Rural population density in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso: Rural population density was 218.77 rural population per sq. km of arable land in 2011. ▬ Flat
Rural population density in Burkina Faso, 1961–2011
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization and World Bank population estimates. Measured in rural population per sq. km of arable land.
Analysis
The most recent figure for rural population density in Burkina Faso is 218.77 rural population per sq. km of arable land, measured in 2011.
That represents a change of up 7.2% on the previous year and down 2.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, rural population density in Burkina Faso peaked at 272.98 rural population per sq. km of arable land in 2000 and was at its lowest, 193.27 rural population per sq. km of arable land, in 2008.
Burkina Faso ranks 34th of 53 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Rural population density in Burkina Faso, year by year
| Year | rural population per sq. km of arable land | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 222.18 rural population per sq. km of arable land | — |
| 1962 | 224.31 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.0% |
| 1963 | 226.53 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.0% |
| 1964 | 229.44 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.3% |
| 1965 | 232.03 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.1% |
| 1966 | 234.72 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.2% |
| 1967 | 237.73 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.3% |
| 1968 | 240.92 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.3% |
| 1969 | 244.03 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.3% |
| 1970 | 247.01 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.2% |
| 1971 | 253.47 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +2.6% |
| 1972 | 249.01 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -1.8% |
| 1973 | 246.17 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -1.1% |
| 1974 | 242.79 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -1.4% |
| 1975 | 240.5 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.9% |
| 1976 | 240.3 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.1% |
| 1977 | 239.73 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.2% |
| 1978 | 239.35 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.2% |
| 1979 | 239.17 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.1% |
| 1980 | 239.6 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.2% |
| 1981 | 239.63 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.0% |
| 1982 | 239.81 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.1% |
| 1983 | 240.55 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.3% |
| 1984 | 241.41 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.4% |
| 1985 | 242.37 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.4% |
| 1986 | 243.77 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.6% |
| 1987 | 244.12 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.1% |
| 1988 | 218.87 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -10.3% |
| 1989 | 221.74 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.3% |
| 1990 | 228.29 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +3.0% |
| 1991 | 235.52 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +3.2% |
| 1992 | 243.03 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +3.2% |
| 1993 | 251.55 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +3.5% |
| 1994 | 262.67 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +4.4% |
| 1995 | 267.68 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +1.9% |
| 1996 | 265.6 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.8% |
| 1997 | 245.95 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -7.4% |
| 1998 | 248.04 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +0.9% |
| 1999 | 247.1 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.4% |
| 2000 | 272.98 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +10.5% |
| 2001 | 223.87 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -18.0% |
| 2002 | 223.42 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -0.2% |
| 2003 | 209.97 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -6.0% |
| 2004 | 237.43 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +13.1% |
| 2005 | 227.36 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -4.2% |
| 2006 | 241.54 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +6.2% |
| 2007 | 236.09 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -2.3% |
| 2008 | 193.27 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -18.1% |
| 2009 | 210.77 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +9.1% |
| 2010 | 204.03 rural population per sq. km of arable land | -3.2% |
| 2011 | 218.77 rural population per sq. km of arable land | +7.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 232.43 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 222.18 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 244.03 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 9 |
| 1970s | 243.75 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 239.17 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 253.47 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 10 |
| 1980s | 237.19 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 218.87 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 244.12 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 10 |
| 1990s | 249.54 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 228.29 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 267.68 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 10 |
| 2000s | 227.67 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 193.27 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 272.98 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 10 |
| 2010s | 211.4 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 204.03 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 218.77 rural population per sq. km of arable land | 2 |
Countries ranked near Burkina Faso
- 31 Zambia 241.1 rural population per sq. km of arable land compare
- 32 Guinea 231.49 rural population per sq. km of arable land compare
- 33 Nigeria 227.39 rural population per sq. km of arable land compare
- 35 Angola 195.5 rural population per sq. km of arable land compare
- 36 Benin 194.31 rural population per sq. km of arable land compare
- 37 Zimbabwe 190.94 rural population per sq. km of arable land compare
More environment data for Burkina Faso
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -7.27 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -7.18 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.331 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.25 °C (2025)
- Sawlogs and veneer logs — Production, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Sawlogs and veneer logs, non-coniferous — Production, annual growth 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Other industrial roundwood — Production, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Other industrial roundwood, non-coniferous (production) — Production 0 % change on previous year (2024)
- Wood charcoal — Production, annual growth rate 2.52 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is rural population density in Burkina Faso?
- Rural population density in Burkina Faso was 218.77 rural population per sq. km of arable land in 2011, according to Food and Agriculture Organization and World Bank population estimates.
- What is the highest rural population density recorded in Burkina Faso?
- The highest recorded value was 272.98 rural population per sq. km of arable land in 2000.
- What is the lowest rural population density recorded in Burkina Faso?
- The lowest recorded value was 193.27 rural population per sq. km of arable land in 2008.
- How does Burkina Faso rank for rural population density?
- Burkina Faso ranks 34th out of 53 countries with data for 2011.
- Is rural population density rising or falling in Burkina Faso?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Burkina Faso data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization and World Bank population estimates, published as part of Rural population density (rural population per sq. km of arable land). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Rural population density is the rural population divided by the arable land area. Rural population is calculated as the difference between the total population and the urban population. Arable land includes land defined by the FAO as land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted once), temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow. Land abandoned as a result of shifting cultivation is excluded.