Introduction: Burkina Faso Download PDF
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. Burkina Faso's high population density and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens. Recent unrest in Cote d'Ivoire and northern Ghana has hindered the ability of several hundred thousand seasonal Burkinabe farm workers to find employment in neighboring countries.
Capital City:
Ouagadougou (GMT)
Chief of State:
President Blaise COMPAORE
Head of Govt.:
Prime Minister Tertius ZONGO
Currency:
Communaute Financiere Africaine franc
Main Cities:
Bobo-Dioulasso, Koudougou
Major Languages:
French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population
Calling Code:
226
Voltage:
220
Primary Religions:
Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10%
Main Airports
Borgo, Ouagadougou (OUA)
U.S. Embassy
602 Avenue Raoul Follereau in Ouagadougou
Key Facts
- GDP (ppp) per CAPITA
- $1,200 (2008 est.)
- Inflation Rate
- 10.7% (2008 est.)
- Population
- 15,746,232
- Country Risk Ratings
- C
- Ease of Doing Business
- 148/181
- Global Competitiveness
- 127/134
Statistics
- Labor force:
- 6.668 million
- Exports:
- $544 million (2008 est.)
- Exports - partners:
- Singapore 16.9%, China 16%, Belgium 12.9%, Thailand 9.1%, Ghana 7%, Niger 5.2%, Denmark 4.9% (2008)
- Imports:
- $1.343 billion (2008 est.)
- Imports - partners:
- Cote d'Ivoire 26.4%, France 18.2%, Togo 7.3%, Libya 4.2% (2008)
- Major Industries:
- cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold
Rankings
Corruption Perceptions Index
3.2
out of 180
E-readiness Rankings
-
Freedom of the Press
38
out of 191
Global Enabling Trade Report
99
out of 118
Global Services Location Index
-
Index of Economic Freedom
103
out of 155
Inward FDI Potential Index
127
out of 140
Tax Misery & Reform Index
-
The Globalization Index
-
