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Botswana vs Zambia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a population of 2.52M (ranked 142/197), compared with 21.3M in Zambia (ranked 63/197). Botswana's land area is 218,816 sq mi versus 287,024 sq mi for Zambia (ranked 47th vs. 37th).

By GDP, Botswana ranks 133/197 ($19.4B) and Zambia ranks 116/197 ($25.3B). By GDP per capita, Botswana ranks 97/197 ($7,696), while Zambia ranks 169/197 ($1,187).

Main facts and rankings

Botswana Zambia
Population
2615162
22697916
Population rank 142/197 62/197
GDP
$19.4B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank 133/197 116/197
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank 97/197 169/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$4,215
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank 114/185 134/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$1,349
2026
Land area 218,816 sq mi 287,024 sq mi
Population density
11.9 ppl/mi²
2026
78.5 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.73
2023
4.1
2023
Median age
24.2 years
2024
18.8 years
2024
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
66.9 years
2026

Botswana and Zambia: Comparison Charts

Botswana and Zambia economies compared

GDP
Botswana

Zambia
1x
Year GDP
Botswana Zambia
2024 $19,402,063,513 $25,303,185,342
2023 $19,411,266,967 $27,577,956,471
2022 $20,321,150,599 $29,163,782,140
2021 $18,750,182,236 $22,096,416,932
2020 $14,960,251,608 $18,137,764,931
2019 $16,725,908,149 $23,308,667,781
2018 $17,031,943,186 $26,311,507,274
2017 $16,105,155,857 $25,873,601,261
2016 $15,082,637,184 $20,958,412,538
2015 $13,530,748,845 $21,251,216,799
2014 $15,470,088,501 $27,141,023,558
2013 $14,271,738,933 $28,037,239,463
2012 $13,907,464,500 $25,503,060,420
2011 $15,110,643,612 $23,459,515,276
2010 $12,637,273,429 $20,265,559,484
2009 $10,118,459,242 $15,328,342,304
2008 $10,730,829,116 $17,910,858,638
2007 $10,567,270,656 $14,056,957,976
2006 $9,919,158,482 $12,756,858,899
2005 $9,918,907,108 $8,331,870,169
2004 $8,957,467,707 $6,221,110,219
2003 $7,511,582,173 $4,901,869,764
2002 $5,438,863,983 $4,193,850,445
2001 $5,489,608,300 $4,094,441,301
2000 $5,788,329,609 $3,600,632,111
1999 $5,484,263,347 $3,404,284,891
1998 $4,790,481,509 $3,537,741,942
1997 $5,020,265,627 $4,303,288,480
1996 $4,847,757,218 $3,597,220,962
1995 $4,730,599,122 $3,806,983,413
1994 $4,259,259,604 $3,656,806,166
1993 $4,160,129,175 $3,273,505,344
1992 $4,146,464,587 $3,182,810,841
1991 $3,942,876,703 $3,376,806,697
1990 $3,790,636,324 $3,288,381,797
1989 $3,083,822,112 $3,994,673,161
1988 $2,644,554,159 $3,728,878,149
1987 $1,965,226,890 $2,265,250,972
1986 $1,392,602,164 $1,664,413,508
1985 $1,114,783,343 $2,252,454,500
1984 $1,240,822,167 $2,719,518,933
1983 $1,172,230,397 $3,321,048,451
1982 $1,014,945,696 $3,871,117,093
1981 $1,073,812,830 $4,008,126,497
1980 $1,060,889,704 $3,884,530,854
1979 $819,870,259 $3,353,445,378
1978 $590,407,374 $2,811,032,473
1977 $451,624,780 $2,515,296,940
1976 $372,025,093 $2,742,859,263
1975 $355,168,572 $2,442,672,141
1974 $306,044,208 $2,910,981,262
1973 $244,124,164 $2,434,255,237
1972 $164,460,915 $1,872,416,680
1971 $127,448,614 $1,653,259,341
1970 $96,243,234 $1,788,779,285
1969 $77,361,547 $1,926,399,230
1968 $66,248,441 $1,573,739,371
1967 $58,642,354 $1,340,639,464
1966 $51,465,655 $1,238,999,505
1965 $45,788,696 $1,061,199,576
1964 $41,616,348 $822,639,671
1963 $38,091,843 $704,339,719
1962 $35,644,957 $679,279,729
1961 $32,902,613 $682,359,727
1960 $30,411,414 $698,739,721

