Burkina Faso: Population, Economy & Travel Facts
Essential data for planning your trip to Burkina Faso — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.
Population & Geography
Burkina Faso has a population of 19,751,535 spread across 274,200 km², giving it an average density of 72.0 people per km².
Population Density Map
Most Populous Cities
Demographics
Population Trends
How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.
Economy & Cost of Living
Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Burkina Faso is classified as a low income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 32% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.
Tourism
Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 3.9% of Burkina Faso's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.
Health & Safety Infrastructure
Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Burkina Faso has 0.15 physicians per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.
Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure
Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Burkina Faso, 17% of the population uses the internet — connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 119 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.
Source: World Bank Open Data