Burkina Faso Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Burkina Faso
US State Department Travel Advisory
Do Not Travel
Updated May 4, 2026
Burkina Faso recorded 1.3 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2017, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Burkina Faso #137 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Africa average of 7.6 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (0.7 per 100,000 in 2007, 1.3 today). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Burkina Faso at Level 4 of 4: Do Not Travel.
Homicide Rate
1.3 /100k
Safety Rank
#59 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 4 of 4
Data Year
2017
Homicide Rate Trend (2002-2017)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide has stayed rare over the past decade (0.7 per 100,000 in 2007, 1.3 today). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Burkina Faso Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Armed Conflict Context
Burkina Faso has recorded battle-related deaths in recent years. Conflict deaths are counted separately from homicides — a country can have a moderate crime rate but significant conflict risk, and travel advisories weigh both.
Battle-Related Deaths
2,199(2024)
Military Spending
4.7% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Burkina Faso:
Do not travel to Burkina Faso for any reason due to crime , kidnapping , terrorism , and health . Do not travel to Burkina Faso for any reason. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Burkina Faso are not allowed to travel outside of Ouagadougou due to safety risks. Personnel are discouraged from nighttime travel to the Balkiui and Rayongo (also known as Dayongo) neighborhoods of Ouagadougou’s Arrondissement 11. Americans in Burkina Faso are strongly advised to take the same precautions.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Burkina Faso Population & Demographics
Population of 23,548,781, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burkina Faso safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Burkina Faso at Level 4 of 4 (Do Not Travel). Cited risks include crime, terrorism, kidnapping, health. The homicide rate of 1.3 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Burkina Faso?
Burkina Faso has an intentional homicide rate of 1.3 per 100,000 people (2017, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #137 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Burkina Faso?
Burkina Faso is currently at Level 4: Do Not Travel. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Burkina Faso compare to other countries?
Burkina Faso's homicide rate of 1.3 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and below the Africa average of 7.6.