Country Summary
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 one of the most stable economies in Africa.
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
2,384,246 (2022 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
1.4% (2022 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Gaborone
Executive branch
chief of state: President Mokgweetse Eric MASISI (since 1 April 2018); Vice President Slumber TSOGWANE (since 4 April 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Mokgweetse Eric MASISI (since 1 April 2018); Vice President Slumber TSOGWANE (since 4 April 2018);
Legislative branch
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
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)
$37.72 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$16,000 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, roots/tubers, vegetables, sorghum, beef, game meat, watermelons, cabbages, goat milk, onions
Industries
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; beef processing; textiles
Exports
$6.16 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
India 21%, Belgium 19%, United Arab Emirates 19%, South Africa 9%, Israel 7%, Hong Kong 6%, Singapore 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities
diamonds, insulated wiring, gold, beef, carbonates (2019)
Imports
$7.44 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
South Africa 58%, Namibia 9%, Canada 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities
diamonds, refined petroleum, cars, delivery trucks, electricity (2019)
Exchange rates
pulas (BWP) per US dollar -
Page last updated: Wednesday, November 16, 2022
