Burkina Faso has a population of almost 23[1] million people, with 32%[2] of the population residing in urban areas and 68%[3] living in rural regions. The country is heavily dependent on the agricultural sector, as 74%[4] of the working population of Burkina Faso is employed by the sector to some degree.[5] The agricultural sector accounts for 18.5% of the nation’s GDP. [6]
Agriculture in Burkina Faso is largely subsistence based and consists of a small variety of crops and livestock.The agricultural sector is characterised by low productivity rates that have been exacerbated by climate change due to increased drought and desertification.[7] National improvements in agriculture have reduced the likelihood of famine, however, roughly 20% of the population of Burkina Faso are food insecure,[8] with nearly 25% of the population living below the international poverty line of $2.15 per day. [9]
The top produced commodities in Burkina Faso are sorghum, maize, millet, cotton seed, and dry cowpeas.[10] Similarly, Burkina Faso’s top export commodities in terms of quantity are cotton lint, karite nuts, cashew nuts, sesame seeds and cottonseed cake.[11]
- ^ World Bank. (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=BF
- ^ World Bank. (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=BF
- ^ World Bank. (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.RUR.TOTL.ZS?locations=BF
- ^ World Bank. (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS?locations=BF
- ^ FAO. (2014). http://www.fao.org/3/i3760e/i3760e.pdf
- ^ World Bank. (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS?locations=BF
- ^ World Bank (2017). https://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2017/06/29/burkina-faso-agriculture-as-a-powerful-instrument-for-poverty-reduction#:~:text=Burkina%20Faso's%20agriculture%2Dbased%20economy,agro%2Dpastoral%20value%2Dchains.
- ^ USAID (2020). https://www.usaid.gov/burkina-faso/agriculture-and-food-security
- ^ World Bank (2021). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.DDAY?locations=BF
- ^ FAOSTAT (2022). http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country
- ^ FAOSTAT (2022). http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country_exports
Minimum wage
The national minimum wage in Burkina Faso is 45,000 West African CFA Franc (67 EUR) per month, which was implemented on July 1st, 2023[1]. This government-mandated minimum wgae is less than the poverty income level and does not apply to subsistence agriculture or other informal occupations. Additionally, it is common for employers to pay their employees less than minimum wage. Many workers supplement their income through subsistence agriculture, the informal sector, or extended family.[2]
Living Income
The Global Living Wage Coalition has developed a Living Income reference value study for rural Burkina Faso based on the Anker methodology.
The living income reference value for rural Burkina Faso is 104,436 West African CFA franc (159 EUR) per month for a typical rural family. This living income reference value is roughly twice the income of a typical rural family earning a minimum wage. Nonetheless, it is expected that living income gaps vary largely across Burkina Faso, as poverty levels are three times higher than in urban areas. Rural farming households, which depend mainly on agriculture, have the highest poverty rate in the country.[3]
- ^ WageIndicator Foundation (2024). Minimum Wage - Burkina Faso https://wageindicator.org/salary/minimum-wage/burkina-faso
- ^ U.S. Department of State. (2023). https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/burkina-faso/
- ^ Global Living Wage Coalition. (2023). Anker Living Income Reference Value: Rural Burkina Faso. https://www.globallivingwage.org/living-income-reference-value%e2%81%a0-rural-burkina-faso/
Living Income Reference Value, rural Burkina Faso 
Living income reference value estimate for rural Burkina Faso, based on a typical rural family. Global Living Wage Coalition.
Living wage for mango farmers in Burkina Faso
Company-driven living wage gap assessment for an organic mango exporter in Burkina Faso. Eosta, Nature & More, 2020.
The shea nut industry & women’s empowerment
Report on the economic and social resilience of women in the shea nut industry. FAO, 2017.
Economic importance of cotton in Burkina Faso
Report on the role cotton production has played in economic development and poverty reduction in Burkina Faso. FAO, 2017.