2014 Edition

Background

Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) achieved independence from France in 1960. Repeated military coups during the 1970s and 1980s were followed by multiparty elections in the early 1990s. Current President Blaise COMPAORE came to power in a 1987 military coup and has won every election since then. There have been increasing protests over the belief that the president may try to run for a currently unconstitutional third term in the 2015 presidential elections. Burkina Faso's high population growth and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens.

Area

274,200 sq km 273,800 sq km 400 sq km

total

274,200 sq km

water

400 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Colorado

Climate

tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m Tena Kourou 749 m

highest point

Tena Kourou 749 m

lowest point

Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m

Environment - current issues

recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.72 cu km/yr (46%/3%/51%) 54.99 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

54.99 cu m/yr (2005)

total

0.72 cu km/yr (46%/3%/51%)

Geographic coordinates

13 00 N, 2 00 W

Geography - note

landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas

Irrigated land

250 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

3,193 km Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km

border countries

Benin 306 km, Cote d'Ivoire 584 km, Ghana 549 km, Mali 1,000 km, Niger 628 km, Togo 126 km

total

3,193 km

Land use

20.79% 0.24% 78.98% (2011)

arable land

20.79%

other

78.98% (2011)

permanent crops

0.24%

Location

Western Africa, north of Ghana

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

recurring droughts

Natural resources

manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt

Terrain

mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast

Total renewable water resources

12.5 cu km (2011)

Age structure

45.4% (male 4,173,236/female 4,156,245) 20.1% (male 1,851,801/female 1,833,496) 29% (male 2,702,573/female 2,622,603) 3.1% (male 240,520/female 332,421) 2.5% (male 171,284/female 280,944) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

45.4% (male 4,173,236/female 4,156,245)

15-24 years

20.1% (male 1,851,801/female 1,833,496)

25-54 years

29% (male 2,702,573/female 2,622,603)

55-64 years

3.1% (male 240,520/female 332,421)

65 years and over

2.5% (male 171,284/female 280,944) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

42.42 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

1,521,006 38 % (2006 est.)

percentage

38 % (2006 est.)

total number

1,521,006

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

26.2% (2010)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

16.2% (2010/11)

Death rate

11.96 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

91.3 % 86.6 % 4.7 % 21.5 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

4.7 %

potential support ratio

21.5 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

91.3 %

youth dependency ratio

86.6 %

Drinking water source

urban: 97.5% of population rural: 75.8% of population total: 81.7% of population urban: 2.5% of population rural: 24.2% of population total: 18.3% of population (2012 est.)

rural

24.2% of population

total

18.3% of population (2012 est.)

urban

2.5% of population

Education expenditures

3.4% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Mossi over 40%, other approximately 60% (includes Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani)

Health expenditures

6.5% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

5,500 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

114,500 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.4 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

76.8 deaths/1,000 live births 84.1 deaths/1,000 live births 69.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

69.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

76.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population

Life expectancy at birth

54.78 years 52.77 years 56.85 years (2014 est.)

female

56.85 years (2014 est.)

total population

54.78 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 28.7% 36.7% 21.6% (2007 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

21.6% (2007 est.)

male

36.7%

total population

28.7%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)

animal contact disease

rabies

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne disease

dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

OUAGADOUGOU (capital) 2.053 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

300 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

17 years 16.9 years 17.2 years (2014 est.)

female

17.2 years (2014 est.)

male

16.9 years

total

17 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.4 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2010 est.)

Nationality

Burkinabe (singular and plural) Burkinabe

adjective

Burkinabe

noun

Burkinabe (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

2.3% (2008)

Physicians density

0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

18,365,123 estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

3.05% (2014 est.)

Religions

Muslim 60.5%, Catholic 19%, animist 15.3%, Protestant 4.2%, other 0.6%, none 0.4% (2006 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 50.4% of population rural: 6.7% of population total: 18.6% of population urban: 49.6% of population rural: 93.3% of population total: 81.4% of population (2012 est.)

rural

93.3% of population

total

81.4% of population (2012 est.)

urban

49.6% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

8 years 8 years 7 years (2012)

female

7 years (2012)

male

8 years

total

8 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.62 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.03 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.62 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.93 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

3.8% 4.6% 2.9% (2006)

female

2.9% (2006)

total

3.8%

Urbanization

26.5% of total population (2011) 6.02% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

6.02% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

26.5% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

13 regions; Boucle du Mouhoun, Cascades, Centre, Centre-Est, Centre-Nord, Centre-Ouest, Centre-Sud, Est, Hauts-Bassins, Nord, Plateau-Central, Sahel, Sud-Ouest

Capital

Ouagadougou 12 22 N, 1 31 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

12 22 N, 1 31 W

name

Ouagadougou

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

several previous; latest approved by referendum 2 June 1991, adopted 11 June 1991; amended several times, last in 2012 (2012)

