People and Society of Burkina Faso

Nationality

Burkinabe (singular and plural)

Ethnic Groups

Mossi over 40%, Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, Fulani

Population

22,674,514

Population in Major Urban Areas

OUAGADOUGOU (capital) 2.053 million

Medical facilities and emergency hospital care are very limited and of poor quality, particularly in areas outside of Ouagadougou. Emergency response services, such as ambulances, are in very short supply, poorly equipped, and in many regions simply nonexistent. Some medicines are available through local pharmacies, though supplies can be limited and quality is inconsistent. Travelers requiring specific medicines should bring an adequate supply for the duration of their stay in Burkina Faso. Malaria is a serious risk to travelers in Burkina Faso and can be fatal. Current medications recommended for malaria prophylaxis include Lariam (Mefloquin), Malarone (Atovaguone/Proguanil) and Doxcycline. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what anti-malarial drugs they have been taking. For additional information on malaria, including protective measures, please visit the CDC’s website. There are vaccines not routinely given in the United States that are strongly advised before traveling to Burkina Faso. Meningitis and Yellow Fever are endemic in Burkina Faso, and cases are most frequent during the drier, dustier months of January through June. Travelers should confirm their meningitis inoculation is up to date. Tuberculosis remains a considerable health concern in Burkina Faso.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Burkina Faso stands at approximately 63 years overall, with women living slightly longer than men — around 64 years for females compared to roughly 61 years for males. While these figures reflect meaningful progress over recent decades, they remain well below the global average of around 73 years, highlighting the ongoing health and development challenges facing this landlocked West African nation. Several interconnected factors contribute to the relatively low life expectancy. Burkina Faso has one of the highest rates of child and infant mortality in the world, which significantly pulls down the overall average. Many children under five remain vulnerable to preventable diseases such as malaria, diarrheal illnesses, and acute respiratory infections. Malaria alone accounts for a substantial proportion of deaths across all age groups and continues to strain the country's health system. Access to quality healthcare is limited, particularly in rural areas where the majority of the population lives. There is a severe shortage of trained medical professionals, functional health facilities, and essential medicines. Poor sanitation, limited access to clean drinking water, and widespread food insecurity further undermine the health of the general population. Maternal mortality is another critical concern. Burkina Faso's maternal mortality rate remains among the highest in the world, reflecting inadequate access to skilled birth attendants, prenatal care, and emergency obstetric services. Compounding these health challenges is the deteriorating security situation in recent years, as armed conflict and widespread displacement have severely disrupted healthcare delivery across many regions of the country. Hundreds of health facilities have been forced to close or operate at reduced capacity, pushing vulnerable communities further from essential services. Despite these obstacles, life expectancy in Burkina Faso has improved significantly since the 1960s, when it hovered around 35 to 40 years. This progress reflects gains in vaccination coverage, expansion of community health centers, and targeted interventions against major infectious diseases. International health organizations and government programs continue to work toward further improvements, with a particular focus on reducing child mortality and improving maternal health outcomes.

Infant Mortality Rate

Burkina Faso faces one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting the deep health and development challenges confronting this landlocked West African nation. According to recent data, the country's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 51 to 55 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning that roughly one in every 18 to 20 infants born in Burkina Faso does not survive to see their first birthday. Several interconnected factors drive this sobering statistic. Malaria remains the leading cause of infant death, accounting for a significant portion of under-one fatalities, particularly during the rainy season when mosquito transmission peaks. Neonatal conditions — including complications from premature birth, birth asphyxia, and neonatal sepsis — also contribute heavily to early infant deaths. Diarrheal diseases and acute respiratory infections compound the burden further, especially in rural communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation. Healthcare access is a critical underlying issue. Burkina Faso has a chronic shortage of trained healthcare workers, particularly in rural and northern regions that have also been destabilized by ongoing insecurity and armed conflict since the mid-2010s. This insecurity has forced the closure of numerous health facilities and displaced hundreds of thousands of people, disrupting immunization programs and maternal and neonatal care services. Malnutrition plays a compounding role as well. High rates of stunting and wasting among young children weaken immune systems and increase vulnerability to infectious diseases, creating a cycle that elevates mortality risk in the first year of life. Despite these challenges, Burkina Faso has made measurable progress over the past two decades. In 2000, the infant mortality rate was estimated at over 100 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning the country has effectively cut that figure by roughly half through targeted interventions including expanded vaccination coverage, community health worker programs, and improved access to oral rehydration therapy. International organizations including UNICEF and the World Health Organization continue to work with the Burkinabè government to accelerate further reductions through maternal health initiatives, nutrition programs, and emergency health response efforts amid ongoing humanitarian crises.

