Botswana has a population of 2.52M (ranked 142/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Botswana's land area is 218,816 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 47th vs. 24th).
By GDP, Botswana ranks 133/197 ($19.4B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Botswana ranks 97/197 ($7,696), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).
Main facts and rankings
Botswana
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
2615162
|
65683993
|
| Population rank | 142/197 | 24/197 |
| GDP |
$19.4B
2024 |
$401B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 133/197 | 40/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$7,696
2024 |
$6,267
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 97/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$20,538
2024 |
$15,456
2024 |
| Government debt |
$5.82B
2024 |
$305B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
30%
2024 |
76%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$2,310
2024 |
$4,761
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 114/185 | 83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$5,271
2026 |
$15,431
2026 |
| Land area | 218,816 sq mi | 468,377 sq mi |
| Population density |
11.9 ppl/mi²
2026 |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
2.73
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
24.2 years
2024 |
29.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
69.6 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
Botswana and South Africa: Comparison Charts
Botswana and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Botswana
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $19,402,063,513 | $401,144,998,374 |
| 2023 | $19,411,266,967 | $381,440,724,491 |
| 2022 | $20,321,150,599 | $407,596,043,068 |
| 2021 | $18,750,182,236 | $419,986,284,375 |
| 2020 | $14,960,251,608 | $337,974,655,408 |
| 2019 | $16,725,908,149 | $389,330,032,224 |
| 2018 | $17,031,943,186 | $405,260,723,893 |
| 2017 | $16,105,155,857 | $381,448,814,653 |
| 2016 | $15,082,637,184 | $323,585,509,674 |
| 2015 | $13,530,748,845 | $346,709,790,459 |
| 2014 | $15,470,088,501 | $381,198,869,776 |
| 2013 | $14,271,738,933 | $400,886,013,596 |
| 2012 | $13,907,464,500 | $434,400,545,086 |
| 2011 | $15,110,643,612 | $458,199,494,831 |
| 2010 | $12,637,273,429 | $417,363,822,802 |
| 2009 | $10,118,459,242 | $329,754,060,647 |
| 2008 | $10,730,829,116 | $316,131,258,616 |
| 2007 | $10,567,270,656 | $333,077,117,254 |
| 2006 | $9,919,158,482 | $303,858,675,364 |
| 2005 | $9,918,907,108 | $288,867,217,197 |
| 2004 | $8,957,467,707 | $255,806,908,595 |
| 2003 | $7,511,582,173 | $197,018,965,309 |
| 2002 | $5,438,863,983 | $129,087,556,612 |
| 2001 | $5,489,608,300 | $135,429,905,923 |
| 2000 | $5,788,329,609 | $151,752,757,215 |
| 1999 | $5,484,263,347 | $151,516,957,079 |
| 1998 | $4,790,481,509 | $152,982,984,557 |
| 1997 | $5,020,265,627 | $168,978,057,328 |
| 1996 | $4,847,757,218 | $163,234,925,381 |
| 1995 | $4,730,599,122 | $171,735,933,897 |
| 1994 | $4,259,259,604 | $153,512,712,382 |
| 1993 | $4,160,129,175 | $147,194,747,566 |
| 1992 | $4,146,464,587 | $146,956,150,987 |
| 1991 | $3,942,876,703 | $135,203,698,238 |
| 1990 | $3,790,636,324 | $126,048,140,142 |
| 1989 | $3,083,822,112 | $108,055,624,082 |
| 1988 | $2,644,554,159 | $103,976,831,871 |
| 1987 | $1,965,226,890 | $96,535,763,418 |
| 1986 | $1,392,602,164 | $73,354,771,399 |
| 1985 | $1,114,783,343 | $64,459,376,087 |
