# Library

ABOUT REFERENCES APPENDICES FAQs CONTACT

Africa :: Burkina Faso

- ## Introduction :: BURKINA FASO

- 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. Former President Blaise COMPAORE (1987-2014) resigned in late October 2014 following popular protests against his efforts to amend the Constitution's two-term presidential limit. By mid-November, a framework for an interim government was adopted under the terms of the National Transition Charter. An interim administration, led by President Michel KAFANDO and Prime Minister Yacouba Isaac ZIDA began organizing presidential and legislative elections planned for October 2015, but these have been postponed due to continuing political turmoil. Burkina Faso's high population growth and limited natural resources result in poor economic prospects for the majority of its citizens.

- ## Geography :: BURKINA FASO

- Location:
  Western Africa, north of Ghana
  Geographic coordinates:
  13 00 N, 2 00 W
  Map references:
  Africa
  Area:
  total: 274,200 sq km
  land: 273,800 sq km
  water: 400 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 75
  Area - comparative:
  slightly larger than Colorado
  Land boundaries:
  total: 3,611 km
  border countries (6): Benin 386 km, Cote d'Ivoire 545 km, Ghana 602 km, Mali 1,325 km, Niger 622 km, Togo 131 km
  Coastline:
  0 km (landlocked)
  Maritime claims:
  none (landlocked)
  Climate:
  tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers
  Terrain:
  mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m
  highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m
  Natural resources:
  manganese, limestone, marble; small deposits of gold, phosphates, pumice, salt
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 43%
  arable land 20.8%; permanent crops 0.3%; permanent pasture 21.9%
  forest: 20.4%
  other: 36.6% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  250 sq km (2003)
  Total renewable water resources:
  12.5 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.72 cu km/yr (46%/3%/51%)
  per capita: 54.99 cu m/yr (2005)
  Natural hazards:
  recurring droughts
  Environment - current issues:
  recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation
  Environment - international 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
  Geography - note:
  landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas

- ## People and Society :: BURKINA FASO

- Nationality:
  noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural)
  adjective: Burkinabe
  Ethnic groups:
  Mossi over 40%, other approximately 60% (includes Gurunsi, Senufo, Lobi, Bobo, Mande, and Fulani)
  Languages:
  French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population
  Religions:
  Muslim 60.5%, Catholic 19%, animist 15.3%, Protestant 4.2%, other 0.6%, none 0.4% (2006 est.)
  Population:
  18,931,686
  note: 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 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 60
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 45.2% (male 4,286,569/female 4,270,357)
  15-24 years: 20.08% (male 1,909,090/female 1,892,273)
  25-54 years: 29.13% (male 2,799,042/female 2,716,439)
  55-64 years: 3.14% (male 253,423/female 340,599)
  65 years and over: 2.45% (male 174,647/female 289,247) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 92.2%
  youth dependency ratio: 87.6%
  elderly dependency ratio: 4.6%
  potential support ratio: 21.7% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 17.1 years
  male: 17 years
  female: 17.3 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  3.03% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 7
  Birth rate:
  42.03 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 5
  Death rate:
  11.72 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 28
  Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 104
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 29.9% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 5.87% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  OUAGADOUGOU (capital) 2.741 million (2015)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
  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: 0.74 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 75.32 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 82.56 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 67.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 9
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 55.12 years
  male: 53.1 years
  female: 57.21 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 210
  Total fertility rate:
  5.86 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 6
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  16.2% (2010/11)
  Health expenditures:
  6.4% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Physicians density:
  0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
  Hospital bed density:
  0.4 beds/1,000 population (2010)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 97.5% of population
  rural: 75.8% of population
  total: 82.3% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 2.5% of population
  rural: 24.2% of population
  total: 17.7% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 50.4% of population
  rural: 6.7% of population
  total: 19.7% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 49.6% of population
  rural: 93.3% of population
  total: 80.3% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  0.94% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 48
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  107,700 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 42
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  3,800 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 38
  Major infectious diseases:
  degree of risk: very high
  food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
  vectorborne disease: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever
  water contact disease: schistosomiasis
  respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
  animal contact disease: rabies
  note: 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)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  5.2% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  26.2% (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 24
  Education expenditures:
  3.4% of GDP (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 128
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 36%
  male: 43%
  female: 29.3% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 8 years
  male: 8 years
  female: 7 years (2013)
  Child labor - children ages 5-14:
  total number: 1,521,006
  percentage: 38% (2006 est.)
  Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
  total: 3.8%
  male: 4.6%
  female: 2.9% (2006 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 129

