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Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Former President Blaise COMPAORE (1987-2014) resigned in late October 2014 following popular protests against his efforts to amend the Constitution's two-term presidential limit. By mid-November, a framework for an interim government was adopted under the terms of the National Transition Charter. An interim administration, led by President Michel KAFANDO and Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac ZIDA began organizing presidential and legislative elections planned for October 2015, but these have been postponed due to continuing political turmoil. Burkina Faso's high population growth and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens.
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Geography :: BURKINA FASO
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Western Africa, north of Ghana
13 00 N, 2 00 W
Africa
total: 274,200 sq km
land: 273,800 sq km
water: 400 sq km
country comparison to the world:
75slightly larger than Colorado
total: 3,611 km
border countries (6): Benin 386 km, Cote d'Ivoire 545 km, Ghana 602 km, Mali 1,325 km, Niger 622 km, Togo 131 km
0 km (landlocked)
none (landlocked)
tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers
mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast
lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m
highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m
manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt
agricultural land: 43%
arable land 20.8%; permanent crops 0.3%; permanent pasture 21.9%
forest: 20.4%
other: 36.6% (2011 est.)
250 sq km (2003)
12.5 cu km (2011)
total: 0.72 cu km/yr (46%/3%/51%)
per capita: 54.99 cu m/yr (2005)
recurring droughts
recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas
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People and Society :: BURKINA FASO
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noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural)
adjective: Burkinabe
Mossi over 40%, other approximately 60% (includes Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani)
French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population
Muslim 60.5%, Catholic 19%, animist 15.3%, Protestant 4.2%, other 0.6%, none 0.4% (2006 est.)
18,931,686
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
600-14 years: 45.2% (male 4,286,569/female 4,270,357)
15-24 years: 20.08% (male 1,909,090/female 1,892,273)
25-54 years: 29.13% (male 2,799,042/female 2,716,439)
55-64 years: 3.14% (male 253,423/female 340,599)
65 years and over: 2.45% (male 174,647/female 289,247) (2015 est.)
population pyramid:
total dependency ratio: 92.2%
youth dependency ratio: 87.6%
elderly dependency ratio: 4.6%
potential support ratio: 21.7% (2015 est.)
total: 17.1 years
male: 17 years
female: 17.3 years (2015 est.)
3.03% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
742.03 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
511.72 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
280 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
104urban population: 29.9% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 5.87% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
OUAGADOUGOU (capital) 2.741 million (2015)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.74 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
total: 75.32 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 82.56 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 67.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
9total population: 55.12 years
male: 53.1 years
female: 57.21 years (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
2105.86 children born/woman (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
616.2% (2010/11)
6.4% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world:
1070.05 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
0.4 beds/1,000 population (2010)
improved:
urban: 97.5% of population
rural: 75.8% of population
total: 82.3% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2.5% of population
rural: 24.2% of population
total: 17.7% of population (2015 est.)
improved:
urban: 50.4% of population
rural: 6.7% of population
total: 19.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 49.6% of population
rural: 93.3% of population
total: 80.3% of population (2015 est.)
0.94% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
48107,700 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
423,800 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
38degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)
5.2% (2014)
country comparison to the world:
18126.2% (2010)
country comparison to the world:
243.4% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world:
128definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 36%
male: 43%
female: 29.3% (2015 est.)
total: 8 years
male: 8 years
female: 7 years (2013)
total number: 1,521,006
percentage: 38% (2006 est.)
