Overview: One of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina has a high population density, few natural resources, and relatively infertile soil. Economic development is hindered by a poor communications network within a landlocked country. Agriculture provides about 40% of GDP and is entirely of a subsistence nature. Industry, dominated by unprofitable government-controlled corporations, accounts for about 15% of GDP.

GDP: $1.75 billion, per capita $205 (1988); real growth rate 3% (1989)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): - 0.5% (1989)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues $275 million; expenditures $287 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989)

Exports: $262 million (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--oilseeds, cotton, live animals, gold; partners--EC 42% (France 30%, other 12%), Taiwan 17%, Ivory Coast 15% (1985)

Imports: $619 million (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--grain, dairy products, petroleum, machinery; partners--EC 37% (France 23%, other 14%), Africa 31%, US 15% (1985)

External debt: $962 million (December 1990 est.)

Industrial production: growth rate 5.7% (1990est.), accounts for about 15% of GDP (1988)

Electricity: 121,000 kW capacity; 320 million kWh produced, 37 kWh per capita (1989)

Industries: cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold

Agriculture: accounts for about 40% of GDP; cash crops--peanuts, shea nuts, sesame, cotton; food crops--sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock; not self-sufficient in food grains

Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $294 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $2.7 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $113 million

Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1--256.54 (January 1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985)

Fiscal year: calendar year

NOTE: The information regarding Burkina on this page is re-published from the 1991 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Burkina Economy 1991 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Burkina Economy 1991 should be addressed to the CIA.