| 1984 | $1,240,822,167 | $84,870,163,366 |
| 1983 | $1,172,230,397 | $96,204,110,942 |
| 1982 | $1,014,945,696 | $85,904,057,409 |
| 1981 | $1,073,812,830 | $93,141,472,164 |
| 1980 | $1,060,889,704 | $89,411,864,402 |
| 1979 | $819,870,259 | $63,038,658,089 |
| 1978 | $590,407,374 | $51,607,412,902 |
| 1977 | $451,624,780 | $45,328,411,332 |
| 1976 | $372,025,093 | $41,150,460,288 |
| 1975 | $355,168,572 | $42,906,905,672 |
| 1974 | $306,044,208 | $41,389,186,095 |
| 1973 | $244,124,164 | $33,262,772,008 |
| 1972 | $164,460,915 | $24,515,919,217 |
| 1971 | $127,448,614 | $23,411,076,638 |
| 1970 | $96,243,234 | $21,218,391,513 |
| 1969 | $77,361,547 | $19,256,992,297 |
| 1968 | $66,248,441 | $17,124,793,150 |
| 1967 | $58,642,354 | $15,821,393,671 |
| 1966 | $51,465,655 | $14,211,394,315 |
| 1965 | $45,788,696 | $13,068,994,772 |
| 1964 | $41,616,348 | $11,955,995,218 |
| 1963 | $38,091,843 | $10,854,195,658 |
| 1962 | $35,644,957 | $9,813,996,074 |
| 1961 | $32,902,613 | $9,225,996,310 |
| 1960 | $30,411,414 | $8,748,596,501 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/south-africa | CC BY 
Botswana and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Botswana
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $7,696 | $6,267 |
| 2023 | $7,826 | $6,034 |
| 2022 | $8,329 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $7,808 | $6,829 |
| 2020 | $6,323 | $5,581 |
| 2019 | $7,172 | $6,534 |
| 2018 | $7,408 | $6,914 |
| 2017 | $7,105 | $6,618 |
| 2016 | $6,749 | $5,651 |
| 2015 | $6,141 | $6,112 |
| 2014 | $7,122 | $6,857 |
| 2013 | $6,667 | $7,332 |
| 2012 | $6,596 | $8,077 |
| 2011 | $7,287 | $8,646 |
| 2010 | $6,216 | $7,973 |
| 2009 | $5,083 | $6,375 |
| 2008 | $5,503 | $6,185 |
| 2007 | $5,529 | $6,592 |
| 2006 | $5,292 | $6,077 |
| 2005 | $5,391 | $5,837 |
| 2004 | $4,957 | $5,221 |
| 2003 | $4,230 | $4,062 |
| 2002 | $3,117 | $2,688 |
| 2001 | $3,206 | $2,847 |
| 2000 | $3,451 | $3,218 |
| 1999 | $3,340 | $3,242 |
| 1998 | $2,981 | $3,310 |
| 1997 | $3,194 | $3,700 |
| 1996 | $3,156 | $3,618 |
| 1995 | $3,156 | $3,856 |
| 1994 | $2,917 | $3,489 |
| 1993 | $2,929 | $3,400 |
| 1992 | $3,005 | $3,462 |
| 1991 | $2,939 | $3,243 |
| 1990 | $2,903 | $3,093 |
| 1989 | $2,428 | $2,727 |
| 1988 | $2,141 | $2,702 |
| 1987 | $1,639 | $2,586 |
| 1986 | $1,200 | $2,027 |
| 1985 | $994 | $1,839 |
| 1984 | $1,145 | $2,504 |
| 1983 | $1,121 | $2,938 |
| 1982 | $1,006 | $2,717 |
| 1981 | $1,107 | $3,050 |
| 1980 | $1,132 | $3,029 |
| 1979 | $909 | $2,202 |
| 1978 | $695 | $1,852 |
| 1977 | $565 | $1,671 |
| 1976 | $490 | $1,559 |
| 1975 | $493 | $1,670 |
| 1974 | $446 | $1,656 |
| 1973 | $374 | $1,369 |
| 1972 | $264.2 | $1,038 |
| 1971 | $212.2 | $1,020 |
| 1970 | $163 | $952 |
| 1969 | $131.8 | $891 |
| 1968 | $113.4 | $817 |
| 1967 | $100.9 | $779 |
| 1966 | $89.1 | $722 |
| 1965 | $79.7 | $685 |
| 1964 | $73.5 | $646 |
| 1963 | $68.9 | $605 |
| 1962 | $66 | $563 |
| 1961 | $62.3 | $546 |
| 1960 | $58.9 | $532 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/south-africa | CC BY
Botswana vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Botswana
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 69.6 | 66.7 |
| 2025 | 69.4 | 66.5 |
| 2024 | 69.3 | 66.3 |
| 2023 | 69.2 | 66.1 |
| 2022 | 68.7 | 65.5 |
| 2021 | 63.3 | 62 |
| 2020 | 67.6 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 67.2 | 66.1 |
| 2018 | 66.4 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 65.4 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | 64.3 | 64.7 |
