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Botswana vs Namibia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a population of 2.52M (ranked 142/197), compared with 3.03M in Namibia (ranked 136/197). Botswana's land area is 218,816 sq mi versus 317,874 sq mi for Namibia (ranked 47th vs. 33rd).

By GDP, Botswana ranks 133/197 ($19.4B) and Namibia ranks 147/197 ($13.4B). By GDP per capita, Botswana ranks 97/197 ($7,696), while Namibia ranks 126/197 ($4,413).

Main facts and rankings

Botswana Namibia
Population
2615162
3173089
Population rank 142/197 134/197
GDP
$19.4B
2024
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank 133/197 147/197
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank 97/197 126/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$11,687
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank 114/185 100/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$6,197
2026
Land area 218,816 sq mi 317,874 sq mi
Population density
11.9 ppl/mi²
2026
9.93 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.73
2023
3.21
2023
Median age
24.2 years
2024
22.1 years
2024
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
67.8 years
2026

Botswana and Namibia: Comparison Charts

Botswana and Namibia economies compared

GDP
Botswana

Namibia
1x
Year GDP
Botswana Namibia
2024 $19,402,063,513 $13,372,354,512
2023 $19,411,266,967 $12,408,271,449
2022 $20,321,150,599 $12,569,449,123
2021 $18,750,182,236 $12,402,486,184
2020 $14,960,251,608 $10,583,748,542
2019 $16,725,908,149 $12,541,928,303
2018 $17,031,943,186 $13,682,019,076
2017 $16,105,155,857 $12,895,153,371
2016 $15,082,637,184 $10,722,018,732
2015 $13,530,748,845 $11,335,161,084
2014 $15,470,088,501 $12,435,430,970
2013 $14,271,738,933 $12,043,307,277
2012 $13,907,464,500 $13,042,053,592
2011 $15,110,643,612 $12,523,359,441
2010 $12,637,273,429 $11,431,412,421
2009 $10,118,459,242 $8,938,847,189
2008 $10,730,829,116 $8,607,431,497
2007 $10,567,270,656 $8,839,536,476
2006 $9,919,158,482 $8,001,779,551
2005 $9,918,907,108 $7,248,374,838
2004 $8,957,467,707 $6,609,205,995
2003 $7,511,582,173 $4,926,439,384
2002 $5,438,863,983 $3,349,169,826
2001 $5,489,608,300 $3,557,341,215
2000 $5,788,329,609 $3,922,232,165
1999 $5,484,263,347 $3,868,551,730
1998 $4,790,481,509 $3,873,109,866
1997 $5,020,265,627 $4,154,989,950
1996 $4,847,757,218 $3,989,163,197
1995 $4,730,599,122 $3,978,514,206
1994 $4,259,259,604 $3,666,503,530
1993 $4,160,129,175 $3,251,188,833
1992 $4,146,464,587 $3,429,521,699
1991 $3,942,876,703 $2,996,869,281
1990 $3,790,636,324 $2,789,921,854
1989 $3,083,822,112 $2,535,135,798
1988 $2,644,554,159 $2,495,094,746
1987 $1,965,226,890 $2,300,068,217
1986 $1,392,602,164 $1,809,048,527
1985 $1,114,783,343 $1,608,237,350
1984 $1,240,822,167 $1,951,260,038
1983 $1,172,230,397 $2,297,400,688
1982 $1,014,945,696 $2,118,710,248
1981 $1,073,812,830 $2,249,908,578
1980 $1,060,889,704 $2,421,990,338
1979 $819,870,259 -
1978 $590,407,374 -
1977 $451,624,780 -
1976 $372,025,093 -
1975 $355,168,572 -
1974 $306,044,208 -
1973 $244,124,164 -
1972 $164,460,915 -
1971 $127,448,614 -
1970 $96,243,234 -
1969 $77,361,547 -
1968 $66,248,441 -
1967 $58,642,354 -
1966 $51,465,655 -
1965 $45,788,696 -
1964 $41,616,348 -
1963 $38,091,843 -
1962 $35,644,957 -
1961 $32,902,613 -
1960 $30,411,414 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/namibia | CC BY

