2014 Edition

Background

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. More than four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

Area

581,730 sq km 566,730 sq km 15,000 sq km

total

581,730 sq km

water

15,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Texas

Climate

semiarid; warm winters and hot summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m

highest point

Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m

lowest point

junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m

Environment - current issues

overgrazing; desertification; limited freshwater resources

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.19 cu km/yr (42%/19%/39%) 107.3 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

107.3 cu m/yr (2005)

total

0.19 cu km/yr (42%/19%/39%)

Geographic coordinates

22 00 S, 24 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country

Irrigated land

14.39 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

4,347.1 km Namibia 1,544 km, South Africa 1,969 km, Zambia 0.1 km, Zimbabwe 834 km

border countries

Namibia 1,544 km, South Africa 1,969 km, Zambia 0.1 km, Zimbabwe 834 km

total

4,347.1 km

Land use

0.45% 0% 99.55% (2011)

arable land

0.45%

other

99.55% (2011)

permanent crops

0%

Location

Southern Africa, north of South Africa

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility

Natural resources

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver

Terrain

predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest

Total renewable water resources

12.24 cu km (2011)

Age structure

32.9% (male 361,717/female 348,150) 21.6% (male 231,576/female 234,852) 37% (male 422,182/female 375,836) 4.4% (male 42,099/female 52,917) 4% (male 34,567/female 51,888) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

32.9% (male 361,717/female 348,150)

15-24 years

21.6% (male 231,576/female 234,852)

25-54 years

37% (male 422,182/female 375,836)

55-64 years

4.4% (male 42,099/female 52,917)

65 years and over

4% (male 34,567/female 51,888) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

21.34 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

45,036 9 % data represents children ages 7-17 (2006 est.)

percentage

9 %

total number

45,036

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

11.2% (2008)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

52.8% percent of women aged 12-49 (2007/08)

Death rate

13.32 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

58.6 % 52.8 % 5.9 % 17.1 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5.9 %

potential support ratio

17.1 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

58.6 %

youth dependency ratio

52.8 %

Drinking water source

urban: 99.3% of population rural: 92.8% of population total: 96.8% of population urban: 0.7% of population rural: 7.2% of population total: 3.2% of population (2012 est.)

rural

7.2% of population

total

3.2% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0.7% of population

Education expenditures

9.5% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7%

Health expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

23% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

5,700 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

337,700 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

9.38 deaths/1,000 live births 9.77 deaths/1,000 live births 8.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

8.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

9.38 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English (official) 2.1%, other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)

Life expectancy at birth

54.06 years 55.75 years 52.32 years (2014 est.)

female

52.32 years (2014 est.)

total population

54.06 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 85.1% 84.6% 85.6% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

85.6% (2011 est.)

male

84.6%

total population

85.1%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria (2013)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria (2013)

Major urban areas - population

GABORONE (capital) 202,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

160 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

22.9 years 22.9 years 22.8 years (2014 est.)

female

22.8 years (2014 est.)

male

22.9 years

total

22.9 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19 (2007 est.)

Nationality

Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

adjective

Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

noun

Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

Net migration rate

4.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

11.2% (2008)

Physicians density

0.34 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

2,155,784 estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

1.26% (2014 est.)

Religions

Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 77.9% of population rural: 41.8% of population total: 64.3% of population urban: 22.1% of population rural: 58.2% of population total: 35.7% of population (2012 est.)

rural

58.2% of population

total

35.7% of population (2012 est.)

urban

22.1% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 12 years 12 years (2006)

female

12 years (2006)

male

12 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 1.12 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.12 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.67 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.02 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.37 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

13.6% 13.2% 14% (2000)

female

14% (2000)

total

13.6%

Urbanization

61.7% of total population (2011) 2.07% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.07% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

61.7% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

10 districts and 6 town councils*; Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, North East, North West, Selebi-Phikwe*, South East, Southern, Sowa Town

Capital

Gaborone 24 38 S, 25 54 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

24 38 S, 25 54 E

name

Gaborone

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1960 (preindependence); latest adopted March 1965, effective 30 September 1966; amended several times, last in 2006 (2006)

