Burkina Faso · Africa
How many people die in Burkina Faso every day?
In Burkina Faso, about 438 people die every day, roughly one death every 3 minutes. That is about 160,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 60th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 59.3 years and the leading cause of death is malaria. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
438
Deaths per year
160,000
Life expectancy
59.3 years
Population
22,673,762
Death rate
7.1 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Malaria
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Burkina Faso
59.3
World avg
72.8
-13.5 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Burkina Faso
7.1
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Burkina Faso by time period
| Per hour | 18 |
| Per day | 438 |
| Per week | 3,068 |
| Per month | 13,333 |
| Per year | 160,000 |
What people die of in Burkina Faso
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Burkina Faso in 2023 was pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections, which accounted for 11.3% of all deaths, about 47 a day. It was followed by malaria and diarrhoeal diseases.
Deaths from road injuries have more than doubled since 2000, from about 3,154 to 7,295 a year. Deaths from malaria have fallen by 66% since 2000, from about 36,697 to 12,477 a year.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 17,255 | 47 | 11.3% | +1% |
| 2 | Malaria | 12,477 | 34 | 8.2% | -66% |
| 3 | Diarrhoeal diseases | 8,068 | 22 | 5.3% | -57% |
| 4 | Preterm birth complications | 7,507 | 21 | 4.9% | +22% |
| 5 | Road injuries | 7,295 | 20 | 4.8% | +131% |
| 6 | Stroke | 6,761 | 19 | 4.4% | +38% |
| 7 | War and conflict | 6,366 | 17 | 4.2% | n/a |
| 8 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 5,293 | 15 | 3.5% | +61% |
| 9 | Kidney diseases | 3,920 | 11 | 2.6% | +74% |
| 10 | Birth asphyxia and birth trauma | 3,672 | 10 | 2.4% | -23% |
Deaths in Burkina Faso since 2000
WHO estimates that about 152,693 people died in Burkina Faso in 2023, 10% fewer than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 169,536 deaths |
| 2010 | 161,688 deaths |
| 2019 | 153,431 deaths |
| 2023 | 152,693 deaths |
Life expectancy in Burkina Faso since 1950
A baby born in Burkina Faso in 1950 could expect to live about 33 years. By 2023 that had risen to 61.1, a gain of 28.1 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 33 years |
| 1980 | 46.5 years |
| 2000 | 50.8 years |
| 2010 | 56.3 years |
| 2019 | 60.2 years |
| 2023 | 61.1 years |
Burkina Faso compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, Burkina Faso ranks 36th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burkina Faso | 438 | 59.3 | Malaria |
| Mali | 521 | 58.9 | Malaria |
| Zambia | 384 | 61.2 | HIV/AIDS |
| Malawi | 329 | 62.9 | HIV/AIDS |
| Niger | 575 | 62 | Malaria |
| Chad | 466 | 52.5 | Lower respiratory infections |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Burkina Faso every day?
In Burkina Faso, about 438 people die every day, or roughly one death every 3 minutes. That adds up to about 160,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Burkina Faso?
Malaria is the leading cause of death in Burkina Faso. It is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, and most deaths from it could be avoided with prevention and treatment. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections first in 2023, with 11.3% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Burkina Faso?
Life expectancy at birth in Burkina Faso is 59.3 years, 13.5 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 180th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Burkina Faso high?
Burkina Faso records about 7.1 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.