The latest officially reported population of Botswana was 2,562,122 in 2025 vs 5,484,367 people in Ireland in 2025. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Botswana's population is 2,624,853 people compared to 5,562,212 in Ireland.
Population statistics:
- Ireland's population is 2.12 times bigger than Botswana's.
- Botswana is ranked the 142nd most populous country in the world, while Ireland is the 122nd.
- The countries together account for 0.1% of the world: 0.03% for Botswana vs 0.07% for Ireland.
- For the last 10 years, Botswana has had an average growth rate of +1.51% per year vs +1.5% in Ireland.
- Since 2006, the population of Botswana has increased from 1.87M people to 2.62M (40% growth), while Ireland has grown from 4.27M to 5.56M (30.2% growth).
Botswana vs Ireland: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Botswana
|
Ireland
|
|
| 2100 | 3,870,704 | 5,500,499 |
| 2099 | 3,875,823 | 5,525,011 |
| 2098 | 3,881,867 | 5,548,986 |
| 2097 | 3,887,181 | 5,572,279 |
| 2096 | 3,892,081 | 5,595,064 |
| 2095 | 3,896,405 | 5,615,877 |
| 2094 | 3,900,671 | 5,636,027 |
| 2093 | 3,904,733 | 5,655,870 |
| 2092 | 3,908,682 | 5,675,151 |
| 2091 | 3,913,090 | 5,694,092 |
| 2090 | 3,915,896 | 5,713,009 |
| 2089 | 3,916,540 | 5,730,546 |
| 2088 | 3,916,700 | 5,747,238 |
| 2087 | 3,916,016 | 5,762,650 |
| 2086 | 3,915,493 | 5,776,705 |
| 2085 | 3,914,975 | 5,791,049 |
| 2084 | 3,913,555 | 5,805,074 |
| 2083 | 3,912,119 | 5,818,867 |
| 2082 | 3,910,185 | 5,831,653 |
| 2081 | 3,909,204 | 5,842,944 |
| 2080 | 3,907,447 | 5,855,351 |
| 2079 | 3,904,550 | 5,870,572 |
| 2078 | 3,900,021 | 5,885,866 |
| 2077 | 3,895,321 | 5,901,647 |
| 2076 | 3,889,723 | 5,917,991 |
| 2075 | 3,883,893 | 5,934,408 |
| 2074 | 3,878,255 | 5,951,970 |
| 2073 | 3,872,458 | 5,969,385 |
| 2072 | 3,864,865 | 5,986,721 |
| 2071 | 3,857,922 | 6,003,888 |
| 2070 | 3,850,437 | 6,021,481 |
| 2069 | 3,840,521 | 6,038,378 |
| 2068 | 3,830,034 | 6,054,840 |
| 2067 | 3,817,551 | 6,070,805 |
| 2066 | 3,804,918 | 6,086,691 |
| 2065 | 3,790,427 | 6,101,966 |
| 2064 | 3,775,157 | 6,116,867 |
| 2063 | 3,759,402 | 6,129,790 |
| 2062 | 3,741,936 | 6,141,729 |
| 2061 | 3,722,576 | 6,154,062 |
| 2060 | 3,702,465 | 6,167,032 |
| 2059 | 3,682,055 | 6,179,602 |
| 2058 | 3,658,810 | 6,189,124 |
| 2057 | 3,634,762 | 6,196,781 |
| 2056 | 3,611,096 | 6,199,786 |
| 2055 | 3,586,314 | 6,204,376 |
| 2054 | 3,561,446 | 6,205,225 |
| 2053 | 3,535,001 | 6,205,444 |
| 2052 | 3,507,213 | 6,203,350 |
| 2051 | 3,479,219 | 6,200,637 |
