The latest officially reported population of Botswana was 2,521,139 in 2024 vs 568,847 people in Malta in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Botswana's population is 2,615,162 people compared to 581,729 in Malta.
Population statistics:
- Botswana's population is 4.5 times bigger than Malta's.
- Botswana is ranked the 142nd most populous country in the world, while Malta is the 167th.
- The countries together account for 0.04% of the world: 0.03% for Botswana vs 0.007% for Malta.
- For the last 10 years, Botswana has had an average growth rate of +1.5% per year vs +2.69% in Malta.
- Since 2006, the population of Botswana has increased from 1.87M people to 2.62M (39.5% growth), while Malta has grown from 405K to 582K (43.5% growth).
Botswana vs Malta: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Botswana
|
Malta
|
|
| 2100 | 3,871,504 | 383,244 |
| 2099 | 3,876,625 | 386,421 |
| 2098 | 3,882,670 | 389,613 |
| 2097 | 3,887,985 | 392,917 |
| 2096 | 3,892,886 | 396,295 |
| 2095 | 3,897,211 | 399,956 |
| 2094 | 3,901,478 | 403,710 |
| 2093 | 3,905,541 | 407,487 |
| 2092 | 3,909,490 | 411,340 |
| 2091 | 3,913,899 | 415,407 |
| 2090 | 3,916,706 | 419,592 |
| 2089 | 3,917,351 | 423,826 |
| 2088 | 3,917,510 | 428,052 |
| 2087 | 3,916,826 | 432,556 |
| 2086 | 3,916,303 | 437,240 |
| 2085 | 3,915,785 | 441,882 |
| 2084 | 3,914,364 | 446,649 |
| 2083 | 3,912,929 | 451,551 |
| 2082 | 3,910,994 | 456,344 |
| 2081 | 3,910,013 | 461,335 |
| 2080 | 3,908,255 | 466,229 |
| 2079 | 3,905,358 | 471,100 |
| 2078 | 3,900,828 | 475,924 |
| 2077 | 3,896,126 | 480,771 |
| 2076 | 3,890,528 | 485,655 |
| 2075 | 3,884,696 | 490,208 |
| 2074 | 3,879,057 | 494,656 |
| 2073 | 3,873,259 | 499,046 |
| 2072 | 3,865,665 | 503,370 |
| 2071 | 3,858,720 | 507,604 |
| 2070 | 3,851,234 | 511,683 |
| 2069 | 3,841,316 | 515,748 |
| 2068 | 3,830,826 | 519,737 |
| 2067 | 3,818,341 | 523,520 |
| 2066 | 3,805,705 | 527,140 |
| 2065 | 3,791,211 | 530,620 |
| 2064 | 3,775,938 | 533,923 |
| 2063 | 3,760,179 | 537,029 |
| 2062 | 3,742,710 | 540,145 |
| 2061 | 3,723,346 | 543,018 |
| 2060 | 3,703,231 | 545,828 |
| 2059 | 3,682,816 | 548,562 |
| 2058 | 3,659,567 | 551,048 |
| 2057 | 3,635,514 | 553,389 |
| 2056 | 3,611,843 | 555,804 |
| 2055 | 3,587,056 | 558,190 |
| 2054 | 3,562,182 | 560,309 |
| 2053 | 3,535,732 | 562,511 |
| 2052 | 3,507,938 | 564,772 |
| 2051 | 3,479,939 | 567,078 |
| 2050 | 3,451,521 | 569,189 |
| 2049 | 3,422,143 | 571,016 |
| 2048 | 3,391,720 | 572,923 |
| 2047 | 3,360,414 | 574,977 |
| 2046 | 3,328,208 | 576,728 |
| 2045 | 3,296,489 | 578,442 |
| 2044 | 3,265,120 | 580,046 |
| 2043 | 3,233,076 | 581,639 |
| 2042 | 3,201,405 | 583,042 |
| 2041 | 3,168,873 | 584,485 |
| 2040 | 3,135,889 | 585,747 |
| 2039 | 3,101,794 | 587,035 |
| 2038 | 3,067,648 | 588,223 |
| 2037 | 3,032,620 | 589,140 |
| 2036 | 2,996,884 | 589,886 |
| 2035 | 2,960,590 | 590,469 |
| 2034 | 2,923,411 | 590,868 |
| 2033 | 2,885,991 | 590,759 |
| 2032 | 2,847,292 | 590,166 |
| 2031 | 2,808,872 | 589,366 |
| 2030 | 2,768,505 | 588,281 |
| 2029 | 2,728,467 | 586,978 |
| 2028 | 2,686,968 | 585,310 |
| 2027 | 2,645,863 | 583,310 |
| 2026 | 2,603,779 | 581,144 |
| 2025 | 2,562,651 | 575,661 |
| 2024 | 2,521,139 | 568,847 |
| 2023 | 2,480,244 | 552,747 |
| 2022 | 2,439,892 | 531,113 |
| 2021 | 2,401,441 | 518,150 |
