Burkina Faso: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Burkina Faso?

Life expectancy at birth in Burkina Faso was 61.3 years in 2024, according to the World Bank, which compiles estimates from UN population sources.

Life expectancy is the average number of years a newborn would live if the death rates of that year stayed the same throughout their life. It is strongly affected by deaths in early childhood: the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INSD) reports an under-five mortality rate of 48 per 1,000 live births in the Demographic and Health Survey 2021.

Official sources: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, Burkina Faso · INSD: Home page key indicators

How common is malaria in Burkina Faso?

Malaria accounted for 10,805,020 outpatient consultations in Burkina Faso's basic health facilities in 2024, or 34% of all consultations, according to the National Statistical Yearbook 2024, citing the Ministry of Health. Severe malaria accounted for 563,308 hospital admissions, 44% of the total.

Of the outpatient consultations, 3,195,655 were for children under five. These are counts of visits recorded by health facilities, not survey estimates of infection. The World Bank gives an incidence of 353 cases per 1,000 people at risk in 2024, based on WHO estimates.

Official sources: INSD: National Statistical Yearbook 2024 (PDF) · World Bank: Incidence of malaria, Burkina Faso

What is the infant mortality rate in Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso's infant mortality rate was 30 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the Demographic and Health Survey (EDS) 2021, as reported by the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INSD). The under-five mortality rate was 48 per 1,000.

The World Bank gives a modelled estimate of 43.6 per 1,000 for 2024, from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. The two figures use different methods and periods: the survey asks women about births and deaths in the years before the interview, while the UN series is a model combining several sources.

Official sources: INSD: Home page key indicators · World Bank: Infant mortality rate, Burkina Faso

How much does Burkina Faso spend on health?

Current health spending in Burkina Faso was 7.8% of GDP in 2023, according to the World Bank, based on WHO Global Health Expenditure data.

The figure covers spending by government, households, insurers and donors on health goods and services, excluding capital investment. The same database records 0.15 doctors per 1,000 people in 2022, on the World Bank physicians indicator. The national statistical yearbook lists public health staff by type of facility; some totals in its PDF version are cut off and cannot be read reliably.

Official sources: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP), Burkina Faso · World Bank: Physicians per 1,000 people, Burkina Faso

How long do people live in Burkina Faso?

In 2024, life expectancy at birth in Burkina Faso was 61.3 years, according to the UN Population Division. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 39th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 64.3 years. World rank, highest first: 184th of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Burkina Faso?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Burkina Faso was 43.6 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 37.2 per 1,000, and Burkina Faso placed 18th highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 20th highest.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Burkina Faso?

In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in Burkina Faso was 242 per 100,000, according to the WHO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 26th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 257 per 100,000. Worldwide: 29th of 192.

What share of GDP does Burkina Faso spend on health care?

According to the WHO, current health spending in Burkina Faso was 7.8% of GDP in 2023. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 4.4% of GDP, and Burkina Faso placed 10th highest of 48. Worldwide: 63rd of 191.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Burkina Faso?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Burkina Faso at 43.8% in 2023. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 32.4%; Burkina Faso is 19th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 48th of 191.

How many doctors per person does Burkina Faso have?

0.15 per 1,000: that is the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Burkina Faso for 2022, according to the WHO. That is the highest since at least 2008. It is 29th highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 0.18 per 1,000. Worldwide: 108th of 125.

What is hospital capacity in Burkina Faso?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2020, is 0.20 per 1,000. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.69 per 1,000, and Burkina Faso placed 13th highest of 14. Worldwide: 130th of 131.

How many children in Burkina Faso are vaccinated against measles?

In 2024, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Burkina Faso was 88.0%, according to WHO and UNICEF. The peak was 94.0% in 2007 and the low 82.0% in 2013. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 81.0%, and Burkina Faso placed 14th highest of 48. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 111th highest.