Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso: Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line was 42.1% in 2021. ▼ Falling
Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Burkina Faso, 1994–2021
Source: World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ. Measured in % of population.
Analysis
In 2021, poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Burkina Faso stood at 42.1%. That is the lowest value across all 7 years on record.
The figure is down 11.7% on the previous year and down 37.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Burkina Faso peaked at 87.6% in 1994 and was at its lowest, 42.1%, in 2021.
Burkina Faso ranks 10th of 123 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Burkina Faso, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 87.6% | — |
| 1998 | 86.4% | -1.4% |
| 2003 | 69.6% | -19.4% |
| 2009 | 67.2% | -3.4% |
| 2014 | 58.7% | -12.6% |
| 2018 | 47.7% | -18.7% |
| 2021 | 42.1% | -11.7% |
Burkina Faso compared with similar countries
- Burkina Faso's 42.1% is above the median for low income countries, which is 42.1%, 1.0× the median. (13 countries reporting)
- Burkina Faso's 42.1% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 40.1%, 1.0× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 87.0% | 86.4% | 87.6% | 2 |
| 2000s | 68.4% | 67.2% | 69.6% | 2 |
| 2010s | 53.2% | 47.7% | 58.7% | 2 |
| 2020s | 42.1% | 42.1% | 42.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Burkina Faso
More poverty & inequality data for Burkina Faso
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 2 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fertility rate vs. share living in extreme poverty 4.19 live births per woman (2023)
- Cereal yield vs. share in extreme poverty 1,198 kg per hectare (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, annual growth rate -1.9 % change on previous year (2024)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, gaps filled 18.4 (2023)
- Tax revenue as share of GDP vs. income inequality 18.4% (2023)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Burkina Faso?
- Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Burkina Faso was 42.1% in 2021, according to World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ.
- What is the highest poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line recorded in Burkina Faso?
- The highest recorded value was 87.6% in 1994.
- What is the lowest poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line recorded in Burkina Faso?
- The lowest recorded value was 42.1% in 2021.
- How does Burkina Faso rank for poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line?
- Burkina Faso ranks 10th out of 123 countries with data for 2021.
- Is poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line rising or falling in Burkina Faso?
- Over the last ten years it is down 37.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Burkina Faso data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ, published as part of Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line is the percentage of a population living in poverty according to the World Bank's Societal Poverty Line. The Societal Poverty Line is expressed in purchasing power adjusted 2021 U.S. dollars and defined as max($3.00, $1.30 + 0.5*Median). This means that when the national median is sufficiently low, the Societal Poverty line is equivalent to the extreme poverty line, $3.00. For countries with a sufficiently high national median, the Societal Poverty Line grows as countries’ median income grows.