Health in Sahel, Burkina Faso: official figures
For every 1,000 babies born in Sahel, 58 died before their first birthday and 98 before their fifth, according to the 2021 Demographic and Health Survey; the under-five rate is 2nd highest of the 13 regions (Burkina Faso: 30 and 48). Insecurity kept the survey out of large parts of this region, and the survey report says its figures for the region should be read with caution.
How many children in Sahel are malnourished?
36.7% of children under five in Sahel were stunted (too short for their age, a sign of long-term undernutrition) in 2021 and 13.7% were wasted (too thin); the stunting rate is the highest of the 13 regions (Burkina Faso: 22.6% and 10.6%). Insecurity kept the survey out of large parts of this region, and the survey report says its figures for the region should be read with caution.
Source: INSD and ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyDo women in Sahel give birth in a health facility?
42.0% of births in Sahel in the two years before the 2021 survey took place in a health facility, and 31.3% of mothers had at least four antenatal visits; the lowest of the 13 regions for facility births (Burkina Faso: 94.0% and 72.2%). Insecurity kept the survey out of large parts of this region, and the survey report says its figures for the region should be read with caution.
Source: INSD and ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many children in Sahel are vaccinated?
55.7% of children aged 12 to 23 months in Sahel had all basic vaccines in 2021 and 3.8% had none, the lowest of the 13 regions for basic vaccines (Burkina Faso: 79.3% and 1.7%). Insecurity kept the survey out of large parts of this region, and the survey report says its figures for the region should be read with caution.
Source: INSD and ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyHow common is malaria in Sahel?
46.0% of children aged 6 to 59 months in Sahel tested positive for malaria with a rapid test during the 2021 survey, 3rd highest of the 13 regions (Burkina Faso: 28.0%). Insecurity kept the survey out of large parts of this region, and the survey report says its figures for the region should be read with caution.
Source: INSD and ICF (The DHS Program) · saved copyHow often do people in Sahel use health centres?
Public health centres in Sahel recorded new consultations equal to 61.3% of the population in 2024, the lowest of the 13 regions (Burkina Faso: 113.5%).
Source: Institut national de la statistique et de la démographie (INSD) · saved copyDo health centres in Sahel have enough staff?
21.4% of the primary health centres (CSPS) in Sahel met the minimum staffing standard in 2024, the lowest of the 13 regions (Burkina Faso: 57.1%; Sahel in 2022: 54.2%).
Source: Institut national de la statistique et de la démographie (INSD) · saved copyHow many health centres are there in Sahel?
Sahel had 137 public health facilities in 2024, including 117 primary health centres (CSPS): one facility for every 8,932 people (Burkina Faso: 2,732, one per 8,568).
Source: Institut national de la statistique et de la démographie (INSD) · saved copyHow many doctors are there in Sahel?
Health ministry services in Sahel employed 56 doctors (specialists and general practitioners) at the end of 2024, 4.6 per 100,000 people, the lowest of the 13 regions (all 13 regions together: 2,284, 9.8 per 100,000).
Source: Institut national de la statistique et de la démographie (INSD) · saved copyMore figures
- 21.2% of women of childbearing age in Sahel used contraception according to health-service records for 2024, joint 3rd lowest of the 13 regions (Burkina Faso: 23.8%). Source: Institut national de la statistique et de la démographie (INSD) · saved copy
- Health-service records show 18.2% of expected pregnancies in Sahel received four antenatal visits in 2024, the lowest of the 13 regions. Source: Institut national de la statistique et de la démographie (INSD) · saved copy
How Sahel compares with other regions
Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (2021)
Sahel ranks 2 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sud-Ouest | 112 |
| 2 | Sahel | 98 |
| 3 | Cascades | 78 |
| 4 | Hauts-Bassins | 61 |
| 5 | Est | 60 |
| 6 | Centre-Nord | 59 |
| 7 | Centre-Est | 58 |
Children under 5 stunted (2021)
Sahel ranks 1 of 13, highest first. Sahel and Est: survey could not cover large parts of the region
| Rank | Region | Children under 5 stunted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sahel | 36.7% |
| 2 | Est | 31.6% |
| 3 | Centre-Nord | 27.0% |
| 4 | Centre-Est | 25.1% |
| 5 | Boucle du Mouhoun | 24.8% |
| 6 | Nord | 23.6% |
| 7 | Plateau-Central | 22.6% |
Public-sector doctors per 100,000 people (2024)
Sahel ranks 13 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Public-sector doctors per 100,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Nord | 9.0 |
| 8 | Centre-Ouest | 8.4 |
| 9 | Centre-Est | 7.6 |
| 10 | Boucle du Mouhoun | 5.4 |
| 11 | Centre-Nord | 5.3 |
| 12 | Est | 5.2 |
| 13 | Sahel | 4.6 |
More on Sahel: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Burkina Faso
Sources
- Institut national de la statistique et de la démographie (INSD): Annuaire statistique national 2024 (census, EHCVM poverty, education, health, energy, water, roads, agriculture, regional council accounts, road accidents by region), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9f9fc3790552…)
- INSD and ICF (The DHS Program): Enquête démographique et de santé du Burkina Faso 2021: rapport des indicateurs clés (Tables 9, 10, 12 and 20 by region), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 36556756d8db…)
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