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Botswana vs Zimbabwe statistics compared

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a population of 2.56M (ranked 142/197), compared with 17M in Zimbabwe (ranked 74/197). Botswana's land area is 218,816 sq mi versus 149,364 sq mi for Zimbabwe (ranked 47th vs. 60th).

By GDP, Botswana ranks 135/197 ($19.9B) and Zimbabwe ranks 95/197 ($51.2B). By GDP per capita, Botswana ranks 100/197 ($7,778), while Zimbabwe ranks 146/197 ($3,021).

Main facts and rankings

Botswana Zimbabwe
Population
2624853
17443108
Population rank 142/197 74/197
GDP
$19.9B
2025
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank 135/197 95/197
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank 100/197 146/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$5,928
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank 106/185 134/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$2,800
2026
Land area 218,816 sq mi 149,364 sq mi
Population density
11.9 ppl/mi²
2026
115.7 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.7
2024
3.67
2024
Median age
24.5 years
2025
19.2 years
2025
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
63.6 years
2026

Botswana and Zimbabwe: Comparison Charts

Botswana and Zimbabwe economies compared

GDP
Botswana

Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP
Botswana Zimbabwe
2025 $19,928,479,839 $51,215,643,906
2024 $19,286,251,068 $41,521,975,830
2023 $19,413,614,555 $35,871,781,303
2022 $20,321,150,599 $40,757,585,309
2021 $18,750,182,236 $41,287,852,524
2020 $14,960,251,608 $31,979,753,645
2019 $16,725,908,149 $33,360,632,553
2018 $17,031,943,186 $34,141,666,667
2017 $16,105,155,857 $51,035,657,371
2016 $15,082,637,184 $20,559,250,000
2015 $13,530,748,845 $19,973,250,000
2014 $15,470,088,501 $19,505,500,000
2013 $14,271,738,933 $19,100,750,000
2012 $13,907,464,500 $17,123,500,000
2011 $15,110,643,612 $14,109,000,000
2010 $12,637,273,429 $12,047,750,000
2009 $10,118,459,242 $9,670,750,000
2008 $10,730,829,116 $4,418,000,000
2007 $10,567,270,656 $5,294,750,000
2006 $9,919,158,482 $5,446,750,000
2005 $9,918,907,108 $5,758,250,000
2004 $8,957,467,707 $5,808,500,000
2003 $7,511,582,173 $5,730,500,000
2002 $5,438,863,983 $6,345,250,000
2001 $5,489,608,300 $6,780,750,000
2000 $5,788,329,609 $6,693,250,000
1999 $5,484,263,347 $6,861,500,000
1998 $4,790,481,509 $6,405,250,000
1997 $5,020,265,627 $8,534,000,000
1996 $4,847,757,218 $8,557,500,000
1995 $4,730,599,122 $7,115,000,000
1994 $4,259,259,604 $6,894,250,000
1993 $4,160,129,175 $6,567,250,000
1992 $4,146,464,587 $6,755,000,000
1991 $3,942,876,703 $8,646,000,000
1990 $3,790,636,324 $8,788,301,546
1989 $3,083,822,112 $8,290,553,535
1988 $2,644,554,159 $7,818,774,177
1987 $1,965,226,890 $6,744,657,033
1986 $1,392,602,164 $6,220,698,247
1985 $1,114,783,343 $5,640,137,575
1984 $1,240,822,167 $6,355,369,172
1983 $1,172,230,397 $7,768,031,182
1982 $1,014,945,696 $8,544,060,905
1981 $1,073,812,830 $8,015,464,252
1980 $1,060,889,704 $6,682,278,300
1979 $819,870,259 $5,180,102,910
1978 $590,407,374 $4,353,822,343
1977 $451,624,780 $4,366,610,469
1976 $372,025,093 $4,320,576,877
1975 $355,168,572 $4,373,532,601
1974 $306,044,208 $3,984,194,614
1973 $244,124,164 $3,311,043,292
1972 $164,460,915 $2,679,096,597
1971 $127,448,614 $2,179,828,710
1970 $96,243,234 $1,885,168,339
1969 $77,361,547 $1,748,891,294
1968 $66,248,441 $1,480,355,355
1967 $58,642,354 $1,397,715,282
1966 $51,465,655 $1,282,403,936
1965 $45,788,696 $1,312,105,394
1964 $41,616,348 $1,217,759,447
1963 $38,091,843 $1,160,103,724
1962 $35,644,957 $1,118,172,226
1961 $32,902,613 $1,097,206,526
1960 $30,411,414 $1,053,528,036

