Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
World Factbook Title
navigation arrows
View Text Low Bandwidth Version Download Publication
Africa :: Botswana
page last updated on October 4, 2012
Flag of Botswana
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Botswana
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Botswana
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
Photos of Botswana
 
Navigation Arrow view 8 photos Opens in New Window
of Botswana
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic 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.
Back to Top
Geography ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Southern Africa, north of South Africa
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
22 00 S, 24 00 E
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 581,730 sq km
country comparison to the world: 48
land: 566,730 sq km
water: 15,000 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly smaller than Texas
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 4,013 km
border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 km (landlocked)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (landlocked)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m
highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 0.65%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 99.34% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20 sq km (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14.7 cu km (2001)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 0.19 cu km/yr (41%/18%/41%)
per capita: 107 cu m/yr (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
overgrazing; desertification; limited freshwater resources
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country
Back to Top
People ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English (official) 2.1%, other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,098,018 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 33.5% (male 358,254/ female 345,115)
15-64 years: 62.5% (male 666,194/ female 645,884)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 33,200/ female 49,371) (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 22.5 years
male: 22.4 years
female: 22.5 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.477% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
22.02 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 20
note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 61% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
GABORONE (capital) 196,000 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
160 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 61
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 10.49 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 144
male: 11.03 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 55.74 years
country comparison to the world: 199
male: 56.93 years
female: 54.51 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.46 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10.3% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 26
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.336 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.81 beds/1,000 population (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
24.8% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
320,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10.7% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 64
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 8
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 84.5%
male: 84%
female: 84.9% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2007)
Back to Top
Government ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: Republic of Botswana
conventional short form: Botswana
local long form: Republic of Botswana
local short form: Botswana
former: Bechuanaland
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
parliamentary republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Gaborone
geographic coordinates: 24 38 S, 25 54 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, North East, North West, Selebi-Pikwe*, South East, Southern
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
30 September 1966 (from the UK)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
March 1965; effective 30 September 1966
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
mixed legal system of civil law influenced by the Roman-Dutch model and also customary and common law
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: president indirectly elected for a five-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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 35-member body with 8 ex-officio members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 27 non-permanent members serving 5-year terms, of which 22 are indirectly elected with the remaining 5 appointed by the President) and the National Assembly (63 seats; 57 members directly elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms)
elections: National Assembly elections last held on 16 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 53.3%, BNF 21.9%, BCP 19.2%, 2.3%, other 3.3%; seats by party - BDP 45, BNF 6, BCP 4, BAM 1, other 1
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Gilson SALESHANDO]; Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Daniel KWELAGOBE]; Botswana Movement for Democracy or BMD [Gomolemo MOTSWALEDI]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO]; Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Bernard BALIKANI]; MELS Movement of Botswana or MELS [Themba JOINA]; New Democratic Front or NDF [Dick BAYFORD]
note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats - includes the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
First People of the Kalahari (Bushman organization); Pitso Ya Ba Tswana; Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language (Kalanga elites)
other: diamond mining companies
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Tabelelo Mazile SERETSE
chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990
FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Michelle D. GAVIN
embassy: Embassy Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone
mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone
telephone: [267] 395-3982
FAX: [267] 395-6947
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
zebra
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: "Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land)
lyrics/music: Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE
note: adopted 1966
Back to Top
Economy ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Botswana 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. The economy has since recovered, with GDP growth in 2010 at 7.2% and estimated GDP growth in 2011 of 6.2%. 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 $16,300 in 2011. 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 half 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. Although unemployment was 7.5% in 2007 according to official reports, unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is second highest in the world and threatens Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in diamond mining production within the next two decades overshadows long-term prospects.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$30.09 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
$28.76 billion (2010 est.)
$26.83 billion (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$17.57 billion (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.6% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
7.2% (2010 est.)
-4.9% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$16,200 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
$15,700 (2010 est.)
$14,800 (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 2.1%
industry: 45%
services: 52.9% (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.269 million
country comparison to the world: 136
note: formal sector employees (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7.5% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
30.3% (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
63 (1993)
country comparison to the world: 4
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
27.6% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $5.614 billion
expenditures: $6.24 billion (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
32% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-3.6% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14.5% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
14% of GDP (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8.5% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
7% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
9.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
10% (31 December 2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
11% (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
11.46% (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.153 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
$1.438 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$5.948 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
$6.654 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.792 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
$1.466 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$4.107 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 86
$4.076 billion (31 December 2010)
$4.278 billion (31 December 2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; livestock processing; textiles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10.8% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-$476.6 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
-$753.6 million (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$6.031 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
$4.591 billion (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$6.211 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
$4.767 billion (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$8.674 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$7.885 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.973 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
$1.709 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
pulas (BWP) per US dollar -
6.8382 (2011 est.)
6.7936 (2010 est.)
7.1551 (2009)
6.7907 (2008)
6.2035 (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 April - 31 March
Back to Top
Energy ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
417 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.955 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.89 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
132,000 kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
15,420 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
19,060 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.841 million Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Back to Top
Communications ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
149,600 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 135
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.9 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 130
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general 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 exceeds 100 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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.bw
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,674 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 158
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
120,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 153
Back to Top
Transportation ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
76 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 72
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 10
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 66
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 47
under 914 m: 14 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 888 km
country comparison to the world: 93
narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 25,798 km
country comparison to the world: 103
paved: 8,410 km
unpaved: 17,388 km (2005)
Back to Top
Military ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Botswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Arm Command, Defense Logistics Command, Special Forces Group (2011)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 is the apparent age of voluntary military service; official minimum age is unknown (2001)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 557,647
females age 16-49: 531,095 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 340,949
females age 16-49: 302,332 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 23,649
female: 23,063 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 37
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Botswana
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.