Share of population living in the capital city in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso: Share of population living in the capital city was 13.7% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in the capital city in Burkina Faso, 1970–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2020, share of population living in the capital city in Burkina Faso stood at 13.7%. That is the highest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is up 20.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in the capital city in Burkina Faso peaked at 13.7% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 1.0%, in 1970.
Burkina Faso ranks 108th of 170 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in the capital city in Burkina Faso, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 1.0% | — |
| 1975 | 1.2% | +19.3% |
| 1980 | 3.1% | +146.9% |
| 1985 | 4.4% | +42.7% |
| 1990 | 5.0% | +14.6% |
| 1995 | 5.6% | +11.9% |
| 2000 | 7.4% | +31.3% |
| 2005 | 10.0% | +35.1% |
| 2010 | 11.4% | +14.4% |
| 2015 | 12.4% | +9.1% |
| 2020 | 13.7% | +10.2% |
Burkina Faso compared with similar countries
- Burkina Faso's 13.7% is above the median for low income countries, which is 10.9%, 1.3× the median. (24 countries reporting)
- Burkina Faso's 13.7% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 13.4%, 1.0× the median. (41 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.1% | 1.0% | 1.2% | 2 |
| 1980s | 3.7% | 3.1% | 4.4% | 2 |
| 1990s | 5.3% | 5.0% | 5.6% | 2 |
| 2000s | 8.7% | 7.4% | 10.0% | 2 |
| 2010s | 11.9% | 11.4% | 12.4% | 2 |
| 2020s | 13.7% | 13.7% | 13.7% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Burkina Faso
- 105 Ecuador 13.8% compare
- 106 Republic of Moldova 13.8% compare
- 107 Sudan 13.7% compare
- 109 Namibia 13.4% compare
- 110 Tajikistan 13.4% compare
- 111 Afghanistan 13.4% compare
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)
- World population growth 0.0% (2100)
- Population density 182.22 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.29 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in the capital city in Burkina Faso?
- Share of population living in the capital city in Burkina Faso was 13.7% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in the capital city recorded in Burkina Faso?
- The highest recorded value was 13.7% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in the capital city recorded in Burkina Faso?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.0% in 1970.
- How does Burkina Faso rank for share of population living in the capital city?
- Burkina Faso ranks 108th out of 170 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in the capital city rising or falling in Burkina Faso?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Burkina Faso data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in the capital city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Percentage of the total population living in the country's capital city. City boundaries are defined using a consistent global approach based on satellite imagery and population data.