World · permanent entity record · UV

Burkina Faso

Thirty-second orientation

Burkina Faso at a glance

Capital: Ouagadougou; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 24,074,580; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 274,200 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural); adjective: Burkinabe; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
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.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Burkina Faso through time

1960-09-20
Admitted to the United Nations
Burkina Faso became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	24,074,580World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 23,490,300 (2025 est.) male: 11,529,979 female: 11,960,321CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $27.6 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $1,148; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 61.3 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 28.9%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 34.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 28.3%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Ouagadougou; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 274,200 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 24,074,580; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
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.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural); adjective: Burkinabe; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1960-09-20; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Muslim 63.8%, Roman Catholic 20.1%, Animiste 9%, Protestant 6.2%, other 0.2%, none 0.7% (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: red, green, yellow; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: white stallion; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Tena Kourou · 2,457 ft (749 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River · 656 ft (200 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

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.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography19 fields

Location: Western Africa, north of Ghana; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 2 00 W; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 274,200 sq km land: 273,800 sq km water: 400 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Colorado; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: none (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m mean elevation: 297 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: gold, manganese, zinc, limestone, marble, phosphates, pumice, salt; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 53.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 28.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 21.9% (2023 est.) forest: 12.7% (2023 est.) other: 33.9% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 550 sq km (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: recurring droughts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers, the Black, Red, and White Voltas; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society36 fields

Population: total: 23,490,300 (2025 est.) male: 11,529,979 female: 11,960,321; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural) adjective: Burkinabe; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Muslim 63.8%, Roman Catholic 20.1%, Animiste 9%, Protestant 6.2%, other 0.2%, none 0.7% (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.6% (male 4,868,488/female 4,727,316) 15-64 years: 55.1% (male 6,116,674/female 6,590,775) 65 years and over: 3.2% (2024 est.) (male 312,587/female 426,359); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 79 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 73.2 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 5.8 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 17.3 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 19 years (2025 est.) male: 17.9 years female: 19.5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: 2.39% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 31.74 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 7.24 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: -0.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 32.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 4.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 3.204 million OUAGADOUGOU (capital), 1.129 million Bobo-Dioulasso (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.1 years (2021 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 242 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 48 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 51.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 42.7 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.2 years (2024 est.) male: 62.3 years female: 66.1 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 4.02 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.98 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 80.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 34.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 49.5% of population (2022 est.) urban: 19.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 65.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 50.5% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 6.4% of GDP (2021) 8.4% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 0.15 physicians/1,000 population (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Hospital bed density: 0.2 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 91.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 42.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 58.1% of population (2022 est.) urban: 8.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 57.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 41.9% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 5.6% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 7.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.08 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.31 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 5.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Tobacco use: total: 12.4% (2025 est.) male: 20.4% (2025 est.) female: 4.6% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 16.9% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 74.3% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 8.9% (2015) women married by age 18: 51.3% (2015) men married by age 18: 1.6% (2015); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 5.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 20.3% national budget (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Literacy: total population: 41.4% (2023 est.) male: 48.4% (2023 est.) female: 35.7% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 7 years (2023 est.) male: 7 years (2023 est.) female: 7 years (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment10 fields

Environmental issues: droughts; desertification; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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 signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 53.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 28.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 21.9% (2023 est.) forest: 12.7% (2023 est.) other: 33.9% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 32.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 4.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 5.243 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 7 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 5.243 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 38.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.575 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 23% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 375.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 21.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 420.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 13.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government23 fields

Country name: 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 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"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: 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," which may come from the personal name "Waga" or "Woga" and the Dyula word "dugu," meaning "village"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: civil law based on the French model and customary law; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: Transitional President Capt. Ibrahim TRAORE (since 30 September 2022) head of government: Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel OUEDRAOGO (since 9 December 2024) 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 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 most recent election date: 22 November 2020 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% expected date of next election: were to be held by July 2024, but were delayed note: on 30 September 2022, a military junta led by TRAORE took power and ousted Transition President Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo DAMIBA; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Parliament (Parlement) legislative structure: unicameral chamber name: Transitional Legislative Assembly (Assemblée législative de la transition) number of seats: 71 electoral system: proportional representation most recent election date: 11/11/2022 percentage of women in chamber: 18.3% expected date of next election: June 2029 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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) 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 subordinate courts: Appeals Court; High Court; first instance tribunals; district courts; specialized courts relating to issues of labor, children, and juveniles; village (customary) courts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kassoum COULIBALY (since 24 July 2025) 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/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joann M. LOCKARD (since 28 June 2024) 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: AmembOuaga@state.gov https://bf.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 5 August 1960 (from France); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Republic Day, 11 December (1958) note: commemorates the day that Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): white stallion; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): red, yellow, green; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Le Ditanye" (Anthem of Victory) lyrics/music: Thomas SANKARA history: adopted 1974; also known as "Une Seule Nuit"(One Single Night) ; written by the country's former president, an avid guitar player; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 4 (3 cultural, 1 natural) 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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy30 fields

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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $60.001 billion (2024 est.) $57.152 billion (2023 est.) $55.508 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 5% (2024 est.) 3% (2023 est.) 1.5% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $2,500 (2024 est.) $2,500 (2023 est.) $2,500 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $23.25 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.2% (2024 est.) 0.7% (2023 est.) 14.3% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 18.6% (2024 est.) industry: 29.7% (2024 est.) services: 40.2% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 60.6% (2024 est.) government consumption: 18.8% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.5% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 10.6% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 28.5% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -34.9% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: maize, sorghum, fruits, vegetables, millet, cowpeas, cotton, groundnuts, sugarcane, rice (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industrial production growth rate: -5.4% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 6.461 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 5.2% (2024 est.) 5.4% (2023 est.) 5.4% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 8.1% (2024 est.) male: 7.8% (2024 est.) female: 8.5% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population below poverty line: 43.2% (2021 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 37.4 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% (2021 est.) highest 10%: 30.2% (2021 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Remittances: 2.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.8% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.9% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $5.174 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $6.308 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 61.3% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 18.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Current account balance: -$1.017 billion (2023 est.) -$1.404 billion (2022 est.) $77.255 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $5.912 billion (2023 est.) $5.814 billion (2022 est.) $6.234 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: Switzerland 72%, UAE 10%, India 3%, Mali 3%, Cote d'Ivoire 2% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: gold, cotton, oil seeds, coconuts/brazil nuts/cashews, cement (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $6.834 billion (2023 est.) $6.761 billion (2022 est.) $5.835 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: Cote d'Ivoire 14%, China 13%, Ghana 9%, Russia 9%, France 7% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, plastic products, cement, electricity, packaged medicine (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Debt - external: $3.565 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 606.345 (2024 est.) 606.57 (2023 est.) 623.76 (2022 est.) 554.531 (2021 est.) 575.586 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy6 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 19.5% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 60.5% electrification - rural areas: 3.4%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 749,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 3.096 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 1.577 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 212.254 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 82.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 5.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 6.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 5.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: exports: 1 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 74 metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 37,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 3.481 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 72,700 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 26.9 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 119 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .bf; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 17% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 15,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation3 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: XT; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 49 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Railways: total: 622 km (2014) narrow gauge: 622 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge note: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote d'Ivoire; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security6 fields

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) 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 4% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.9% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 2.4% of GDP (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: estimated 20,000 Armed Forces; estimated 50,000 Homeland Defense Volunteers (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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) 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Terrorism1 fields

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) 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues2 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 41,408 (2024 est.) IDPs: 2,065,358 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.

Burkina Faso at a glance

Burkina Faso through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile