Country Profile: Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in Western Africa with a diverse geography characterized by flat plains and an extensive plateau. As of 2025, it has a population of approximately 23.5 million, predominantly composed of the Mossi ethnic group, among others. The economy is largely agrarian, facing challenges such as poverty, insecurity from terrorism, and limited natural resources, but is increasingly bolstered by gold exports. The country operates as a presidential republic, though recent military coups have led to a transitional government navigating ongoing security concerns and planning for future elections.

Geography

Burkina Faso is located in Western Africa, bordered by Mali to the north, Niger to the east, and Ghana to the south, making it a landlocked nation. The country features three main climate zones: a hot tropical savanna in the south, a semi-arid steppe in the center, and desert conditions in the north. Its terrain consists mainly of flat to undulating plains with sparse forests and significant agricultural land.

Total area: 274,200 sq km
Land boundaries: 3,611 km
Highest point: Tena Kourou at 749 m
Agricultural land: 53.4% of the total area (2023 est.)
Major rivers: Includes the Volta River, which has a length of 1,600 km

People and Society

As of 2025, Burkina Faso has an estimated population of 23.5 million, with a youthful demographic structure and a median age of 19 years. The population is composed mainly of the Mossi (53.7%) and has a mix of other ethnic groups. The country has a significant Muslim majority (63.8%) alongside adherents of Roman Catholicism and traditional religions.

Urban population: 32.5% of the total population (2023)
Population growth rate: 2.39% (2025 est.)
Literacy rate: 41.4% (2023 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 64.2 years (2024 est.)
Dependency ratio: 79 (2025 est.)

Economy

Burkina Faso's economy is primarily agrarian, with considerable portions of the population living in poverty. Key economic activities are disrupted by factors like terrorism, but gold exports have shown positive growth. The economy's GDP is expected to reach approximately $60 billion in 2024, with inflation expected at 4.2%.

Real GDP (PPP): $60.001 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per capita: $2,500 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.2% (2024 est.)
Poverty rate: 43.2% below the national poverty line (2021 est.)
Major exports: Includes gold, cotton, and oil seeds

Government

Burkina Faso is a presidential republic. Following a series of military coups, the current transitional leadership is headed by Capt. Ibrahim TRAORE, who has pledged to hold elections by July 2024 amid ongoing security challenges. The legal system is based on French civil law with customary law influences.

Capital: Ouagadougou
Current President: Capt. Ibrahim TRAORE (since September 2022)
Suffrage: Citizens must be 18 years of age to vote.
Judicial system: Includes a Supreme Court and a Constitutional Council.

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Burkina Faso face challenges from terrorist groups such as al-Qa'ida and ISIS, leading to a robust military and security response. The military is involved in both external defense and internal security operations.

Military expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Total personnel: Estimated 20,000 Armed Forces, 50,000 Homeland Defense Volunteers (2025)
Military service age: Generally between 18-35 years for voluntary service.

Energy

Energy access remains limited in Burkina Faso, with only 19.5% of the population having access to electricity. The country's energy generation is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, although there are developments in solar energy.

Installed generating capacity: 749,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 3.096 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Rural electrification: Only 3.4% of the rural population has access to electricity.

Environment

Environmental issues facing Burkina Faso include droughts, desertification, and deforestation. The country is part of several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these challenges.

Agricultural land: Comprises 53.4% (2023 est.)
Climate zones: Range from tropical savanna to desert conditions.
Natural hazards: Recurring droughts significantly impact agricultural productivity.

Transportation

Burkina Faso's transportation network primarily relies on roadways, with a modest railway system and several airports facilitating domestic and international travel.

Total airports: 49 (2025)
Railways: 622 km of narrow gauge railways (2014)

Communications

Telecommunication services are expanding, though access to the internet remains limited to 17% of the population. Mobile subscriptions are more widespread, reflecting a shift in communication trends.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 26.9 million (2022)
Internet users: 17% of the population (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	23,490,300 (2025 est.)
Area	274,200 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$60.001 billion (2024 est.)
Energy consumption per capita	3.481 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth rate	31.74 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment rate	5.2% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	64.2 years (2024 est.)
Urban population	32.5% (2023)
Literacy rate	41.4% (2023 est.)
Population below poverty line	43.2% (2021 est.)