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Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name at independence in 1966. More than four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.
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Geography :: BOTSWANA
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Southern Africa, north of South Africa
22 00 S, 24 00 E
Africa
total: 581,730 sq km
land: 566,730 sq km
water: 15,000 sq km
country comparison to the world:
48slightly smaller than Texas
total: 4,347.15 km
border countries (4): Namibia 1,544 km, South Africa 1,969 km, Zambia 0.15 km, Zimbabwe 834 km
0 km (landlocked)
none (landlocked)
semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest
lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m
highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver
agricultural land: 45.8%
arable land 0.6%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 45.2%
forest: 19.8%
other: 34.4% (2011 est.)
14.39 sq km (2003)
12.24 cu km (2011)
total: 0.19 cu km/yr (42%/19%/39%)
per capita: 107.3 cu m/yr (2005)
periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility
overgrazing; desertification; limited freshwater resources
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country
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People and Society :: BOTSWANA
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noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7%
Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English (official) 2.1%, Sesarwa 1.9%, Sempukushu 1.7%, other 5.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2001 est.)
Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4% (includes Baha'i, Hindu, Muslim), unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 est.)
2,182,719
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1450-14 years: 32.66% (male 363,264/female 349,517)
15-24 years: 21.49% (male 233,090/female 235,894)
25-54 years: 37.31% (male 433,246/female 381,151)
55-64 years: 4.48% (male 43,604/female 54,261)
65 years and over: 4.06% (male 35,346/female 53,346) (2015 est.)
population pyramid:
total dependency ratio: 55.3%
youth dependency ratio: 49.7%
elderly dependency ratio: 5.6%
potential support ratio: 17.9% (2015 est.)
total: 23.1 years
male: 23.1 years
female: 23 years (2015 est.)
1.21% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
9920.96 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
7713.39 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
154.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population
note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
28urban population: 57.4% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 1.29% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
GABORONE (capital) 247,000 (2014)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.14 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.8 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
total: 8.93 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 9.26 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
145total population: 54.18 years
male: 55.97 years
female: 52.33 years (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
2122.33 children born/woman (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
9052.8%
note: percent of women aged 12-49 (2007/08)
5.4% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world:
1320.4 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
1.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)
improved:
urban: 99.2% of population
rural: 92.3% of population
total: 96.2% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.8% of population
rural: 7.7% of population
total: 3.8% of population (2015 est.)
improved:
urban: 78.5% of population
rural: 43.1% of population
total: 63.4% of population
unimproved:
urban: 21.5% of population
rural: 56.9% of population
total: 36.6% of population (2015 est.)
25.16% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
2392,400 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
195,100 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
30degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria (2013)
19.5% (2014)
country comparison to the world:
12811.2% (2008)
country comparison to the world:
669.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world:
5definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 88.5%
male: 88%
female: 88.9% (2015 est.)
total: 12 years
male: NA
female: NA (2008)
total number: 45,036
percentage: 9%
note: data represents children ages 7-17 (2006 est.)
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Government :: BOTSWANA
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conventional long form: Republic of Botswana
conventional short form: Botswana
local long form: Republic of Botswana
local short form: Botswana
former: Bechuanaland
parliamentary republic
name: Gaborone
geographic coordinates: 24 38 S, 25 54 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
10 districts and 6 town councils*; Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, North East, North West, Selebi-Phikwe*, South East, Southern, Sowa Town*
30 September 1966 (from the UK)
Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)
previous 1960 (preindependence); latest adopted March 1965, effective 30 September 1966; amended several times, last in 2006 (2006)
mixed legal system of civil law influenced by the Roman-Dutch model and also customary and common law
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
birthright citizenship: no, unless at least one parent was a citizen of Botswana
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Ponatshego KEDIKILWE (since 2 August 2012); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Ponatshego KEDIKILWE (since 2 August 2012)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); vice president appointed by the president
election results: Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA
description: unicameral Parliament consists of the National Assembly (63 seats; 57 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 4 nominated by the president and indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the rest of the National Assembly, and 2 ex-officio members - the president and attorney general; elected members serve 5-year terms); note - the House of Chiefs (Ntlo ya Dikgosi), an advisory body to the National Assembly, consists of 35 members - 8 hereditary chiefs from Botswana's principal tribes, 22 indirectly elected by the chiefs, and 5 appointed by the president; the House of Chiefs consults on issues including powers of chiefs, customary courts, customary law, tribal property, and constitutional amendments
elections: National Assembly elections last held on 24 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2019)
election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 46.5%, UDC 30.0%, BCP 20.4%, independent 3.1%; seats by party - BDP 37, UDC 17, BCP 3
highest court(s): Court of Appeal, High Court (each consists of a chief justice and a number of other judges as prescribed by the Parliament)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president and other judges appointed by the president upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; all judges appointed to serve until age 70
subordinate courts: Industrial Court (with circuits scheduled monthly in the capital city and in 3 districts); Magistrates Courts (1 in each district); Customary Court of Appeal; Paramount Chief's Court/Urban Customary Court; Senior Chief's Representative Court; Chief's Representative’s Court; Headman's Court
Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]
Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Dumelang SALESHANDO]
Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Ian KHAMA]
Botswana Movement for Democracy or BMD [Ndaba GAOLATLHE]
Botswana National Front or BNF [Duma BOKO]
Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Motlatsi MOLAPISI]
Umbrella for Democratic Change or UDC [Duma BOKO] (includes BMD, BPP, and BNF)
First People of the Kalahari (Bushman organization)
Pitso Ya Ba Tswana
Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language (Kalanga elites)
other: diamond mining companies
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador David John NEWMAN (since 3 August 2015)
chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990
FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164
chief of mission: Ambassador Earl R. MILLER (since 30 January 2015)
embassy: Embassy Drive, Government Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone
mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone
telephone: [267] 395-3982
FAX: [267] 318-0232
light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center; the blue symbolizes water in the form of rain, while the black and white bands represent racial harmony
zebra; national colors: blue, white, black
name: "Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land)
lyrics/music: Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE
note: adopted 1966
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Economy :: BOTSWANA
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Botswana's diamond dependent economy has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966. However, economic growth was negative in 2009, with the industrial sector shrinking by 30%, after the global crisis reduced demand for Botswana's diamonds. Although the economy recovered in 2010-12, GDP growth slowed in 2012-14. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $16,600 in 2014. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP, 70-80% of export earnings, and about one-third of the government's revenues. Botswana's heavy reliance on a single luxury export was a critical factor in the sharp economic contraction of 2009. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. According to official government statistics, unemployment reached 17.8% in 2009, but unofficial estimates run much higher. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is second highest in the world and threatens Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in diamond production within the next 10-15 years overshadows long-term prospects. A major international diamond company signed a 10-year deal with Botswana in 2012 to move its rough stone sorting and trading division from London to Gaborone by the end of 2013. The move has supported the development of Botswana's nascent downstream diamond industry.