| 2050 | 3,450,807 | 6,195,469 |
| 2049 | 3,421,435 | 6,187,289 |
| 2048 | 3,391,019 | 6,175,872 |
| 2047 | 3,359,719 | 6,163,776 |
| 2046 | 3,327,520 | 6,150,911 |
| 2045 | 3,295,807 | 6,134,927 |
| 2044 | 3,264,444 | 6,116,643 |
| 2043 | 3,232,407 | 6,097,627 |
| 2042 | 3,200,743 | 6,076,713 |
| 2041 | 3,168,217 | 6,052,462 |
| 2040 | 3,135,241 | 6,027,054 |
| 2039 | 3,101,153 | 6,002,204 |
| 2038 | 3,067,014 | 5,974,917 |
| 2037 | 3,031,993 | 5,946,606 |
| 2036 | 2,996,265 | 5,918,275 |
| 2035 | 2,959,978 | 5,889,854 |
| 2034 | 2,922,807 | 5,858,952 |
| 2033 | 2,885,394 | 5,826,337 |
| 2032 | 2,846,703 | 5,791,225 |
| 2031 | 2,808,291 | 5,754,845 |
| 2030 | 2,767,933 | 5,717,377 |
| 2029 | 2,727,903 | 5,676,731 |
| 2028 | 2,686,412 | 5,632,552 |
| 2027 | 2,645,316 | 5,585,925 |
| 2026 | 2,603,241 | 5,537,167 |
| 2025 | 2,562,122 | 5,484,367 |
| 2024 | 2,521,139 | 5,395,790 |
| 2023 | 2,480,244 | 5,311,538 |
| 2022 | 2,439,892 | 5,212,836 |
| 2021 | 2,401,441 | 5,110,585 |
| 2020 | 2,365,894 | 5,039,747 |
| 2019 | 2,332,083 | 4,976,456 |
| 2018 | 2,299,141 | 4,898,022 |
| 2017 | 2,266,747 | 4,827,445 |
| 2016 | 2,234,776 | 4,762,722 |
| 2015 | 2,203,273 | 4,701,957 |
| 2014 | 2,172,044 | 4,657,740 |
| 2013 | 2,140,682 | 4,623,816 |
| 2012 | 2,108,617 | 4,599,533 |
| 2011 | 2,073,535 | 4,580,084 |
| 2010 | 2,033,111 | 4,560,155 |
| 2009 | 1,990,673 | 4,535,375 |
| 2008 | 1,949,970 | 4,489,544 |
| 2007 | 1,911,201 | 4,398,942 |
| 2006 | 1,874,516 | 4,273,591 |
| 2005 | 1,839,877 | 4,159,914 |
| 2004 | 1,807,146 | 4,070,262 |
| 2003 | 1,775,736 | 3,996,521 |
| 2002 | 1,744,763 | 3,931,947 |
| 2001 | 1,712,254 | 3,866,243 |
| 2000 | 1,677,382 | 3,805,174 |
| 1999 | 1,641,997 | 3,754,786 |
| 1998 | 1,606,899 | 3,712,696 |
| 1997 | 1,571,691 | 3,674,171 |
| 1996 | 1,535,914 | 3,637,510 |
| 1995 | 1,498,836 | 3,608,841 |
| 1994 | 1,460,023 | 3,590,386 |
| 1993 | 1,420,115 | 3,576,261 |
| 1992 | 1,380,033 | 3,558,430 |
| 1991 | 1,341,756 | 3,534,235 |
| 1990 | 1,305,696 | 3,513,974 |
| 1989 | 1,270,274 | 3,511,009 |
| 1988 | 1,235,476 | 3,524,949 |
| 1987 | 1,199,167 | 3,540,057 |
| 1986 | 1,160,650 | 3,539,690 |
| 1985 | 1,121,945 | 3,538,082 |
| 1984 | 1,083,660 | 3,532,423 |
| 1983 | 1,046,137 | 3,510,600 |
| 1982 | 1,009,269 | 3,485,800 |
| 1981 | 969,996 | 3,453,000 |
| 1980 | 937,485 | 3,412,800 |
| 1979 | 901,742 | 3,373,750 |
| 1978 | 849,239 | 3,329,100 |
| 1977 | 799,574 | 3,282,200 |
| 1976 | 758,508 | 3,238,050 |
| 1975 | 720,380 | 3,189,550 |
| 1974 | 685,448 | 3,137,500 |
| 1973 | 652,408 | 3,085,950 |
