AFRICA
Level 4 — Do Not Travel
Burkina Faso
Level 4 — Do Not Travel
Population
24.1 million
Exchange Rate
1 USD = 553.75 XOF
Advisory
Level 4
GDP/Capita
$982
Health Alerts
0
Last Updated
Jun 10, 2026
About Burkina FasoOverview, geography, and key facts
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Ivory Coast to the southwest. It covers an area of 274,223 km2. In 2024, the country had an estimated population of approximately 23,286,000. After independence it was called the Republic of Upper Volta from 1958 to 1984. It was renamed Burkina Faso by then-president Thomas Sankara. Its citizens are known as Burkinabes, and its capital and largest city is Ouagadougou.
Capital
Ouagadougou
Population
24.1 million
Area
272,967 km²
Languages
French
Currency
West African CFA franc (XOF)
GDP/Capita
$982
Travel AdvisoryU.S. Department of State
Gov Data
Do not travel due to life-threatening risks. U.S. citizens should depart immediately if safe to do so.
Currency & Economy
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Exchange Rate
- 1 USD = 553.75 XOF
- GDP
- $23.1B
- GDP per Capita
- $982
Visa Fee Estimate
$185 USD
102,444 XOF
Based on current Treasury exchange rate
Development
- Life Expectancy
- 61.1 years
Geography & Practical Details
- Region
- Africa
- Capital
- Ouagadougou
- Area
- 272,967 km²
- Population
- 24,070,553
- Timezone
- UTC
- Languages
- French
- Calling Code
- +226
- Drives On
- Right
- ISO Code
- BF