total: 3.8%
male: 4.6%
female: 2.9% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world:
129
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Government :: BURKINA FASO
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conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Burkina Faso
local long form: none
local short form: Burkina Faso
former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta
parliamentary republic
name: Ouagadougou
geographic coordinates: 12 22 N, 1 31 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
13 regions; Boucle du Mouhoun, Cascades, Centre, Centre-Est, Centre-Nord, Centre-Ouest, Centre-Sud, Est, Hauts-Bassins, Nord, Plateau-Central, Sahel, Sud-Ouest
5 August 1960 (from France)
Republic Day, 11 December (1958); note - commemorates the day that Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community
several previous; latest approved by referendum 2 June 1991, adopted 11 June 1991; amended several times, last in 2012 (2012)
civil law based on the French model and customary law
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
birthright citizenship: no, unless at least one parent is a citizen of Burkina Faso
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: Interim President Michel KAFANDO (since 1 November 2014); note - President Blaise COMPAORE resigned on 31 October 2014 after efforts to amend the constitution to enable him to run for another term led to violent protests; military chief Gen. Honore TRAORE temporarily assumed power on 31 October 2014, but the army named Lt. Col. Yacouba Isaac ZIDA as the head of a transitional government on 1 November 2014; on 14 November, military and opposition party leaders agreed to a charter returning the government to civilian rule and holding elections in late 2015; Michel KAFANDO became interim president on 18 November 2014 and ZIDA became prime minister on 19 November 2014; KAFANDO and ZIDA were ousted in a military coup on 16 September 2015 and returned to power on 23 September 2015
head of government: Prime Minister Lt. Col. Yacouba Issac ZIDA (since 19 November 2014)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections/appointments: president elected by absolute majority popular vote in two rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second); election last held on 21 November 2010 (the scheduled 11 October 2015 election rescheduled for 29 November); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of the National Assembly
election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president; percent of vote - Blaise COMPAORE 80.2%, Hama Arba DIALLO 8.2%, Benewende Stanislas SANKARA 6.3%, other 5.3%; note - President COMPAORE resigned on 31 October 2014; Michel KAFANDO took office as interim president on 18 November 2014, after being selected by a special electoral college; Lt. Col. Yacouba Isaac ZIDA was appointed as prime minister on 19 November 2014; a 25-member transitional government will rule until elections on 11 October 2015; a 90-member national transitional council will serve as a legislative body; KAFANDO was ousted in a 16 September 2015 military coup and replaced with a National Council of Democracy led by Gen. Gilbert DIENDERE but was restored to power on 23 September 2015
description: unicameral Transitional National Council - interim legislative body (90 seats; members serve a nominal 1-year term)
elections: last held on 2 December 2012 (the scheduled 11 October 2015 election has been postponed until 29 November 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDP 70, ADF-RDA 19, Union for Progress and Reform 19, UNIR-MS 4, UPR 4, CFD-B 3, PDS/Metba 2, other 6
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (consists of the council president and 3 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judge appointments mostly controlled by the president of Burkina Faso; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Council judges appointed by the president of Burkina Faso upon the proposal of the minister of justice and the president of the National Assembly; judges appointed for 9-year terms with one-third of judges renewed every 3 years
subordinate courts: Appeals Court; High Court; first instance tribunals; district courts; specialized courts relating to issues of labor, children, and juveniles; village (customary) courts
African Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and Federation or ADF-RDA [Gilbert OUEDRAOGO]
Citizen's Popular Rally or RPC [Antoine QUARE]
Coalition of Democratic Forces of Burkina or CFD-B [Zio Eric FRANCOIS]
Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Eddie KOMBOIGO]
Democratic and Popular Rally or RDP [Nana THIBAUT]
Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [Nayabtigungou Congo KABORE]
Party for African Independence or PAI [Soumane TOURE]
Party for Democracy and Progress-Socialist Party or PDP-PS [Francois O. KABORE]
Party for Democracy and Socialism/Metba or PDS/Metba [Philippe OVEDRAOGO]
Party for National Rebirth or PAREN [Barry TAHIROU]
People's Movement for Progress or MPP [Roch March KABORE]
Rally for the Development of Burkina or RDB [Celestin Saidou COMPAORE]
Rally of Ecologists of Burkina Faso or RDEB [Ram OUEDRAGO]
Republican Party for Integration and Solidarity or PARIS
Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Fidele HIEN]
Union for Progress and Reform or UPC [Zephirin DIABRE]
Union for Rebirth - Sankarist Movement or UNIR-MS [Benewende Stanislas SANKARA]
Union for the Republic or UPR [Toussaint Abel COULIBALY]
Union of Sankarist Parties or UPS [Ernest Nongma OUEDRAOGO]
Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB [Tole SAGNON]
Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP [Chrysigone ZOUGMORE]
Citizen's Resistance Front [Luc Marius IBRIGA]
Group of 14 February [Benewende Stanislas SANKARA]
National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB [Laurent OUEDRAOGO]
National Organization of Free Unions or ONSL [Paul KABORE]
other: watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities
ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Seydou SINKA (since 1 November 2014)
chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577
FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882
chief of mission: A mbassador Tulinabo Salama MUSHINGI (since 5 August 2013)
embassy: Rue 15.873, Avenue Sembene Ousmane, Ouaga 2000, Secteur 15
mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - US Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440
telephone: [226] 25-49-53-00
FAX: [226] 25-49-56-28
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; red recalls the country's struggle for independence, green is for hope and abundance, and yellow represents the country's mineral wealth
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
white stallion; national colors: red, yellow, green
name: "Le Ditanye" (Anthem of Victory)
lyrics/music: Thomas SANKARA
note: adopted 1974; also known as "Une Seule Nuit" (One Single Night); written by the country's president, an avid guitar player
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Economy :: BURKINA FASO
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Burkina Faso is a poor, landlocked country that depends on adequate rainfall. About 80% of the population is engaged in subsistence farming and cotton is the main cash crop. The country has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. Cotton and gold are Burkina Faso’s key exports and Burkina Faso’s economic growth and revenue depends on global prices for the two commodities. The Burkinabe economy experienced high levels of growth over the last few years and gold accounted for about three-quarters of the country’s total export revenues in 2013. The country has seen an upswing in gold exploration, production, and exports. Burkina Faso experienced a number of public protests over the high cost of living, corruption, and other socioeconomic issues in 2013 and the fall of the COMPAORE government in 2014 gave rise to laborers pushing for better pay and working conditions. A new three-year IMF program was approved in 2013 to focus on improving the quality of public investment and ensuring inclusive growth. Political insecurity in neighboring Mali, unreliable energy supplies, and poor transportation links pose long-term challenges.
