Burkina Faso: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Burkina Faso?

6.5% of Burkina Faso's labour force was unemployed in the second half of 2025, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INSD) employment survey bulletin (ENSE3). The labour force made up 73.7% of the working-age population, defined as people aged 16 and over.

Unemployment was higher in towns than in rural areas: 10% in Bobo-Dioulasso, 7.7% in Ouagadougou and 6.0% in rural areas. In Bobo-Dioulasso it was 13.1% among women and 6.5% among men. The ILO modelled estimate published by the World Bank is 3.5% for 2025; it uses a different method, so the two figures differ.

Official sources: INSD: Employment bulletin, ENSE3, second half of 2025 (PDF) · World Bank: Unemployment rate (ILO modelled), Burkina Faso

What is the minimum wage (SMIG) in Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso's guaranteed minimum wage (SMIG) has been 45,000 CFA francs a month, or 260 CFA francs an hour, since 3 November 2023, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INSD) National Statistical Yearbook 2024, citing the Labour Inspectorate.

The previous SMIG of 30,684 CFA francs a month had applied from 1 October 2006 to 2 November 2023, so the 2023 change raised it by about 47%. The SMIG is the legal floor for wage employment. Most workers are self-employed or work informally, however, so their earnings are not set by it.

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

How many jobs in Burkina Faso are informal?

95.0% of jobs in Burkina Faso were informal in the second half of 2025, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INSD) employment survey bulletin (ENSE3).

Most workers were self-employed: 66.4% worked on their own account, while 14.7% were wage employees. Agriculture provided 44.9% of jobs. A job is counted as informal when it lacks the protections of formal employment, such as registration or social security cover. The ENSE survey is run every half-year, so figures for different halves can reflect seasonal farm work.

Official sources: INSD: Employment bulletin, ENSE3, second half of 2025 (PDF)

What is Burkina Faso's minimum wage?

45,000 XOF a month (about $74): that is the statutory minimum wage in Burkina Faso for 2024, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average monthly salary in Burkina Faso?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is $212 a month. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2018. Of 57 countries with 2025 data, 56th highest.

How high is unemployment in Burkina Faso?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 3.5%. The peak was 4.7% in 2018 and the low 3.3% in 2007. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.2%, and Burkina Faso placed 28th highest of 45. Worldwide: 121st of 174.

How many young people in Burkina Faso are unemployed?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Burkina Faso was 6.4% in 2025. The peak was 8.0% in 2020 and the low 5.2% in 2007. It is 28th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 8.8%. Worldwide: 139th of 174.

What share of people in Burkina Faso are in the labour force?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Burkina Faso was 70.0%, according to the ILO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.3%; Burkina Faso is 13th highest of 45. Worldwide: 28th of 174.

What share of women in Burkina Faso are in the labour force?

64.1%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Burkina Faso for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 14th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 57.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 24th highest.

What is the employment rate in Burkina Faso?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 67.6%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 12th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 58.8%. Worldwide: 25th of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Burkina Faso?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Burkina Faso was 80.6%, according to the ILO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 67.6%; Burkina Faso is 10th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 11th of 174.

What share of workers in Burkina Faso earn a wage or salary?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 17.4%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 29.0%; Burkina Faso is 34th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 162nd of 174.