Independence from France came to Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) in 1960. The government instability of the 1970's and 1980's has recently been replaced by orderly, democratic elections. In 1995, Burkina held its first multiparty municipal elections since independence. With minor exceptions, the balloting was considered free and fair by human rights organizations which monitored the contest. Last February, ruling President Compaore's party merged with several small opposition parties to form the Congress for Democracy and Progress. This effectively co-opted much of what little viable opposition to Compaore existed.
Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world with per capita GNP of $300. More than 80% of the population
relies on subsistence agriculture, with only a small fraction directly involved in industry and services. Every year, several hundred thousand farm workers migrate south to Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana. Drought, poor soil, lack of adequate communications and other infrastructure, a low literacy rate, and a stagnant economy are all long-standing problems. The export economy also remains subject to fluctuations in world prices. Burkina is attempting to improve the economy by developing its mineral resources, improving its infrastructure, making its agricultural and livestock sectors more productive and competitive, and stabilizing the supplies and prices of food grains.
Burkina has excellent relations with European (including the European Union), North African, and Asian donor nations, which provide developmental aid. France, in particular, continues to provide significant aid and supports President Compaore's developing role as a regional powerbroker. Burkina maintains cordial relations with Libya.
Demographic Data
Capital: Ouagadougou
Government type: Democracy
Government stability: 78.2%
Government efficiency: 24.6%
Population's support to government: 77.7%
Area: 273,800 square kilometers
Habitable land: 73.0%
Farmable land: 10.0%
Total population: 10,422 thousands
Population's growth: 2.8%
Country's development level: 2,250
Economic Data
GNP: 6,500,000,000
Industralisation: 27.2%
International funding: 16,000,000
Political Data
Secret services efficiency: 1,665
Military Data
Technological generation: 1
Number of rebels: 1,354
Rebels development: 2,025
Rebels technological access: 1,574