- ## Government :: BURKINA FASO

- Country name:
  conventional long form: none
  conventional short form: Burkina Faso
  local long form: none
  local short form: Burkina Faso
  former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta
  Government type:
  parliamentary republic
  Capital:
  name: Ouagadougou
  geographic coordinates: 12 22 N, 1 31 W
  time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  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
  Independence:
  5 August 1960 (from France)
  National holiday:
  Republic Day, 11 December (1958); note - commemorates the day that Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community
  Constitution:
  several previous; latest approved by referendum 2 June 1991, adopted 11 June 1991; amended several times, last in 2012 (2012)
  Legal system:
  civil law based on the French model and customary law
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: Interim President Michel KAFANDO (since 1 November 2014); note - President Blaise COMPAORE resigned on 31 October 2014 after efforts to amend the constitution to enable him to run for another term led to violent protests; military chief Gen. Honore TRAORE temporarily assumed power on 31 October 2014, but the army named Lt. Col. Yacouba Isaac ZIDA as the head of a transitional government on 1 November 2014; on 14 November, military and opposition party leaders agreed to a charter returning the government to civilian rule and holding elections in late 2015; Michel KAFANDO became interim president on 18 November 2014 and ZIDA became prime minister on 19 November 2014; KAFANDO and ZIDA were ousted in a military coup on 16 September 2015 and returned to power on 23 September 2015
  head of government: Prime Minister Lt. Col. Yacouba Issac ZIDA (since 19 November 2014)
  cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
  elections/appointments: president elected by absolute majority popular vote in two rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second); election last held on 21 November 2010 (the scheduled 11 October 2015 election has been postponed); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of the National Assembly
  election results: Blaise COMPAORE reelected president; percent of vote - Blaise COMPAORE 80.2%, Hama Arba DIALLO 8.2%, Benewende Stanislas SANKARA 6.3%, other 5.3%; note - President COMPAORE resigned on 31 October 2014; Michel KAFANDO took office as interim president on 18 November 2014, after being selected by a special electoral college; Lt. Col. Yacouba Isaac ZIDA was appointed as prime minister on 19 November 2014; a 25-member transitional government will rule until elections on 11 October 2015; a 90-member national transitional council will serve as a legislative body; KAFANDO was ousted in a 16 September 2015 military coup and replaced with a National Council of Democracy led by Gen. Gilbert DIENDERE but was restored to power on 23 September 2015
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Transitional National Council - interim legislative body (90 seats; members serve a nominal 1-year term)
  elections: last held on 2 December 2012 (the scheduled 11 October 2015 election has been postponed)
  election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDP 70, ADF-RDA 19, Union for Progress and Reform 19, UNIR-MS 4, UPR 4, CFD-B 3, PDS/Metba 2, other 6
  Judicial branch:
  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
  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]
  other: watchdog/political action groups throughout the country in both organizations and communities
  International organization participation:
  ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, 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
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Seydou SINKA (since 1 November 2014)
  chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577
  FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: A mbassador Tulinabo Salama MUSHINGI (since 5 August 2013)
  embassy: Rue 15.873, Avenue Sembene Ousmane, Ouaga 2000, Secteur 15
  mailing address: 01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01; pouch mail - US Department of State, 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440
  telephone: [226] 25-49-53-00
  FAX: [226] 25-49-56-28
  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
  note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
  National symbol(s):
  white stallion; national colors: red, yellow, green
  National anthem:
  name: "Le Ditanye" (Anthem of Victory)
  lyrics/music: Thomas SANKARA
  note: adopted 1974; also known as "Une Seule Nuit" (One Single Night); written by the country's president, an avid guitar player

