Costs in Burkina Faso

The official price comparison is based on the harmonized consumer price index of the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INSD), whose base year is 2023. The index covers approximately 838 products at around 3,951 observation points, with more than 25,000 monthly price observations; the latest listed data extend through May 2026. Seasonal and regional differences therefore need to be considered in every budget plan. The 2021 living-conditions survey reports annual per-capita consumption of 351,362 FCFA. The figure was 558,384 FCFA in urban areas and 277,384 FCFA in rural areas. The poverty line was 247,806 FCFA per person per year, and the reported poverty rate was 43.2 percent. Food accounted for 43.5 percent of consumption, housing and water, electricity and gas for 18.2 percent, transport for 11.3 percent, household equipment for 6.1 percent, clothing for 6.0 percent, healthcare for 4.6 percent, communication for 2.0 percent, education for 1.5 percent, and leisure, sport and culture for 0.6 percent. These figures are reference data from 2021 and not a current standard monthly amount. Nationwide, 71.0 percent of households own or share ownership of their accommodation, while 9.7 percent rent. The rental share is 26.2 percent in cities and 2.6 percent in rural areas. No official proof of ownership exists for 58.8 percent of owners or co-owners. There is no reliable current national median rent; rent, advance payments, deposits and repairs should therefore be checked for the specific location. The construction-cost index does not automatically describe rent developments. The rent-cost index for Ouagadougou covers twelve arrondissements and housing types such as F2, F3, F4 or R+1; in the second quarter of 2025 it stood at 100.5, which was 0.58 percent above the previous year. In areas supplied by the National Water and Wastewater Company (ONEA), household water tariffs are tiered according to consumption: 0 to 8 cubic meters cost 188 FCFA per cubic meter, 9 to 15 cubic meters cost 463 FCFA, 16 to 25 cubic meters cost 663 FCFA, and more than 25 cubic meters cost 1,104 FCFA. A basic charge of 1,000 FCFA per bill and 18 percent value-added tax are added. The wastewater charge is 21 FCFA per cubic meter for autonomous disposal and 60 FCFA for collective disposal. At public water points, 20 liters cost 5 FCFA, 40 liters cost 10 FCFA and 220 liters cost 60 FCFA. A connection offer costs 2,000 FCFA; the offer takes approximately seven days, and the connection should be completed within no more than 60 days after payment. At the state electricity company (SONABEL), the Type A social tariff for 1 to 3 amperes is 75 FCFA per kilowatt-hour up to 75 kilowatt-hours, 128 FCFA for 76 to 100 kilowatt-hours and 138 FCFA above that. The monthly charge is 1,132 FCFA for this tariff, 1,229 FCFA for prepaid payment and 3,375 FCFA plus consumption for postpaid payment. The Type B1 tariff for 5 to 15 amperes is 96, 102 or 109 FCFA per kilowatt-hour depending on the consumption tier; it also includes a basic charge of 457 FCFA and a fixed capacity component of 355 FCFA per ampere. The actual bill depends on the connection, contract and payment method. Fuel and gas prices are shaped by the state import and storage company (SONABHY) and should be checked directly before making a current calculation. Food is the largest individual expense category. Prices for grain, meat, fish, oil and vegetables change depending on the season, region, self-sufficiency, market supply and security situation. There is no single current national monthly goods basket as a household standard; the INSD price index is suitable for ongoing updates. Transport costs include trips to work or school, fuel, fares, repairs and, where applicable, vehicle purchases. Reliable uniform nationwide fare tables are not available because prices vary by route, location, provider and security situation. The question of a uniform fare mechanism was also still being addressed in government transport discussions in 2025. Healthcare spending accounted for 4.6 percent of consumption in 2021. A total of 28.0 percent of the population reported being ill or injured; approximately 22 percent of people seeking consultation traveled more than five kilometers for treatment. Universal Health Insurance (RAMU) is mandatory for people residing in Burkina Faso and covers all or part of the costs depending on the service; an out-of-pocket share may remain. For pregnant women and children under five, treatment in public or contracted facilities is free, but this does not automatically include medicines, private treatment, transport or services not covered. Eligibility and coverage should be checked with the responsible facility before treatment. Public primary education is free; during compulsory schooling, failure to pay may not result in exclusion or the withholding of grades. Community contributions may nevertheless occur. Household education expenditure totaled 189 billion FCFA in 2020/21, averaging 37,640 FCFA per student, with 73,065 FCFA in cities and 18,650 FCFA in rural areas. For private preschools and primary schools, published fee caps apply from the 2026/2027 school year depending on the category: for preschools, 30,000 to 50,000, 50,000 to 100,000 or 75,000 to 150,000 FCFA, and for primary schools, 25,000 to 40,000, 40,000 to 80,000 or 60,000 to 150,000 FCFA. Other private education levels and local contributions must be checked separately. As a reference, the Ministry of Education cites 3,000 FCFA for primary school and 5,000 FCFA for secondary school; current application should be confirmed locally. Family budgets depend especially on the number of household members and dependents, as well as living space, food, schooling, healthcare, transport and money transfers. No nationwide uniform rate for childcare or care for older people is documented. Free treatment for certain pregnant women and children under five reduces some direct healthcare costs, but not automatically all associated costs. For communication, prepaid voice and data tariffs differ by provider and package. The telecommunications regulator (ARCEP) publishes observations on the mobile and internet market through the first quarter of 2026; these do not establish a single national package rate. Cable, satellite or digital terrestrial television was used by 15.8 percent of households, by 34.7 percent in cities and 7.7 percent in rural areas. Leisure expenditure accounted for 0.6 percent of consumption and depends heavily on the city, provider and available services. For a realistic budget, reference values should be adjusted for inflation and location and divided by household and payment frequency. Bank fees, debt payments and taxes can increase total expenditure, but they are not part of the specific subject area of living and household costs.