Burkina Faso

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Burkina Faso achieved independence from France in 1960. Repeated military coups have been the norm for much of the country's history. Terrorism, recurring drought, food insecurity, and poverty are among Burkina Faso's ongoing problems.

Geography

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

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

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

People and Society

Population
total: 23,042,199 (2024 est.)

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.)

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.)

Religions
Muslim 63.8%, Roman Catholic 20.1%, Animiste 9%, Protestant 6.2%, other 0.2%, none 0.7% (2019 est.)

Population growth rate
2.4% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Ouagadougou

Executive branch
chief of state: Transitional President Capt. Ibrahim TRAORE (since 30 September 2022)
head of government: Prime Minister Joachim KYLEM DE TAMBELA (since 21 October 2022)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Kassoum COULIBALY (since 24 July 2025)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Joann M. LOCKARD (since 28 June 2024)

Economy

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$60.001 billion (2024 est.)
$57.152 billion (2023 est.)
$55.508 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$2,500 (2024 est.)
$2,500 (2023 est.)
$2,500 (2022 est.)

Exports
$5.912 billion (2023 est.)
$5.814 billion (2022 est.)
$6.234 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Switzerland 72%, UAE 10%, India 3%, Mali 3%, Cote d'Ivoire 2% (2023)

Exports - commodities
gold, cotton, oil seeds, coconuts/brazil nuts/cashews, cement (2023)

Imports
$6.834 billion (2023 est.)
$6.761 billion (2022 est.)
$5.835 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
Cote d'Ivoire 14%, China 13%, Ghana 9%, Russia 9%, France 7% (2023)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, plastic products, cement, electricity, packaged medicine (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.459, ranking it 186th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 126th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 4.341. (more information)