Country name

none Burkina Faso none Burkina Faso Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Burkina Faso

former

Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta

local long form

none

local short form

Burkina Faso

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Tulinabo S. MUSHINGI (since 25 July 2013) 602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - US Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440 [226] 50-49-53-00 [226] 50-49-56-28

chief of mission

Ambassador Tulinabo S. MUSHINGI (since 25 July 2013)

embassy

602 Avenue Raoul Follereau, Koulouba, Secteur 4

FAX

[226] 50-49-56-28

mailing address

01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - US Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440

telephone

[226] 50-49-53-00

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Seydou BOUDA (since 2 September 2011) 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-5577 [1] (202) 667-1882

chancery

2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Seydou BOUDA (since 2 September 2011)

FAX

[1] (202) 667-1882

telephone

[1] (202) 332-5577

Executive branch

President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987) Prime Minister Luc-Adolphe TIAO (since 18 April 2011) Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 November 2010 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly Blaise COMPAORE reelected president; percent of popular vote - Blaise COMPAORE 80.2%, Hama Arba DIALLO 8.2%, Benewende Stanislas SANKARA 6.3%, other 5.3%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister

chief of state

President Blaise COMPAORE (since 15 October 1987)

election results

Blaise COMPAORE reelected president; percent of popular vote - Blaise COMPAORE 80.2%, Hama Arba DIALLO 8.2%, Benewende Stanislas SANKARA 6.3%, other 5.3%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 November 2010 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister Luc-Adolphe TIAO (since 18 April 2011)

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; red recalls the country's struggle for independence, green is for hope and abundance, and yellow represents the country's mineral wealth uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

5 August 1960 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, EITI (candidate country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (consists of the council president and 3 judges) Supreme Court judge appointments mostly controlled by the president of Burkina Faso; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Council judges appointed by the president of Burkina Faso upon the proposal of the minister of justice and the president of the National Assembly; judges appointed for 9-year terms with one-third of judges renewed every 3 years Appeals Court; High Court; first instance tribunals; district courts; specialized courts relating to issues of labor, children, and juveniles; village (customary) courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (consists of the council president and 3 judges)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judge appointments mostly controlled by the president of Burkina Faso; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Council judges appointed by the president of Burkina Faso upon the proposal of the minister of justice and the president of the National Assembly; judges appointed for 9-year terms with one-third of judges renewed every 3 years

subordinate courts

Appeals Court; High Court; first instance tribunals; district courts; specialized courts relating to issues of labor, children, and juveniles; village (customary) courts

Legal system

civil law based on the French model and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (127 seats; members are elected by proportional representation in one national constituency of 16 seats, and 45 multi-member constituencies having between 2 and 9 seats with members serving five-year terms) National Assembly election last held on 2 December 2012 (next to be held in 2017) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDP 70, ADF-RDA 19, Union for Progress and Reform 19, UPR 4, UNIR-MS 4, CFD-B 3, PDS/Metba 2, other 6

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDP 70, ADF-RDA 19, Union for Progress and Reform 19, UPR 4, UNIR-MS 4, CFD-B 3, PDS/Metba 2, other 6

elections

National Assembly election last held on 2 December 2012 (next to be held in 2017)

National anthem

"Le Ditanye" (Anthem of Victory) Thomas SANKARA adopted 1974; also known as "Une Seule Nuit" (One Single Night), Burkina Faso's anthem was written by the country's president, an avid guitar player

lyrics/music

Thomas SANKARA

name

"Le Ditanye" (Anthem of Victory)

National holiday

Republic Day, 11 December (1958); note - commemorates the day that Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community

National symbol(s)

white stallion

Political parties and leaders

African Democratic Rally-Alliance for Democracy and Federation or ADF-RDA [Gilbert OUEDRAOGO] Citizen's Popular Rally or RPC [Antoine QUARE] Coalition of Democratic Forces of Burkina or CFD-B [Zio Eric FRANCOIS] Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Assimi KOUANDA] Democratic and Popular Rally or RDP [Nana THIBAUT] Movement for Tolerance and Progress or MTP [Nayabtigungou Congo KABORE] Party for African Independence or PAI [Soumane TOURE] Party for Democracy and Progress-Socialist Party or PDP-PS [Francois O. KABORE] Party for Democracy and Socialism/Metba or PDS/Metba [Hama Arba DIALLO] Party for National Rebirth or PAREN [Barry TAHIROU] People's Movement for Progress or MPP [Roch March KABORE] Rally for the Development of Burkina or RDB [Celestin Saidou COMPAORE] Rally of Ecologists of Burkina Faso or RDEB [Ram OUEDRAGO] Republican Party for Integration and Solidarity or PARIS Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Fidele HIEN] Union for Progress and Change or UPC [Zephirin DIABRE] Union for Rebirth - Sankarist Movement or UNIR-MS [Benewende Stanislas SANKARA] Union for the Republic or UPR [Toussaint Abel COULIBALY] Union of Sankarist Parties or UPS [Ernest Nongma OUEDRAOGO]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Burkinabe General Confederation of Labor or CGTB [Tole SAGNON] Burkinabe Movement for Human Rights or MBDHP [Chrysigone ZOUGMORE] Citizen's Resistance Front [Luc Marius IBRIGA] Group of 14 February [Benewende Stanislas SANKARA] National Confederation of Burkinabe Workers or CNTB [Laurent OUEDRAOGO] National Organization of Free Unions or ONSL [Paul KABORE] watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities

other

watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock

Budget

$2.838 billion $3.228 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$3.228 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$2.838 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.2% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2010 est.) 4.25% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA%

