2016 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2016 Archive (HTML)

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Countries

268

Data Records

71,560

Botswana

2016 Edition · 314 data fields

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Introduction

Background

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name at 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. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party has won every election since independence; President Ian KHAMA was reelected for a second term in 2014. 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.

Geography

Area

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

1,013 m lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m
elevation extremes: lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m
highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m
mean elevation: 1,013 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

Geographic coordinates

22 00 S, 24 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country

Irrigated land

20 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

4,347.15 km Namibia 1,544 km, South Africa 1,969 km, Zambia 0.15 km, Zimbabwe 834 km
border countries (4): Namibia 1,544 km, South Africa 1,969 km, Zambia 0.15 km, Zimbabwe 834 km
total: 4,347.15 km

Land use

45.8% arable land 0.6%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 45.2% 19.8% 34.4% (2011 est.)
agricultural land: 45.8%
forest: 19.8%
other: 34.4% (2011 est.)

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

People and Society

Age structure

32.4% (male 364,807/female 350,888) 21.32% (male 234,251/female 236,650) 37.61% (male 444,290/female 386,622) 4.55% (male 45,186/female 55,272) 4.13% (male 36,216/female 55,026) (2016 est.)
0-14 years: 32.4% (male 364,807/female 350,888)
15-24 years: 21.32% (male 234,251/female 236,650)
25-54 years: 37.61% (male 444,290/female 386,622)
55-64 years: 4.55% (male 45,186/female 55,272)
65 years and over: 4.13% (male 36,216/female 55,026) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

20.7 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

45,036 9% data represent children ages 7-17 (2006 est.)
note: data represent 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)
note: percent of women aged 12-49 (2007/08)

Death rate

13.3 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Demographic profile

Botswana has experienced one of the most rapid declines in fertility in sub-Saharan Africa. The total fertility rate has fallen from more than 5 children per woman in the mid 1980s to approximately 2.4 in 2013. The fertility reduction has been attributed to a host of factors, including higher educational attainment among women, greater participation of women in the workforce, increased contraceptive use, later first births, and a strong national family planning program. Botswana was making significant progress in several health indicators, including life expectancy and infant and child mortality rates, until being devastated by the HIV/AIDs epidemic in the 1990s. Today Botswana has the third highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world at approximately 22%, however comprehensive and effective treatment programs have reduced HIV/AIDS-related deaths. The combination of declining fertility and increasing mortality rates because of HIV/AIDS is slowing the population aging process, with a narrowing of the youngest age groups and little expansion of the oldest age groups. Nevertheless, having the bulk of its population (about 60%) of working age will only yield economic benefits if the labor force is healthy, educated, and productively employed. Batswana have been working as contract miners in South Africa since the 19th century. Although Botswana’s economy improved shortly after independence in 1966 with the discovery of diamonds and other minerals, its lingering high poverty rate and lack of job opportunities continued to push workers to seek mining work in southern African countries. In the early 1970s, about a third of Botswana’s male labor force worked in South Africa (lesser numbers went to Namibia and Zimbabwe). Not until the 1980s and 1990s, when South African mining companies had reduced their recruitment of foreign workers and Botswana’s economic prospects had improved, were Batswana increasingly able to find job opportunities at home. Most Batswana prefer life in their home country and choose cross-border migration on a temporary basis only for work, shopping, visiting family, or tourism. Since the 1970s, Botswana has pursued an open migration policy enabling it to recruit thousands of foreign workers to fill skilled labor shortages. In the late 1990s, Botswana’s prosperity and political stability attracted not only skilled workers but small numbers of refugees from neighboring Angola, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

Dependency ratios

55.3% 49.7% 5.6% 17.9% (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 5.6%
potential support ratio: 17.9% (2015 est.)
total dependency ratio: 55.3%
youth dependency ratio: 49.7%

Drinking water source

urban: 99.2% of population rural: 92.3% of population total: 96.2% of population urban: 0.8% of population rural: 7.7% of population total: 3.8% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 7.7% of population
total: 3.8% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 0.8% of population

Education expenditures

9.6% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

5.4% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

22.21% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

3,200 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

348,900 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

8.6 deaths/1,000 live births 8.9 deaths/1,000 live births 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
female: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
male: 8.9 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 8.6 deaths/1,000 live births

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.)

