Quick facts
Ouagadougou overview
Ouagadougou (orange) and the other large cities of Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou lies in Centre in Burkina Faso at 12.37°N, 1.53°W, about 299 m above sea level. The local time zone is Africa/Ouagadougou (UTC+0); GeoNames classifies it as a national capital.
It is the biggest urban centre of Burkina Faso: the next largest cities are Bobo-Dioulasso (904,920), Koudougou (160,239), Saaba (136,011). Together, the three largest cities hold 14.1% of the national population.
The nearest large city is Nioko I, about 11 km away, followed by Saonré (11 km).
Burkina Faso as a whole has a live population of 24,757,171 (+2.2% a year) and ranks #59 of 238 countries — see the Burkina Faso population page for the full statistics and the Burkina Faso atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Ouagadougou
| City | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Nioko I Centre | 11 km | 65,263 |
| Saonré Centre | 11 km | 47,728 |
| Saaba Centre | 13 km | 136,011 |
| Ziniaré Plateau-Central | 35 km | 33,296 |
| Koudougou Centre-Ouest | 91 km | 160,239 |
| Kaya Centre-Nord | 94 km | 121,970 |
| Zorgo Plateau-Central | 101 km | 35,398 |
| Réo Centre-Ouest | 102 km | 33,894 |
Largest cities in Burkina Faso
| # | City | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OuagadougouCapital | Centre | 2,415,266 |
| 2 | Bobo-Dioulasso | Hauts-Bassins | 904,920 |
| 3 | Koudougou | Centre-Ouest | 160,239 |
| 4 | Saaba | Centre | 136,011 |
| 5 | Ouahigouya | Nord | 124,587 |
| 6 | Kaya | Centre-Nord | 121,970 |
| 7 | Banfora | Cascades Region | 117,452 |
| 8 | Pouytenga | Centre-Est | 96,469 |
| 9 | Houndé | Hauts-Bassins | 87,151 |
| 10 | Fada N'gourma | Est | 73,200 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Ouagadougou?
Ouagadougou has about 2,415,266 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Ouagadougou the capital of Burkina Faso?
Yes — Ouagadougou is the national capital of Burkina Faso.
How big is Ouagadougou compared with the rest of Burkina Faso?
Its 2,415,266 residents are 9.8% of the 24,757,171 people living in Burkina Faso today. It is the largest city in the country.
Where is Ouagadougou?
In Centre, Burkina Faso, at latitude 12.37 and longitude -1.53, 299 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Nioko I (11 km), Saonré (11 km), Saaba (13 km).
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Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Ouagadougou Population 2026 — Burkina Faso. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/burkina-faso/ouagadougou/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/burkina-faso/ouagadougou/">Ouagadougou Population 2026 — Burkina Faso</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
City populations are GeoNames figures (CC BY 4.0): the latest official census or estimate for the city proper — the municipality, not the wider metropolitan area — so they can differ from "metro area" numbers you see elsewhere. Country populations are live Glostats estimates from the UN World Population Prospects. Distances are great-circle distances between city centres. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.