Burkina Faso Population
Burkina Faso is one of the world’s poorest countries. Since 2019, violence and terror have led to hundreds of thousands of people fleeing internally in the country.
Key figures and facts
- Capital: Ouagadougou
- Ethnic groups: Mossi 52%, others (gurunsi, senufo, lobi, bobo, man, fulani) 48%.
- Language: French (official), Sudanese tribal language
- Religion: Muslims 60.5%, Catholics 19%, animists 15.3%, Protestants 4.2%, others/none 1%.
- Population: 19,742,715 (2018, estimate)
- Control Form: Parliamentary Republic
- Area: 274 122 km²
- Currency: CFA franc
- GNP per capita: 1 771 PPP $
- National Day: December 11th
Burkina Faso’s Population
The population is estimated at approximately 13.6 million (2004), annual population growth to 2.5% (1991–2001) and median age to 42.6 years for women and 40.6 years for men. The birth rate in the period 1995–2000 was 49.1 ‰ and mortality was 17.9 ‰. Infant mortality is high, 100 per 1000 live births; this is nevertheless a decline compared to the first part of the 1990s (208 per 1000). Social conditions reflect the country’s position as one of the poorest in the world, with low life expectancy and many dying from diseases such as measles, malaria and tetanus. Most residents live in the countryside, in communities with old and strong traditions that can sometimes stand in the way of health improvements, e.g. a high proportion of women are circumcised. Only just over 50% of the population has access to clean water.
The country’s population plays an important role in the West African migration pattern. Many go on seasonal work to neighboring countries, especially the Ivory Coast and Ghana; an estimated 1 million are foreign workers abroad at any given time. These revenues are of great importance to the country’s economy.
The population is very composed, with a large number of ethnic groups. The largest group in the country is mossi in the central and northern regions, which make up almost half of the population. Linguistically and culturally related to mossi are among others. lobi and bobo (both about 7% of the population) and gurma (gourmantche, 5%). Fulani (pod) constitutes approximately 10% of the population and live especially as cattle herds in the northern border regions. Just over 3% of the population is Tuareg.
With an average population density of 49.5 people per km², Burkina Faso is a populous country by African conditions. Most densely populated are the areas around Ouagadougou. About 80% of the population lives in rural areas, but the urban population is growing rapidly. Major cities are the capital Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso.
Population of Burkina Faso by Year (Historical)
| Year | Population | Annual Growth Rate | Population Density | Global Rank |
| 2020 | 20,903,162 | 2.860% | 76.4009 | 59 |
| 2019 | 20,321,267 | 2.890% | 74.2740 | 59 |
| 2018 | 19,751,355 | 2.910% | 72.1910 | 59 |
| 2017 | 19,193,123 | 2.930% | 70.1507 | 60 |
| 2016 | 18,646,246 | 2.960% | 68.1519 | 60 |
| 2015 | 18,110,513 | 3.020% | 66.1938 | 60 |
| 2010 | 15,605,106 | 3.060% | 57.0366 | 64 |
| 2005 | 13,421,819 | 2.950% | 49.0568 | 65 |
| 2000 | 11,607,831 | 2.840% | 42.4267 | 67 |
| 1995 | 10,089,767 | 2.750% | 36.8782 | 73 |
| 1990 | 8,810,923 | 2.660% | 32.2041 | 77 |
| 1985 | 7,727,796 | 2.520% | 28.2453 | 77 |
| 1980 | 6,822,732 | 2.080% | 24.9373 | 78 |
| 1975 | 6,154,434 | 1.820% | 22.4947 | 80 |
| 1970 | 5,624,489 | 1.680% | 20.5577 | 77 |
| 1965 | 5,174,759 | 1.390% | 18.9140 | 76 |
| 1960 | 4,829,177 | 1.350% | 17.6509 | 74 |
| 1955 | 4,517,044 | 1.060% | 16.5101 | 74 |
| 1950 | 4,284,350 | 0.000% | 15.6596 | 73 |
Major Cities in Burkina Faso by Population
| Rank | City | Population |
| 1 | Ouagadougou | 1,086,394 |
| 2 | Bobo-Dioulasso | 359,995 |
| 3 | Koudougou | 87,236 |
| 4 | Ouahigouya | 60,985 |
| 5 | Banfora | 60,177 |
| 6 | Dedougou | 45,230 |
| 7 | Kaya | 39,118 |
| 8 | Dori | 37,695 |
| 9 | Tenkodogo | 37,547 |
| 10 | Reo | 37,424 |
| 11 | Hounde | 36,482 |
| 12 | Fada N’gourma | 33,799 |
| 13 | Koupela | 31,941 |
| 14 | Kombissiri | 30,026 |
| 15 | Garango | 28,965 |
| 16 | Nouna | 28,937 |
| 17 | Leo | 26,773 |
| 18 | Kongoussi | 26,227 |
| 19 | Diapaga | 25,902 |
| 20 | Kokologo | 25,847 |
| 21 | Zorgo | 23,781 |
| 22 | Yako | 22,793 |
| 23 | Djibo | 22,112 |
| 24 | Titao | 19,020 |
| 25 | Po | 17,813 |
| 26 | Tougan | 17,479 |
| 27 | Boulsa | 17,378 |
| 28 | Gourcy | 16,654 |
| 29 | Bousse | 15,757 |
| 30 | Manga | 15,062 |
| 31 | Boromo | 13,046 |
| 32 | Diebougou | 12,621 |
| 33 | Ziniare | 12,592 |
| 34 | Toma | 12,290 |
| 35 | Dano | 11,042 |
| 36 | Salanso | 10,274 |
| 37 | Ouargaye | 9,992 |
| 38 | Bogande | 9,743 |
| 39 | Pama | 8,791 |
| 40 | Pitmoaga | 7,880 |
| 41 | Gorom-Gorom | 6,580 |
| 42 | Gouloure | 6,566 |
| 43 | Batie | 6,372 |
Religion
Muslims make up about 50% of the population, 40% belong to African religions. The remaining 10% are Christians – most members of the Catholic Church.