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

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

Botswana and Zambia economies compared

GDP per capita
Botswana

Zambia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Botswana Zambia
2024 $7,696 $1,187
2023 $7,826 $1,331
2022 $8,329 $1,447
2021 $7,808 $1,127
2020 $6,323 $952
2019 $7,172 $1,259
2018 $7,408 $1,464
2017 $7,105 $1,483
2016 $6,749 $1,239
2015 $6,141 $1,296
2014 $7,122 $1,707
2013 $6,667 $1,821
2012 $6,596 $1,710
2011 $7,287 $1,625
2010 $6,216 $1,451
2009 $5,083 $1,136
2008 $5,503 $1,376
2007 $5,529 $1,119
2006 $5,292 $1,052
2005 $5,391 $711
2004 $4,957 $549
2003 $4,230 $446
2002 $3,117 $394
2001 $3,206 $397
2000 $3,451 $359
1999 $3,340 $350
1998 $2,981 $373
1997 $3,194 $466
1996 $3,156 $400
1995 $3,156 $433
1994 $2,917 $426
1993 $2,929 $391
1992 $3,005 $389
1991 $2,939 $423
1990 $2,903 $422
1989 $2,428 $526
1988 $2,141 $504
1987 $1,639 $315
1986 $1,200 $238.2
1985 $994 $332
1984 $1,145 $413
1983 $1,121 $520
1982 $1,006 $627
1981 $1,107 $670
1980 $1,132 $669
1979 $909 $595
1978 $695 $514
1977 $565 $474
1976 $490 $533
1975 $493 $490
1974 $446 $601
1973 $374 $518
1972 $264.2 $410
1971 $212.2 $372
1970 $163 $414
1969 $131.8 $459
1968 $113.4 $387
1967 $100.9 $341
1966 $89.1 $325
1965 $79.7 $287.4
1964 $73.5 $230
1963 $68.9 $203.2
1962 $66 $202.3
1961 $62.3 $209.7
1960 $58.9 $221.6

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

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

Botswana vs. Zambia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Botswana

Zambia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Botswana Zambia
2026 69.6 66.9
2025 69.4 66.7
2024 69.3 66.5
2023 69.2 66.3
2022 68.7 65.3
2021 63.3 62.4
2020 67.6 63.4
2019 67.2 62.9
2018 66.4 62.1
2017 65.4 61.6
2016 64.3 61.1
2015 63.2 60.7
2014 62.2 60.1
2013 61.2 59.4
2012 60.4 58.7
2011 59.7 57.8
2010 59.1 56.9
2009 58.3 55.9
2008 57.7 54.8
2007 56.7 53.7
2006 55.1 52.7
2005 54.4 51.6
2004 53.6 50.5
2003 52.9 49.6
2002 52.4 48.5
2001 52.2 47.4
2000 52.3 46.6
1999 52.5 45.9
1998 53 45.7
1997 53.6 45.7
1996 54.3 45.8
1995 54.7 46.1
1994 56 46.3
1993 57.3 46.7
1992 58.2 47
1991 58.9 47.4
1990 60.1 48.2
1989 61.2 48.9
1988 61.7 49.7
1987 62.8 50.4
1986 63.4 51.1
1985 63.6 52
1984 63.7 52.9
1983 63.6 53.7
1982 63.4 54.4
1981 63 55
1980 62.5 55.5
1979 62 56
1978 61.5 56.3
1977 60.9 56.3
1976 60.2 56.1
1975 59.5 55.7
1974 58.9 55.4
1973 58.3 54.9
1972 57.7 54.4
1971 57.1 53.9
1970 56.4 53.4
1969 55.9 53
1968 55.4 52.7
1967 54.9 52.5
1966 54.4 52.3
1965 53.9 52.1
1964 53.4 51.2
1963 52.8 51.6
1962 52.3 51.3
1961 51.8 51
1960 51.2 50.6
1959 50.7 50.3
1958 50.1 49.9
1957 49.5 49.5
1956 49 49.1
1955 48.5 48.8
1954 48 48.4
1953 47.5 48
1952 47 47.6
1951 46.6 47.2
1950 46.2 46.8

