Botswana—Male Unemployment (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #4 of 187Updated April 2026
Latest Value
21.5%
2025
YoY Change
+4.7%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#4
of 187 countries
Maximum
21.6%
2003
Minimum
13.1%
2009
CAGR
+1.5%
26 years
Last
21.5%
Previous
20.5%
Highest
21.6%
Lowest
13.1%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Botswana's male unemployment (%) was 21.5% in 2025, ranking #4 out of 187 countries. This represents a +4.7% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 21.6% (2003) and the lowest was 13.1% (2009). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 21.5% | +4.7% |
| 2024 | 20.5% | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 20.1% | -6.3% |
| 2022 | 21.5% | +5.2% |
| 2021 | 20.4% | +4.2% |
| 2020 | 19.6% | +6.2% |
| 2019 | 18.5% | +3.3% |
| 2018 | 17.9% | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 17.7% | +2.9% |
| 2016 | 17.2% | +3.4% |
| 2015 | 16.6% | +3.6% |
| 2014 | 16.1% | +3.0% |
| 2013 | 15.6% | +2.7% |
| 2012 | 15.2% | +0.6% |
| 2011 | 15.1% | +2.5% |
| 2010 | 14.7% | +12.1% |
| 2009 | 13.1% | -4.0% |
| 2008 | 13.7% | -6.8% |
| 2007 | 14.7% | -7.0% |
| 2006 | 15.8% | -11.2% |
| 2005 | 17.8% | -9.4% |
| 2004 | 19.6% | -9.2% |
| 2003 | 21.6% | +15.3% |
| 2002 | 18.7% | +19.4% |
| 2001 | 15.7% | +6.1% |
| 2000 | 14.8% |
Top Countries — Male Unemployment (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eswatini | 32.5% | 2025 |
| 2 | South Africa | 31.0% | 2025 |
| 3 | Djibouti | 21.8% | 2025 |
| 4 | Botswana | 21.5% | 2025 |
| 5 | West Bank and Gaza | 20.2% | 2022 |
| 6 | Namibia | 20.1% | 2025 |
| 7 | St. Vincent and the Grenadines | 19.5% | 2025 |
| 8 | Congo, Rep. | 18.7% | 2025 |
| 9 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 16.4% | 2025 |
| 10 | Yemen, Rep. | 16.3% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
Methodology
Data compiled by ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), uri: https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/bulk/, publisher: ILOSTAT, type: external database, date accessed: January 17, 2026.