Country name

Republic of Botswana Botswana Republic of Botswana Botswana Bechuanaland

conventional long form

Republic of Botswana

conventional short form

Botswana

former

Bechuanaland

local long form

Republic of Botswana

local short form

Botswana

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Michelle D. GAVIN (since 15 June 2011) Embassy Drive, Government Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone [267] 395-3982 [267] 318-0232

chief of mission

Ambassador Michelle D. GAVIN (since 15 June 2011)

embassy

Embassy Drive, Government Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone

FAX

[267] 318-0232

mailing address

Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone

telephone

[267] 395-3982

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Tebelelo Mazile SERETSE (since 16 February 2011) 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 244-4990 [1] (202) 244-4164

chancery

1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Tebelelo Mazile SERETSE (since 16 February 2011)

FAX

[1] (202) 244-4164

telephone

[1] (202) 244-4990

Executive branch

President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Ponatshego KEDIKILWE (since 2 August 2012); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Ponatshego KEDIKILWE (since 2 August 2012) Cabinet appointed by the president president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); vice president appointed by the president Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Ponatshego KEDIKILWE (since 2 August 2012); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA

elections

president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); vice president appointed by the president

head of government

President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Ponatshego KEDIKILWE (since 2 August 2012)

Flag description

light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center; the blue symbolizes water in the form of rain, while the black and white bands represent racial harmony

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

30 September 1966 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal, High Court (each consists of a chief justice and number of other judges as prescribed by the Parliament) Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president and other judges appointed by the president upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; all judges appointed to serve until age 70 Industrial Court (with circuits scheduled monthly in the capital city and in three districts); Magistrates Courts (one in each district); Customary Court of Appeal; Paramount Chief's Court/Urban Customary Court; Senior Chief's Representative Court; Chief's Representative’s Court; Headman's Court

highest court(s)

Court of Appeal, High Court (each consists of a chief justice and number of other judges as prescribed by the Parliament)

judge selection and term of office

Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president and other judges appointed by the president upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; all judges appointed to serve until age 70

subordinate courts

Industrial Court (with circuits scheduled monthly in the capital city and in three districts); Magistrates Courts (one in each district); Customary Court of Appeal; Paramount Chief's Court/Urban Customary Court; Senior Chief's Representative Court; Chief's Representative’s Court; Headman's Court

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law influenced by the Roman-Dutch model and also customary and common law

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 35-member body with 8 ex-officio members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 27 non-permanent members serving five-year terms, of which 22 are indirectly elected with the remaining 5 appointed by the President) and the National Assembly (63 seats; 57 members directly elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms) National Assembly elections last held on 16 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014) percent of vote by party - BDP 53.3%, BNF 21.9%, BCP 19.2%, BAM 2.3%, other 3.3%; seats by party - BDP 45, BNF 6, BCP 4, BAM 1, other 1

election results

percent of vote by party - BDP 53.3%, BNF 21.9%, BCP 19.2%, BAM 2.3%, other 3.3%; seats by party - BDP 45, BNF 6, BCP 4, BAM 1, other 1

elections

National Assembly elections last held on 16 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014)

National anthem

"Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land) Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE adopted 1966

lyrics/music

Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE

name

"Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land)

National holiday

Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)

National symbol(s)

zebra

Political parties and leaders

Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Dumelang SALESHANDO]; Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Ian KHAMA]; Botswana Movement for Democracy or BMD [Gomolemo MOTSWALEDI]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Duma BOKO]; Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Motlatsi MOLAPISI]; MELS Movement of Botswana or MELS [Themba JOINA]; New Democratic Front or NDF [Dick BAYFORD] a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats - includes the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

First People of the Kalahari (Bushman organization); Pitso Ya Ba Tswana; Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language (Kalanga elites) diamond mining companies

other

diamond mining companies

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts

Budget

$5.04 billion $4.952 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$4.952 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$5.04 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.6% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

9.5% (31 December 2010 est.) 10% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10% (31 December 2013 est.) 11% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

$1.375 billion (2013 est.) -$795.2 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$2.416 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.443 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

63 (1993)