$29.31 billion (2014 est.)
$28.18 billion (2013 est.)
$26.43 billion (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world:
124$12.5 billion (2014 est.)
4% (2014 est.)
6.6% (2013 est.)
6.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
22$1,700 (2014 est.)
$1,600 (2013 est.)
$1,500 (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world:
2124.6% of GDP (2014 est.)
13.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
10.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
145household consumption: 63.2%
government consumption: 19.4%
investment in fixed capital: 23%
investment in inventories: 1.6%
exports of goods and services: 28.3%
imports of goods and services: -35.4%
(2014 est.)
agriculture: 38%
industry: 22%
services: 40% (2014 est.)
cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock
cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold
4.5% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
607.468 million
note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
63agriculture: 90%
industry and services: 10% (2000 est.)
77% (2004)
country comparison to the world:
20146.7% (2009 est.)
lowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 32.2% (2009 est.)
39.5 (2007)
48.2 (1994)
country comparison to the world:
61revenues: $3.234 billion
expenditures: $3.724 billion (2014 est.)
24.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
127-3.7% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
136calendar year
-0.3% (2014 est.)
0.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
164.25% (31 December 2010)
4.25% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world:
85NA% (31 December 2014 est.)
$2.013 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$2.088 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
127$4.211 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$3.343 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
135$3.485 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$3.058 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
128$NA
-$767 million (2014 est.)
-$495.9 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
123$2.254 billion (2014 est.)
$2.499 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
140gold, cotton, livestock
China 13.5%, India 8.7%, Indonesia 7.1%, Bangladesh 6.4%, France 5.7%, Canada 5.2%, Japan 4.4% (2014)
$3.117 billion (2014 est.)
$2.901 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
148capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum
Cote d'Ivoire 19.6%, France 14.1%, Togo 7.7%, China 4.8%, India 4.7%, Ghana 4.7% (2014)
$493.6 million (31 December 2014 est.)
$628.5 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
149$2.974 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$2.669 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
141Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
491.2 (2014 est.)
494.04 (2013 est.)
510.53 (2012 est.)
471.87 (2011 est.)
495.28 (2010 est.)
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Energy :: BURKINA FASO
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522 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
160985.5 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1510 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
209500 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
78238,000 kW (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
15886.6% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
840% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
19613.4% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1060% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1340 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1380 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1980 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1350 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
2010 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
20412,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1550 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
14011,610 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1270 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
2020 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
2030 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1990 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1430 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
2021.406 million Mt (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
161
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Communications :: BURKINA FASO
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total subscriptions: 120,000
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
141total: 12.5 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 68 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
74general assessment: system includes microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communication stations; in 2006, the government sold a 51% stake in the national telephone company and ultimately plans to retain only a 23% stake in the company
domestic: fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, fostered by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly from a low base
international: country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
2 TV stations - 1 state-owned and 1 privately owned; state-owned radio runs a national and regional network; substantial number of privately owned radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters available in Ouagadougou (2007)
AM 2, FM 26, shortwave 3 (2007)
3 (1 national, 2 private)
.bf
total: 782,400
percent of population: 4.3% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
125
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Transportation :: BURKINA FASO
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23 (2013)
country comparison to the world:
133total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
total: 21
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m:
5 (2013)
total: 622 km
narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge
note: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote d'Ivoire (2014)
country comparison to the world:
107total: 15,272 km
note: does not include urban roads (2010)
country comparison to the world:
121
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Military :: BURKINA FASO
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Army, Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso, FABF), National Gendarmerie (2011)
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; women may serve in supporting roles (2013)
males age 16-49: 3,735,735 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 2,366,168
females age 16-49: 2,367,673 (2010 est.)
male: 193,905
female: 191,662 (2010 est.)
1.39% of GDP (2012)
1.34% of GDP (2011)
1.39% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world:
73
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Transnational Issues :: BURKINA FASO
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adding to illicit cross-border activities, Burkina Faso has issues concerning unresolved boundary alignments with its neighbors; demarcation is currently underway with Mali; the dispute with Niger was referred to the ICJ in 2010, and a dispute over several villages with Benin persists; Benin retains a border dispute with Burkina Faso around the town of Koualou
refugees (country of origin): 33,703 (Mali) (2015)