Botswana and Namibia economies compared

GDP per capita
Botswana

Namibia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Botswana Namibia
2024 $7,696 $4,413
2023 $7,826 $4,188
2022 $8,329 $4,350
2021 $7,808 $4,413
2020 $6,323 $3,879
2019 $7,172 $4,732
2018 $7,408 $5,309
2017 $7,105 $5,144
2016 $6,749 $4,396
2015 $6,141 $4,774
2014 $7,122 $5,378
2013 $6,667 $5,347
2012 $6,596 $5,943
2011 $7,287 $5,835
2010 $6,216 $5,418
2009 $5,083 $4,303
2008 $5,503 $4,205
2007 $5,529 $4,379
2006 $5,292 $4,017
2005 $5,391 $3,686
2004 $4,957 $3,403
2003 $4,230 $2,569
2002 $3,117 $1,772
2001 $3,206 $1,916
2000 $3,451 $2,157
1999 $3,340 $2,178
1998 $2,981 $2,235
1997 $3,194 $2,460
1996 $3,156 $2,423
1995 $3,156 $2,483
1994 $2,917 $2,356
1993 $2,929 $2,155
1992 $3,005 $2,347
1991 $2,939 $2,117
1990 $2,903 $2,037
1989 $2,428 $1,967
1988 $2,141 $2,063
1987 $1,639 $1,969
1986 $1,200 $1,599
1985 $994 $1,466
1984 $1,145 $1,830
1983 $1,121 $2,214
1982 $1,006 $2,097
1981 $1,107 $2,267
1980 $1,132 $2,468
1979 $909 -
1978 $695 -
1977 $565 -
1976 $490 -
1975 $493 -
1974 $446 -
1973 $374 -
1972 $264.2 -
1971 $212.2 -
1970 $163 -
1969 $131.8 -
1968 $113.4 -
1967 $100.9 -
1966 $89.1 -
1965 $79.7 -
1964 $73.5 -
1963 $68.9 -
1962 $66 -
1961 $62.3 -
1960 $58.9 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/namibia | CC BY

Botswana vs. Namibia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Botswana

Namibia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Botswana Namibia
2026 69.6 67.8
2025 69.4 67.7
2024 69.3 67.5
2023 69.2 67.4
2022 68.7 64.2
2021 63.3 60.8
2020 67.6 64.1
2019 67.2 63.5
2018 66.4 62.6
2017 65.4 61.7
2016 64.3 60.8
2015 63.2 60
2014 62.2 59.3
2013 61.2 58.5
2012 60.4 57.7
2011 59.7 56.6
2010 59.1 56.1
2009 58.3 55.3
2008 57.7 54.7
2007 56.7 54
2006 55.1 53.2
2005 54.4 52.6
2004 53.6 52.2
2003 52.9 51.9
2002 52.4 52
2001 52.2 52
2000 52.3 52.9
1999 52.5 54
1998 53 54.8
1997 53.6 55.8
1996 54.3 56.6
1995 54.7 57.5
1994 56 58.4
1993 57.3 59.3
1992 58.2 60.2
1991 58.9 60.8
1990 60.1 61.4
1989 61.2 60.8
1988 61.7 59
1987 62.8 59.1
1986 63.4 58.7
1985 63.6 58.5
1984 63.7 58.1
1983 63.6 57.6
1982 63.4 57.3
1981 63 56.9
1980 62.5 56.6
1979 62 59.5
1978 61.5 59.1
1977 60.9 58.6
1976 60.2 58
1975 59.5 57.6
1974 58.9 56.9
1973 58.3 56.4
1972 57.7 55.8
1971 57.1 55.3
1970 56.4 54.7
1969 55.9 54.1
1968 55.4 53.6
1967 54.9 52.9
1966 54.4 52.3
1965 53.9 52
1964 53.4 51.3
1963 52.8 50.6
1962 52.3 50
1961 51.8 49.2
1960 51.2 48.5
1959 50.7 47.8
1958 50.1 47.1
1957 49.5 46.4
1956 49 45.7
1955 48.5 45
1954 48 44.4
1953 47.5 43.8
1952 47 43.1
1951 46.6 42.5
1950 46.2 41.9

