Burkina Faso
Profiled in Ouagadougou · West Africa
The Land of Upright People, a flat Sahelian country known for African cinema and bronze casting, now dominated by an insurgency that controls large parts of its territory.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Local costs are low, but security arrangements, generators and imported goods drive real budgets. Travel outside the main cities is heavily restricted.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Ouagadougou
- Grande Mosquée de Bobo-DioulassoSudano-Sahelian mud mosque from 1880.
- Ruins of LoropéniWest Africa's first UNESCO site, stone-walled ruins.
- Sindou PeaksWind-carved sandstone formations.
- Cascades de KarfiguélaWaterfalls above the Banfora sugar plains.
- Musée NationalEthnographic collections in Ouagadougou.
- Village ArtisanalCraft village and bronze-casting centre in the capital.
- Laongo Sculpture ParkGranite sculptures by international artists.
- Monument aux Héros NationauxOuagadougou's national heroes memorial.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- Bobo-DioulassoSecond city with a mud mosque and a strong music scene.
- BanforaCascades, sugarcane country and the Sindou peaks.
- Sindou PeaksEroded sandstone ridges in the south-west.
- Lac de TengrelaHippo lake near Banfora.
- LaongoOpen-air granite sculpture park east of the capital.
Residency
Residence follows work or business permits. There is no investor route, and the security situation since 2015 has made much of the country inaccessible to foreigners.
Tax
Personal rates reach 25% and the corporate rate is 27.5%, with 18% VAT. Mining royalties are the dominant revenue source. There is no wealth or inheritance tax.
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Burkina Faso tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
Nearby
More of West Africa
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to live in Burkina Faso?
About $700 a month for one person and $1,600 for a family. A one-bedroom flat rents for around $350, and a casual meal costs about $5. Local costs are low, but security arrangements, generators and imported goods drive real budgets. Travel outside the main cities is heavily restricted.
Is Burkina Faso safe, and what is healthcare like?
In our index safety scores 2 out of 10 and healthcare 3 out of 10, where 10 is best.
What language and currency are used in Burkina Faso?
French. The currency is West African CFA franc (XOF).
What is the capital of Burkina Faso?
Ouagadougou.
How can a foreigner get residency in Burkina Faso?
Residence follows work or business permits. There is no investor route, and the security situation since 2015 has made much of the country inaccessible to foreigners.
What taxes does Burkina Faso charge?
Personal rates reach 25% and the corporate rate is 27.5%, with 18% VAT. Mining royalties are the dominant revenue source. There is no wealth or inheritance tax.