Burkina Faso Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Burkina Faso's poverty rate was 42.10% in 2021, ranked 74th globally. This represents a 11.7% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1994–2021.
Overview
Burkina Faso's poverty rate stood at 42.10% in 2021, a decline of +5.60pp from 2018. Burkina Faso ranked 74th globally.
Burkina Faso’s poverty rate has fallen dramatically since the mid‑1990s, sliding from an all‑time peak of 87.60 % in 1994 to a trough of 42.10 % in 2021, a decline that places the country 74th in the world according to the World Bank. The reduction, achieved over a 27‑year span, reflects sustained economic growth, agricultural reforms and expanded social safety nets, yet the nation remains far from the lower poverty levels recorded in regional peers such as Mali (36.10 % in 2021) and Kenya (46.40 % in 2021). While the downward trajectory signals progress, the current rate still exceeds that of Guinea‑Bissau (39.90 %) and underscores persistent vulnerabilities, particularly in the Sahelian north where climate shocks exacerbate food insecurity. Continued diversification of the economy, investment in climate‑resilient agriculture and stronger fiscal capacity will be critical to deepen the decline and move Burkina Faso closer to the regional benchmark in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 42.10% | −5.60pp | #74 |
| 2018 | 47.70% | −11.00pp | #91 |
| 2014 | 58.70% | −8.50pp | #82 |
| 2009 | 67.20% | −2.40pp | #83 |
| 2003 | 69.60% | −16.80pp | #66 |
| 1998 | 86.40% | −1.20pp | #52 |
| 1994 | 87.60% | – | #28 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Burkina Faso matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Burkina Faso's poverty rate was 42.10% in 2021. Ranked 74th globally. This represents a 11.7% decrease from the previous year.
Burkina Faso's poverty rate peaked at 87.60% in 1994.
The lowest poverty rate in Burkina Faso was 42.10% in 2021.
Burkina Faso ranks 74th globally in poverty rate as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
The poverty rate of Burkina Faso in 2021 was 42.10%. This ranks 74th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_burkina-faso_poverty-rate,
title = {Burkina Faso Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/burkina-faso/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}