Botswana
BWASub-Saharan Africa Upper middle incomeCapital: Gaborone▶About Botswana
Botswana's GDP is $20.71B (2026), with a population of 2.5M, and GDP per capita of $7,379. Key indicators include real GDP growth of 2.3%, inflation at 4.7%, government debt at 44.8% of GDP, life expectancy of 69.2 years. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook and World Bank World Development Indicators.
Located in Sub-Saharan Africa, this upper middle-income nation has a GDP of $20.71 billion in 2026, ranking 135th globally. The economy exhibits modest growth with a real GDP increase of 2.3% and a GDP per capita of $7,000. The country's economic landscape is characterized by significant trade openness, with trade constituting 71.1% of GDP in 2024. Foreign Direct Investment inflows are notable, accounting for 2.4% of GDP, indicating a receptive environment for international investment. The inflation rate stands at 4.7% in 2026, reflecting stable macroeconomic conditions. The population is approximately 2.5 million as of 2024, with a life expectancy at birth of 69.2 years in 2023. The fertility rate is 2.7 births per woman. The country allocates 6.3% of its GDP to health spending, underscoring a commitment to public health. However, unemployment remains a challenge, with a rate of 24.5% in 2025. The Gross National Income per capita is $8,000 in 2024, reflecting a steady improvement in economic welfare.
▶Economy30 indicators · 2021–2027 · IMF / WB
▶Fiscal & Monetary23 indicators · 2020–2027 · IMF / WB
▶Trade15 indicators · 2023–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade (% of GDP) | 71.1% | 2024 | ▲ 3.3% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 27.4% | 2024 | ▼ 15.1% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 43.7% | 2024 | ▲ 19.6% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (USD) | $5.32B | 2024 | ▼ 15.1% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (USD) | $8.48B | 2024 | ▲ 19.5% | WB |
| Merchandise Exports (USD) | $4.65B | 2024 | ▼ 19.3% | WB |
| Merchandise Imports (USD) | $7.18B | 2024 | ▲ 10.3% | WB |
| FDI Inflows (% of GDP) | 2.4% | 2024 | ▼ 37.0% | WB |
| FDI Outflows (% of GDP) | 0.0% | 2024 | ▲ 195.5% | WB |
| FDI Net Inflows (USD) | $467.3M | 2024 | ▼ 37.0% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (USD) | $128.3M | 2024 | ▲ 83.2% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (% of GDP) | 0.7% | 2024 | ▲ 83.3% | WB |
| High-Tech Exports (% of manufactured) | 0.5% | 2023 | ▲ 7.4% | WB |
| Current Account Balance (% of GDP) | -4.2% | 2024 | ▼ 384.4% | WB |
| Current Account Balance (USD) | $-821.1M | 2024 | ▼ 384.3% | WB |
▶External Debt7 indicators · 2023–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| External Debt (% of GNI) | 11.9% | 2024 | ▲ 6.1% | WB |
| External Debt Stocks (USD) | $2.32B | 2024 | ▲ 6.1% | WB |
| Total Debt Service (% of GNI) | 1.4% | 2024 | ▲ 11.0% | WB |
| Present Value of External Debt (USD) | $1.55B | 2024 | — | WB |
| Use of IMF Credit (USD) | $321.4M | 2024 | ▼ 2.8% | WB |
| Net ODA Received (% of GNI) | 1.5% | 2023 | ▲ 228.3% | WB |
| Net ODA Received (USD) | $284.6M | 2023 | ▲ 213.6% | WB |
▶Finance12 indicators · 2023–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Credit by Financial Sector (% of GDP) | 51.0% | 2024 | ▲ 20.7% | WB |
| Domestic Credit to Private Sector (% of GDP) | 32.9% | 2024 | ▲ 9.5% | WB |
| Stock Market Capitalization (% of GDP) | 18.5% | 2023 | ▼ 87.9% | WB |
| Stock Market Capitalization (USD) | $3.59B | 2023 | ▼ 88.4% | WB |
| Stock Market Turnover (% of GDP) | 0.5% | 2024 | ▼ 70.5% | WB |
| Listed Domestic Companies | 23 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Bank Capital to Assets Ratio (%) | 8.7% | 2023 | ▼ 2.8% | WB |
| Bank Nonperforming Loans (%) | 3.7% | 2023 | ▼ 2.2% | WB |
| Account Ownership at Financial Institution (%) | 61.4% | 2024 | ▲ 4.6% | WB |
