izontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow
five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors
of Ethiopia

@Burkina, Economy

Overview:
One of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina has a high
population density, few natural resources, and relatively infertile
soil. Economic development is hindered by a poor communications
network within a landlocked country. Agriculture provides about 40% of
GDP and is entirely of a subsistence nature. Industry, dominated by
unprofitable government-controlled corporations, accounts for about
15% of GDP.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $7 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
0.7% (1992)
National product per capita:
$700 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-0.8% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$483 million
expenditures:
$548 million, including capital expenditures of $189 million (1992)
Exports:
$300 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
cotton, gold, animal products
partners:
EC 42%, Cote d'Ivoire 11%, Taiwan 15%
Imports:
$685 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
machinery, food products, petroleum
partners:
EC 49%, Africa 24%, Japan 6%
External debt:
$865 million (December 1991 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 6.7% (1992); accounts for about 15% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
120,000 kW
production:
320 million kWh
consumption per capita:
40 kWh (1991)
Industries:
cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes,
textiles, gold mining and extraction
Agriculture:
accounts for about 40% of GDP; cash crops - peanuts, shea nuts,
sesame, cotton; food crops - sorghum, millet, corn, rice; livestock;
not self-sufficient in food grains
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $294 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.9
billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $113 million
Currency:
1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05 (January 1994), 283.16 (1993),
264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989)
note:
beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per
French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Burkina, Communications

Railroads:
620 km total; 520 km Ouagadou