$33.74 billion (2014 est.)
$32.15 billion (2013 est.)
$30.36 billion (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world:
121$15.79 billion (2014 est.)
4.9% (2014 est.)
5.9% (2013 est.)
4.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
63$16,000 (2014 est.)
$15,300 (2013 est.)
$14,400 (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world:
9948% of GDP (2014 est.)
44.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
35.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
13household consumption: 49.8%
government consumption: 18.9%
investment in fixed capital: 32.2%
investment in inventories: 1.7%
exports of goods and services: 51.3%
imports of goods and services: -53.9%
(2014 est.)
agriculture: 1.9%
industry: 28.7%
services: 69.4% (2014 est.)
livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; livestock processing; textiles
5.3% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
491.017 million (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
144agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
17.8% (2009 est.)
7.5% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world:
15730.3% (2003 est.)
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
63 (1993)
country comparison to the world:
3revenues: $5.442 billion
expenditures: $5.164 billion (2014 est.)
33.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
741.7% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1617.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
19.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1431 April - 31 March
3.9% (2014 est.)
5.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1517.5% (31 December 2014)
7.5% (31 December 2013)
country comparison to the world:
429% (31 December 2014 est.)
10.19% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
101$1.465 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$1.435 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
143$8.293 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
$7.635 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
111$2.069 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$1.852 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
139$4.588 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
$4.107 billion (31 December 2011)
$4.076 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world:
87$2.703 billion (2014 est.)
$1.535 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
44$7.477 billion (2014 est.)
$7.603 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
103diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles
$7.141 billion (2014 est.)
$7.362 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
115foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products
$8.885 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$7.726 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
78$2.505 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$2.461 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
143pulas (BWP) per US dollar -
9.19 (2014 est.)
8.3989 (2013 est.)
7.62 (2012 est.)
6.8382 (2011 est.)
6.7936 (2010 est.)
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Energy :: BOTSWANA
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235 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1683.213 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1300 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1053.371 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
48132,000 kW (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
169100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
60% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
460% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1580% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1570 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1520 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
790 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1570 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1060 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
12018,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1410 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
15118,320 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1060 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1020 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1180 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
590 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1570 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1103.919 million Mt (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
133
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Communications :: BOTSWANA
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total subscriptions: 170,000
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
132total: 3.4 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 158 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
131general assessment: Botswana is participating in regional development efforts; expanding fully digital system with fiber-optic cables linking the major population centers in the east as well as a system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relays links, and radiotelephone communication stations
domestic: fixed-line teledensity has declined in recent years and now stands at roughly 7 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity now pushing 140 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)
2 TV stations - 1 state-owned and 1 privately owned; privately owned satellite TV subscription service is available; 2 state-owned national radio stations; 3 privately owned radio stations broadcast locally (2007)
AM 8, FM 13, shortwave 4 (2001)
2 (1 state-owned, 1 private) (2007)
.bw
total: 283,500
percent of population: 13.2% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
144
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Transportation :: BOTSWANA
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74 (2013)
country comparison to the world:
70total: 10
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
total: 64
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 46
under 914 m:
13 (2013)
total: 888 km
narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)
country comparison to the world:
93total: 17,916 km
note: includes 8,916 km of Public Highway Network roads (6,116 km paved and 2,800 km unpaved) and 9,000 km of District Council roads (2011)
country comparison to the world:
117
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Military :: BOTSWANA
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Botswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Wing Command, Defense Logistics Command, Special Forces Group (2013)
18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)
males age 16-49: 557,647
females age 16-49: 531,095 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 340,949
females age 16-49: 302,332 (2010 est.)
male: 23,649
female: 23,063 (2010 est.)
2% of GDP (2013)
2.31% of GDP (2012)
2.43% of GDP (2011)
2.31% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world:
34
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Transnational Issues :: BOTSWANA
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none
current situation: Botswana is a source and destination country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; young Batswana serving as domestic workers, sometimes sent by their parents, may be denied education and basic necessities or experience confinement and abuse indicative of forced labor; adults and children of San ethnicity were reported to be in forced labor on farms and at cattle posts; Batswana girls also are forced into prostitution domestically; undocumented Asian workers may be vulnerable to forced labor due to the threat of deportation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Botswana does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; nevertheless, authorities did not increase anti-trafficking efforts in 2013; no cases involving domestic trafficking were investigated, no trafficking offenders were criminally prosecuted and convicted, and no reports of official complicity were investigated; the government did not pass anti-trafficking legislation or launch a public awareness campaign; formal victim identification and referral procedures were not developed (2014)