Introduction

Background: |  |

`
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. Current President Blaise COMPAORE came to power in a 1987 military coup and has won every election since then. Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Recent unrest in Cote d'Ivoire and northern Ghana has hindered the ability of several hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe farm workers to find employment in neighboring countries.
`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Western Africa, north of Ghana`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`13 00 N, 2 00 W`
Map references: |  |
`Africa`
Area: |  |
`total: 274,200 sq km country comparison to the world: 74 land: 273,800 sq km water: 400 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`slightly larger than Colorado`
Land boundaries: |  |
`total: 3,193 km border countries: Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km`
Coastline: |  |
`0 km (landlocked)`
Maritime claims: |  |
`none (landlocked)`
Climate: |  |
`tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers`
Terrain: |  |
`mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m`
Natural resources: |  |
`manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 17.66% permanent crops: 0.22% other: 82.12% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`250 sq km (2003)`
Total renewable water resources: |  |
`17.5 cu km (2001)`
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic / industrial / agricultural): |  |
`total: 0.8 cu km/yr (13%/1%/86%) per capita: 60 cu m/yr (2000)`
Natural hazards: |  |
`recurring droughts`
Environment - current issues: |  |
`recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation`
Environment - international agreements: |  |
`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`
Geography - note: |  |
`landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas`

People

Population: |  |
`16,751,455 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 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`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 45.8% (male 3,849,350/female 3,828,483) 15-64 years: 51.7% (male 4,320,779/female 4,334,197) 65 years and over: 2.5% (male 162,157/female 256,489) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 16.9 years male: 16.7 years female: 17.1 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`3.085% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 10`
Birth rate: |  |
`43.59 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 5`
Death rate: |  |
`12.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 25`
Net migration rate: |  |
`0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 110`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 26% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 6.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`OUAGADOUGOU (capital) 1.777 million (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 81.4 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 10 male: 88.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 73.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 53.7 years country comparison to the world: 202 male: 51.75 years female: 55.71 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`6.14 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 6`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`1.2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`110,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`7,100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29`
Major infectious diseases: |  |

`
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: 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 (2009)
`

Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 95% of population rural: 72% of population total: 76% of population unimproved: urban: 5% of population rural: 28% of population total: 24% of population (2008)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 33% of population rural: 6% of population total: 11% of population unimproved: urban: 67% of population rural: 94% of population total: 89% of population (2008)`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural) adjective: Burkinabe`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`Mossi over 40%, other approximately 60% (includes Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani)`
Religions: |  |
`Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10%`
Languages: |  |
`French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 21.8% male: 29.4% female: 15.2% (2003 est.)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 6 years male: 7 years female: 6 years (2009)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`4.6% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 77`

Government

Country name: |  |
`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`
Government type: |  |
`parliamentary republic`
Capital: |  |
`name: Ouagadougou geographic coordinates: 12 22 N, 1 31 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)`
Administrative divisions: |  |

`
45 provinces; Bale, Bam, Banwa, Bazega, Bougouriba, Boulgou, Boulkiemde, Comoe, Ganzourgou, Gnagna, Gourma, Houet, Ioba, Kadiogo, Kenedougou, Komondjari, Kompienga, Kossi, Koulpelogo, Kouritenga, Kourweogo, Leraba, Loroum, Mouhoun, Nahouri, Namentenga, Nayala, Noumbiel, Oubritenga, Oudalan, Passore, Poni, Sanguie, Sanmatenga, Seno, Sissili, Soum, Sourou, Tapoa, Tuy, Yagha, Yatenga, Ziro, Zondoma, Zoundweogo
`

Independence: |  |
`5 August 1960 (from France)`
National holiday: |  |
`Republic Day, 11 December (1958); note - commemorates the day that Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community`
Constitution: |  |
`approved by referendum 2 June 1991; formally adopted 11 June 1991; last amended January 2002`
Legal system: |  |
`civil law based on the French model and customary law`
International law organization participation: |  |
`has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction`
Suffrage: |  |
`18 years of age; universal`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987)
head of government: Prime Minister Luc-Adolphe TIAO (since 18 April 2011)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 November 2010 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the legislature
election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president; percent of popular vote - Blaise COMPAORE 80.2%, Hama Arba DIALLO 8.2%, Benewende Stanislas SANKARA 6.3%, other 5.3%
`

Legislative branch: |  |
`unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (111 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly election last held on 6 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDP 73, ADF-RDA 14, UPR 5, UNIR-MS 4, CFD-B 3, UPS 2, PDP-PS 2, RDB 2, PDS 2, PAREN 1, PAI 1, RPC 1, UDPS 1`
Judicial branch: |  |
`Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation; Council of State or Conseil d'Etat; Court of Accounts or la Cour des Comptes; Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel`
Political parties and leaders: |  |