- ## Economy :: BURKINA FASO

- Economy - overview:
  Burkina Faso is a poor, landlocked country that depends on adequate rainfall. About 80% of the population is engaged in subsistence farming and cotton is the main cash crop. The country has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. Cotton and gold are Burkina Faso’s key exports and Burkina Faso’s economic growth and revenue depends on global prices for the two commodities. The Burkinabe economy experienced high levels of growth over the last few years and gold accounted for about three-quarters of the country’s total export revenues in 2013. The country has seen an upswing in gold exploration, production, and exports. Burkina Faso experienced a number of public protests over the high cost of living, corruption, and other socioeconomic issues in 2013 and the fall of the COMPAORE government in 2014 gave rise to laborers pushing for better pay and working conditions. A new three-year IMF program was approved in 2013 to focus on improving the quality of public investment and ensuring inclusive growth. Political insecurity in neighboring Mali, unreliable energy supplies, and poor transportation links pose long-term challenges.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $29.31 billion (2014 est.)
  $28.18 billion (2013 est.)
  $26.43 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 124
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $12.5 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  4% (2014 est.)
  6.6% (2013 est.)
  6.5% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 22
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $1,700 (2014 est.)
  $1,600 (2013 est.)
  $1,500 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 212
  Gross national saving:
  4.6% of GDP (2014 est.)
  13.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
  10.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 145
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 63.2%
  government consumption: 19.4%
  investment in fixed capital: 23%
  investment in inventories: 1.6%
  exports of goods and services: 28.3%
  imports of goods and services: -35.4%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 38%
  industry: 22%
  services: 40% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  cotton, peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock
  Industries:
  cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold
  Industrial production growth rate:
  4.5% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 60
  Labor force:
  7.468 million
  note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 63
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 90%
  industry and services: 10% (2000 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  77% (2004)
  country comparison to the world: 201
  Population below poverty line:
  46.7% (2009 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 2.9%
  highest 10%: 32.2% (2009 est.)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  39.5 (2007)
  48.2 (1994)
  country comparison to the world: 61
  Budget:
  revenues: $3.234 billion
  expenditures: $3.724 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  24.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 127
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -3.7% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 136
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  -0.3% (2014 est.)
  0.5% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 16
  Central bank discount rate:
  4.25% (31 December 2010)
  4.25% (31 December 2009)
  country comparison to the world: 85
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  NA% (31 December 2014 est.)
  Stock of narrow money:
  $2.013 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $2.088 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 127
  Stock of broad money:
  $4.211 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  $3.343 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $3.485 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $3.058 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 128
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $NA
  Current account balance:
  -$767 million (2014 est.)
  -$495.9 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 123
  Exports:
  $2.254 billion (2014 est.)
  $2.499 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 140
  Exports - commodities:
  gold, cotton, livestock
  Exports - partners:
  China 13.5%, India 8.7%, Indonesia 7.1%, Bangladesh 6.4%, France 5.7%, Canada 5.2%, Japan 4.4% (2014)
  Imports:
  $3.117 billion (2014 est.)
  $2.901 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Imports - commodities:
  capital goods, foodstuffs, petroleum
  Imports - partners:
  Cote dIvoire 19.6%, France 14.1%, Togo 7.7%, China 4.8%, India 4.7%, Ghana 4.7% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $493.6 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $628.5 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 149
  Debt - external:
  $2.974 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $2.669 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Exchange rates:
  Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
  491.2 (2014 est.)
  494.04 (2013 est.)
  510.53 (2012 est.)
  471.87 (2011 est.)
  495.28 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: BURKINA FASO

- Electricity - production:
  579 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 160
  Electricity - consumption:
  1.033 billion kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 151
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 209
  Electricity - imports:
  495 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 78
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  238,000 kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  86.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 84
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 196
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  13.4% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 106
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 134
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 138
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 198
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 201
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 204
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  10,250 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 155
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 140
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  11,660 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 127
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 202
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 199
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 202
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  1.406 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 161

- ## Communications :: BURKINA FASO

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 120,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 12.5 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 68 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 74
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: system includes microwave radio relay, open-wire, and radiotelephone communication stations; in 2006, the government sold a 51% stake in the national telephone company and ultimately plans to retain only a 23% stake in the company
  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
  international: country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
  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)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 2, FM 26, shortwave 3 (2007)
  Television broadcast stations:
  3 (1 national, 2 private)
  Internet country code:
  .bf
  Internet users:
  total: 782,400
  percent of population: 4.3% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 125

- ## Transportation :: BURKINA FASO

- Airports:
  23 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 133
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 2
  over 3,047 m: 1
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 21
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
  914 to 1,523 m: 13
  under 914 m:
  5 (2013)
  Railways:
  total: 622 km
  narrow gauge: 622 km 1.000-m gauge
  note: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote d'Ivoire (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Roadways:
  total: 15,272 km
  note: does not include urban roads (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 121

- ## Military :: BURKINA FASO

- Military branches:
  Army, Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso, FABF), National Gendarmerie (2011)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; women may serve in supporting roles (2013)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 3,735,735 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 2,366,168
  females age 16-49: 2,367,673 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 193,905
  female: 191,662 (2010 est.)
  Military expenditures:
  1.39% of GDP (2012)
  1.34% of GDP (2011)
  1.39% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 73

- ## Transnational Issues :: BURKINA FASO

- 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:
  refugees (country of origin): 33,703 (Mali) (2015)

GO TOP