Burkina Faso Urban Population
Urban population as % of total SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Burkina Faso's urban population was 28.79% in 2025, ranked 198th globally. This represents a 1.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Burkina Faso's urban population stood at 28.79% in 2025, a rise of +0.46% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 28.79% by 2025. Burkina Faso ranked 198th globally.
Burkina Faso’s share of its population living in urban areas has risen from 5.04 percent in 1960 to 28.79 percent in 2025, marking the highest level recorded in the 66‑year series and placing the country 198th globally. The increase reflects sustained rural‑to‑urban migration driven by modest industrialisation, expanding service sectors in Ouagadougou and Bobo‑Dioulasso, and demographic pressure on agricultural lands. While the urban share lags behind many peers, it is comparable to Timor‑Leste’s 28.48 percent and slightly above Chad’s 27.45 percent, indicating a regional convergence toward higher urbanisation rates. The trajectory suggests that continued investment in urban infrastructure, housing, and employment opportunities will be crucial to accommodate the growing urban populace; absent such policies, the pace of urbanisation could decelerate, altering the upward trend observed since the 1960s.
Data & projection
| Year | Urban Population | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 29.78% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 29.29% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 28.79% | - | - |
| 2025 | 28.79% | +0.46% | #198 |
| 2024 | 28.34% | +0.55% | #18 |
| 2023 | 27.79% | +0.51% | #18 |
| 2022 | 27.28% | +0.47% | #18 |
| 2021 | 26.81% | +0.45% | #19 |
| 2020 | 26.36% | +0.24% | #19 |
| 2019 | 26.12% | +0.04% | #18 |
| 2018 | 26.08% | +0.11% | #18 |
| 2017 | 25.98% | +0.16% | #19 |
| 2016 | 25.82% | +0.20% | #20 |
| 2015 | 25.62% | +0.24% | #20 |
| 2014 | 25.38% | +0.28% | #21 |
| 2013 | 25.11% | +0.31% | #20 |
| 2012 | 24.80% | +0.33% | #20 |
| 2011 | 24.47% | +0.35% | #20 |
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 urban population improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Burkina Faso's urban population was 28.79% in 2025. Ranked 198th globally. This represents a 1.6% increase from the previous year.
Burkina Faso's urban population peaked at 28.79% in 2025.
The lowest urban population in Burkina Faso was 5.04% in 1960.
Burkina Faso ranks 198th globally in urban population as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Burkina Faso's urban population is projected to reach 28.79% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The urban population of Burkina Faso in 2025 was 28.79%. This ranks 198th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_burkina-faso_urban-population,
title = {Burkina Faso Urban Population},
url = {https://historysaid.com/burkina-faso/urban-population/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}