Country Profile: Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in Western Africa, is characterized by a predominantly agrarian economy and a vibrant cultural mosaic stemming from multiple ethnic groups. The nation grapples with significant challenges, including high population growth, persistent food insecurity, and terrorist activities disrupting daily life and governance. Despite its wealth of natural resources such as gold and manganese, Burkina Faso remains one of the world's poorest countries, with a high dependency on agriculture and rising public debt. Governance has evolved through several coups, with the current military-led government facing delays in planned elections amidst security concerns.

Geography

Burkina Faso is located in Western Africa, directly north of Ghana. With a total area of approximately 274,200 sq km, it is slightly larger than Colorado. The country's landscape features mostly flat plains, occasional hills, and several major rivers, including the Black, Red, and White Voltas. Being landlocked, it has no coastline but shares borders with six countries, including Mali and Niger.

Geographic Coordinates: 13° N, 2° W
Natural Resources: Gold, manganese, zinc, and limestone.
Climate Zones: Hot tropical savanna and semi-arid steppe.
Population Distribution: Most population concentrated in the center and south.

People and Society

As of 2024, Burkina Faso has an estimated population of 23,042,199, with a relatively young median age of 18.7 years. The society is diverse, with the Mossi ethnic group making up about 53.7% of the population. The country recognizes multiple languages, reflecting its rich cultural heritage, and Islam is the predominant religion, practiced by about 63.8% of the population. Urbanization is on the rise, yet over two-thirds of the population remains rural.

Urban Population: 32.5% of total population (2023)
Life Expectancy: 64.2 years at birth (2024)
Literacy Rate: 41.4% overall (2023)
Birth Rate: 31.9 births/1,000 population (2024)

Economy

Burkina Faso's economy is primarily agrarian, with agriculture contributing around 18.6% to the GDP in 2024. Despite various challenges such as terrorism and limited natural resources, the country's gold exports have improved the trade balance. The GDP, measured by purchasing power parity, is estimated at $60.001 billion for 2024, reflecting a growth rate of 5%. However, widespread poverty persists, with 43.2% of the population living below the national poverty line.

Real GDP per Capita: $2,500 (2024)
Unemployment Rate: 5.2% (2024)
Public Debt: 61.3% of GDP (2023)
Major Industries: Cotton, beverages, and gold mining.

Government

Burkina Faso operates as a presidential republic with a complex political history marked by numerous coups. The current leadership is under the interim authority of Transitional President Capt. Ibrahim Traore, following military takeovers in 2022. The government structure is composed of a unicameral legislature and several administrative divisions, including thirteen regions.

Capital: Ouagadougou
Recent Election: November 22, 2020
Next Election Expected: July 2024 (subject to delay)
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years.

Military and Security

The security landscape in Burkina Faso is challenging, with the armed forces actively combating terrorist groups linked to al-Qa'ida and ISIS. The military includes a range of forces, with approximately 20,000 personnel and a volunteer defense program bolstering security efforts. Military expenditures have increased significantly amid ongoing conflict, reaching 4.5% of GDP in 2024.

Military Personnel: Estimated 20,000 Armed Forces.
Militia Volunteers: Approximately 50,000 Homeland Defense Volunteers (2025).
Military Service Age: 18-26 years for voluntary service.
Current Military Focus: Counter-terrorism operations.

Energy

Electrical access remains limited in Burkina Faso, with only 19.5% of the population electrified by 2022. The energy sector relies predominantly on fossil fuels, comprising about 82.9% of the total installed capacity. The installed generating capacity was 749,000 kW as of 2023, with significant imports of electricity to meet demand.

Electricity Consumption: 3.096 billion kWh (2023).
Rural Electrification: Only 3.4% of rural areas have access.
Renewable Energy Sources: Solar energy makes up 5.4% of total capacity.

Environment

Burkina Faso faces various environmental challenges, including droughts, desertification, and deforestation. The country has committed to several international environmental agreements addressing biodiversity and climate change. Agriculture utilizes roughly 53.4% of the land, and a high percentage of the population relies on these natural resources.

Agricultural Land Use: 53.4% of total land area (2023).
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 5.243 million metric tonnes (2023).
Water Resources: Total renewable water resources estimated at 13.5 billion cubic meters (2022).

Transportation

Burkina Faso's transportation infrastructure includes 49 airports and a railway network of 622 km. The rail system primarily consists of narrow gauge and connects to neighboring countries, enhancing regional trade and mobility.

Airports: 49 (2025).
Railways: 622 km (2014).
Civil Aircraft Registration Code: XT.

Communications

The communication sector in Burkina Faso is developing, with about 24.7 million mobile phone subscriptions. However, internet penetration is low, with only 17% of the population being internet users.

Fixed Line Subscriptions: 81,000 (2021).
Broadband Subscriptions: Approximately 15,000 (2022).
Telecommunication Penetration: 112 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants for mobile.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	23,042,199	Estimated (2024)
Area	274,200 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$60.001 billion	Estimated (2024)
Unemployment Rate	5.2%	Estimated (2024)
Birth Rate	31.9 births/1,000	Estimated (2024)
Life Expectancy	64.2 years	Estimated (2024)
Literacy Rate	41.4%	Estimated (2023)
Inflation Rate	4.2%	Estimated (2024)
Military Expenditures	4.5% of GDP	Estimated (2024)
Agricultural Land Use	53.4%	Total land area used for agriculture (2023)