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/namibia | CC BY

Botswana and Namibia population clocks and comparison

Population
Botswana

Namibia
1x
Year Population
Botswana Namibia
2024 2,521,139 3,030,131
2023 2,480,244 2,963,095
2022 2,439,892 2,889,662
2021 2,401,441 2,810,548
2020 2,365,894 2,728,762
2019 2,332,083 2,650,494
2018 2,299,141 2,577,327
2017 2,266,747 2,506,853
2016 2,234,776 2,439,213
2015 2,203,273 2,374,300
2014 2,172,044 2,312,139
2013 2,140,682 2,252,508
2012 2,108,617 2,194,654
2011 2,073,535 2,146,325
2010 2,033,111 2,109,811
2009 1,990,673 2,077,394
2008 1,949,970 2,047,056
2007 1,911,201 2,018,600
2006 1,874,516 1,991,888
2005 1,839,877 1,966,582
2004 1,807,146 1,942,082
2003 1,775,736 1,917,464
2002 1,744,763 1,889,970
2001 1,712,254 1,857,048
2000 1,677,382 1,818,647
1999 1,641,997 1,776,368
1998 1,606,899 1,732,745
1997 1,571,691 1,689,264
1996 1,535,914 1,646,103
1995 1,498,836 1,602,170
1994 1,460,023 1,556,304
1993 1,420,115 1,508,697
1992 1,380,033 1,461,322
1991 1,341,756 1,415,684
1990 1,305,696 1,369,303
1989 1,270,274 1,288,947
1988 1,235,476 1,209,696
1987 1,199,167 1,167,889
1986 1,160,650 1,131,081
1985 1,121,945 1,096,890
1984 1,083,660 1,065,989
1983 1,046,137 1,037,511
1982 1,009,269 1,010,308
1981 969,996 992,500
1980 937,485 981,434
1979 901,742 962,825
1978 849,239 947,269
1977 799,574 931,104
1976 758,508 906,566
1975 720,380 881,032
1974 685,448 854,320
1973 652,408 828,928
1972 622,407 804,399
1971 600,481 780,584
1970 590,334 757,868
1969 587,066 736,120
1968 583,966 715,542
1967 580,933 696,045
1966 577,866 677,655
1965 574,664 660,558
1964 566,266 644,530
1963 552,966 629,589
1962 540,186 615,759
1961 527,942 603,067
1960 516,165 591,465

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/namibia | CC BY

Fertility rates in Botswana and Namibia

Fertility rate
Botswana

Namibia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Botswana Namibia
2023 2.73 3.21
2022 2.79 3.25
2021 2.83 3.3
2020 2.86 3.35
2019 2.91 3.4
2018 2.94 3.46
2017 2.97 3.51
2016 2.99 3.57
2015 3.01 3.6
2014 3.03 3.64
2013 3.05 3.65
2012 3.07 3.68
2011 3.1 3.66
2010 3.14 3.66
2009 3.13 3.63
2008 3.13 3.62
2007 3.13 3.61
2006 3.11 3.6
2005 3.08 3.57
2004 3.06 3.55
2003 3.11 3.58
2002 3.18 3.69
2001 3.25 3.83
2000 3.29 3.99
1999 3.31 4.14
1998 3.36 4.18
1997 3.43 4.17
1996 3.57 4.2
1995 3.79 4.42
1994 4.02 4.68
1993 4.15 4.91
1992 4.26 5.11
1991 4.37 5.29
1990 4.51 5.4
1989 4.67 5.52
1988 4.88 5.61
1987 5.1 5.7
1986 5.33 5.79
1985 5.48 5.88
1984 5.63 5.94
1983 5.79 6
1982 5.97 6.08
1981 6.16 6.16
1980 6.29 6.24
1979 6.4 6.31
1978 6.48 6.38
1977 6.54 6.44
1976 6.6 6.49
1975 6.61 6.53
1974 6.61 6.55
1973 6.59 6.54
1972 6.56 6.53
1971 6.54 6.52
1970 6.55 6.52
1969 6.56 6.51
1968 6.58 6.5
1967 6.6 6.49
1966 6.61 6.47
1965 6.6 6.45
1964 6.61 6.43
1963 6.58 6.41
1962 6.54 6.35
1961 6.56 6.29
1960 6.6 6.24

