Country Profile: Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, bordered by six nations, including Ghana to the south. The nation is characterized by its hot tropical savanna climate and diverse ethnic groups, primarily the Mossi, alongside significant populations of Fulani and Gurunsi. With a population estimated at over 23 million in 2025, Burkina Faso faces multiple socio-economic challenges, including high poverty levels, recurring drought, and significant security threats from terrorist groups. Despite these issues, the country is working towards economic development, leveraging its agricultural sector and growing gold exports.

Geography

Burkina Faso is located in Western Africa and is entirely landlocked, with no coastline to the ocean. It covers an area of approximately 274,200 square kilometers, slightly larger than Colorado, featuring mostly flat terrain with regions of hills in the west and southeast. The country experiences three distinct climate zones, including a tropical savanna in the south and a semi-arid steppe in the northern Sahel region.

274,200 sq km: Total area of the country.
0 km: Coastline, as it is landlocked.
3,611 km: Total land borders with neighboring countries.
53.4%: Agricultural land usage as of 2023.

People and Society

Burkina Faso is home to a diverse population of approximately 23.5 million people, with a median age of just 19 years. The country has a rich tapestry of ethnic groups, notably the Mossi who make up over half the population. The society is predominantly Muslim, with a significant Christian minority. Urbanization is gradually increasing, with about 32.5% of the population living in urban areas.

23.5 million: Estimated population in 2025.
41.6%: Percentage of the population aged 0-14 years.
63.8%: Muslim population as of 2019.
41.4%: Literacy rate as of 2023.

Economy

Burkina Faso's economy is largely agrarian, contributing to a low-income status and widespread poverty. The economy is gradually improving, driven by increased gold exports and a growing public debt that remains manageable. Agriculture remains a critical sector, while the industrial and service sectors are also expanding.

$60.001 billion: Estimated Real GDP (PPP) in 2024.
5.2%: Unemployment rate in 2024.
43.2%: Population below the poverty line as of 2021.
28.5%: Contribution of exports to GDP in 2024.

Government

Burkina Faso is a presidential republic with a tumultuous political history marked by frequent military coups. The current transitional government, led by Capt. Ibrahim TRAORE since September 2022, has promised elections by July 2024, though delays are anticipated due to security concerns. The legal system is based on civil law and customary law, reflecting its French colonial history.

Ouagadougou: Capital city and seat of government.
18 years: Minimum voting age.
73: Total members in the Transitional Legislative Assembly.
4.5%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP in 2024.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Burkina Faso consist of the Army, Air Force, and National Gendarmerie, with a significant emphasis on counterterrorism efforts. The military has assumed control of the government amid ongoing security threats from various terrorist groups, including affiliates of Al-Qa’ida and ISIS.

20,000: Estimated personnel in the Armed Forces.
50,000: Estimated Homeland Defense Volunteers.
4.5%: Military expenditures of GDP in 2024.
2 million+: Internally displaced persons due to insecurity as of 2024.

Energy

Burkina Faso's energy infrastructure faces significant challenges, with only 19.5% of the population having access to electricity as of 2022. The country's energy generation primarily relies on fossil fuels, while solar and hydroelectric sources also contribute to its electricity generation capacity.

749,000 kW: Installed electricity generating capacity as of 2023.
3.096 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption in 2023.
3.4%: Electrification rate in rural areas as of 2022.
82.9%: Share of fossil fuels in total installed electricity capacity.

Environment

Burkina Faso is subject to significant environmental challenges including droughts, desertification, and soil degradation. The government participates in various international environmental agreements aimed at mitigating these issues. Land use primarily consists of agricultural activities, which are heavily impacted by these environmental concerns.

53.4%: Agricultural land use as of 2023.
12.7%: Forest cover percentage in 2023.
5.243 million metric tons: Carbon dioxide emissions in 2023.
23%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled as of 2022.

Transportation

Burkina Faso has a modest transportation infrastructure, featuring a growing number of airports and limited railway systems. The country is working towards enhancing its connectivity to support economic growth and mobility.

49: Number of airports as of 2025.
622 km: Total railway length as of 2014.

Communications

Communications in Burkina Faso are developing, with a growing number of mobile subscriptions and increasing internet access among the population. The country has a mix of state-owned and private media outlets, providing broadcast services in both French and local languages.

26.9 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions as of 2022.
17%: Percentage of the population using the internet in 2023.
72,700: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions in 2022.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	23,490,300 (2025 est.)
Area	274,200 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$60.001 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	5.2% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	31.74 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Literacy Rate	41.4% (2023 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	64.2 years (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures	4.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Electrification Rate	19.5% (2022 est.)
Adult Obesity Rate	5.6% (2016)