Botswana

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name at independence in 1966. More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created an enduring democracy and upper middle-income economy.

Geography

Area
total : 581,730 sq km
land: 566,730 sq km
water: 15,000 sq km

Climate
semiarid; warm winters and hot summers

Natural resources
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver

People and Society

Population
total: 2,450,668 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and people of European ancestry 7%

Languages
Setswana 77.3%, Sekalanga 7.4%, Shekgalagadi 3.4%, English (official) 2.8%, Zezuru/Shona 2%, Sesarwa 1.7%, Sembukushu 1.6%, Ndebele 1%, other 2.8% (2011 est.)

Religions
Christian 79.1%, Badimo 4.1%, other 1.4% (includes Baha'i, Hindu, Muslim, Rastafarian), none 15.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.)

Population growth rate
1.34% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Gaborone

Executive branch
chief of state: President Duma BOKO (since 1 November 2024)
head of government: President Duma BOKO (since 1 November 2024)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Mpho Churchill MOPHUTING (since 18 September 2024)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Howard A. VAN VRANKEN (since 24 May 2023)

Economy

Economic overview
good economic governance and financial management; diamond-driven growth model declining; rapid poverty reductions; high unemployment, particularly among youth; COVID-19 sharply contracted the economy and recovery is slow; public sector wages have posed fiscal challenges

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$45.553 billion (2024 est.)
$46.957 billion (2023 est.)
$45.498 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$18,100 (2024 est.)
$18,900 (2023 est.)
$18,600 (2022 est.)

Exports
$6.398 billion (2023 est.)
$8.914 billion (2022 est.)
$7.861 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
UAE 27%, India 17%, Belgium 16%, South Africa 8%, USA 7% (2023)

Exports - commodities
diamonds, copper ore, insulated wire, carbonates, cattle (2023)

Imports
$7.228 billion (2023 est.)
$8.826 billion (2022 est.)
$9.25 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
South Africa 65%, Namibia 8%, Canada 5%, China 3%, India 3% (2023)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, diamonds, cars, flavored water, electricity (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.731, ranking it 111th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 147th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 3.502. (more information)