Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso: Refugee population by country or territory of asylum was 40,996 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Burkina Faso, 1983–2025
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Burkina Faso is 40,996, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 2.7% on the previous year and up 20.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Burkina Faso peaked at 49,990 in 1994 and was at its lowest, 70, in 1983.
That places Burkina Faso 68th out of 183 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Burkina Faso, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 70 | — |
| 1984 | 100 | +42.9% |
| 1985 | 90 | -10.0% |
| 1986 | 220 | +144.4% |
| 1987 | 270 | +22.7% |
| 1988 | 260 | -3.7% |
| 1989 | 360 | +38.5% |
| 1990 | 350 | -2.8% |
| 1991 | 320 | -8.6% |
| 1992 | 5,670 | +1671.9% |
| 1993 | 6,597 | +16.3% |
| 1994 | 49,990 | +657.8% |
| 1995 | 29,777 | -40.4% |
| 1996 | 28,381 | -4.7% |
| 1997 | 1,799 | -93.7% |
| 1998 | 562 | -68.8% |
| 1999 | 672 | +19.6% |
| 2000 | 692 | +3.0% |
| 2001 | 457 | -34.0% |
| 2002 | 457 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 466 | +2.0% |
| 2004 | 494 | +6.0% |
| 2005 | 513 | +3.8% |
| 2006 | 512 | -0.2% |
| 2007 | 535 | +4.5% |
| 2008 | 556 | +3.9% |
| 2009 | 543 | -2.3% |
| 2010 | 530 | -2.4% |
| 2011 | 549 | +3.6% |
| 2012 | 39,304 | +7059.2% |
| 2013 | 29,233 | -25.6% |
| 2014 | 31,894 | +9.1% |
| 2015 | 34,017 | +6.7% |
| 2016 | 32,551 | -4.3% |
| 2017 | 24,152 | -25.8% |
| 2018 | 25,120 | +4.0% |
| 2019 | 25,869 | +3.0% |
| 2020 | 20,252 | -21.7% |
| 2021 | 25,010 | +23.5% |
| 2022 | 34,375 | +37.4% |
| 2023 | 37,735 | +9.8% |
| 2024 | 39,915 | +5.8% |
| 2025 | 40,996 | +2.7% |
Burkina Faso compared with similar countries
- Burkina Faso's 40,996 is below the median for low income countries, which is 45,052, 91% of the median. (24 countries reporting)
- Burkina Faso's 40,996 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 35,241, 1.2× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Burkina Faso changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | +7059.2% | 549 | 39,304 |
| 1992 | +1671.9% | 320 | 5,670 |
| 1994 | +657.8% | 6,597 | 49,990 |
| 1986 | +144.4% | 90 | 220 |
| 1997 | -93.7% | 28,381 | 1,799 |
| 1998 | -68.8% | 1,799 | 562 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 195.71 | 70 | 360 | 7 |
| 1990s | 12,412 | 320 | 49,990 | 10 |
| 2000s | 522.5 | 457 | 692 | 10 |
| 2010s | 24,322 | 530 | 39,304 | 10 |
| 2020s | 33,047 | 20,252 | 40,996 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Burkina Faso
More population data for Burkina Faso
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0413 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.76 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0413 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2492 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 40,542 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.35 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.4791 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate 0.034 (2100)
- Population density 182.22 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 3.29 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Burkina Faso?
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum in Burkina Faso was 40,996 in 2025, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in Burkina Faso?
- The highest recorded value was 49,990 in 1994.
- What is the lowest refugee population by country or territory of asylum recorded in Burkina Faso?
- The lowest recorded value was 70 in 1983.
- How does Burkina Faso rank for refugee population by country or territory of asylum?
- Burkina Faso ranks 68th out of 183 countries with data for 2025.
- Is refugee population by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in Burkina Faso?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Burkina Faso data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Refugee population by country or territory of asylum. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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