Economy - overview

Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966. However, economic growth was negative in 2009, with the industrial sector shrinking by 30%, after the global crisis reduced demand for Botswana's diamonds. Although the economy recovered in 2010, GDP growth has again slowed. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $16,400 in 2013. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP, 70-80% of export earnings, and about one-third of the government's revenues. Botswana's heavy reliance on a single luxury export was a critical factor in the sharp economic contraction of 2009. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. According to official government statistics, unemployment reached 17.8% in 2009, but unofficial estimates run much higher. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is second highest in the world and threatens Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in diamond production within the next two decades overshadows long-term prospects. A major international diamond company signed a 10-year deal with Botswana in 2012 to move its rough stone sorting and trading division from London to Gaborone by the end of 2013. The move may support Botswana's downstream diamond industry.

Exchange rates

pulas (BWP) per US dollar - 8.732 (2013 est.) 7.6181 (2012 est.) 6.7936 (2010 est.) 7.1551 (2009) 6.7907 (2008)

Exports

$7.569 billion (2013 est.) $6.011 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

51.6% 18.3% 34.1% -1.2% 47% -49.8% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

47%

government consumption

18.3%

household consumption

51.6%

imports of goods and services

-49.8%

investment in fixed capital

34.1%

investment in inventories

-1.2%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1.9% 35.7% 62.4% (2013 est.)

agriculture

1.9%

industry

35.7%

services

62.4% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$16,400 (2013 est.) $15,900 (2012 est.) $15,500 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.9% (2013 est.) 4.2% (2012 est.) 6.1% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$15.53 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$34 billion (2013 est.) $32.71 billion (2012 est.) $31.4 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

33.7% of GDP (2013 est.) 28.9% of GDP (2012 est.) 41.1% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$7.389 billion (2013 est.) $7.918 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products

Industrial production growth rate

7.2% (2013 est.)

Industries

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; livestock processing; textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.1% (2013 est.) 7.5% (2012 est.)

Labor force

1.308 million (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

NA% NA% NA%

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$4.588 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.107 billion (31 December 2011) $4.076 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

30.3% (2003)

Public debt

17.9% of GDP (2013 est.) 17.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.933 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $7.628 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$8.293 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $7.635 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.38 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.111 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.517 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.358 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

32.4% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

17.8% (2009 est.) 7.5% (2007 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

3.843 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

3.118 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

2.985 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

132,000 kW (2011 est.)

Electricity - production

429.6 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

15,420 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

19,360 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

2 TV stations - 1 state-owned and 1 privately owned; privately owned satellite TV subscription service is available; 2 state-owned national radio stations; 3 privately owned radio stations broadcast locally (2007)

Internet country code

.bw

Internet hosts

1,806 (2012)

Internet users

120,000 (2009)

Telephone system

Botswana is participating in regional development efforts; expanding fully digital system with fiber-optic cables linking the major population centers in the east as well as a system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relays links, and radiotelephone communication stations fixed-line teledensity has declined in recent years and now stands at roughly 7 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity now pushing 140 telephones per 100 persons country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)

domestic

fixed-line teledensity has declined in recent years and now stands at roughly 7 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity now pushing 140 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

Botswana is participating in regional development efforts; expanding fully digital system with fiber-optic cables linking the major population centers in the east as well as a system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relays links, and radiotelephone communication stations

international

country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

160,500 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.082 million (2012)

Airports

74 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

2

total

10

Airports - with unpaved runways

13 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

46

total

64

Railways

888 km 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

total

888 km

Roadways

17,916 km includes 8,916 km of Public Highway Network roads (6,116 km paved and 2,800 km unpaved) and other 9,000 km of District Council roads (2011)

total

17,916 km

Manpower available for military service

557,647 531,095 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

531,095 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

557,647

Manpower fit for military service

340,949 302,332 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

302,332 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

340,949

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

23,649 23,063 (2010 est.)

female

23,063 (2010 est.)

male

23,649

Military branches

Botswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Wing Command, Defense Logistics Command, Special Forces Group (2013)

Botswana Defense Force (BDF)

Ground Forces Command, Air Wing Command, Defense Logistics Command, Special Forces Group (2013)

Military expenditures

2.31% of GDP (2012) 2.43% of GDP (2011) 2.31% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

Disputes - international

none