Burkina Faso
Africa · Western Africa
Severe jihadist insurgency, a military coup in 2022, and a significant refugee crisis.
At a Glance
📈Burkina Faso's Human Development Index
0.438
Low human development#183 of 191 countries worldwide, #47 of 54 in Africa.
Higher than 4% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked Sahelian country in West Africa, known among those who know it for its extraordinary arts and crafts culture, its famous FESPACO film festival, and a tradition of warm, dignified hospitality. The landscape is flat and dry for much of the year, and life in the countryside is shaped by the rhythms of agriculture and community. It is a destination for experienced travellers who approach it with genuine respect and curiosity.
- The name means 'land of upright people' — chosen at independence as a statement of dignity.
- One of the world's largest producers of raw cotton, despite extreme poverty.
Quick Facts
Capital
Ouagadougou
Language
French
Currency
Fr XOF
Area
273,600 km²
Nomad Hub
Fixed Broadband
49Mbps
GDP / Capita
$1K
PPP / Capita
$3K
Inflation
-0.6%
Unemployment
3.5%
Innovation (GII)
15.9
GNI / Capita
$980
Tax Revenue
18.7%
FDI Inflows
-0.9%
Education Spend
5.3%
Price Level Index
65th pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1999
0.294 → 0.438 (+0.144)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 24 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
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💬Quick answers
What is Burkina Faso's Human Development Index?
Burkina Faso's Human Development Index is 0.438 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #183 of 191 countries.
Is Burkina Faso safe?
Burkina Faso scores 2.88 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #146 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
What is life expectancy in Burkina Faso?
Life expectancy at birth in Burkina Faso is 61.3 yrs (World Bank), ranked #186 of 195 countries.