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Botswana and Zimbabwe economies compared

GDP per capita
Botswana

Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP per capita
Botswana Zimbabwe
2025 $7,778 $3,021
2024 $7,650 $2,496
2023 $7,827 $2,195
2022 $8,329 $2,536
2021 $7,808 $2,614
2020 $6,323 $2,060
2019 $7,172 $2,185
2018 $7,408 $2,271
2017 $7,105 $3,445
2016 $6,749 $1,408
2015 $6,141 $1,387
2014 $7,122 $1,373
2013 $6,667 $1,363
2012 $6,596 $1,239
2011 $7,287 $1,038
2010 $6,216 $902
2009 $5,083 $736
2008 $5,503 $341
2007 $5,529 $414
2006 $5,292 $431
2005 $5,391 $461
2004 $4,957 $470
2003 $4,230 $468
2002 $3,117 $525
2001 $3,206 $566
2000 $3,451 $563
1999 $3,340 $582
1998 $2,981 $552
1997 $3,194 $751
1996 $3,156 $767
1995 $3,156 $648
1994 $2,917 $634
1993 $2,929 $605
1992 $3,005 $631
1991 $2,939 $831
1990 $2,903 $867
1989 $2,428 $840
1988 $2,141 $816
1987 $1,639 $726
1986 $1,200 $693
1985 $994 $649
1984 $1,145 $757
1983 $1,121 $959
1982 $1,006 $1,096
1981 $1,107 $1,069
1980 $1,132 $949
1979 $909 $779
1978 $695 $665
1977 $565 $677
1976 $490 $687
1975 $493 $717
1974 $446 $674
1973 $374 $579
1972 $264.2 $483
1971 $212.2 $406
1970 $163 $361
1969 $131.8 $346
1968 $113.4 $302
1967 $100.9 $294.4
1966 $89.1 $278.7
1965 $79.7 $294.3
1964 $73.5 $281.9
1963 $68.9 $277.1
1962 $66 $275.7
1961 $62.3 $279.2
1960 $58.9 $276.6

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Botswana vs. Zimbabwe life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Botswana

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Botswana Zimbabwe
2026 69.6 63.6
2025 69.4 63.3
2024 69.3 63.1
2023 69.2 62.8
2022 68.7 62.4
2021 63.3 60.1
2020 67.6 61.5
2019 67.2 61.1
2018 66.4 60.9
2017 65.4 60.3
2016 64.3 59.8
2015 63.2 59
2014 62.2 58.1
2013 61.2 56.8
2012 60.4 55.4
2011 59.7 53.9
2010 59.1 51.9
2009 58.3 49.7
2008 57.7 48.5
2007 56.7 47.6
2006 55.1 47.1
2005 54.4 46.6
2004 53.6 46
2003 52.9 45.4
2002 52.4 45.9
2001 52.2 44.5
2000 52.3 46
1999 52.5 46.4
1998 53 47.6
1997 53.6 48.5
1996 54.3 49
1995 54.7 51.1
1994 56 52.5
1993 57.3 54
1992 58.2 55.6
1991 58.9 57
1990 60.1 58.3
1989 61.2 59.4
1988 61.7 60.2
1987 62.8 60.7
1986 63.4 61
1985 63.6 60.9
1984 63.7 60.6
1983 63.6 60
1982 63.4 59.9
1981 63 59.4
1980 62.5 59.1
1979 62 54.9
1978 61.5 54.7
1977 60.9 57
1976 60.2 57.6
1975 59.5 58.2
1974 58.9 58.2
1973 58.3 58.1
1972 57.7 58.2
1971 57.1 58
1970 56.4 57.8
1969 55.9 57.5
1968 55.4 57.1
1967 54.9 56.8
1966 54.4 56.4
1965 53.9 55.9
1964 53.4 55.4
1963 52.8 54.9
1962 52.3 54.5
1961 51.8 54
1960 51.2 53.5
1959 50.7 53
1958 50.1 52.6
1957 49.5 52.2
1956 49 51.8
1955 48.5 51.4
1954 48 51
1953 47.5 50.6
1952 47 50.2
1951 46.6 49.8
1950 46.2 49.4

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Botswana and Zimbabwe population clocks and comparison

