
Theme : Analysis of the dynamics of the wage bill on tax revenues in Burkina Faso 
Abstract 
 
The ratio of wage bill on tax revenue is one of WAEMU's convergence criteria which fixed 
standard is 35%. Respecting this standard is in line with economic approaches because wage 
bills  or  tax  revenues  influence  the  development  of  every  country.  Informed  by  this  link 
between  wage  bill  or  tax  revenue  and  development,  each  WAEMU  country  strives  to 
implement  policies  that  keep  them  up  with  WAEMU’s  fix  standard.  Unfortunately,  in  some 
countries, there are social challenges to efforts toward this standard because of the working 
conditions of public servants and workers’ continued request for pay raise. Burkina Faso is 
experiencing these challenges and barely keep up with WAEMU’s ratio. This study, entitled 
“Analysis of the dynamics of the wage bill on tax revenues in Burkina Faso,” is inspired by 
the current situation of Burkina Faso. This study analyses the wage bill on tax revenues in 
Burkina Faso at a time of social demands and the unemployment of young graduates. For this 
purpose, a linear regression from Eviews.8 software was used to explain the ratio by different 
variables among which the number of civil servants, the average salary per civil servant and 
Taxes on goods and services. Findings of this economic simulation allows us to predict a 
ratio of 66.15% in Burkina Faso which means keeping up with WAEMU’s indicator by 2019 
is a utopia for Burkina Faso. With regards to these findings, though theoretical, it is crucial 
for actors involved in the computing of the ratio to reflect on the method of computing and 
consider social stability as a prerequisite for economic stability. Respect for the ratio also 
includes  taking  population  issues  into  account  in  development  and  recruitment  policies, 
promoting the private sector and developing effective taxe revenue mobilization strategies. 
 
Key words: wage bill ratio/ tax revenue / convergence / Burkina Faso.