Safest cities in Burkina Faso
8 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in Burkina FasoTerrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Burkina Faso.
- Terrorist kidnapThere’s a very high threat of kidnapping by Al-Qaeda and regional Islamic State-affiliated groups in Burkina Faso. These include Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) and Islamic State Greater Sahara (ISGS ), who operate throughout Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
Political situation
- The political situation also remains unstable following the military coup on 30 September 2022. Further coups are possible. If you choose to travel to Burkina Faso, you should remain vigilant and monitor local media.
Crime
- Vehicle crimeThere is an increasing number of vehicle hold-ups on roads outside Ouagadougou. Drivers that refuse to stop when flagged down have been shot at.
- Street crimeStreet crime is a serious risk for foreign visitors. Most incidents are opportunist snatches of purses, wallets, jewellery and other valuables. Thieves are particularly active near the UN Circle and the former Central Market in Ouagadougou, and are often armed. Do not carry valuables in public places or walk alone at night.
- Criminal kidnappingKidnapping by criminal groups is widespread across Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. There is a possibility that criminal groups could sell people they kidnap as hostages to terrorist organisations.
Laws and cultural differences
- Personal IDAlways carry your passport or residence permit.
- RamadanRamadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, do not:
- Illegal drugs and prison sentencesDo not get involved in drugs of any kind. If you’re convicted of possessing or distributing any illegal drug, you can expect heavy fines and long jail sentences. Local prison conditions are harsh.
- Using cameras and filmmakingDo not take pictures of military or other government installations.
- LGBT+ travellersSame sex sexual activity and the ‘promotion’ of same-sex relationships is a criminal offence in Burkina Faso. If convicted, such charges could lead to prison sentences of up to 5 years.
- SouvenirsThere are strict customs regulations about taking cultural objects like masks, religious materials and antiquities out of Burkina Faso. If you’re unsure about buying any souvenirs you find for sale, contact the Ministry of Culture.
- MoneyA few of the larger hotels and restaurants in Ouagadougou accept credit cards. You’re unlikely to be able to use them anywhere outside the capital. There are a few ATMs in Ouagadougou, but they only accept Visa cards.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you’re planning to drive in Burkina Faso, see information on driving abroad.
- Road safetyRoads, even if they are paved, are in a poor state of repair. Road conditions off the main roads are often difficult, especially in the rainy season from June to October. Vehicles are often in poor condition.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- The rainy season normally runs from June to October. Torrential rains can cause floods and landslides. Monitor local weather reports and expect difficulties when travelling to affected areas during this season.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Burkina Faso, updated 2025-12-10 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- no data
- Income inequality
- Gini 37.42021
- Human development
- HDI 0.4592023
- Income
- $2,890/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 31.0 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 33/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 42/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 40/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 7.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.51GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 37.3 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- no dataof population · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 0.1 doctors /1k0.2 hospital beds per 1,000
- Malaria
- 354 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only
Natural hazards
- Drought
- 5.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Flood
- 2.2/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Burkina Faso (as of 2025).
How Burkina Faso compares
| Measure | Burkina Faso | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | no data | 2.4 /100k | — |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 37.4 | 35.2 | +2.2 — better for World median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.459 | 0.763 | −0.304 — better for World median |
| Road deaths | 31.0 /100k | 15.4 /100k | +15.6 /100k — better for World median |
| Rule of law | 42/100 | 52/100 | −10/100 — better for World median |
| Corruption perceptions | 40/100 | 39/100 | +1/100 — better for Burkina Faso |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 37.3 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | +17.6 µg/m³ — better for World median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 7.3/10 | 3.8/10 | +3.5/10 — better for World median |
| Measure | Burkina Faso | Africa median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | no data | 4.5 /100k | — |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 37.4 | 38.5 | −1.1 — better for Burkina Faso |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.459 | 0.563 | −0.104 — better for Africa median |
| Road deaths | 31.0 /100k | 27.9 /100k | +3.1 /100k — better for Africa median |
| Rule of law | 42/100 | 42/100 | ±0/100 |
| Corruption perceptions | 40/100 | 30/100 | +10/100 — better for Burkina Faso |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 37.3 µg/m³ | 27.3 µg/m³ | +10.0 µg/m³ — better for Africa median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 7.3/10 | 5.2/10 | +2.1/10 — better for Africa median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 8 cities, safest first
- Banfora51.6 · #5104 worldwide
- Ouagadougou50.3 · #5173 worldwide
- Koudougou50.1 · #5180 worldwide
- Bobo-Dioulasso49.2 · #5265 worldwide
- Tenkodogo40.8 · #5785 worldwide
- Kaya39.8 · #5825 worldwide
- Ouahigouya39.6 · #5839 worldwide
- Fada N'Gourma39.1 · #5871 worldwide