What is the population of Botswana in 2026?
Botswana has a population of 2,562,122 people (2025 estimate), which is 144th in the world and about 0.03% of the global total.
Officially Republic of Botswana
Population 2025
2,562,122
0.03% of world population
World Bank, 2025Annual Growth
+1.61%
+41,327 people a year
World Bank, 2025Density
4/km²
566,730 km² land area
World Bank, 2023Median Age
23.4 years
Life expectancy 69.3 years
Our World in Data, 2025About Botswana
With roughly 2.6 million people spread across 566,730 km², Botswana ranks 142nd globally and maintains one of Africa's lowest population densities at 4 people per km². The nation's median age of 23.4 years reflects a young, growing population expanding at 1.6% annually, while life expectancy stands at 69.3 years. A median fertility rate of 2.7 births per woman supports continued demographic growth.
Botswana achieved independence in 1966 and operates as a parliamentary republic. English and Tswana serve as official languages, with the currency denominated in pula. Despite the sparse population, 68% of residents live in urban areas. The economy generates a GDP per capita of $7,778, positioning the country among southern Africa's more developed economies. Bordered by Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, Botswana occupies a strategic position in the region.
This summary is AI-generated from the indicators on this page. The figures themselves come from the sources cited beside each value.
Country Facts
- Capital
- Gaborone
- Continent
- Africa
- ISO codes
- BW · BWA
- Demonym
- Motswana
- Currency
- Botswana pula (BWP P)
- Government
- Parliamentary republic
- State inception
- 1966
- Time zone
- UTC+02:00
- Driving side
- Left
- Calling code
- +267
- Internet TLD
- .bw
- Land neighbours
- 4
Languages
- English
- Tswana
Demographics
Economy
Health
Education
Environment
Infrastructure
Quality of Life
Geography
Military
Age & Gender Distribution
Population by five-year age band, UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Male Female
- Age 0–14
- 32.1%
- Age 15–64
- 63.8%
- Age 65+
- 4.0%
| Age band | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100+ | 4 | 35 |
| 95-99 | 48 | 223 |
| 90-94 | 351 | 1,062 |
| 85-89 | 1,408 | 3,061 |
| 80-84 | 3,486 | 5,917 |
| 75-79 | 6,976 | 10,182 |
| 70-74 | 13,463 | 16,056 |
| 65-69 | 19,232 | 20,247 |
| 60-64 | 25,435 | 27,110 |
| 55-59 | 35,359 | 38,383 |
| 50-54 | 44,155 | 46,752 |
| 45-49 | 53,074 | 54,121 |
| 40-44 | 68,029 | 66,323 |
| 35-39 | 90,416 | 87,894 |
| 30-34 | 117,865 | 116,611 |
| 25-29 | 123,129 | 123,436 |
| 20-24 | 122,954 | 123,079 |
| 15-19 | 123,188 | 122,043 |
| 10-14 | 124,225 | 122,573 |
| 5-9 | 133,695 | 132,186 |
| 0-4 | 150,073 | 147,281 |
Population History & Projection (1950–2100)
Observed population to 2024, then the UN medium-variant projection.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 413,697 |
| 1960 | 516,165 |
| 1970 | 590,334 |
| 1980 | 937,485 |
| 1990 | 1,305,696 |
| 2000 | 1,677,382 |
| 2010 | 2,033,111 |
| 2020 | 2,365,894 |
| 2030 | 2,765,918 |
| 2040 | 3,126,640 |
| 2050 | 3,437,430 |
| 2060 | 3,682,968 |
| 2070 | 3,823,499 |
| 2080 | 3,877,213 |
| 2090 | 3,883,332 |
| 2100 | 3,836,825 |
How Botswana Compares
Population against the ten most populous countries.
| Name | Population |
|---|---|
| India | 1.46B |
| China | 1.41B |
| United States | 341.8M |
| Indonesia | 285.7M |
| Pakistan | 255.2M |
| Nigeria | 237.5M |
| Brazil | 212.8M |
| Bangladesh | 175.7M |
| Russia | 143.5M |
| Ethiopia | 135.5M |
| Botswana | 2.56M |
Countries Bordering Botswana
4 land borders.
- Namibia3.09M · +2.05%
- South Africa64.7M · +1.15%
- Zambia21.9M · +2.77%
- Zimbabwe17M · +1.88%
Botswana Population FAQ
Is the population of Botswana growing or shrinking?
Botswana's population is growing at +1.61% per year, a change of roughly 41,327 people annually.
What is the capital of Botswana?
The capital of Botswana is Gaborone.
How densely populated is Botswana?
Botswana has 4/km² across 566,730 km² of land area.
What is life expectancy in Botswana?
Life expectancy at birth in Botswana is 69.3 years (2024).
What is the median age in Botswana?
The median age in Botswana is 23.4 years, meaning half the population is younger than that and half older.
Which continent is Botswana in?
Botswana is in Africa.