Quick facts
Botswana population overview
Botswana is the 44th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 2,583,330 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.6% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 113 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 60,450 births (23.4 per 1,000 people) and 14,983 deaths (5.8 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 4,133 people. The infant mortality rate is 26.5 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 516,165 in 1960 to 2,562,122 in 2025 — a change of +396.4%, or +2.5% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 23.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 69.6 years; women have on average 2.7 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 32% of residents are under 15 and 4.1% are 65 or older (2025); 68% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Gaborone. Botswana covers 581,730 km², giving a population density of about 4.5 people per km². GDP was $19.93B in 2025 — about $7,778 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Botswana population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 2,616,292 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 2,583,330 |
| World rank | #146 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #44 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.032% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.6% |
| Births per year est. | 60,450 |
| Deaths per year est. | 14,983 |
| Net migration per year est. | -4,133 |
| Birth rate | 23.4 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5.8 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 26.5 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 99.2 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 23.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 69.6 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.7 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 68% |
| Surface area 2023 | 581,730 km² |
| Population density | 4.5 per km² |
| Capital | Gaborone |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $19.93B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $7,778 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Botswana population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 2,616,292 | – | – |
| 2025 | 2,562,122 | +40,983 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | 2,521,139 | +40,895 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | 2,480,244 | +40,352 | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 2,439,892 | +38,451 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | 2,401,441 | +35,547 | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 2,365,894 | +162,621 | +1.4% |
| 2015 | 2,203,273 | +170,162 | +1.6% |
| 2010 | 2,033,111 | +193,234 | +2% |
| 2005 | 1,839,877 | +162,495 | +1.9% |
| 2000 | 1,677,382 | +178,546 | +2.3% |
| 1995 | 1,498,836 | +193,140 | +2.8% |
| 1990 | 1,305,696 | +183,751 | +3.1% |
| 1985 | 1,121,945 | +184,460 | +3.7% |
| 1980 | 937,485 | +217,105 | +5.4% |
| 1975 | 720,380 | +130,046 | +4.1% |
| 1970 | 590,334 | +15,670 | +0.5% |
| 1965 | 574,664 | +58,499 | +2.2% |
| 1960 | 516,165 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Botswana
Population over time
- From 516,165 in 1960 to 2,616,292 today — up 406.9%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.5% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 69.3 years (2024), up 18.1 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.7 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 24.4 births vs 5.7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 18.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 32% of the population is under 15 and 4.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 4.3% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 6.9 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 8.21 Mt in 2018 — down 15.9% since.
- Per person: 2.74 t in 2024, vs 0.26 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,249.8 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 33.9% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 27.4% of final energy in 2021 (-21.6 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 26.3% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 33.2% to 26.3% since 1990 — roughly 40,072 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 68% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 3% in 1960 (+65 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1996.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 8.9% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 984 m³ in 2022, down 78.4% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $19.93B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 47.3% since 2015.
- That works out to $7,778 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 24.5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.7% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 57.5% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 164 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Botswana in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Botswana in 2026?
As of October 2026, Botswana has an estimated population of 2,616,292. The United Nations estimated 2,583,330 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.6% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Botswana growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.6% per year — roughly 113 more people every day. Each year there are about 60,450 births and 14,983 deaths, with net migration of -4,133.
What is the population density of Botswana?
About 4.5 people per square kilometre: 2,616,292 people living on 581,730 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Botswana?
The median age is 23.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 69.6 years. 32% of the population is under 15 and 4.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Botswana rank by population?
Botswana is the 146th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 44th in Africa, with 0.032% of the global population.
How has the population of Botswana changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 516,165; by 2025 it had grown to 2,562,122 (+396.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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LithuaniaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.6%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.