Quick facts
Burkina Faso population overview
Burkina Faso is the 20th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 24,338,326 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.2% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 1,433 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 739,885 births (30.4 per 1,000 people) and 189,839 deaths (7.8 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 29,206 people. The infant mortality rate is 52.7 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 4,778,621 in 1960 to 24,074,580 in 2025 — a change of +403.8%, or +2.5% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 18 years; life expectancy at birth is 61.6 years; women have on average 4.1 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 41.2% of residents are under 15 and 2.7% are 65 or older (2025); 28.9% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso covers 274,200 km², giving a population density of about 90.3 people per km². GDP was $27.63B in 2025 — about $1,148 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
Burkina Faso population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) #59 of 238 → | 24,757,170 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 24,338,326 |
| World rank | #59 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #20 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.3% |
| Annual growth rate #34 of 238 → | +2.2% |
| Births per year est. | 739,885 |
| Deaths per year est. | 189,839 |
| Net migration per year est. · #158 of 238 → | -29,206 |
| Birth rate #25 of 216 → | 30.4 per 1,000 |
| Death rate #82 of 216 → | 7.8 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality #11 of 238 → | 52.7 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio #90 of 238 → | 99.3 males per 100 females |
| Median age #224 of 238 → | 18 years |
| Life expectancy #207 of 216 → | 61.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 · #23 of 216 → | 4.1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 · #197 of 216 → | 28.9% |
| Surface area 2023 · #74 of 215 → | 274,200 km² |
| Population density #111 of 215 → | 90.3 per km² |
| Capital | Ouagadougou |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 · #120 of 212 → | $27.63B |
| GDP per capita 2025 · #192 of 212 → | $1,148 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
Burkina Faso population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 24,757,170 | – | – |
| 2025 | 24,074,580 | +525,799 | +2.2% |
| 2024 | 23,548,781 | +523,005 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | 23,025,776 | +516,738 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | 22,509,038 | +513,795 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | 21,995,243 | +516,553 | +2.4% |
| 2020 | 21,478,690 | +2,701,203 | +2.7% |
| 2015 | 18,777,487 | +2,600,989 | +3% |
| 2010 | 16,176,498 | +2,244,375 | +3% |
| 2005 | 13,932,123 | +2,006,577 | +3.2% |
| 2000 | 11,925,546 | +1,538,824 | +2.8% |
| 1995 | 10,386,722 | +1,227,366 | +2.5% |
| 1990 | 9,159,356 | +1,159,421 | +2.7% |
| 1985 | 7,999,935 | +1,052,035 | +2.9% |
| 1980 | 6,947,900 | +800,331 | +2.5% |
| 1975 | 6,147,569 | +537,265 | +1.8% |
| 1970 | 5,610,304 | +457,471 | +1.7% |
| 1965 | 5,152,833 | +374,212 | +1.5% |
| 1960 | 4,778,621 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
Largest cities in Burkina Faso
| # | City | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ouagadougou Capital | 2,415,266 | 9.8% |
| 2 | Bobo-Dioulasso | 904,920 | 3.7% |
| 3 | Koudougou | 160,239 | 0.6% |
| 4 | Saaba | 136,011 | 0.5% |
| 5 | Ouahigouya | 124,587 | 0.5% |
| 6 | Kaya | 121,970 | 0.5% |
| 7 | Banfora | 117,452 | 0.5% |
| 8 | Pouytenga | 96,469 | 0.4% |
Ouagadougou is the largest city with 2,415,266 people and is also the capital. City figures are the latest official estimates for the city proper, so shares are approximate. Full list of Burkina Faso cities →
About Burkina Faso
Population over time
- From 4,778,621 in 1960 to 24,757,170 today — up 418.1%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.5% per year.
- World rank: Population #59 of 238 · Population growth rate #34 of 238.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 61.3 years (2024), up 25.2 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 4.1 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
- World rank: Life expectancy #207 of 216 · Fertility rate #23 of 216.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 31.3 births vs 7.9 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 23.4 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
- World rank: Birth rate #25 of 216 · Death rate #82 of 216.
Age structure
- 41.2% of the population is under 15 and 2.7% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.6% in 1960 — the population is aging.
- World rank: Population under 15 #15 of 216 · Population aged 65+ #202 of 216 · Median age #224 of 238.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 6.48 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0.27 t in 2024, vs 0.04 t in 1970.
- World rank: CO₂ emissions #129 of 203 · CO₂ emissions per capita #177 of 203.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 325.9 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 88.7% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 71.4% of final energy in 2022 (-14.9 points since 1990).
- World rank: Energy use per capita #140 of 150 · Renewable energy share #26 of 212.
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 22.2% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 28.2% to 22.2% since 1990 — roughly 16,538 km² of forest lost.
- World rank: Forest area #129 of 213.
Urban population (% of total)
- 28.9% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 5% in 1960 (+23.9 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
- World rank: Urban population #197 of 216.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 6.5% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 555 m³ in 2022, down 78.5% since 1961.
- World rank: Freshwater resources per capita #154 of 183 · Water stress #97 of 177.
Economy
- GDP: $27.63B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 133.5% since 2015.
- That works out to $1,148 per person.
- World rank: GDP #120 of 212 · GDP per capita #192 of 212.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 3.5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: -0.6% in 2025.
- World rank: Unemployment rate #131 of 186 · Inflation rate #185 of 191.
Internet & mobile
- 28.3% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 116.6 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
- World rank: Internet users #187 of 209 · Mobile subscriptions #101 of 210.
Burkina Faso in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Burkina Faso in 2026?
As of October 2026, Burkina Faso has an estimated population of 24,757,170. The United Nations estimated 24,338,326 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.2% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Burkina Faso growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.2% per year — roughly 1,433 more people every day. Each year there are about 739,885 births and 189,839 deaths, with net migration of -29,206.
What is the population density of Burkina Faso?
About 90.3 people per square kilometre: 24,757,170 people living on 274,200 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Burkina Faso?
The median age is 18 years, and life expectancy at birth is 61.6 years. 41.2% of the population is under 15 and 2.7% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Burkina Faso rank by population?
Burkina Faso is the 59th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 20th in Africa, with 0.3% of the global population.
How has the population of Burkina Faso changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 4,778,621; by 2025 it had grown to 24,074,580 (+403.8%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Glostats. (2026). Burkina Faso Population 2026 — Live Counter. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/country/burkina-faso/<a href="https://glostats.com/country/burkina-faso/">Burkina Faso Population 2026 — Live Counter</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.
Sources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.2%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.