AEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tertius
ZONGO chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX:
[1] (202) 667-1882 telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Jimmy J. KOLKER embassy: 2440 Ouagadougou
01 B. P. 35, Ouagadougou 01 telephone:
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with
a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African
colors of Ethiopia

Economy Burkina Faso

Economy - overview: One of the poorest countries in the world,
landlocked Burkina Faso has a high population density, few natural
resources, and a fragile soil. About 90% of the population is engaged
in (mainly subsistence) agriculture, which is highly vulnerable to
variations in rainfall. Industry remains dominated by unprofitable
government-controlled corporations. Following the African franc currency
devaluation in January 1994 the government updated its development
program in conjunction with international agencies, and exports and
economic growth have increased. Maintenance of macroeconomic progress
depends on continued low inflation, reduction in the trade deficit,
and reforms designed to encourage private investment.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $12.8 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 4.7% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,040 (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 31% industry: 28% services:
41% (2000)

Population below poverty line: 45% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2%
highest 10%: 39.5% (1994)

Distribution of family income - Gini index: 48.2 (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (2001 est.)

Labor force: 5 million (1999) note: a large part of the male labor
force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 90% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $316 million expenditures: $NA, including capital
expenditures of $NA (2001)

Industries: cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap,
cigarettes, textiles, gold

Industrial production growth rate: 14% (2001 est.)

Electricity - production: 282 million kWh (2000)

Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 70.92% hydro: 29.08%
other: 0% (2000)