`
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 [Amadou Diemdioda DICKO]; Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Roch Marc-Christian KABORE]; 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 [Ali LANKOANDE]; Party for Democracy and Socialism or PDS [Felix SOUBEIGA]; Party for National Rebirth or PAREN [Jeanne TRAORE]; Rally for the Development of Burkina or RDB [Antoine KARGOUGOU]; 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 Rebirth - Sankarist Movement or UNIR-MS [Benewende STANISLAS]; Union for the Republic or UPR [Toussaint Abel COULIBALY]; Union of Sankarist Parties or UPS [Ernest Nongma OUEDRAOGO]
`

Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |

`
Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB [Tole SAGNON]; Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP [Chrysigone ZOUGMORE]; Group of 14 February [Benewende STANISLAS]; 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
`

International organization participation: |  |
`ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Paramanga Ernest YONLI chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas DOUGHERTY embassy: 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4 mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - US Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440 telephone: [226] 50-30-67-23 FAX: [226] 50-30-38-90`
Flag description: |  |
`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`
National anthem: |  |
`name: "Le Ditanye" (Anthem of Victory) lyrics/music: Thomas SANKARA note: adopted 1974; also known as "Une Seule Nuit" (One Single Night), Burkina Faso's anthem was written by the country's president, an avid guitar player`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Burkina Faso is a poor, landlocked country that relies heavily on cotton and gold exports for revenue. The country has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. About 90% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, which is vulnerable to periodic drought. Cotton is the main cash crop. Since 1998, Burkina Faso has embarked upon a gradual privatization of state-owned enterprises and in 2004 revised its investment code to attract foreign investment. As a result of this new code and other legislation favoring the mining sector, the country has seen an upswing in gold exploration and production. By 2010, gold had become the main source of export revenue.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$19.99 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $18.9 billion (2009 est.) $18.3 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$8.781 billion (2010 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`5.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 3.2% (2009 est.) 5.2% (2008 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$1,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 $1,200 (2009 est.) $1,200 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 30.1% industry: 20.7% services: 49.2% (2009 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`6.668 million country comparison to the world: 64 note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2007)`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 90% industry and services: 10% (2000 est.)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`77% (2004) country comparison to the world: 197`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`46.4% (2004)`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 32.2% (2004)`
Distribution of family income - Gini index: |  |
`39.5 (2007) country comparison to the world: 63 48.2 (1994)`
Investment (gross fixed): |  |
`19.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 93`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $1.87 billion expenditures: $2.343 billion (2010 est.)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`1.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 2.6% (2009 est.)`
Central bank discount rate: |  |
`4.25% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 98 4.75% (31 December 2008)`
Commercial bank prime lending rate: |  |
`NA%`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$1.416 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $1.303 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$2.406 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $2.22 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$1.373 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $1.236 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Market value of publicly traded shares: |  |
`$NA`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock`
Industries: |  |
`cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`5.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64`
Electricity - production: |  |
`611.6 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 155`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`568.8 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 159`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`9,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149`
Oil - exports: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 208`
Oil - imports: |  |
`8,283 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 198`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 197`
Current account balance: |  |
`$-486 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $-330 million (2009 est.)`
Exports: |  |
`$991 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $772 million (2009 est.)`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`cotton, livestock, gold`
Exports - partners: |  |
`Singapore 16.76%, Belgium 12.78%, China 7.59%, Ghana 6.89%, India 6.36%, Denmark 5.76%, Niger 5.13%, Thailand 4.52% (2009)`
Imports: |  |
`$1.48 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $1.186 billion (2009 est.)`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum`
Imports - partners: |  |
`Cote d'Ivoire 24.31%, France 19.48%, Togo 6.42% (2009)`
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: |  |
`$1.588 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $1.296 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Debt - external: |  |
`$2.002 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $1.784 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Exchange rates: |  |
`Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 495.28 (2010) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008) 493.51 (2007) 522.59 (2006)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`167,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 133`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`3.299 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 109`
Telephone system: |  |

`
general assessment: system includes microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communication stations; in 2006 the government sold a 51 percent stake in the national telephone company and ultimately plans to retain only a 23 percent 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) (2009)
`

Broadcast media: |  |
`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 broadcast stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters available in Ouagadougou (2007)`
Internet country code: |  |
`.bf`
Internet hosts: |  |
`1,877 (2010) country comparison to the world: 155`
Internet users: |  |
`178,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 144`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`24 (2010) country comparison to the world: 132`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 6 (2010)`
Railways: |  |
`total: 622 km country comparison to the world: 106 narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge note: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote d'Ivoire (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 92,495 km country comparison to the world: 52 paved: 3,857 km unpaved: 88,638 km (2004)`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`Army, Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso, FABF), National Gendarmerie (2011)`
Military service age and obligation: |  |
`18 years of age for voluntary military service; women may serve in supporting roles (2009)`
Manpower available for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 3,735,735 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 2,366,168 females age 16-49: 2,367,673 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 193,905 female: 191,662 (2010 est.)`
Military expenditures: |  |
`1.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 121`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`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`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011