| 2015 | 63.2 | 64.1 |
| 2014 | 62.2 | 63.2 |
| 2013 | 61.2 | 62.4 |
| 2012 | 60.4 | 61.7 |
| 2011 | 59.7 | 60.6 |
| 2010 | 59.1 | 58.9 |
| 2009 | 58.3 | 57.4 |
| 2008 | 57.7 | 56 |
| 2007 | 56.7 | 54.9 |
| 2006 | 55.1 | 54.2 |
| 2005 | 54.4 | 53.9 |
| 2004 | 53.6 | 54 |
| 2003 | 52.9 | 54.2 |
| 2002 | 52.4 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 52.2 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 52.3 | 58.4 |
| 1999 | 52.5 | 59.2 |
| 1998 | 53 | 59.9 |
| 1997 | 53.6 | 60.5 |
| 1996 | 54.3 | 61.1 |
| 1995 | 54.7 | 61.6 |
| 1994 | 56 | 62.1 |
| 1993 | 57.3 | 62.6 |
| 1992 | 58.2 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 58.9 | 63 |
| 1990 | 60.1 | 62.9 |
| 1989 | 61.2 | 63 |
| 1988 | 61.7 | 62.9 |
| 1987 | 62.8 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 63.4 | 62.4 |
| 1985 | 63.6 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 63.7 | 61.8 |
| 1983 | 63.6 | 61.4 |
| 1982 | 63.4 | 60.9 |
| 1981 | 63 | 60.4 |
| 1980 | 62.5 | 60 |
| 1979 | 62 | 59.5 |
| 1978 | 61.5 | 59 |
| 1977 | 60.9 | 58.5 |
| 1976 | 60.2 | 58 |
| 1975 | 59.5 | 57.6 |
| 1974 | 58.9 | 57.1 |
| 1973 | 58.3 | 56.7 |
| 1972 | 57.7 | 56.4 |
| 1971 | 57.1 | 56 |
| 1970 | 56.4 | 55.7 |
| 1969 | 55.9 | 55.4 |
| 1968 | 55.4 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 54.9 | 55 |
| 1966 | 54.4 | 54.7 |
| 1965 | 53.9 | 54.4 |
| 1964 | 53.4 | 54.2 |
| 1963 | 52.8 | 53.9 |
| 1962 | 52.3 | 53.6 |
| 1961 | 51.8 | 53.1 |
| 1960 | 51.2 | 52.6 |
| 1959 | 50.7 | 51.9 |
| 1958 | 50.1 | 51.1 |
| 1957 | 49.5 | 50.2 |
| 1956 | 49 | 49.2 |
| 1955 | 48.5 | 48.2 |
| 1954 | 48 | 47.1 |
| 1953 | 47.5 | 46.1 |
| 1952 | 47 | 45 |
| 1951 | 46.6 | 44.1 |
| 1950 | 46.2 | 43.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/south-africa | CC BY
Botswana and South Africa population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Botswana
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 2,521,139 | 64,007,187 |
| 2023 | 2,480,244 | 63,212,384 |
| 2022 | 2,439,892 | 62,378,410 |
| 2021 | 2,401,441 | 61,502,603 |
| 2020 | 2,365,894 | 60,562,381 |
| 2019 | 2,332,083 | 59,587,885 |
| 2018 | 2,299,141 | 58,613,001 |
| 2017 | 2,266,747 | 57,635,162 |
| 2016 | 2,234,776 | 57,259,551 |
| 2015 | 2,203,273 | 56,723,537 |
| 2014 | 2,172,044 | 55,594,838 |
| 2013 | 2,140,682 | 54,678,791 |
| 2012 | 2,108,617 | 53,782,567 |
| 2011 | 2,073,535 | 52,995,205 |
| 2010 | 2,033,111 | 52,344,051 |
| 2009 | 1,990,673 | 51,728,516 |
| 2008 | 1,949,970 | 51,114,599 |
| 2007 | 1,911,201 | 50,528,584 |
| 2006 | 1,874,516 | 49,998,277 |
| 2005 | 1,839,877 | 49,490,033 |
| 2004 | 1,807,146 | 48,991,421 |
| 2003 | 1,775,736 | 48,500,348 |
| 2002 | 1,744,763 | 48,019,415 |
| 2001 | 1,712,254 | 47,566,800 |
| 2000 | 1,677,382 | 47,159,719 |
| 1999 | 1,641,997 | 46,730,335 |
| 1998 | 1,606,899 | 46,223,880 |
| 1997 | 1,571,691 | 45,666,838 |
| 1996 | 1,535,914 | 45,123,018 |
| 1995 | 1,498,836 | 44,541,554 |
| 1994 | 1,460,023 | 44,004,139 |
| 1993 | 1,420,115 | 43,297,156 |
| 1992 | 1,380,033 | 42,443,509 |
| 1991 | 1,341,756 | 41,687,898 |
| 1990 | 1,305,696 | 40,746,268 |
| 1989 | 1,270,274 | 39,628,575 |
| 1988 | 1,235,476 | 38,480,649 |
| 1987 | 1,199,167 | 37,326,190 |
| 1986 | 1,160,650 | 36,180,515 |
| 1985 | 1,121,945 | 35,042,093 |
| 1984 | 1,083,660 | 33,892,788 |
| 1983 | 1,046,137 | 32,739,304 |
| 1982 | 1,009,269 | 31,615,339 |
| 1981 | 969,996 | 30,541,044 |
