Burkina Faso: Statistical Overview

Total Population: 22,673,762

Natural Increase: 2.6%

Density: 81 Inhabitants/km²

Urban Population: 31.9%

Ethnic Origins: There are no official data on ethnic groups in Burkina Faso. However, the country has about sixty ethnic groups of unequal demographic importance, which do not always occupy precise geographical areas. Among the many ethnic groups are the Yarse, Dioula, Peul, Songhay, Gourounsi, Gourmantché and Mossé. (Burkinabe National Tourist Office)

Official Language: French

Other Languages Spoken: It is estimated that 70 languages are spoken in Burkina Faso, of which about 66 are indigenous. The main languages are Mossi, Dyula, Fulfulde and Gourmanché.

Business Language(s): French

Religion: Muslim 50%, Indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10%.

Literacy Rate: 23.6%

Area: 274,220 km²

Type of State: Presidential republic

Type of Economy: Low-income economy.
A landlocked country in the middle of the Sahel; it depends on agriculture and especially cotton-farming.

HDI*: 0.402/1

HDI (World Rank): 183/188

Telephone Code:
To call from Burkina Faso, dial 00
To call Burkina Faso, dial +226

Internet Suffix: .bf

Telephone Lines: 0.8 per 100 Inhabitants

Internet Users: 3.7 per 100 Inhabitants

Access to Electricity: 13.1% of the Population