| 1972 | 622,407 | 3,036,850 |
| 1971 | 600,481 | 2,992,050 |
| 1970 | 590,334 | 2,957,250 |
| 1969 | 587,066 | 2,932,650 |
| 1968 | 583,966 | 2,915,550 |
| 1967 | 580,933 | 2,902,450 |
| 1966 | 577,866 | 2,888,800 |
| 1965 | 574,664 | 2,877,300 |
| 1964 | 566,266 | 2,866,550 |
| 1963 | 552,966 | 2,852,650 |
| 1962 | 540,186 | 2,836,050 |
| 1961 | 527,942 | 2,824,400 |
| 1960 | 516,165 | 2,828,600 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/botswana/ireland | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Botswana increased by 360,260 people (a 19.2% growth), while Ireland gained 489,131 people (a 11.4% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Botswana gained 390,077 people (a 17.5% growth), while Ireland's population increased by 799,490 people (a 16.8% growth).
Botswana was ranked 145th most populous country in 2006 and is 142nd in 2026. Ireland was ranked 121st in 2006 and ranked 122nd now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Botswana's population will grow by 31.5% to 3,450,807 people with a rank change from 142nd to 137th. The population of Ireland will increase by 11.4% to 6,195,469 people and rank change from 122nd to 118th.
Botswana is projected to reach its peak in 2088 at 3.92M people compared to the peak of 6.21M people in 2053 for Ireland.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Botswana
|
Ireland
|
|
| 2100 | -0.13% | -0.44% |
| 2099 | -0.16% | -0.43% |
| 2098 | -0.14% | -0.42% |
| 2097 | -0.13% | -0.41% |
| 2096 | -0.11% | -0.37% |
| 2095 | -0.11% | -0.36% |
| 2094 | -0.1% | -0.35% |
| 2093 | -0.1% | -0.34% |
| 2092 | -0.11% | -0.33% |
| 2091 | -0.07% | -0.33% |
| 2090 | -0.02% | -0.31% |
| 2089 | -0.004% | -0.29% |
| 2088 | 0.02% | -0.27% |
| 2087 | 0.01% | -0.24% |
| 2086 | 0.01% | -0.25% |
| 2085 | 0.04% | -0.24% |
| 2084 | 0.04% | -0.24% |
| 2083 | 0.05% | -0.22% |
| 2082 | 0.03% | -0.19% |
| 2081 | 0.04% | -0.21% |
| 2080 | 0.07% | -0.26% |
| 2079 | 0.12% | -0.26% |
| 2078 | 0.12% | -0.27% |
| 2077 | 0.14% | -0.28% |
| 2076 | 0.15% | -0.28% |
| 2075 | 0.15% | -0.3% |
| 2074 | 0.15% | -0.29% |
| 2073 | 0.2% | -0.29% |
| 2072 | 0.18% | -0.29% |
| 2071 | 0.19% | -0.29% |
| 2070 | 0.26% | -0.28% |
| 2069 | 0.27% | -0.27% |
| 2068 | 0.33% | -0.26% |
| 2067 | 0.33% | -0.26% |
| 2066 | 0.38% | -0.25% |
| 2065 | 0.4% | -0.24% |
| 2064 | 0.42% | -0.21% |
| 2063 | 0.47% | -0.19% |
| 2062 | 0.52% | -0.2% |
| 2061 | 0.54% | -0.21% |
| 2060 | 0.55% | -0.2% |
| 2059 | 0.64% | -0.15% |
| 2058 | 0.66% | -0.12% |
| 2057 | 0.66% | -0.05% |