Major Infectious Diseases

Very high

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Education Culture

During the long school holiday which is usually between July and October most of the children will work on the family farm because this is mostly the rainy season. The children will join the grownups working on the farm doing such chores as planting and weeding using hoes. The girls remain to do house chores which include fetching water from a communal water pump. In some areas that are hardest hit by drought and because of hunger and malnutrition children may not go to school. In some areas, organizations run school feeding programs and kids are given two meals daily which is helping bridge the gap brought by poverty. This has helped to increase enrollment in schools in such areas. The children are given porridge (blended flour) at breakfast and lunch which improves concentration and learning capacity and help keeps children coming to school on time. School feeding is also a powerful incentive encouraging families to send children to school, rather than having them work at home or go outside to earn additional income.

Learning

School begins with a general assembly at about 7:30 a.m. and classes begin immediately thereafter. The average class has about 70 pupils. About three-quarters of the class will be boys because very few girls are allowed to attend school. The official language of the school is French and the lessons take an average of about 40 minutes each. The schools are made of bricks and the roofs are made of iron sheets which can make the class extremely hot. The only advantage may be that there are rarely any windows so the hot wind blows in the classroom bringing just a little relief. Break time is usually the time for children to catch up with one another and for boys, they will play their usual football (soccer) matches with any makeshift balls they make themselves. There usually are not many other games to play because of lack of equipment and balls are easy to get or simply make. Because the population of students per class is quite high, many teachers do not get the time to give personal attention to the students, especially those who are weak or slow. The children in schools are also taught some practical lessons such as how to tend gardens and some students learn to grow vegetables in the school gardens.

• Muslim50.0%
• indigenous beliefs40.0%
• Christian10.0%

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

• French

Crime Information

Crime in Burkina Faso poses some measure of risk for visitors. Recent incidents of violent crime against visitors have included harassment, robbery, sexual assault, and rape. Non-violent crimes directed against visitors have been theft, burglary, and various confidence scams. Most reported incidents involve purse-snatchers, pickpockets, and street scam artists who target wallets, jewelry, cell phones, and other valuables. Thieves are especially active during international meetings or events which draw large crowds to the capital. The areas near and around the U.N. Circle, Avenue Kwame N’Krumah, and the Central Market in Ouagadougou experience the highest incidence of street crime. Travelers should stay alert, remain in groups, and avoid poorly lit areas. Be especially cautious at night when most reported incidents have taken place. Although violent criminals typically operate at night, there have been daytime attacks. Several attacks have been directed at intercity public buses. U.S. citizen travelers should avoid all intercity and highway travel at night. It is best to check the Embassy website for the latest security information before setting out on your journey. Perpetrators of business fraud often target foreigners, including U.S. citizens. Recent scams that have victimized U.S. citizens have taken many forms, including fraudulent transactions for gold and antiquities. Such fraud schemes are now prevalent throughout West Africa, including Burkina Faso. The scams pose a danger of both financial loss and physical harm. A typical indicator of a business scam is the demand for advance payments on contracts. Persons contemplating business deals in Burkina Faso should contact the commercial section of the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou if they have any doubts about the legitimacy of a potential business client or partner. Normally, fraud schemes begin with an unsolicited communication (usually by e-mail) from an unknown individual who describes a situation that promises quick financial gain, often by assisting in the transfer of a large sum of money or gold dust out of the country. A series of "advance fees" must then be paid in order to conclude the transaction. In fact, the final payoff does not exist; the purpose of the scam is simply to collect the advance fees. Common variations of this scheme involve individuals claiming to be refugees, victims of various African conflicts, or former political leaders in need of help in transferring large sums of money. Sometimes perpetrators manage to induce victims to provide bank account and credit card information, and financial authorizations that allow them to incur large debts against the victim’s credit. In some instances, victims have lost their life savings. The best way to avoid becoming a victim of advance-fee fraud is common sense. If a proposition looks too good to be true, it probably is. Research thoroughly any unsolicited business proposal originating from Burkina Faso or any other source before committing funds, providing goods or services, or undertaking travel. Do not purchase counterfeit and pirated goods such as CDs, DVDs, or computer software even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, but if purchased, you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Burkina Faso, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. You may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you. In Burkina Faso, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. Criminal penalties will vary from country to country; in some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. There are also some things that might be legal in Burkina Faso, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is prosecutable in the United States. If you break the law in Burkina Faso, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what is legal and what is not wherever you go. Persons violating Burkina Faso’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Burkina Faso can be severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Burkina Faso you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Burkina Faso is not a party to a bilateral agreement that requires mandatory notification.