| Account Ownership, Female (%) | 59.7% | 2024 | ▲ 10.8% | WB |
| Account Ownership, Male (%) | 63.6% | 2024 | ▼ 1.2% | WB |
| Firms Using Banks to Finance Investment (%) | 29.8% | 2023 | — | WB |
▶Business Environment1 indicator · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time to Get Electricity (days) | 40 | 2023 | — | WB |
▶Private Sector6 indicators · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firms Expected to Pay Bribes (%) | 8.6% | 2023 | — | WB |
| Firms with Female Top Manager (%) | 35.1% | 2023 | — | WB |
| Firms with Female Participation in Ownership (%) | 23.0% | 2023 | — | WB |
| Firms Offering Training (%) | 34.6% | 2023 | — | WB |
| Average Firm Age (years) | 8 years | 2023 | — | WB |
| Firms Using Computers (%) | 40.5% | 2023 | — | WB |
▶People23 indicators · 2023–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2.5M | 2024 | ▲ 1.6% | WB |
| Population Growth (%) | 1.6% | 2024 | ▼ 0.3% | WB |
| Population Density (per km²) | 4 | 2023 | ▲ 1.7% | WB |
| Surface Area (sq km) | 581,730 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Land Area (sq km) | 566,730 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Urban Population (%) | 67.5% | 2024 | ▲ 0.7% | WB |
| Urban Population (total) | 1.7M | 2024 | ▲ 2.3% | WB |
| Rural Population (%) | 32.5% | 2024 | ▼ 1.3% | WB |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 69.2 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Male | 66.7 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Female | 71.7 years | 2023 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Fertility Rate (births per woman) | 2.7 | 2023 | ▼ 1.9% | WB |
| Birth Rate (per 1,000) | 24.7 | 2023 | ▼ 2.1% | WB |
| Death Rate (per 1,000) | 5.7 | 2023 | ▼ 1.8% | WB |
| Net Migration | -5,665 | 2025 | ▲ 2.0% | WB |
| Population Ages 0–14 (%) | 32.1% | 2024 | ▼ 0.5% | WB |
| Population Ages 15–64 (%) | 63.8% | 2024 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Population Ages 65+ (%) | 4.0% | 2024 | ▲ 1.7% | WB |
| Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 56.7% | 2024 | ▼ 0.4% | WB |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 6.3% | 2024 | ▲ 1.5% | WB |
| Youth Dependency Ratio (%) | 50.3% | 2024 | ▼ 0.6% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Male (per 1,000) | 224.8 | 2023 | ▼ 2.8% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Female (per 1,000) | 152.1 | 2023 | ▼ 4.3% | WB |
▶Labor20 indicators · 2024–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Labor Force | 1.2M | 2025 | ▲ 2.2% | WB |
| Labor Force Participation (%) | 68.8% | 2025 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation (%) | 63.7% | 2025 | ▲ 0.4% | WB |
| Male Labor Force Participation (%) | 74.0% | 2025 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Unemployment (%) | 24.5% | 2025 | ▲ 2.8% | WB |
| Female Unemployment (%) | 27.9% | 2025 | ▲ 1.2% | WB |
| Male Unemployment (%) | 21.5% | 2025 | ▲ 4.7% | WB |
| Youth Unemployment (%) | 46.0% | 2025 | ▲ 1.6% | WB |
| Employment in Agriculture (%) | 18.0% | 2025 | ▼ 0.4% | WB |
| Employment in Industry (%) | 15.8% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Employment in Services (%) | 66.2% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Self-Employed (%) | 69.1% | 2024 | ▲ 1.8% | WB |
| Vulnerable Employment (%) | 25.6% | 2025 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Wage & Salaried Workers (% of total) | 71.9% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Part-Time Employment (%) | 25.7% | 2024 | ▲ 6.7% | WB |
| Employers (% of total employment) | 2.5% | 2025 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Labor Force, Female (% of total) | 46.7% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Employment to Population Ratio (%) | 52.0% | 2025 | ▼ 0.5% | WB |
| Self-Employed (% of total) | 28.1% | 2025 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| NEET Youth (% not in education/employment) | 38.0% | 2024 | ▲ 1.1% | WB |