| 2056 | 0.69% | -0.07% |
| 2055 | 0.7% | -0.01% |
| 2054 | 0.75% | -0.004% |
| 2053 | 0.79% | 0.03% |
| 2052 | 0.8% | 0.04% |
| 2051 | 0.82% | 0.08% |
| 2050 | 0.86% | 0.13% |
| 2049 | 0.9% | 0.18% |
| 2048 | 0.93% | 0.2% |
| 2047 | 0.97% | 0.21% |
| 2046 | 0.96% | 0.26% |
| 2045 | 0.96% | 0.3% |
| 2044 | 0.99% | 0.31% |
| 2043 | 0.99% | 0.34% |
| 2042 | 1.03% | 0.4% |
| 2041 | 1.05% | 0.42% |
| 2040 | 1.1% | 0.41% |
| 2039 | 1.11% | 0.46% |
| 2038 | 1.16% | 0.48% |
| 2037 | 1.19% | 0.48% |
| 2036 | 1.23% | 0.48% |
| 2035 | 1.27% | 0.53% |
| 2034 | 1.3% | 0.56% |
| 2033 | 1.36% | 0.61% |
| 2032 | 1.37% | 0.63% |
| 2031 | 1.46% | 0.66% |
| 2030 | 1.47% | 0.72% |
| 2029 | 1.54% | 0.78% |
| 2028 | 1.55% | 0.83% |
| 2027 | 1.62% | 0.88% |
| 2026 | 1.6% | 0.96% |
| 2025 | 1.63% | 1.64% |
| 2024 | 1.65% | 1.59% |
| 2023 | 1.65% | 1.89% |
| 2022 | 1.6% | 2% |
| 2021 | 1.5% | 1.41% |
| 2020 | 1.45% | 1.27% |
| 2019 | 1.43% | 1.6% |
| 2018 | 1.43% | 1.46% |
| 2017 | 1.43% | 1.36% |
| 2016 | 1.43% | 1.29% |
| 2015 | 1.44% | 0.95% |
| 2014 | 1.47% | 0.73% |
| 2013 | 1.52% | 0.53% |
| 2012 | 1.69% | 0.42% |
| 2011 | 1.99% | 0.44% |
| 2010 | 2.13% | 0.55% |
| 2009 | 2.09% | 1.02% |
| 2008 | 2.03% | 2.06% |
| 2007 | 1.96% | 2.93% |
| 2006 | 1.88% | 2.73% |
| 2005 | 1.81% | 2.2% |
| 2004 | 1.77% | 1.85% |
| 2003 | 1.78% | 1.64% |
| 2002 | 1.9% | 1.7% |
| 2001 | 2.08% | 1.6% |
| 2000 | 2.15% | 1.34% |
| 1999 | 2.18% | 1.13% |
| 1998 | 2.24% | 1.05% |
| 1997 | 2.33% | 1.01% |
| 1996 | 2.47% | 0.79% |
| 1995 | 2.66% | 0.51% |
| 1994 | 2.81% | 0.39% |
| 1993 | 2.9% | 0.5% |
| 1992 | 2.85% | 0.68% |
| 1991 | 2.76% | 0.58% |
| 1990 | 2.79% | 0.08% |
| 1989 | 2.82% | -0.4% |
| 1988 | 3.03% | -0.43% |
| 1987 | 3.32% | 0.01% |
| 1986 | 3.45% | 0.05% |
| 1985 | 3.53% | 0.16% |
| 1984 | 3.59% | 0.62% |
| 1983 | 3.65% | 0.71% |
| 1982 | 4.05% | 0.95% |
| 1981 | 3.47% | 1.18% |
| 1980 | 3.96% | 1.16% |
| 1979 | 6.18% | 1.34% |
| 1978 | 6.21% | 1.43% |
| 1977 | 5.41% | 1.36% |
| 1976 | 5.29% | 1.52% |
| 1975 | 5.1% | 1.66% |
| 1974 | 5.06% | 1.67% |
| 1973 | 4.82% | 1.62% |
| 1972 | 3.65% | 1.5% |
| 1971 | 1.72% | 1.18% |
| 1970 | 0.56% | 0.84% |
| 1969 | 0.53% | 0.59% |
| 1968 | 0.52% | 0.45% |
| 1967 | 0.53% | 0.47% |
| 1966 | 0.56% | 0.4% |
| 1965 | 1.48% | 0.38% |
| 1964 | 2.41% | 0.49% |
| 1963 | 2.37% | 0.59% |
| 1962 | 2.32% | 0.41% |
| 1961 | 2.28% | -0.15% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/botswana/ireland | CC BY
In 2025, the population of Botswana grew by 1.63%, while Ireland's population grew by 1.64%.
