Burkina Faso: immigration

How many refugees are there in Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso hosted 40,996 refugees and 1,957 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics. Most refugees, 40,103, were from Mali, according to the breakdown by origin.

The same data counts 2,062,534 internally displaced people within Burkina Faso. These are people who have fled their homes but stayed inside the country, so they are not refugees. UNHCR figures are based on government and UNHCR registration data and are published once a year.

Official sources: UNHCR: Population data, Burkina Faso as country of asylum, 2025 · UNHCR: Refugees in Burkina Faso by country of origin, 2025

How many refugees have left Burkina Faso?

351,209 refugees from Burkina Faso were registered in other countries at the end of 2025, according to UNHCR population statistics, along with 69,817 asylum seekers.

The number of people displaced inside the country, 2,062,534, is much larger than the number abroad. For all migrants, the World Bank estimates that 739,820 people born abroad lived in Burkina Faso in 2024, based on UN migrant stock data. Refugee counts depend on registration in host countries.

Official sources: UNHCR: Population data, Burkina Faso as country of origin, 2025 · World Bank: International migrant stock, Burkina Faso

How many immigrants live in Burkina Faso?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people born abroad in Burkina Faso was 3.1% in 2024. That compares with 3.8% in 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 2.2%; Burkina Faso is 16th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 112th of 193.

Are more people leaving Burkina Faso than arriving?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is -27,130. Since 2005 it has ranged from -42,055 (2010) to 9,795 (2005). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was -5,646, and Burkina Faso placed 40th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 155th of 193.

How many refugees live in Burkina Faso?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees in the country in Burkina Faso was 40,996 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 35,241, and Burkina Faso placed 22nd highest of 45. Worldwide: 68th of 169.

How many people from Burkina Faso are refugees?

351,209: that is the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Burkina Faso for 2025, according to UNHCR. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 12,726, and Burkina Faso placed 9th highest of 48. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 14th highest.

How big are remittances in Burkina Faso's economy?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2024, is 2.6% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 3.3% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 0.9% of GDP. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 2.5% of GDP; Burkina Faso is 18th highest of 36. Of 156 countries with 2024 data, 69th highest.