Current account balance

-$364.9 million (2013 est.) -$247.6 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$2.863 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.607 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39.5 (2007) 48.2 (1994)

Economy - overview

Burkina Faso is a poor, landlocked country that depends on adequate rainfall. About 90% of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture and cotton is the main cash crop. The country has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. Cotton and gold are key exports. Since 1998, Burkina Faso has begun to privatize state-owned enterprises and in 2004 revised its investment code to attract foreign investment. As a result, the country has seen an upswing in gold exploration, production, and export. The Burkinabe economy experienced high levels of growth over the last few years but growth is highly dependent on swings in gold and cotton prices. In 2013 Burkina Faso experienced a number of public protests over the cost of living, corruption, and other socioeconomic issues. To defuse tensions the government has offered higher housing bonuses, reduced income taxes, and price controls. Turmoil in neighboring Mali, unreliable energy supplies, and poor transportation links pose longer-term challenges.

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 500.7 (2013 est.) 510.53 (2012 est.) 495.28 (2010 est.) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008)

Exports

$2.844 billion (2013 est.) $2.746 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

gold, cotton, livestock

Exports - partners

China 25.9%, Turkey 24.8%, Belgium 5.2% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

55.2% 16.9% 18.3% 0.2% 34.4% -25% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

34.4%

government consumption

16.9%

household consumption

55.2%

imports of goods and services

-25%

investment in fixed capital

18.3%

investment in inventories

0.2%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

33.6% 23.6% 42.8% (2013 est.)

agriculture

33.6%

industry

23.6%

services

42.8% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,500 (2013 est.) $1,400 (2012 est.) $1,300 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.5% (2013 est.) 9% (2012 est.) 5% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$12.13 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$26.51 billion (2013 est.) $24.9 billion (2012 est.) $22.85 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

12.2% of GDP (2013 est.) 14.1% of GDP (2012 est.) 16.6% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.9% 32.2% (2009 est.)

highest 10%

32.2% (2009 est.)

lowest 10%

2.9%

Imports

$2.941 billion (2013 est.) $2.675 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum

Imports - partners

Cote dIvoire 17.6%, France 15.2%, Ghana 4.8%, Togo 4.4% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

6.5% (2013 est.)

Industries

cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2013 est.) 3.8% (2012 est.)

Labor force

6.668 million a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

90% 10% (2000 est.)

agriculture

90%

industry and services

10% (2000 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

46.7% (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.115 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.025 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$4.211 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $3.343 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.711 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.123 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.22 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.845 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.4% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

77% (2004)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.454 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

773.1 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

87.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

12.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

150 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

252,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

670 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

9,960 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

11,660 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

2 TV stations - 1 state-owned and 1 privately owned; state-owned radio runs a national and regional network; substantial number of privately owned radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters available in Ouagadougou (2007)

Internet country code

.bf

Internet hosts

1,795 (2012)

Internet users

178,100 (2009)

Telephone system

system includes microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communication stations; in 2006 the government sold a 51 percent stake in the national telephone company and ultimately plans to retain only a 23 percent stake in the company fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, fostered by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly from a low base country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

domestic

fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, fostered by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly from a low base

general assessment

system includes microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communication stations; in 2006 the government sold a 51 percent stake in the national telephone company and ultimately plans to retain only a 23 percent stake in the company

international

country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

141,400 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

9.98 million (2012)

Airports

23 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1

total

2

Airports - with unpaved runways

5 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

13

total

21

Railways

622 km 622 km 1.000-m gauge another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote d'Ivoire (2008)

total

622 km

Roadways

15,272 km does not include urban roads (2010)

total

15,272 km

Manpower available for military service

3,735,735 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

3,735,735 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

2,366,168 2,367,673 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,367,673 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,366,168

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

193,905 191,662 (2010 est.)

female

191,662 (2010 est.)

male

193,905

Military branches

Army, Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso, FABF), National Gendarmerie (2011)

Military expenditures

1.39% of GDP (2012) 1.34% of GDP (2011) 1.39% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; women may serve in supporting roles (2013)

Disputes - international

adding to illicit cross-border activities, Burkina Faso has issues concerning unresolved boundary alignments with its neighbors; demarcation is currently underway with Mali, the dispute with Niger was referred to the ICJ in 2010, and a dispute over several villages with Benin persists; Benin retains a border dispute with Burkina Faso around the town of Koualou

Refugees and internally displaced persons

32,170 (Mali) (2014)

refugees (country of origin)

32,170 (Mali) (2014)