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Sheet 27 of 195 · AfricaBFA · 12.8°N 0.94°W

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso · République du Burkina

Capital
Ouagadougou
Population
24.1 million 2025
Area
272,967 km²
Neighbours
6
Locator map of Burkina FasoBURKINA FASOOuagadougouMALINIGERIVORY COASTGHANABENINTOGONIGERIAMAURITANIA0250 km
Burkina Faso hatched, Ouagadougou marked with a triangle, land neighbours shaded. Orthographic projection centred on 12.3°N 1.6°W; the scale bar is true at the centre.

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in Western Africa, bordered by Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger and Togo. With 272,967 km², it is about the size of New Zealand and Ecuador and ranks 74th of 195 by area.

The World Bank counts 24.1 million people in 2025: 59th of 194 worldwide and 20th of 54 in Africa. Density is 88 people per km². Most people live outside urban areas: the urban share was 28.9% in 2025.

In 2025, GDP per capita stood at US$1,148 in current US dollars: 172nd of 191 worldwide, 36th of 52 in Africa. Newborns in 2024 had a life expectancy of 61.3 years; only nine countries are lower. The fertility rate was 4.11 births per woman in 2024.

Its main landmass has land on both sides of the prime meridian, in the Northern Hemisphere. From 9.4°N to 15.1°N, it spans about 629 km north to south. The point on the opposite side of the Earth from Ouagadougou lies in the South Pacific Ocean, about 150 km from the nearest land, Fiji.

How it compares Africa: 54 countries

MeasureFigureWorldAfrica
Population24,074,5802025, World Bank59th of 19420th of 54
Area272,967 km²world-countries74th of 19529th of 54
GDPUS$27.6 billion2025, World Bank, current US$117th of 19123rd of 52
GDP per capitaUS$1,1482025, World Bank, current US$172nd of 19136th of 52
Population density88 per km²population 2025, World Bank; area, world-countries96th of 19421st of 54
Life expectancy61.3 years2024, World Bank185th of 19445th of 54
Urban population28.9%2025, World Bank175th of 19447th of 54
Forest area12.3% of land2024, World Bank143rd of 19435th of 54
Population growth+2.21% a year2025, World Bank38th of 19426th of 54
Internet users28.3%2024, World Bank170th of 18838th of 53
Fertility rate4.11 births per woman2024, World Bank23rd of 19421st of 54
Land neighbours6world-countries; among the 19520th of 1957th of 54
 Ranks run from the largest value (1st) among the countries with data; equal values share a rank.

Closest in areaNew Zealand, Ecuador and Gabon

Closest in populationMali, Syria and Malawi

Neighbours 6 countries by land, nearest capital first

  • Niger415 km
    Ouagadougou to Niamey, capital to capital
  • Mali704 km
    Ouagadougou to Bamako, capital to capital
  • Ivory Coast742 km
    Ouagadougou to Yamoussoukro, capital to capital
  • Togo756 km
    Ouagadougou to Lomé, capital to capital
  • Ghana772 km
    Ouagadougou to Accra, capital to capital
  • Benin797 km
    Ouagadougou to Porto-Novo, capital to capital

Where on Earth main landmass

Hemispheres
Northern, Eastern and Western
Capital
Ouagadougou
12.37°N 1.53°W
Northernmost latitude
15.08°N
Southernmost latitude
9.43°N
Westernmost longitude
5.52°W
Easternmost longitude
2.39°E
North to south
about 629 km
Antipode of Ouagadougou
12.37°S 178.47°E
in the South Pacific Ocean, about 150 km from the nearest land (Fiji)