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

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

Botswana and Zambia population clocks and comparison

Population
Botswana

Zambia
1x
Year Population
Botswana Zambia
2024 2,521,139 21,314,956
2023 2,480,244 20,723,965
2022 2,439,892 20,152,938
2021 2,401,441 19,603,607
2020 2,365,894 19,059,395
2019 2,332,083 18,513,839
2018 2,299,141 17,973,569
2017 2,266,747 17,441,320
2016 2,234,776 16,914,423
2015 2,203,273 16,399,089
2014 2,172,044 15,895,315
2013 2,140,682 15,398,997
2012 2,108,617 14,913,629
2011 2,073,535 14,437,796
2010 2,033,111 13,965,594
2009 1,990,673 13,490,389
2008 1,949,970 13,021,324
2007 1,911,201 12,565,085
2006 1,874,516 12,129,553
2005 1,839,877 11,718,819
2004 1,807,146 11,338,198
2003 1,775,736 10,983,595
2002 1,744,763 10,647,949
2001 1,712,254 10,325,185
2000 1,677,382 10,017,631
1999 1,641,997 9,740,005
1998 1,606,899 9,482,408
1997 1,571,691 9,237,063
1996 1,535,914 9,004,053
1995 1,498,836 8,785,763
1994 1,460,023 8,576,269
1993 1,420,115 8,373,921
1992 1,380,033 8,176,680
1991 1,341,756 7,981,650
1990 1,305,696 7,786,169
1989 1,270,274 7,589,216
1988 1,235,476 7,391,440
1987 1,199,167 7,191,282
1986 1,160,650 6,986,471
1985 1,121,945 6,780,953
1984 1,083,660 6,580,490
1983 1,046,137 6,381,038
1982 1,009,269 6,178,637
1981 969,996 5,983,289
1980 937,485 5,802,833
1979 901,742 5,631,728
1978 849,239 5,465,374
1977 799,574 5,302,480
1976 758,508 5,143,842
1975 720,380 4,990,086
1974 685,448 4,842,746
1973 652,408 4,702,693
1972 622,407 4,569,309
1971 600,481 4,442,525
1970 590,334 4,321,718
1969 587,066 4,197,116
1968 583,966 4,065,593
1967 580,933 3,936,343
1966 577,866 3,812,003
1965 574,664 3,692,086
1964 566,266 3,577,017
1963 552,966 3,465,907
1962 540,186 3,358,099
1961 527,942 3,254,086
1960 516,165 3,153,729

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

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

Fertility rates in Botswana and Zambia

Fertility rate
Botswana

Zambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Botswana Zambia
2023 2.73 4.1
2022 2.79 4.18
2021 2.83 4.25
2020 2.86 4.32
2019 2.91 4.42
2018 2.94 4.49
2017 2.97 4.57
2016 2.99 4.67
2015 3.01 4.78
2014 3.03 4.89
2013 3.05 5.01
2012 3.07 5.14
2011 3.1 5.26
2010 3.14 5.36
2009 3.13 5.45
2008 3.13 5.53
2007 3.13 5.61
2006 3.11 5.68
2005 3.08 5.7
2004 3.06 5.7
2003 3.11 5.71
2002 3.18 5.77
2001 3.25 5.85
2000 3.29 5.92
1999 3.31 6
1998 3.36 6.07
1997 3.43 6.12
1996 3.57 6.18
1995 3.79 6.23
1994 4.02 6.26
1993 4.15 6.3
1992 4.26 6.35
1991 4.37 6.46
1990 4.51 6.57
1989 4.67 6.64
1988 4.88 6.7
1987 5.1 6.8
1986 5.33 6.87
1985 5.48 6.93
1984 5.63 6.97
1983 5.79 7.01
1982 5.97 7.04
1981 6.16 7.07
1980 6.29 7.14
1979 6.4 7.22
1978 6.48 7.29
1977 6.54 7.35
1976 6.6 7.39
1975 6.61 7.42
1974 6.61 7.36
1973 6.59 7.34
1972 6.56 7.3
1971 6.54 7.26
1970 6.55 7.22
1969 6.56 7.18
1968 6.58 7.18
1967 6.6 7.15
1966 6.61 7.14
1965 6.6 7.12
1964 6.61 7.09
1963 6.58 7.06
1962 6.54 7.01
1961 6.56 6.98
1960 6.6 6.95