▶Education14 indicators · 2009–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Spending (% of GDP) | 8.1% | 2020 | — | WB |
| Primary School Enrollment (%) | 109.3% | 2022 | ▲ 4.4% | WB |
| Secondary School Enrollment (%) | 70.6% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Tertiary School Enrollment (%) | 21.4% | 2024 | ▲ 4.1% | WB |
| Primary Completion Rate (%) | 101.5% | 2022 | — | WB |
| Lower Secondary Completion Rate (%) | 91.4% | 2022 | — | WB |
| Out-of-School Children, Primary | 1,869 | 2022 | — | WB |
| Primary School Teachers | 16,622 | 2022 | ▲ 16.1% | WB |
| Secondary School Teachers | 15,284 | 2021 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Primary | 24 | 2015 | — | WB |
| Expenditure per Student, Primary (% of GDP/cap) | 17.8% | 2009 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio (Primary) | 94.0 | 2012 | — | WB |
| Education Spending, Secondary (% of govt) | 32.7% | 2009 | — | WB |
| Education Spending, Tertiary (% of govt) | 41.5% | 2009 | — | WB |
▶Health40 indicators · 2007–2024 · WHO
▶Energy & Environment15 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO₂ Emissions (tonnes per capita) | 2.7 | 2024 | ▲ 1.0% | WB |
| CO₂ Emissions (total kilotonnes) | 7 | 2024 | ▲ 2.7% | WB |
| Energy Use (kg oil eq. per capita) | 1,165 | 2022 | ▲ 1.9% | WB |
| Electric Power Consumption (kWh per capita) | 1,522 | 2022 | ▲ 4.6% | WB |
| Renewable Electricity Output (%) | 0.3% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Renewable Energy Consumption (%) | 27.4% | 2021 | ▼ 1.1% | WB |
| Access to Electricity (%) | 76.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Access to Clean Fuels for Cooking (%) | 66.4% | 2023 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| PM2.5 Air Pollution (µg/m³) | 18.9 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Forest Area (%) | 26.3% | 2023 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| Forest Area (sq km) | 148,998 | 2023 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| Arable Land (%) | 0.5% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Terrestrial Protected Areas (%) | 29.1% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Access to Basic Drinking Water (%) | 91.8% | 2024 | ▲ 0.1% | WHO |
| Access to Basic Sanitation (%) | 72.1% | 2024 | ▲ 0.2% | WHO |
▶Agriculture11 indicators · 2022–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Land (%) | 45.6% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Cereal Yield (kg per hectare) | 469 | 2023 | ▲ 15.0% | WB |
| Food Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 96.9 | 2022 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| Crop Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 138.3 | 2022 | ▼ 6.3% | WB |
| Livestock Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 90.3 | 2022 | ▼ 0.2% | WB |
| Land Under Cereal Production (hectares) | 158,690 | 2023 | ▼ 43.9% | WB |
| Total Fisheries Production (metric tonnes) | 1,041 | 2023 | ▼ 71.8% | WB |
| Fertilizer Consumption (kg per hectare) | 93.1 | 2023 | ▲ 28.0% | WB |
| Prevalence of Undernourishment (%) | 24.0% | 2023 | ▲ 6.7% | WB |
| Annual Freshwater Withdrawals (% of internal) | 8.9% | 2022 | ▼ 8.7% | WB |
| Cereal Production (metric tons) | 74,407 | 2023 | ▼ 35.5% | WB |
▶Technology11 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Users (%) | 81.4% | 2023 | ▲ 1.2% | WB |
| Mobile Subscriptions (per 100 people) | 179 | 2023 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Fixed Broadband Subscriptions (per 100) | 3.4 | 2023 | ▼ 24.8% | WB |
| Secure Internet Servers (per million) | 471.2 | 2024 | ▲ 6.8% | WB |
| Patent Applications, Residents | 3 | 2021 | ▲ 50.0% | WB |
| Patent Applications, Non-Residents | 2 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Scientific Journal Articles | 393 | 2022 | ▲ 1.6% | WB |
