Botswana—Unemployment (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #4 of 187Updated April 2026
Latest Value
24.5%
2025
YoY Change
+2.8%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#4
of 187 countries
Maximum
24.5%
2025
Minimum
15.9%
2000
CAGR
+1.7%
26 years
Last
24.5%
Previous
23.8%
Highest
24.5%
Lowest
15.9%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Botswana's unemployment rate was 24.5% in 2025, ranking #4 out of 187 countries. This represents a +2.8% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 24.5% (2025) and the lowest was 15.9% (2000). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 24.5% | +2.8% |
| 2024 | 23.8% | +1.8% |
| 2023 | 23.4% | -1.0% |
| 2022 | 23.6% | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 23.1% | +9.9% |
| 2020 | 21.0% | +4.6% |
| 2019 | 20.1% | +2.2% |
| 2018 | 19.7% | -0.0% |
| 2017 | 19.7% | +1.8% |
| 2016 | 19.3% | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 18.9% | +2.3% |
| 2014 | 18.5% | +1.7% |
| 2013 | 18.2% | +1.4% |
| 2012 | 17.9% | -0.7% |
| 2011 | 18.0% | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 17.9% | +10.5% |
| 2009 | 16.2% | -0.8% |
| 2008 | 16.3% | -4.0% |
| 2007 | 17.0% | -4.5% |
| 2006 | 17.8% | -10.4% |
| 2005 | 19.9% | -8.7% |
| 2004 | 21.8% | -8.6% |
| 2003 | 23.8% | +11.9% |
| 2002 | 21.3% | +14.8% |
| 2001 | 18.5% | +16.8% |
| 2000 | 15.9% |
Top Countries — Unemployment (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eswatini | 34.2% | 2025 |
| 2 | South Africa | 32.4% | 2025 |
| 3 | Djibouti | 26.0% | 2025 |
| 4 | Botswana | 24.5% | 2025 |
| 5 | West Bank and Gaza | 24.4% | 2022 |
| 6 | Gabon | 20.2% | 2025 |
| 7 | Congo, Rep. | 19.9% | 2025 |
| 8 | Namibia | 19.3% | 2025 |
| 9 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 18.9% | 2025 |
| 10 | Libya | 18.8% | 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.