Live population counters
|
Botswana
|
Ireland
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
2624853
|
5562212
|
| Population rank | 142/197 | 122/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.03% | 0.07% |
| One net population change |
12.9 minutes
|
5.95 minutes
|
| One birth every |
8.56 minutes
|
9.74 minutes
|
| One death every |
36.3 minutes
|
15 minutes
|
| Daily growth/decline | +112 | +243 |
| Annual growth/decline | +40,983 | +88,577 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +1.63% | +1.64% |
| Population growth rate rank | 65/197 | 64/197 |
| One migration net change every |
1.55 hours
|
14.9 minutes
|
| Annual migration change | -5,665 | +35,417 |
| Net migration rank | 120/196 | 27/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 116,402 | 1,216,237 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 126/195 | 52/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 4.6% | 23.1% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 96/195 | 25/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Botswana
|
Ireland
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | -5,665 | - | 35,417 |
| 2024 | 46,951 | -5,778 | 18,885 | 39,059 |
| 2023 | 47,098 | -6,487 | 19,652 | 43,873 |
| 2022 | 47,400 | -7,306 | 19,287 | 93,535 |
| 2021 | 40,894 | -4,083 | 26,064 | 27,419 |
| 2020 | 45,610 | -11,330 | 23,687 | 15,746 |
| 2019 | 45,110 | -11,770 | 28,365 | 29,663 |
| 2018 | 44,171 | -11,623 | 29,878 | 33,387 |
| 2017 | 43,154 | -10,916 | 31,379 | 28,883 |
| 2016 | 41,993 | -10,286 | 33,339 | 18,967 |
| 2015 | 40,897 | -9,599 | 35,265 | 13,376 |
| 2014 | 40,046 | -8,893 | 37,728 | 448 |
| 2013 | 39,404 | -7,836 | 39,302 | -12,309 |
| 2012 | 39,202 | -6,636 | 42,775 | -22,411 |
| 2011 | 38,613 | -1,019 | 45,801 | -26,529 |
| 2010 | 38,101 | 5,151 | 47,426 | -26,974 |
| 2009 | 36,671 | 4,960 | 47,168 | -18,524 |
| 2008 | 35,433 | 4,343 | 46,691 | 18,979 |
| 2007 | 33,832 | 3,926 | 43,109 | 76,465 |
| 2006 | 31,340 | 4,270 | 36,752 | 94,513 |
| 2005 | 29,385 | 4,283 | 33,279 | 63,983 |
| 2004 | 27,481 | 4,314 | 33,376 | 49,102 |
| 2003 | 26,545 | 4,488 | 32,372 | 32,220 |
| 2002 | 26,163 | 4,747 | 31,062 | 34,286 |
| 2001 | 26,112 | 7,991 | 27,837 | 39,220 |
| 2000 | 25,850 | 9,798 | 23,592 | 31,298 |
| 1999 | 25,358 | 9,762 | 21,402 | 23,592 |
| 1998 | 25,397 | 9,685 | 22,277 | 16,615 |
| 1997 | 25,738 | 9,597 | 21,311 | 17,425 |
| 1996 | 26,847 | 9,368 | 18,915 | 9,959 |
| 1995 | 28,478 | 9,464 | 16,601 | 10,019 |
| 1994 | 30,664 | 9,023 | 17,234 | -3,118 |
| 1993 | 31,691 | 8,441 | 17,166 | -3,762 |
| 1992 | 31,995 | 8,026 | 20,283 | 1,335 |
