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Population Review

Rank #31 by World Population

🇧🇫Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has a population of 23,025,776, ranking #31 in the world. The capital is Ouagadougou. Located in Sub-Saharan Africa .

World Bank: Low income

23,025,776

Population

#31

World Rank

61.1

Life Expectancy

$873

GDP Per Capita

Burkina Faso, #31 by world population


Burkina Faso Population History (1960-2024)

The country of Burkina Faso had a population of 4,778,621 in 1960 and 23,548,781 in 2024, a 4.9× growth over 64 years. The peak was 23,548,781 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 2.52%.

2024 · 24M19602024
Burkina Faso population, 1960–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

23,548,781

Population (2024)

4,778,621

Population (1960)

23,548,781

Peak (2024)

2.52%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
19604,778,621
19614,848,224
19624,919,672
19634,993,623
19645,071,034
19655,152,833
19665,237,933
19675,326,348
19685,418,644
19695,513,177
19705,610,304
19715,707,999
19725,807,234
19735,911,927
19746,024,904
19756,147,569
19766,280,635
19776,428,734
19786,590,984
19796,763,903
19806,947,900
19817,140,271
19827,340,197
19837,551,129
19847,772,256
19857,999,935
19868,228,847
19878,457,109
19888,687,435
19898,921,175
19909,159,356
19919,394,632
19929,629,275
19939,871,713
199410,123,798
199510,386,722
199610,655,942
199710,934,223
199811,240,664
199911,574,928
200011,925,546
200112,295,001
200212,680,897
200313,082,532
200413,500,533
200513,932,123
200614,373,707
200714,816,307
200815,258,093
200915,710,066
201016,176,498
201116,661,908
201217,172,287
201317,695,409
201418,229,461
201518,777,487
201619,334,856
201719,894,407
201820,438,288
201920,961,952
202021,478,690
202121,995,243
202222,509,038
202323,025,776
202423,548,781

Demographics

Population23,025,776
Population Growth Rate2.27%
Urban Population27.8%
Fertility Rate4.19 births/woman
Life Expectancy61.1 years
Infant Mortality Rate44.9 per 1,000
Literacy Rate41.6%

Economy & Trade

$873

GDP Per Capita

3.6%

Unemployment Rate

Low income

Income Level

63.1%

Trade (% of GDP)

67,000

Tourism Arrivals

Health & Education

7.8%

Health Expenditure (% GDP)

0.15

Physicians per 1,000

5.3%

Education Expenditure (% GDP)

41.6%

Literacy Rate

44.9

Infant Mortality (per 1,000)

Development & Connectivity

21.7%

Electricity Access

25.4%

Internet Users

112

Mobile Subs per 100

84.2

People per km2

-24,957

Net Migration

Environment

22.2%

Forest Area


Burkina Faso Climate

Burkina Faso has an average annual temperature of 28.5°C (83°F) and receives about 736 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is April and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.

28.5°C

Avg Temp

736

Precip (mm/yr)

Apr

Hottest Month

Jan

Coldest Month

15°25°35°45°210mmJFMAMJJASOND
Avg temp (°C) Precipitation (mm)
Burkina Faso — monthly temperature & precipitation (1970–2000 normals) · Source: WorldClim 2.1
MonthAvg (°C/°F)Precip
January25° / 76°0 mm
February27° / 81°1 mm
March31° / 87°5 mm
April33° / 91°23 mm
May32° / 90°63 mm
June30° / 87°103 mm
July28° / 83°173 mm
August27° / 80°210 mm
September28° / 82°124 mm
October29° / 84°33 mm
November28° / 82°1 mm
December25° / 77°0 mm

1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.

Best time to visit Burkina Faso

The most comfortable months to visit Burkina Faso are typically January, December and February, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is April (around 39°C high). The coldest is January (near 17°C low). August is usually the wettest month.

JanuaryDecemberFebruary

Where to stay near Ouagadougou

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Other Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa

Compare Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso in global context

Burkina Faso is one of 212 countries tracked. See how it ranks globally, regional shares of world population, and projections to 2050 / 2100.

World Population 2026: Top 10 Countries, Regions & Trends →

Other related entities

Country rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Burkina Faso has a population of 23,025,776, ranking #31 in the world. The annual population growth rate is 2.27%.

Life expectancy in Burkina Faso is 61.1 years. The infant mortality rate is 44.9 per 1,000 live births.

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $873. It is classified as a low income country by the World Bank.

27.8% of Burkina Faso's population lives in urban areas. The overall population density is 84.2 people per square kilometer.

The adult literacy rate in Burkina Faso is 41.6%. The country spends 5.3% of GDP on education.

The most comfortable months to visit Burkina Faso are typically January, December and February, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low, based on 1970–2000 climate normals.

Burkina Faso has an average annual temperature of 28.5°C and about 736 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is typically April and the coldest is January.

International data from the World Bank Open Data API. Population figures are latest available estimates. GDP per capita in current US dollars.

With 23,025,776 residents, Burkina Faso is a country in Sub-Saharan Africa . The population is expanding fast — roughly 2.3% annually.

Burkina Faso is a lower-income economy, with GDP per capita of about $873. Life expectancy is 61.1 years, below the global average, with a fertility rate of 4.2 births per woman, and 27.8% of the population lives in urban areas.

Source: World Bank Open Data, 2026.