Burkina Faso at a Glance
While Burkina Faso it is one of the world's most impoverished countries, ranked 175 out of 177 by the UN, the Burkinabé are known for their optimism, good nature and resilience.
Despite the optimistic culture, the country is facing a harsh reality: one in five children die before their fifth birthday, there are few schools, health facilities and public services - especially in rural areas. An estimated 51% of the population has access to clean water and fewer still—only 12 per cent—have access to improved sanitation.
Formerly called Upper Volta it regained its independence from France in 1960 and was renamed in 1984. It has since spent many years under military rule and has endured numerous military coups.
Reducing rainfall levels and recurring droughts have continued to threaten further dersertification of the land. In a country where 86 per cent of the economically active population is engaged in (mainly subsitence) agriculture, accounting for 30 per cent of the gross domestic product, increased strains on the already limited arable land are having severe consequences.
The declines in rainfall and available arable land have led many of the rural poor to move to cities and towns in serach of employment oppotunities. As a result, unplanned slums have become increasingly prominent in the country's urban areas.
(Information from UNDP, CIDA, World Bank and WaterAid)
