Country Profile: Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa, bordered by Ghana to the south and several other nations. It is home to an estimated population of around 23.5 million people, primarily consisting of various ethnic groups including the Mossi and Fulani. The economy is largely agrarian and reliant on agriculture, with significant contributions from gold exports. The nation has experienced political instability, marked by a series of military coups, and currently operates under a transitional government due to security concerns from terrorist activities.

Geography

Burkina Faso is situated in Western Africa, north of Ghana, covering an area of approximately 274,200 square kilometers. The country features a mix of flat to hilly terrain, with the highest point being Tena Kourou at 749 meters. Burkina Faso is characterized by a tropical savanna climate in the south, transitioning to semi-arid conditions in the north, and is landlocked with no coastline. The nation is predominantly agricultural, with nearly 53.4% of its land used for farming.

274,200 sq km - Total area.
3,611 km - Total land boundaries with neighboring countries.
12.7% - Forest cover as of 2023.
550 sq km - Irrigated land as of 2016.
53.4% - Agricultural land utilization in 2023.

People and Society

The population of Burkina Faso is estimated at 23.5 million (2025), with a median age of 19 years. The society is diverse, composed of multiple ethnic groups, with the Mossi being the largest. The country’s predominant religions are Islam and Roman Catholicism, while French serves as the official language. Urbanization is on the rise, with about 32.5% of the population living in urban areas, including the capital, Ouagadougou.

23,490,300 - Estimated population in 2025.
41.6% - Population aged 0-14 years.
64.2 years - Life expectancy at birth as of 2024.
31.74 births/1,000 - Birth rate in 2025.
2.39% - Projected population growth rate for 2025.

Economy

Burkina Faso has a low-income, agrarian economy that is highly dependent on agriculture, which contributes around 18.6% to the GDP in 2024. The country has been struggling with widespread poverty and a deteriorating security situation that hampers economic progress. However, gold exports have improved the trade balance. The economy demonstrated signs of inflation recovery after previous deflation periods, yet it faces challenges such as a growing public debt.

$60.001 billion - Estimated real GDP in 2024 (PPP).
5.2% - Unemployment rate projected for 2024.
4.5% - Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP in 2024.
43.2% - Population living below the poverty line (2021).
2.9% of GDP - Remittances as of 2023.

Government

Burkina Faso is a presidential republic, currently under a transitional government led by Capt. Ibrahim Traore since September 2022. The country has experienced significant political upheaval, including multiple coups since gaining independence from France in 1960. The legal system is based on civil law influenced by French legal traditions. The transitional government aims to hold elections, which have been delayed due to security concerns.

Ouagadougou - Capital city since independence.
13 - Number of administrative regions.
Transitional President - Capt. Ibrahim Traore (since 2022).
71 - Seats in the Transitional Legislative Assembly.
Universal suffrage - Voting age is 18 years.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Burkina Faso consist of various branches focused on both external defense and internal security. The nation faces ongoing threats from terrorist groups, including affiliates of Al-Qaida and ISIS, which have led to significant internal displacement. Military expenditures have risen as the government seeks to combat these security challenges through increased military presence and programs.

20,000 - Estimated number of armed forces personnel.
50,000 - Estimated number of Homeland Defense Volunteers (2025).
4.5% - Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP in 2024.
2,065,358 - Internally displaced persons as of 2024.
41,408 - Estimated number of refugees in 2024.

Energy

Burkina Faso's electricity access is limited, with only about 19.5% of the population having access as of 2022. The energy generation mix primarily relies on fossil fuels, with a small portion derived from solar and hydroelectric sources. The country is working to enhance its energy infrastructure to meet growing demands.

19.5% - Electrification rate for the total population in 2022.
749,000 kW - Installed electricity generating capacity in 2023.
3.096 billion kWh - Total electricity consumption in 2023.
82.9% - Percentage of installed capacity from fossil fuels (2023).
1.577 billion kWh - Electricity imports in 2023.

Environment

Burkina Faso faces numerous environmental challenges including recurring droughts, desertification, and deforestation. The government is a participant in various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and conserving biodiversity. Land use remains largely agricultural, making it vulnerable to environmental impacts.

12.7% - Forest cover as estimated in 2023.
Droughts & desertification - Major environmental issues.
5.243 million metric tonnes - CO2 emissions as of 2023.
53.4% - Proportion of land used for agriculture in 2023.
2.575 million tons - Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	23,490,300	Estimated for 2025
Area	274,200 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$60.001 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	5.2%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	31.74 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2025
Life Expectancy	64.2 years	Estimated for 2024
Electrification Rate	19.5%	Total population access as of 2022
Forest Cover	12.7%	Estimated for 2023
Internally Displaced Persons	2,065,358	Estimated for 2024
Refugees	41,408	Estimated for 2024