Burkina Faso: crime and justice

What are the crime statistics for Burkina Faso?

The gendarmerie and police recorded 8,655 crimes and offences against persons in Burkina Faso in 2024, according to the National Statistical Yearbook 2024, citing the security ministry. The figure was 10,604 in 2023 and 14,074 in 2022.

Police recorded 5,659 cases in 2024 and the gendarmerie 2,996. These are offences reported to and recorded by the security forces, so changes can reflect reporting and the presence of the forces in each area as well as crime itself. The yearbook also counts 28 working prisons in 2024: 27 detention and correction centres and one agricultural prison.

Official sources: INSD: National Statistical Yearbook 2024 (PDF)

What is the murder rate in Burkina Faso?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2017, is 1.3 per 100,000. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 12th highest of 14 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 4.6 per 100,000. World rank, highest first: 86th of 123.

How many battle deaths has Burkina Faso had?

According to the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, battle-related deaths in Burkina Faso was 2,199 in 2024. The peak was 4,608 in 2023 and the low 79 in 2018. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 164; Burkina Faso is 4th highest of 20. World rank, highest first: 10th of 41.