| 1980 | 937,485 | 29,518,857 |
| 1979 | 901,742 | 28,634,162 |
| 1978 | 849,239 | 27,869,507 |
| 1977 | 799,574 | 27,118,952 |
| 1976 | 758,508 | 26,395,450 |
| 1975 | 720,380 | 25,690,940 |
| 1974 | 685,448 | 24,989,108 |
| 1973 | 652,408 | 24,294,263 |
| 1972 | 622,407 | 23,609,456 |
| 1971 | 600,481 | 22,942,143 |
| 1970 | 590,334 | 22,279,984 |
| 1969 | 587,066 | 21,614,676 |
| 1968 | 583,966 | 20,957,287 |
| 1967 | 580,933 | 20,314,066 |
| 1966 | 577,866 | 19,690,087 |
| 1965 | 574,664 | 19,089,380 |
| 1964 | 566,266 | 18,511,361 |
| 1963 | 552,966 | 17,954,564 |
| 1962 | 540,186 | 17,418,522 |
| 1961 | 527,942 | 16,908,035 |
| 1960 | 516,165 | 16,440,172 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/south-africa | CC BY
Fertility rates in Botswana and South Africa
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Botswana
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2023 | 2.73 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 2.79 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 2.83 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 2.86 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 2.91 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 2.94 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 2.97 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 2.99 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 3.01 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 3.03 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 3.05 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 3.07 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 3.1 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 3.14 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 3.13 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | 3.13 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 3.13 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 3.11 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 3.08 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 3.06 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 3.11 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 3.18 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 3.25 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 3.29 | 2.41 |
| 1999 | 3.31 | 2.56 |
| 1998 | 3.36 | 2.63 |
| 1997 | 3.43 | 2.73 |
| 1996 | 3.57 | 2.99 |
| 1995 | 3.79 | 3.17 |
| 1994 | 4.02 | 3.26 |
| 1993 | 4.15 | 3.37 |
| 1992 | 4.26 | 3.48 |
| 1991 | 4.37 | 3.62 |
| 1990 | 4.51 | 3.72 |
| 1989 | 4.67 | 3.98 |
| 1988 | 4.88 | 4.18 |
| 1987 | 5.1 | 4.35 |
| 1986 | 5.33 | 4.41 |
| 1985 | 5.48 | 4.5 |
| 1984 | 5.63 | 4.57 |
| 1983 | 5.79 | 4.63 |
| 1982 | 5.97 | 4.7 |
| 1981 | 6.16 | 4.71 |
| 1980 | 6.29 | 4.78 |
| 1979 | 6.4 | 4.82 |
| 1978 | 6.48 | 4.85 |
| 1977 | 6.54 | 4.94 |
| 1976 | 6.6 | 5.07 |
| 1975 | 6.61 | 5.19 |
| 1974 | 6.61 | 5.3 |
| 1973 | 6.59 | 5.41 |
| 1972 | 6.56 | 5.49 |
| 1971 | 6.54 | 5.57 |
| 1970 | 6.55 | 5.63 |
| 1969 | 6.56 | 5.72 |
| 1968 | 6.58 | 5.78 |
| 1967 | 6.6 | 5.85 |
| 1966 | 6.61 | 5.91 |
| 1965 | 6.6 | 5.89 |
| 1964 | 6.61 | 5.96 |
| 1963 | 6.58 | 6.01 |
| 1962 | 6.54 | 6.05 |
| 1961 | 6.56 | 6.08 |
| 1960 | 6.6 | 6.11 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/south-africa | CC BY
Botswana and South Africa demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Botswana
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 24.2 | 29.5 |
| 2023 | 23.9 | 29.2 |
| 2022 | 23.6 | 28.9 |
