Unemployment in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso: Unemployment was 580.04 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment in Burkina Faso, 2006–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2025, unemployment in Burkina Faso stood at 580.04. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.
The figure is up 106.7% on the previous year and up 349.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment in Burkina Faso peaked at 580.04 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 127.27, in 2006.
Burkina Faso ranks 16th of 58 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Unemployment in Burkina Faso, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 127.27 | — |
| 2019 | 128.92 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | 158.12 | +22.6% |
| 2024 | 280.69 | +77.5% |
| 2025 | 580.04 | +106.7% |
Burkina Faso compared with similar countries
- Burkina Faso's 580.04 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 363.63, 1.6× the median. (11 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 127.27 | 127.27 | 127.27 | 1 |
| 2010s | 128.92 | 128.92 | 128.92 | 1 |
| 2020s | 339.62 | 158.12 | 580.04 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Burkina Faso
More work & labour data for Burkina Faso
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.0413 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.016 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.0657 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.6828 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 3.33 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 21,677 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 21,530 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 25,421 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 24,433 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 49,854 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment in Burkina Faso?
- Unemployment in Burkina Faso was 580.04 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment recorded in Burkina Faso?
- The highest recorded value was 580.04 in 2025.
- What is the lowest unemployment recorded in Burkina Faso?
- The lowest recorded value was 127.27 in 2006.
- How does Burkina Faso rank for unemployment?
- Burkina Faso ranks 16th out of 58 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rising or falling in Burkina Faso?
- Over the last ten years it is up 349.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Burkina Faso data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Unemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. The term disability, as defined in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), is used as an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. For measurement purposes, a person with disability is defined as a person who is limited in the kind or amount of activities that he or she can do because of ongoing difficulties due to a long-term physical condition, mental condition or health problem. For more information, refer to the Disability Labour Market Indicators (DLMI) database description.