Life expectancy at birth

54.5 years 56.3 years 52.6 years (2016 est.)
female: 52.6 years (2016 est.)
male: 56.3 years
total population: 54.5 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 88.5% 88% 88.9% (2015 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
female: 88.9% (2015 est.)
male: 88%
total population: 88.5%

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria (2016)
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria (2016)

Major urban areas - population

GABORONE (capital) 247,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

129 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

23.2 years 23.4 years 23.1 years (2016 est.)
female: 23.1 years (2016 est.)
male: 23.4 years
total: 23.2 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

4.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

19.5% (2014)

Physicians density

0.4 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

2,209,208 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 2016 est.)
note: 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 2016 est.)

Population growth rate

1.19% (2016 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.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 78.5% of population rural: 43.1% of population total: 63.4% of population urban: 21.5% of population rural: 56.9% of population total: 36.6% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 56.9% of population
total: 36.6% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 21.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 13 years (2013)
female: 13 years (2013)
male: 13 years
total: 13 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 1.15 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 0.66 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.3 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

36% 29.6% 43.5% (2010 est.)
female: 43.5% (2010 est.)
male: 29.6%
total: 36%

Urbanization

57.4% of total population (2015) 1.29% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
rate of urbanization: 1.29% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
urban population: 57.4% of total population (2015)

Government

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Botswana no 10 years
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Botswana
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Constitution

previous 1960 (preindependence); latest adopted March 1965, effective 30 September 1966; amended several times, last in 2006 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Botswana Botswana Republic of Botswana Botswana Bechuanaland the name Botswana means "Land of the Tswana" - referring to the country's major ethnic group
conventional long form: Republic of Botswana
conventional short form: Botswana
etymology: the name Botswana means "Land of the Tswana" - referring to the country's major ethnic group
former: Bechuanaland
local long form: Republic of Botswana
local short form: Botswana

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Earl R. MILLER (since 30 January 2015) 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 Earl R. MILLER (since 30 January 2015)
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 David John NEWMAN (since 3 August 2015) 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 244-4990 [1] (202) 244-4164 Atlanta
chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
chief of mission: Ambassador David John NEWMAN (since 3 August 2015)
consulate(s) general: Atlanta
FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164
telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990

Executive branch

President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mokgweetsi Eric MASISI (since 12 November 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mokgweetsi Eric MASISI (since 12 November 2014) Cabinet appointed by the president president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 24 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2019); 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 Mokgweetsi Eric MASISI (since 12 November 2014); 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/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 24 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2019); vice president appointed by the president
head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mokgweetsi Eric MASISI (since 12 November 2014)

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, ICCt, 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 a 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 3 districts); Magistrates Courts (1 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 a 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 3 districts); Magistrates Courts (1 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

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 National Assembly elections last held on 24 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2019) percent of vote by party - BDP 46.5%, UDC 30.0%, BCP 20.4%, independent 3.1%; seats by party - BDP 37, UDC 17, BCP 3
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
election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 46.5%, UDC 30.0%, BCP 20.4%, independent 3.1%; seats by party - BDP 37, UDC 17, BCP 3
elections: National Assembly elections last held on 24 October 2014 (next to be held in October 2019)

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)
note: adopted 1966

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

zebra; national colors: blue, white, black
zebra; national colors: blue, white, black

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 [Ndaba GAOLATLHE] Botswana National Front or BNF [Duma BOKO] Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Motlatsi MOLAPISI] Umbrella for Democratic Change or UDC [Duma BOKO] (includes BMD, BPP, and BNF)

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

Economy

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$5.112 billion $5.526 billion (2015 est.)
expenditures: $5.526 billion (2015 est.)
revenues: $5.112 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6% (31 December 2015) 7.5% (31 December 2014)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.95% (31 December 2015 est.) 9% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

$1.202 billion (2015 est.) $2.496 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$2.221 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $2.384 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

60.5 (2009)

Economy - overview

Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for one quarter of GDP, approximately 85% of export earnings, and about one-third of the government's revenues. Tourism is the secondary earner of foreign exchange and many Batswana engage in subsistence farming and cattle raising. 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 $17,700 in 2015. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Botswana's economy is highly correlated with global economic trends because of its heavy reliance on a single luxury export. According to official government statistics, unemployment is 19.5%, but unofficial estimates run much higher. De Beers, a major international diamond company, signed a 10-year deal with Botswana in 2012 and moved its rough stone sorting and trading division from London to Gaborone in 2013. The move was geared to support the development of Botswana's nascent downstream diamond industry. Following the 2008 global recession Botswana’s economy recovered in 2010. However, the Government of Botswana estimates the economy grew by only 1% in 2015. This was primarily due to the downturn in the global diamond market; water and power shortages also played a role. In October 2015 President Ian KHAMA announced a stimulus plan to boost the economy through projects in agricultural production, construction, manufacturing, and tourism development. In 2016, Botswana entered its fourth year of drought, detrimental to Botswana’s small, but vital agriculture sector. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is second highest in the world and threatens the country's impressive economic gains.

