Rank #26 by World Population
🇧🇼Botswana
Botswana has a population of 2,480,244, ranking #26 in the world. The capital is Gaborone. Located in Sub-Saharan Africa .
World Bank: Upper middle income
2,480,244
Population
#26
World Rank
69.2
Life Expectancy
$7,826
GDP Per Capita
Botswana, #26 by world population
Botswana Population History (1960-2024)
The country of Botswana had a population of 516,165 in 1960 and 2,521,139 in 2024, a 4.9× growth over 64 years. The peak was 2,521,139 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 2.52%.
2,521,139
Population (2024)
516,165
Population (1960)
2,521,139
Peak (2024)
2.52%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1960 | 516,165 |
| 1961 | 527,942 |
| 1962 | 540,186 |
| 1963 | 552,966 |
| 1964 | 566,266 |
| 1965 | 574,664 |
| 1966 | 577,866 |
| 1967 | 580,933 |
| 1968 | 583,966 |
| 1969 | 587,066 |
| 1970 | 590,334 |
| 1971 | 600,481 |
| 1972 | 622,407 |
| 1973 | 652,408 |
| 1974 | 685,448 |
| 1975 | 720,380 |
| 1976 | 758,508 |
| 1977 | 799,574 |
| 1978 | 849,239 |
| 1979 | 901,742 |
| 1980 | 937,485 |
| 1981 | 969,996 |
| 1982 | 1,009,269 |
| 1983 | 1,046,137 |
| 1984 | 1,083,660 |
| 1985 | 1,121,945 |
| 1986 | 1,160,650 |
| 1987 | 1,199,167 |
| 1988 | 1,235,476 |
| 1989 | 1,270,274 |
| 1990 | 1,305,696 |
| 1991 | 1,341,756 |
| 1992 | 1,380,033 |
| 1993 | 1,420,115 |
| 1994 | 1,460,023 |
| 1995 | 1,498,836 |
| 1996 | 1,535,914 |
| 1997 | 1,571,691 |
| 1998 | 1,606,899 |
| 1999 | 1,641,997 |
| 2000 | 1,677,382 |
| 2001 | 1,712,254 |
| 2002 | 1,744,763 |
| 2003 | 1,775,736 |
| 2004 | 1,807,146 |
| 2005 | 1,839,877 |
| 2006 | 1,874,516 |
| 2007 | 1,911,201 |
| 2008 | 1,949,970 |
| 2009 | 1,990,673 |
| 2010 | 2,033,111 |
| 2011 | 2,073,535 |
| 2012 | 2,108,617 |
| 2013 | 2,140,682 |
| 2014 | 2,172,044 |
| 2015 | 2,203,273 |
| 2016 | 2,234,776 |
| 2017 | 2,266,747 |
| 2018 | 2,299,141 |
| 2019 | 2,332,083 |
| 2020 | 2,365,894 |
| 2021 | 2,401,441 |
| 2022 | 2,439,892 |
| 2023 | 2,480,244 |
| 2024 | 2,521,139 |
Demographics
| Population | 2,480,244 |
| Population Growth Rate | 1.64% |
| Urban Population | 67.0% |
| Fertility Rate | 2.73 births/woman |
| Life Expectancy | 69.2 years |
| Infant Mortality Rate | 33.3 per 1,000 |
| Literacy Rate | - |
Economy & Trade
$7,826
GDP Per Capita
23.4%
Unemployment Rate
Upper middle income
Income Level
68.8%
Trade (% of GDP)
Health & Education
6.3%
Health Expenditure (% GDP)
0.38
Physicians per 1,000
33.3
Infant Mortality (per 1,000)
Development & Connectivity
76.0%
Electricity Access
57.9%
Internet Users
173
Mobile Subs per 100
4.4
People per km2
-6,487
Net Migration
Environment
26.3%
Forest Area
Botswana Climate
Botswana has an average annual temperature of 21.2°C (70°F) and receives about 475 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is January and the coldest is July. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
21.2°C
Avg Temp
475
Precip (mm/yr)
Jan
Hottest Month
Jul
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 26° / 79° | 91 mm |
| February | 26° / 78° | 77 mm |
| March | 24° / 75° | 63 mm |
| April | 21° / 70° | 29 mm |
| May | 17° / 62° | 8 mm |
| June | 14° / 57° | 4 mm |
| July | 14° / 57° | 1 mm |
| August | 17° / 62° | 3 mm |
| September | 21° / 70° | 14 mm |
| October | 24° / 76° | 39 mm |
| November | 25° / 77° | 74 mm |
| December | 26° / 78° | 72 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Botswana
The most comfortable months to visit Botswana are typically September, April and August, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is January (around 33°C high). The coldest is July (near 4°C low). January is usually the wettest month.
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Other Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Botswana in global context
Botswana is one of 212 countries tracked. See how it ranks globally, regional shares of world population, and projections to 2050 / 2100.
World Population 2026: Top 10 Countries, Regions & Trends →Other related entities
Country rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Botswana has a population of 2,480,244, ranking #26 in the world. The annual population growth rate is 1.64%.
Life expectancy in Botswana is 69.2 years. The infant mortality rate is 33.3 per 1,000 live births.
Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,826. It is classified as a upper middle income country by the World Bank.
67.0% of Botswana's population lives in urban areas. The overall population density is 4.4 people per square kilometer.
Literacy data for Botswana is available from the World Bank.
The most comfortable months to visit Botswana are typically September, April and August, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low, based on 1970–2000 climate normals.
Botswana has an average annual temperature of 21.2°C and about 475 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is typically January and the coldest is July.
International data from the World Bank Open Data API. Population figures are latest available estimates. GDP per capita in current US dollars.
Botswana is a country in Sub-Saharan Africa with a population of 2,480,244. The population is expanding fast — roughly 1.6% annually.
Botswana is a Upper middle income economy, with GDP per capita near $7,826. Life expectancy is 69.2 years, below the global average, with a fertility rate of 2.7 births per woman, and 67.0% of the population lives in urban areas.
Source: World Bank Open Data, 2026.