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

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

Botswana and Zambia demographics compared

Median age
Botswana

Zambia
1x
Year Median age, years
Botswana Zambia
2024 24.2 18.8
2023 23.9 18.6
2022 23.6 18.4
2021 23.4 18.2
2020 23.3 18
2019 23.1 17.9
2018 22.9 17.7
2017 22.8 17.5
2016 22.7 17.4
2015 22.7 17.2
2014 22.7 17.1
2013 22.7 17
2012 22.8 16.9
2011 22.7 16.8
2010 22.5 16.7
2009 22.2 16.6
2008 22 16.5
2007 21.7 16.4
2006 21.5 16.3
2005 21.2 16.3
2004 20.9 16.2
2003 20.6 16.1
2002 20.3 16
2001 20 15.9
2000 19.7 15.9
1999 19.4 15.8
1998 19.1 15.8
1997 18.8 15.8
1996 18.6 15.8
1995 18.3 15.8
1994 18 15.8
1993 17.8 15.8
1992 17.6 15.8
1991 17.4 15.7
1990 17.3 15.7
1989 17.1 15.7
1988 17 15.6
1987 16.9 15.6
1986 16.9 15.5
1985 16.8 15.5
1984 16.8 15.4
1983 16.8 15.4
1982 16.8 15.3
1981 16.8 15.3
1980 16.8 15.2
1979 16.9 15.3
1978 16.6 15.3
1977 16.4 15.4
1976 16.2 15.4
1975 16 15.5
1974 15.8 15.7
1973 15.6 15.8
1972 15.4 15.9
1971 15.3 16.1
1970 15.4 16.2
1969 15.6 16.4
1968 15.7 16.4
1967 15.9 16.5
1966 16.2 16.5
1965 16.4 16.6
1964 16.6 16.6
1963 16.8 16.7
1962 17.1 16.8
1961 17.4 16.9
1960 17.7 17

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

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

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Botswana and Zambia.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Botswana Zambia
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$25.9B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
25.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
8.06%
2020
4.07%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.83%
2024
1.33%
2024
Armed forces personnel
9,000
2020
16,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-7.82%
2024
-3.32%
2024
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
5.86%
2023
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
35.2%
2024
Economic freedom index
67.7
2026
51.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
1.5%
2022
Listed domestic companies
23
2023
20
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$7.77B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Personal remittances received
$128M
2024
$334M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,830,000
2018
502,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
4.56%
2020
n/a
Banked people share
61.4%
2024
72.7%
2024

Energy

Botswana Zambia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,165 kg
2022
801 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$17.1
2022
$4.8
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
6.9 megatons
2024
11.6 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
2.74 tons
2024
0.54 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
66.7%
2022
18.4%
2022
Renewable energy use share
27.4%
2021
83%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.08%
2022
9.18%
2022
Net energy imports use share
23.7%
2022
9.03%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
1,522 kWh
2022
704 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
0.25%
2021
92.1%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2021
87.7%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
76%
2023
51.1%
2023

Society

Botswana Zambia
% of world population
0.03%
2024
0.26%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,665
2025
+6,562
2025
Urban population
67.5%
2024
45.5%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.8:50.2
2024
49.5:50.5
2024
Average male height
5.68 ft
2025
5.5 ft
2025
Average female height
5.32 ft
2025
5.16 ft
2025
Quality of life index
50.1
2026
30.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
58
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
52
2026
47
2026
Homicides per 100K people
10.5
2021
5.25
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
26.4
2019
20.5
2019
Visa free countries
83
2025
74
2025
Adult literacy rate
86.8%
2013
82%
2023
English speaking
38.4%
2023
16%
2023
People using the Internet
81.4%
2023
33%
2023

Health

Botswana Zambia
Government health expenditure per capita
$490
2023
$79.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$20.9
2023
$8.18
2023
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
66.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
6.53%
2023
47.9%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.38
2023
0.32
2022
Age at first childbirth
19 years
2017
19.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
155
2023
85
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
39.6
2023
44.7
2023
Obesity rate
18.6%
2022
11.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
4.6%
2024
10.3%
2024
Air quality index
39
2026
30
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
18.7%
2022
14.6%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
7.27 liters
2020
3.62 liters
2020

Territory

Botswana Zambia
% of world land
0.38%
2026
0.5%
2026
Land area per capita
86,792 sq mi
2024
13,466 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
99,854 sq mi
2026
92,043 sq mi
2026
Forest area
57,528 sq mi
2026
170,848 sq mi
2026
Roads length
19,727 mi
2017
42,049 mi
2018

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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