Exchange rates

pulas (BWP) per US dollar - 10.1263 (2015 est.) 8.9761 (2014 est.) 8.9761 (2013 est.) 7.62 (2012 est.) 6.8382 (2011 est.)

Exports

$6.274 billion (2015 est.) $8.514 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

47.2% 17.4% 29.5% 7.2% 52.3% -53.6% (2015 est.)
exports of goods and services: 52.3%
government consumption: 17.4%
household consumption: 47.2%
imports of goods and services: -53.6% (2015 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 29.5%
investment in inventories: 7.2%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1.9% 30.2% 67.9% (2015 est.)
agriculture: 1.9%
industry: 30.2%
services: 67.9% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$16,400 (2015 est.) $16,600 (2014 est.) $16,300 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
note: data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-0.3% (2015 est.) 3.2% (2014 est.) 9.9% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$12.86 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$34.84 billion (2015 est.) $34.96 billion (2014 est.) $33.88 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
note: data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

38.9% of GDP (2015 est.) 46.2% of GDP (2014 est.) 42.2% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%
highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA%

Imports

$7.09 billion (2015 est.) $7.991 billion (2014 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

-10.6% (2015 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.1% (2015 est.) 4.4% (2014 est.)

Labor force

1.155 million (2015 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 est.) $4.076 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

30.3% (2003 est.)

Public debt

19.6% of GDP (2015 est.) 16.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.546 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $8.323 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

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

Stock of domestic credit

$1.614 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.272 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.223 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.388 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

39.7% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

20% (2013 est.) 17.8% (2009 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 users

600,000 27.5% (July 2015 est.)
percent of population: 27.5% (July 2015 est.)
total: 600,000

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 160 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) (2015)
domestic: fixed-line teledensity has declined in recent years and now stands at roughly 7 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity now pushing 160 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) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

160,490 7 (July 2015 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (July 2015 est.)
total subscriptions: 160,490

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.475 million 159 (July 2015 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 159 (July 2015 est.)
total: 3.475 million

Transportation

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
under 914 m: 13 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

A2 (2016)

National air transport system

194,005 94,729 mt-km (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 94,729 mt-km (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 194,005
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6
number of registered air carriers: 1

Railways

888 km 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)
narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2014)
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 9,000 km of District Council roads (2011)
note: includes 8,916 km of Public Highway Network roads (6,116 km paved and 2,800 km unpaved) and 9,000 km of District Council roads (2011)
total: 17,916 km

Military and Security

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% of GDP (2013) 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)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

none

Trafficking in persons

Botswana is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; young Batswana serving as domestic workers, sometimes sent by their parents, may be denied education and basic necessities or experience confinement and abuse indicative of forced labor; Batswana girls and women also are forced into prostitution domestically; adults and children of San ethnicity were reported to be in forced labor on farms and at cattle posts in the country’s rural west Tier 2 Watch List – Botswana does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; an anti-trafficking act was passed at the beginning of 2014, but authorities did not investigate, prosecute, or convict any offenders or government officials complicit in trafficking or operationalize victim identification and referral procedures based on the new law; the government sponsored a radio campaign to familiarize the public with the issue of human trafficking (2015)
current situation: Botswana is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; young Batswana serving as domestic workers, sometimes sent by their parents, may be denied education and basic necessities or experience confinement and abuse indicative of forced labor; Batswana girls and women also are forced into prostitution domestically; adults and children of San ethnicity were reported to be in forced labor on farms and at cattle posts in the country’s rural west
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Botswana does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; an anti-trafficking act was passed at the beginning of 2014, but authorities did not investigate, prosecute, or convict any offenders or government officials complicit in trafficking or operationalize victim identification and referral procedures based on the new law; the government sponsored a radio campaign to familiarize the public with the issue of human trafficking (2015)