Population
Botswana

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Population
Botswana Zimbabwe
2025 2,562,122 16,950,795
2024 2,521,139 16,634,373
2023 2,480,244 16,340,822
2022 2,439,892 16,069,056
2021 2,401,441 15,797,210
2020 2,365,894 15,526,888
2019 2,332,083 15,271,368
2018 2,299,141 15,034,452
2017 2,266,747 14,812,482
2016 2,234,776 14,600,294
2015 2,203,273 14,399,013
2014 2,172,044 14,207,359
2013 2,140,682 14,013,808
2012 2,108,617 13,817,887
2011 2,073,535 13,595,424
2010 2,033,111 13,356,548
2009 1,990,673 13,142,790
2008 1,949,970 12,959,149
2007 1,911,201 12,804,058
2006 1,874,516 12,636,445
2005 1,839,877 12,483,432
2004 1,807,146 12,365,896
2003 1,775,736 12,232,323
2002 1,744,763 12,087,653
2001 1,712,254 11,971,901
2000 1,677,382 11,892,055
1999 1,641,997 11,783,458
1998 1,606,899 11,594,297
1997 1,571,691 11,369,827
1996 1,535,914 11,158,360
1995 1,498,836 10,974,599
1994 1,460,023 10,873,148
1993 1,420,115 10,860,288
1992 1,380,033 10,702,700
1991 1,341,756 10,404,816
1990 1,305,696 10,137,281
1989 1,270,274 9,864,798
1988 1,235,476 9,583,094
1987 1,199,167 9,284,644
1986 1,160,650 8,982,578
1985 1,121,945 8,686,813
1984 1,083,660 8,391,488
1983 1,046,137 8,098,404
1982 1,009,269 7,796,496
1981 969,996 7,498,635
1980 937,485 7,041,303
1979 901,742 6,647,556
1978 849,239 6,543,575
1977 799,574 6,449,512
1976 758,508 6,287,105
1975 720,380 6,098,658
1974 685,448 5,908,328
1973 652,408 5,720,404
1972 622,407 5,542,445
1971 600,481 5,374,712
1970 590,334 5,215,918
1969 587,066 5,058,181
1968 583,966 4,900,440
1967 580,933 4,748,307
1966 577,866 4,601,217
1965 574,664 4,458,462
1964 566,266 4,320,006
1963 552,966 4,185,877
1962 540,186 4,055,959
1961 527,942 3,930,401
1960 516,165 3,809,389

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Fertility rates in Botswana and Zimbabwe

Fertility rate
Botswana

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Fertility rate
Botswana Zimbabwe
2024 2.7 3.67
2023 2.73 3.72
2022 2.79 3.77
2021 2.83 3.77
2020 2.86 3.75
2019 2.91 3.75
2018 2.94 3.74
2017 2.97 3.77
2016 2.99 3.83
2015 3.01 3.91
2014 3.03 4.01
2013 3.05 4.11
2012 3.07 4.13
2011 3.1 4.13
2010 3.14 4.04
2009 3.13 3.95
2008 3.13 3.78
2007 3.13 3.68
2006 3.11 3.64
2005 3.08 3.69
2004 3.06 3.78
2003 3.11 3.86
2002 3.18 3.93
2001 3.25 3.98
2000 3.29 4.01
1999 3.31 4.06
1998 3.36 4.07
1997 3.43 4.08
1996 3.57 4.11
1995 3.79 4.15
1994 4.02 4.28
1993 4.15 4.39
1992 4.26 4.57
1991 4.37 4.72
1990 4.51 4.88
1989 4.67 5.07
1988 4.88 5.28
1987 5.1 5.5
1986 5.33 5.69
1985 5.48 5.87
1984 5.63 6.04
1983 5.79 6.2
1982 5.97 6.33
1981 6.16 6.45
1980 6.29 6.52
1979 6.4 6.59
1978 6.48 6.66
1977 6.54 6.71
1976 6.6 6.77
1975 6.61 6.83
1974 6.61 6.88
1973 6.59 6.94
1972 6.56 6.94
1971 6.54 6.94
1970 6.55 6.98
1969 6.56 7.04
1968 6.58 7.11
1967 6.6 7.16
1966 6.61 7.2
1965 6.6 7.23
1964 6.61 7.23
1963 6.58 7.23
1962 6.54 7.23
1961 6.56 7.21
1960 6.6 7.2

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Botswana and Zimbabwe demographics compared