| 2021 | 23.4 | 28.6 |
| 2020 | 23.3 | 28.3 |
| 2019 | 23.1 | 27.9 |
| 2018 | 22.9 | 27.5 |
| 2017 | 22.8 | 27 |
| 2016 | 22.7 | 26.7 |
| 2015 | 22.7 | 26.4 |
| 2014 | 22.7 | 26 |
| 2013 | 22.7 | 25.7 |
| 2012 | 22.8 | 25.3 |
| 2011 | 22.7 | 25 |
| 2010 | 22.5 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 22.2 | 24.3 |
| 2008 | 22 | 24 |
| 2007 | 21.7 | 23.8 |
| 2006 | 21.5 | 23.5 |
| 2005 | 21.2 | 23.3 |
| 2004 | 20.9 | 23.1 |
| 2003 | 20.6 | 22.8 |
| 2002 | 20.3 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 20 | 22.2 |
| 2000 | 19.7 | 21.9 |
| 1999 | 19.4 | 21.6 |
| 1998 | 19.1 | 21.4 |
| 1997 | 18.8 | 21.2 |
| 1996 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| 1995 | 18.3 | 21.5 |
| 1994 | 18 | 22 |
| 1993 | 17.8 | 21.9 |
| 1992 | 17.6 | 21.5 |
| 1991 | 17.4 | 21.5 |
| 1990 | 17.3 | 21.3 |
| 1989 | 17.1 | 21.1 |
| 1988 | 17 | 20.9 |
| 1987 | 16.9 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 16.9 | 20.5 |
| 1985 | 16.8 | 20.4 |
| 1984 | 16.8 | 20.2 |
| 1983 | 16.8 | 20 |
| 1982 | 16.8 | 19.8 |
| 1981 | 16.8 | 19.6 |
| 1980 | 16.8 | 19.4 |
| 1979 | 16.9 | 19.3 |
| 1978 | 16.6 | 19.2 |
| 1977 | 16.4 | 19.1 |
| 1976 | 16.2 | 19 |
| 1975 | 16 | 18.9 |
| 1974 | 15.8 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 15.6 | 18.8 |
| 1972 | 15.4 | 18.8 |
| 1971 | 15.3 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 15.4 | 18.8 |
| 1969 | 15.6 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 15.7 | 18.8 |
| 1967 | 15.9 | 18.8 |
| 1966 | 16.2 | 18.8 |
| 1965 | 16.4 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 16.6 | 18.9 |
| 1963 | 16.8 | 18.9 |
| 1962 | 17.1 | 18.9 |
| 1961 | 17.4 | 19 |
| 1960 | 17.7 | 19 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/south-africa | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Botswana and South Africa.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Botswana
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$19.5B
2024 |
$391B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
33.8%
2024 |
33%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
8.06%
2020 |
6.02%
2024 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
2.83%
2024 |
0.7%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
9,000
2020 |
89,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-7.82%
2024 |
-5.79%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
24.4%
2024 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
63.5%
2024 |
63%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
29.4%
2024 |
24.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
67.7
2026 |
58.6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
42.9%
2015 |
50.5%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
1.4%
2015 |
0.9%
2014 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
90,595
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
0.22%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
7
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires | n/a |
0.00002%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies |
23
2023 |
220
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$3.59B
2023 |
$986B
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$3.46B
2024 |
$65.4B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$128M
2024 |
$855M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
1,830,000
2018 |
3,886,600
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
4.56%
2020 |
2.89%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
