Burkina Faso Profile


Burkina Faso Profile

Previous

Auto

Next


Formerly the Republic of Upper Volta, Burkina Faso is a land locked country with a population of 20.32 million (2019) in north western Africa. It achieved independence from France in 1960 and today has one of the lowest GDP per capita in the world at just $786.90 USD (2019), with much of its economy dependant on international aid. As with many newly independent African nations, Burkina Faso was subject to repeated military coups throughout the 1970s and 1980s with the former president, Blaise Compaore coming to power in such a coup in 1987.



Whilst there were latterly multi-party elections, Compaore won each and every one since then until his forced resignation in 2014. Michel Kafando subsequently became the transitional president of the country however on 16th September 2015 a military coup d'etat was carried out by the Regiment of Presidential Security, the former presidential guard of Compaore. On 24th September 2015, after pressure from the African Union, ECOWAS and the armed forces, the military junta agreed to step down and Michel Kafando was reinstated as acting president. In the general election held on 29th November 2015, Roch Marc Christian Kabore (previously the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso between 1994 and 1996 and President of the National Assembly of Burkina Faso from 2002 to 2012) won in the first round with 53.5% of the vote and was subsequently sworn in as president. He is Burkina Faso's first president without any past ties to the military.


Burkina Faso Country Profile


Burkina Faso is in 182nd place out of 189 countries and territories in 2019 when ranked in terms of life expectancy, literacy, access to knowledge and the living standards of a country with a life expectancy of 61.17 years (2018). Child poverty stands at 47% and a quarter of all children in the country are underweight. Whilst having significant gold reserves, its economy is underdeveloped with cotton production being the main form of income for most Burkinabes, as they are called. As with many poorer African nations, illiteracy rates are high; in 2018, adult literacy rate for Burkina Faso was 41.2 %. rising to just 52.5 % for young people while the figures drop for females, reflecting poorer enrolment and engagement for girls who are required to provide care and for chores around the family home. Only 35% of all eligible primary school age children are enrolled at school and just 8% actually attended secondary school (although figures are far higher in urban areas.) Over 100,000 children there orphaned by AIDS and, in one year alone, it was estimated that 18% of the country's entire population were orphans or abandoned children.




Burkina Faso Profile: Volunteer in Burkina Faso

African Volunteer Work: Burkina Faso


Check out all the latest fee paying and free African volunteer work placements and charity work job opportunities abroad with local projects and volunteering organisations in Burkina Faso.

More >




Burkina Faso Profile: Burkina Faso History

Burkina Faso History


A brief history and timeline of Burkina Faso from ancient to modern times together with images from Burkina Faso's past.

More >




Burkina Faso Profile: Life in Burkina Faso

Life in Burkina Faso


Life in Burkina Faso: Facts and figures about daily life in Burkina Faso, one of the world's poorest countries, together with a video documentary about life in Burkina Faso today.

More >







Burkina Faso Profile: Burkina Faso Images

Burkina Faso Images


Images of daily life in Burkina Faso from its towns to villages and people, created to celebrate Burkina Faso's Independence together with a video showing images of Burkina Faso.

More >




Burkina Faso Profile: Burkina Faso Poverty

Burkina Faso Poverty


Facts and figures about poverty in Burkina Faso, one of the world's poorest countries, together vith a video documentary about poverty in the country.

More >





Burkina Faso Profile: Burkina Faso Children

Burkina Faso Children


About life for children in Burkina Faso in facts, information and video where more than half live in poverty in rural areas together with details of projects and programs to support children in Burkina Faso.

More >







Burkina Faso Profile: Burkina Faso Water

Burkina Faso Water


Facts and figures about the water situation in Burkina Faso where only 11% have access to sanitation together with a video documentary about the situation.

More >




Burkina Faso Profile: HIV in Burkina Faso

HIV in Burkina Faso


Facts and figures about HIV in Burkina Faso where 10% of the entire population is infected with the virus together with a video documentary.

More >







Burkina Faso Profile: Ouagadougou Profile

Ouagadougou Profile


A profile of Ouagadougou, capital city of Burkina Faso, including Ouagadougou information, facts, pictures and details of its main tourist attractions.

More >




Burkina Faso Profile: Ouagadougou Airport

Ouagadougou Airport


Read facts and figures about Ouagadougou airport close to the capital city of Burkina Faso where you will probably enter the country for your volunteering experience.

More >




Burkina Faso Profile: Burkina Faso Quiz

Burkina Faso Quiz


Take our online Burkina Faso trivia quiz and see how much you know about Burkina Faso.

More >







Burkina Faso Profile: Child Sponsor Burkina Faso

Child Sponsor Burkina Faso


Details of how to sponsor children in Burkina Faso with Burkinabe child sponsor organisations, charities, programs and projects.

More >

Burkina Faso Profile: Burkina Faso Map

Burkina Faso Map


Use this Google Earth satellite map of Burkina Faso in Africa to explore and take a virtual tour of Burkina Faso and zoom in on places of interest.

More >




Burkina Faso Profile: Burkina Faso News

Burkina Faso News


Read all the latest and breaking news from Burkina Faso here at our Burkina Faso profile portal.

More >




Back  



Main sections of this site:


Volunteer by Country

Details of current volunteer work
opportunities in each of the
countries of Africa.

More >


Sponsor a Child
Sponsor a Child in Africa

Find how to sponsor a child in Africa
with our list of organisations,
charities, programs and projects.

More >


All About Africa

Discover all about Africa, its tourist
attractions, history, people, culture
and daily life there.

More >


African Resources

A treasure trove of African
resources from webcams to
free downloads and news.

More >