Burkina Faso’s GDP per capita has nearly quadrupled since 2000, marking a 297% increase over 25 years

Key Takeaways

  • Burkina Faso's GDP per capita rose from $248.9 in 2000 to an estimated $987.3 in 2024, marking a nearly 297% increase over 25 years.
  • The country saw its largest single-year jump between 2007 and 2008, rising $104.7 from $514.7 to $619.4.
  • Economic downturns were visible in 2009 (-2.9%), 2015 (-17.6%), and 2022 (-6.6%), showing vulnerability to shocks.
  • Since 2020, GDP per capita has grown 19.6%, with 2024 recording the highest value in the dataset.

Burkina Faso’s GDP per capita has climbed from $248.9 in 2000 to an all-time high of $987.3 in 2024, a 297% increase over 25 years despite notable swings along the way. After an early 2000s growth and a sharp 2008 surge, the economy contracted during the global financial crisis, hitting a low of $630.1 in 2015. From 2022 onward, the country entered its fastest growth phase in over a decade, with GDP per capita rising from $836.1 to $987.3 in just two years.

This acceleration was fueled by a boom in industrial-scale gold production, which accounts for roughly 70% of export earnings, alongside resilient agricultural performance and stronger cross-border trade. In 2024, Burkina Faso’s GDP per capita placed it in Africa’s lower-middle tier, higher than several West African neighbors such as Mali, Niger, and Sierra Leone, reflecting steady progress despite persistent structural challenges.

Source:

World Bank

Period:

2000 - 2024
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