61.4%
2024 |
81.1%
2024 |
Energy
|
Botswana
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
1,165 kg
2022 |
1,939 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$17.1
2022 |
$7.84
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
6.9 megatons
2024 |
440 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
2.74 tons
2024 |
6.88 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
66.7%
2022 |
93.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
27.4%
2021 |
9.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
0.08%
2022 |
3.58%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share |
23.7%
2022 |
-12.5%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
1,522 kWh
2022 |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
0.25%
2021 |
6.45%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
0%
2021 |
2.91%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
3.73%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
76%
2023 |
87.7%
2023 |
Society
|
Botswana
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.03%
2024 |
0.79%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-5,665
2025 |
+146,370
2025 |
| Urban population |
67.5%
2024 |
63.7%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.8:50.2
2024 |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.68 ft
2025 |
5.56 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.32 ft
2025 |
5.2 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
50.1
2026 |
42.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
58
2025 |
41
2025 |
| Higher education index |
52
2026 |
81
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
10.5
2021 |
45.5
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
26.4
2019 |
22.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
83
2025 |
109
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
86.8%
2013 |
91.2%
2024 |
| English speaking |
38.4%
2023 |
31%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
81.4%
2023 |
75.7%
2023 |
Health
|
Botswana
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$490
2023 |
$537
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$20.9
2023 |
$35.9
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
69.6 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
6.53%
2023 |
2.06%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.38
2023 |
0.79
2022 |
| Age at first childbirth |
19 years
2017 |
n/a |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
155
2023 |
118
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
39.6
2023 |
34.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
18.6%
2022 |
31.4%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
4.6%
2024 |
7.2%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
39
2026 |
39
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
18.7%
2022 |
20.7%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
7.27 liters
2020 |
7.13 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Botswana
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.38%
2026 |
0.81%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
86,792 sq mi
2024 |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
99,854 sq mi
2026 |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
57,528 sq mi
2026 |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
19,727 mi
2017 |
466,028 mi
2016 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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