Median age
Botswana

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Median age, years
Botswana Zimbabwe
2025 24.5 19.2
2024 24.2 19
2023 23.9 18.9
2022 23.6 18.7
2021 23.4 18.6
2020 23.3 18.5
2019 23.1 18.3
2018 22.9 18.2
2017 22.8 18.1
2016 22.7 18
2015 22.7 18
2014 22.7 18
2013 22.7 18
2012 22.8 18.1
2011 22.7 18.2
2010 22.5 18.3
2009 22.2 18.4
2008 22 18.5
2007 21.7 18.5
2006 21.5 18.5
2005 21.2 18.3
2004 20.9 18.3
2003 20.6 18.2
2002 20.3 18.1
2001 20 18
2000 19.7 17.8
1999 19.4 17.7
1998 19.1 17.5
1997 18.8 17.2
1996 18.6 16.9
1995 18.3 16.6
1994 18 16.4
1993 17.8 16.3
1992 17.6 16.4
1991 17.4 16.5
1990 17.3 16.3
1989 17.1 16.1
1988 17 15.9
1987 16.9 15.9
1986 16.9 15.9
1985 16.8 15.9
1984 16.8 15.8
1983 16.8 15.8
1982 16.8 15.8
1981 16.8 15.7
1980 16.8 15.6
1979 16.9 15.6
1978 16.6 15.7
1977 16.4 15.8
1976 16.2 15.8
1975 16 15.9
1974 15.8 15.9
1973 15.6 15.8
1972 15.4 15.8
1971 15.3 15.8
1970 15.4 15.7
1969 15.6 15.7
1968 15.7 15.7
1967 15.9 15.7
1966 16.2 15.7
1965 16.4 15.7
1964 16.6 15.7
1963 16.8 15.8
1962 17.1 16
1961 17.4 16.2
1960 17.7 16.4

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Botswana Zimbabwe
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$45B
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
15.5%
2025
Education expenditure, % of GDP
8.06%
2020
0.38%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.83%
2024
0.35%
2024
Armed forces personnel
9,000
2020
51,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-7.42%
2025
+0.08%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
12.1%
2024
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
37.1%
2025
Economic freedom index
67.7
2026
35.2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
1.9%
2019
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00001%
2026
Listed domestic companies
23
2025
69
1999
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
$2.46B
1999
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$485M
2024
Personal remittances received
$128M
2024
$3.51B
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,830,000
2018
639,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
4.56%
2020
1.25%
2020
Banked people share
61.4%
2024
49.5%
2024

Energy

Botswana Zimbabwe
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,250 kg
2023
472 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$16.8
2023
$12.3
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
6.9 megatons
2024
12.9 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
2.74 tons
2024
0.77 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
66.7%
2022
45.3%
2022
Renewable energy use share
27.4%
2021
82.4%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.08%
2023
4.08%
2023
Net energy imports use share
23.7%
2022
17%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
1,641 kWh
2023
504 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
0.25%
2021
88.3%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2021
45.1%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
76%
2023
62%
2023

Society

Botswana Zimbabwe
% of world population
0.03%
2025
0.21%
2025
Annual migration change
-5,665
2025
-54,555
2025
Urban population
68%
2025
40.5%
2025
Male:Female ratio
49.8:50.2
2025
47.7:52.3
2025
Average male height
5.61 ft
2026
5.59 ft
2026
Average female height
5.28 ft
2026
5.26 ft
2026
Quality of life index
50.5
2026
27
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
58
2025
22
2025
Higher education index
52
2026
45
2026
Homicides per 100K people
11.4
2021
6.76
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
26.4
2019
41.2
2019
Visa free countries
83
2026
69
2026
Adult literacy rate
86.8%
2013
89.8%
2022
English speaking
38.4%
2026
82.1%
2026
People using the Internet
57.5%
2024
41.6%
2024

Health

Botswana Zimbabwe
Government health expenditure per capita
$490
2023
$62.9
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$20.9
2023
$6.69
2023
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
63.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
6.53%
2023
45%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.38
2023
0.14
2023
Age at first childbirth
19 years
2017
20.3 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
155
2023
358
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
33.3
2024
64.7
2024
Obesity rate
18.6%
2022
14.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
4.6%
2024
1.5%
2024
Air quality index
39
2026
29
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
18%
2024
11%
2024
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
7.27 liters
2020
2.67 liters
2020

Territory

Botswana Zimbabwe
% of world land
0.38%
2026
0.26%
2026
Land area per capita
85,404 sq mi
2025
8,812 sq mi
2025
Agricultural land area
99,854 sq mi
2026
62,422 sq mi
2026
Forest area
57,528 sq mi
2026
66,820 sq mi
2026
Roads length
19,727 mi
2017
60,439 mi
2019

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  10. Passport Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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