| 1991 | 32,219 | 4,311 | 21,206 | 4,944 |
| 1990 | 33,015 | 2,580 | 21,787 | -8,203 |
| 1989 | 33,756 | 1,495 | 20,012 | -28,752 |
| 1988 | 34,564 | -215 | 22,912 | -44,020 |
| 1987 | 35,647 | 2,624 | 26,904 | -38,426 |
| 1986 | 36,203 | 2,558 | 27,963 | -21,139 |
| 1985 | 35,966 | 2,683 | 29,013 | -16,178 |
| 1984 | 35,530 | 2,393 | 31,791 | -15,549 |
| 1983 | 35,142 | 1,980 | 34,053 | -15,043 |
| 1982 | 34,859 | 1,751 | 38,344 | -14,464 |
| 1981 | 34,327 | 7,610 | 39,364 | -10,834 |
| 1980 | 33,934 | -10,849 | 40,612 | -2,876 |
| 1979 | 32,486 | 15,918 | 38,798 | 1,486 |
| 1978 | 30,596 | 26,015 | 36,288 | 15,543 |
| 1977 | 29,009 | 13,708 | 35,448 | 14,505 |
| 1976 | 27,497 | 11,914 | 33,676 | 14,200 |
| 1975 | 25,762 | 11,086 | 34,128 | 13,828 |
| 1974 | 24,160 | 8,854 | 34,199 | 13,482 |
| 1973 | 22,449 | 10,615 | 34,562 | 13,164 |
| 1972 | 21,004 | 5,937 | 34,316 | 12,858 |
| 1971 | 19,926 | -3,016 | 35,606 | 5,851 |
| 1970 | 19,438 | -16,054 | 30,756 | -8,892 |
| 1969 | 19,024 | -15,870 | 29,326 | -10,250 |
| 1968 | 18,725 | -15,681 | 27,697 | -11,132 |
| 1967 | 18,463 | -15,438 | 29,895 | -11,708 |
| 1966 | 18,250 | -15,140 | 26,866 | -11,858 |
| 1965 | 18,045 | -14,753 | 30,500 | -14,016 |
| 1964 | 17,634 | -4,126 | 31,532 | -15,640 |
| 1963 | 17,084 | -4,000 | 29,667 | -16,615 |
| 1962 | 16,507 | -4,028 | 28,077 | -17,438 |
| 1961 | 16,185 | -4,168 | 25,137 | -22,237 |
| 1960 | 15,861 | -4,331 | 28,286 | -38,492 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/botswana/ireland | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 83.3% of the population change in Botswana is from natural causes (a gain of 443,278 people) and 16.7% is from migration (a loss of 89,178 people). In Ireland 43.6% is from natural causes (a gain of 265,801 people) and 56.4% is from migration (a gain of 343,908 people).
As of 2024, 116,402 residents or 4.6% of the population were not native-born in Botswana, compared to 1,216,237 people or 23.1% in Ireland.
Biggest cities by population
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Population differences between Botswana and Ireland
|
Botswana
|
Ireland
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 69.6 years | 82.9 years |
| Average age | 26.9 years | 39.6 years |
| Median age | 24.5 years | 40 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 49.8:50.2 | 49.5:50.5 |
| Fertility rate | 2.7 births per woman | 1.47 births per woman |
| Population density | 11.9 ppl/mi² | 208.2 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/botswana/ireland | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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