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/namibia | CC BY

Botswana and Namibia demographics compared

Median age
Botswana

Namibia
1x
Year Median age, years
Botswana Namibia
2024 24.2 22.1
2023 23.9 21.9
2022 23.6 21.8
2021 23.4 21.8
2020 23.3 21.8
2019 23.1 21.8
2018 22.9 21.7
2017 22.8 21.6
2016 22.7 21.5
2015 22.7 21.4
2014 22.7 21.3
2013 22.7 21.1
2012 22.8 20.9
2011 22.7 20.7
2010 22.5 20.5
2009 22.2 20.3
2008 22 20
2007 21.7 19.9
2006 21.5 19.7
2005 21.2 19.6
2004 20.9 19.4
2003 20.6 19.3
2002 20.3 19.2
2001 20 19.1
2000 19.7 19
1999 19.4 18.9
1998 19.1 18.9
1997 18.8 18.8
1996 18.6 18.7
1995 18.3 18.6
1994 18 18.5
1993 17.8 18.5
1992 17.6 18.4
1991 17.4 18.4
1990 17.3 18.3
1989 17.1 17.8
1988 17 17.3
1987 16.9 17
1986 16.9 16.9
1985 16.8 16.7
1984 16.8 16.5
1983 16.8 16.4
1982 16.8 16.3
1981 16.8 16.4
1980 16.8 16.6
1979 16.9 16.8
1978 16.6 17
1977 16.4 17.3
1976 16.2 17.5
1975 16 17.6
1974 15.8 17.7
1973 15.6 17.8
1972 15.4 17.9
1971 15.3 18
1970 15.4 18.1
1969 15.6 18.1
1968 15.7 18.2
1967 15.9 18.3
1966 16.2 18.3
1965 16.4 18.4
1964 16.6 18.4
1963 16.8 18.5
1962 17.1 18.6
1961 17.4 18.7
1960 17.7 18.9

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/namibia | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Botswana Namibia
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$12.8B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
39.9%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
8.06%
2020
9.08%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.83%
2024
2.73%
2024
Armed forces personnel
9,000
2020
16,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-7.82%
2024
-3.59%
2024
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
19.9%
2018
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
28.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
67.7
2026
60.2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
1%
2015
Listed domestic companies
23
2023
12
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$2.48B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$3.36B
2024
Personal remittances received
$128M
2024
$96.7M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,830,000
2018
187,100
2020
International tourism as share of exports
4.56%
2020
3.99%
2020
Banked people share
61.4%
2024
72.9%
2024

Energy

Botswana Namibia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,165 kg
2022
692 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$17.1
2022
$15.4
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
6.9 megatons
2024
3.65 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
2.74 tons
2024
1.2 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
66.7%
2022
53.5%
2022
Renewable energy use share
27.4%
2021
30%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.08%
2022
5.88%
2022
Net energy imports use share
23.7%
2022
60.5%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
1,522 kWh
2022
1,231 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
0.25%
2021
90.9%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2021
58.7%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
76%
2023
56.7%
2023

Society

Botswana Namibia
% of world population
0.03%
2024
0.04%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,665
2025
+1,866
2025
Urban population
67.5%
2024
50.4%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.8:50.2
2024
48.8:51.2
2024
Average male height
5.68 ft
2025
5.57 ft
2025
Average female height
5.32 ft
2025
5.26 ft
2025
Quality of life index
50.1
2026
41.8
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
58
2025
46
2025
Higher education index
52
2026
40
2026
Homicides per 100K people
10.5
2021
12.5
2021
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
26.4
2019
34.8
2019
Visa free countries
83
2025
79
2025
Adult literacy rate
86.8%
2013
87.6%
2023
English speaking
38.4%
2023
17.2%
2023
People using the Internet
81.4%
2023
64.4%
2023

Health

Botswana Namibia
Government health expenditure per capita
$490
2023
$397
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$20.9
2023
$29.7
2023
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
67.8 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
6.53%
2023
11.4%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.38
2023
0.55
2022
Age at first childbirth
19 years
2017
21.6 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
155
2023
139
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
39.6
2023
40.7
2023
Obesity rate
18.6%
2022
17.5%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
4.6%
2024
5.3%
2024
Air quality index
39
2026
36
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
18.7%
2022
14.1%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
7.27 liters
2020
5.05 liters
2020

Territory

Botswana Namibia
% of world land
0.38%
2026
0.55%
2026
Land area per capita
86,792 sq mi
2024
104,904 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
99,854 sq mi
2026
149,854 sq mi
2026
Forest area
57,528 sq mi
2026
24,810 sq mi
2026
Roads length
19,727 mi
2017
n/a

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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