendix-T

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

adding to illicit cross-border activities, Burkina Faso has issues concerning unresolved boundary alignments with its neighbors; demarcation is currently underway with Mali; the dispute with Niger was referred to the ICJ in 2010, and a dispute over several villages with Benin persists; Benin retains a border dispute with Burkina Faso around the town of Koualou

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 24,538 (Mali) (2021) IDPs: 1,407,685 (2021)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

total: 23 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2019)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 21 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 5 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 151,531 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 100,000 mt-km (2018)

Railways [time series]

total: 622 km (2014) narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge (2014) note: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote d'Ivoire

Roadways [time series]

total: 15,304 km (2014) paved: 3,642 km (2014) unpaved: 11,662 km (2014)