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
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 Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe MASISI (since 1 April 2018)
head of government: President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe MASISI (since 1 April 2018)
Legislative branch
summary: unicameral Parliament consists of the National Assembly (65 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Onkokame Kitso MOKAILA (since 17 September 2020)
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)
$46.742 billion (2023 est.)
$45.499 billion (2022 est.)
$43.133 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$17,500 (2023 est.)
$17,300 (2022 est.)
$16,700 (2021 est.)
Exports
$8.9 billion (2022 est.)
$7.928 billion (2021 est.)
$4.703 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
UAE 27%, Belgium 18%, India 15%, South Africa 10%, Hong Kong 6% (2022)
Exports - commodities
diamonds, copper ore, insulated wire, coal, cattle (2022)
Imports
$8.7 billion (2022 est.)
$9.252 billion (2021 est.)
$7.554 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
South Africa 61%, Namibia 9%, Belgium 5%, India 4%, Canada 4% (2022)
Imports - commodities
diamonds, refined petroleum, trucks, raw sugar, plastic products (2022)
Page last updated: Thursday, August 29, 2024
