Population in largest city in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso: Population in largest city was 3.52 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
3.52 million
Change on year
up 4.8%
World rank
55th
of 153 countries
All-time high
3.52 million
in 2025
All-time low
59,126
in 1960
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Population in largest city in Burkina Faso, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
The most recent figure for population in largest city in Burkina Faso is 3.52 million, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
That represents a change of up 4.8% on the previous year and up 60.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in largest city in Burkina Faso peaked at 3.52 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 59,126, in 1960.
That places Burkina Faso 55th out of 153 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population in largest city in Burkina Faso, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 59,126 | — |
| 1961 | 63,090 | +6.7% |
| 1962 | 67,325 | +6.7% |
| 1963 | 71,845 | +6.7% |
| 1964 | 76,676 | +6.7% |
| 1965 | 81,816 | +6.7% |
| 1966 | 87,309 | +6.7% |
| 1967 | 93,170 | +6.7% |
| 1968 | 99,434 | +6.7% |
| 1969 | 107,102 | +7.7% |
| 1970 | 115,374 | +7.7% |
| 1971 | 124,284 | +7.7% |
| 1972 | 133,897 | +7.7% |
| 1973 | 144,223 | +7.7% |
| 1974 | 155,361 | +7.7% |
| 1975 | 167,360 | +7.7% |
| 1976 | 182,337 | +8.9% |
| 1977 | 200,214 | +9.8% |
| 1978 | 219,871 | +9.8% |
| 1979 | 241,459 | +9.8% |
| 1980 | 265,200 | +9.8% |
| 1981 | 291,201 | +9.8% |
| 1982 | 319,792 | +9.8% |
| 1983 | 351,190 | +9.8% |
| 1984 | 385,721 | +9.8% |
| 1985 | 423,537 | +9.8% |
| 1986 | 452,238 | +6.8% |
| 1987 | 472,181 | +4.4% |
| 1988 | 493,032 | +4.4% |
| 1989 | 514,742 | +4.4% |
| 1990 | 537,441 | +4.4% |
| 1991 | 561,141 | +4.4% |
| 1992 | 585,920 | +4.4% |
| 1993 | 611,721 | +4.4% |
| 1994 | 638,696 | +4.4% |
| 1995 | 666,861 | +4.4% |
| 1996 | 696,309 | +4.4% |
| 1997 | 739,213 | +6.2% |
| 1998 | 795,344 | +7.6% |
| 1999 | 855,737 | +7.6% |
| 2000 | 920,808 | +7.6% |
| 2001 | 990,628 | +7.6% |
| 2002 | 1.07 million | +7.6% |
| 2003 | 1.15 million | +7.6% |
| 2004 | 1.23 million | +7.6% |
| 2005 | 1.33 million | +7.6% |
| 2006 | 1.43 million | +7.6% |
| 2007 | 1.51 million | +6.0% |
| 2008 | 1.59 million | +4.8% |
| 2009 | 1.66 million | +4.8% |
| 2010 | 1.74 million | +4.8% |
| 2011 | 1.83 million | +4.8% |
| 2012 | 1.91 million | +4.8% |
| 2013 | 2.00 million | +4.8% |
| 2014 | 2.10 million | +4.8% |
| 2015 | 2.20 million | +4.8% |
| 2016 | 2.31 million | +4.8% |
| 2017 | 2.42 million | +4.8% |
| 2018 | 2.53 million | +4.8% |
| 2019 | 2.65 million | +4.8% |
| 2020 | 2.78 million | +4.8% |
| 2021 | 2.91 million | +4.8% |
| 2022 | 3.06 million | +4.8% |
| 2023 | 3.20 million | +4.8% |
| 2024 | 3.36 million | +4.8% |
| 2025 | 3.52 million | +4.8% |
Burkina Faso compared with similar countries
- Burkina Faso's 3.52 million is above the median for low income countries, which is 1.98 million, 1.8× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Burkina Faso's 3.52 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.18 million, 1.6× the median. (40 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 80,689 | 59,126 | 107,102 | 10 |
| 1970s | 168,438 | 115,374 | 241,459 | 10 |
| 1980s | 396,883 | 265,200 | 514,742 | 10 |
| 1990s | 668,838 | 537,441 | 855,737 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.29 million | 920,808 | 1.66 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.17 million | 1.74 million | 2.65 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.14 million | 2.78 million | 3.52 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Burkina Faso
More urban development data for Burkina Faso
- Population in the largest city 50.6% (2025)
- Population density 86.07 people per sq. km of land area (2024)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 37.32 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per capita 0.1462 units per person (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 3.52 million (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, annual 4.82 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per unit 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per square 11.71 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 23 - Ecological 48.39 Hectares (2020)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO 100.0% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in largest city in Burkina Faso?
- Population in largest city in Burkina Faso was 3.52 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in largest city recorded in Burkina Faso?
- The highest recorded value was 3.52 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population in largest city recorded in Burkina Faso?
- The lowest recorded value was 59,126 in 1960.
- How does Burkina Faso rank for population in largest city?
- Burkina Faso ranks 55th out of 153 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population in largest city rising or falling in Burkina Faso?
- Over the last ten years it is up 60.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Burkina Faso data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.