| High-Technology Exports (USD) | $25.6M | 2023 | ▼ 34.3% | WB |
| ICT Service Exports (% of service exports) | 3.8% | 2024 | ▼ 1.9% | WB |
| ICT Service Exports (USD) | $35.3M | 2024 | ▲ 18.3% | WB |
| Industrial Design Applications, Resident | 18 | 2021 | — | WB |
▶Infrastructure7 indicators · 2007–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transport, Passengers Carried | 172,720 | 2023 | ▲ 38.8% | WB |
| Air Transport, Freight (million ton-km) | 0.3 | 2023 | ▲ 466.3% | WB |
| Rail Lines (total km) | 886 | 2021 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Railways, Goods (million ton-km) | 674 | 2007 | — | WB |
| Logistics Performance Index (1–5) | 3.10 | 2022 | — | WB |
| Electricity from Oil (%) | 3.6% | 2022 | ▼ 8.5% | WB |
| Electricity from Nuclear (%) | 0.0% | 2021 | — | WB |
▶Gender6 indicators · 2021–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women in Parliament (%) | 8.7% | 2024 | ▼ 21.7% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation, 15+ (%) | 65.2% | 2024 | ▲ 3.4% | WB |
| Female Wage & Salaried Workers (%) | 71.9% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Adolescent Fertility Rate (per 1,000) | 53.8 | 2023 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Secondary | 1.11 | 2021 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity in Primary Education | 0.98 | 2021 | — | WB |
▶Governance10 indicators · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control of Corruption | 0.69 | 2023 | ▲ 3.6% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness | 0.43 | 2023 | ▼ 2.0% | WB |
| Political Stability | 1.04 | 2023 | ▼ 3.3% | WB |
| Regulatory Quality | 0.5 | 2023 | ▼ 19.9% | WB |
| Rule of Law | 0.39 | 2023 | ▼ 15.0% | WB |
| Voice & Accountability | 0.5 | 2023 | ▲ 12.1% | WB |
| Control of Corruption (percentile rank) | 73.6% | 2023 | ▼ 0.6% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness (percentile rank) | 67.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.7% | WB |
| Rule of Law (percentile rank) | 61.3% | 2023 | ▼ 6.5% | WB |
| Political Stability (percentile rank) | 87.2% | 2023 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
▶Military6 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military Spending (% of GDP) | 2.8% | 2024 | ▲ 15.4% | WB |
| Military Expenditure (USD) | $567.8M | 2024 | ▲ 16.9% | WB |
| Armed Forces Personnel | 9,000 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Armed Forces (% of labor force) | 0.9% | 2020 | — | WB |
| Military Spending (% of govt expenditure) | 8.0% | 2024 | ▲ 9.0% | WB |
| Intentional Homicides (per 100,000) | 11.4 | 2021 | ▲ 21.7% | WB |
▶Social Protection4 indicators · 2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Capital Index (0–1) | 0.41 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Human Capital Index, Female | 0.44 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Human Capital Index, Male | 0.39 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Learning-Adjusted Years of School | 5.1 years | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Tourism5 indicators · 2018–2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Tourism, Arrivals | 1.8M | 2018 | — | WB |
| Tourism Receipts (USD) | $217.0M | 2020 | — | WB |
| Tourism Expenditures (USD) | $91.8M | 2020 | — | WB |
| Tourism Receipts (% of total exports) | 4.6% | 2020 | — | WB |
| International Tourism, Transport Services (USD) | $6.0M | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Urban Development4 indicators · 2022–2024 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Population Growth (%) | 2.3% | 2024 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Population in Slums (% of urban) | 39.6% | 2022 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Rural Population Growth (%) | 0.3% | 2024 | ▼ 14.5% | WB |
| Access to Safely Managed Drinking Water (%) | 63.3% | 2024 | ▼ 1.0% | WHO |