| 2020 | 2,365,894 | 515,490 |
| 2019 | 2,332,083 | 503,912 |
| 2018 | 2,299,141 | 483,903 |
| 2017 | 2,266,747 | 467,106 |
| 2016 | 2,234,776 | 454,505 |
| 2015 | 2,203,273 | 444,220 |
| 2014 | 2,172,044 | 433,481 |
| 2013 | 2,140,682 | 424,810 |
| 2012 | 2,108,617 | 420,028 |
| 2011 | 2,073,535 | 416,268 |
| 2010 | 2,033,111 | 414,508 |
| 2009 | 1,990,673 | 412,477 |
| 2008 | 1,949,970 | 409,379 |
| 2007 | 1,911,201 | 406,724 |
| 2006 | 1,874,516 | 405,308 |
| 2005 | 1,839,877 | 403,834 |
| 2004 | 1,807,146 | 401,268 |
| 2003 | 1,775,736 | 398,582 |
| 2002 | 1,744,763 | 395,969 |
| 2001 | 1,712,254 | 393,028 |
| 2000 | 1,677,382 | 390,087 |
| 1999 | 1,641,997 | 387,578 |
| 1998 | 1,606,899 | 385,287 |
| 1997 | 1,571,691 | 382,791 |
| 1996 | 1,535,914 | 379,905 |
| 1995 | 1,498,836 | 377,419 |
| 1994 | 1,460,023 | 374,797 |
| 1993 | 1,420,115 | 371,308 |
| 1992 | 1,380,033 | 367,618 |
| 1991 | 1,341,756 | 363,845 |
| 1990 | 1,305,696 | 354,170 |
| 1989 | 1,270,274 | 350,722 |
| 1988 | 1,235,476 | 347,325 |
| 1987 | 1,199,167 | 344,485 |
| 1986 | 1,160,650 | 342,121 |
| 1985 | 1,121,945 | 336,452 |
| 1984 | 1,083,660 | 330,593 |
| 1983 | 1,046,137 | 330,524 |
| 1982 | 1,009,269 | 325,898 |
| 1981 | 969,996 | 318,982 |
| 1980 | 937,485 | 316,645 |
| 1979 | 901,742 | 313,342 |
| 1978 | 849,239 | 310,182 |
| 1977 | 799,574 | 306,970 |
| 1976 | 758,508 | 305,774 |
| 1975 | 720,380 | 304,222 |
| 1974 | 685,448 | 301,996 |
| 1973 | 652,408 | 302,200 |
| 1972 | 622,407 | 302,450 |
| 1971 | 600,481 | 302,700 |
| 1970 | 590,334 | 302,650 |
| 1969 | 587,066 | 304,300 |
| 1968 | 583,966 | 307,900 |
| 1967 | 580,933 | 311,550 |
| 1966 | 577,866 | 315,200 |
| 1965 | 574,664 | 318,800 |
| 1964 | 566,266 | 321,250 |
| 1963 | 552,966 | 322,550 |
| 1962 | 540,186 | 323,900 |
| 1961 | 527,942 | 325,250 |
| 1960 | 516,165 | 326,550 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/botswana/malta | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Botswana increased by 360,260 people (a 19.2% growth), while Malta gained 49,197 people (a 12.1% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Botswana gained 380,386 people (a 17% growth), while Malta's population increased by 127,224 people (a 28% growth).
Botswana was ranked 145th most populous country in 2006 and is 142nd in 2026. Malta was ranked 168th in 2006 and ranked 167th now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Botswana's population will grow by 32% to 3,451,521 people with a rank change from 142nd to 137th. The population of Malta will decrease by 2.16% to 569,189 people and will still be ranked 167th.
Botswana is projected to reach its peak in 2088 at 3.92M people compared to the peak of 591K people in 2034 for Malta.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Botswana
|
Malta
|
|
| 2100 | -0.13% | -0.82% |
| 2099 | -0.16% | -0.82% |
| 2098 | -0.14% | -0.84% |
| 2097 | -0.13% | -0.85% |
| 2096 | -0.11% | -0.92% |
| 2095 | -0.11% | -0.93% |
| 2094 | -0.1% | -0.93% |
| 2093 | -0.1% | -0.94% |
| 2092 | -0.11% | -0.98% |
| 2091 | -0.07% | -1% |
| 2090 | -0.02% | -1% |
| 2089 | -0.004% | -0.99% |
| 2088 | 0.02% | -1.04% |
| 2087 | 0.01% | -1.07% |
| 2086 | 0.01% | -1.05% |
| 2085 | 0.04% | -1.07% |
| 2084 | 0.04% | -1.09% |
| 2083 | 0.05% | -1.05% |
| 2082 | 0.03% | -1.08% |
| 2081 | 0.04% | -1.05% |
| 2080 | 0.07% | -1.03% |
| 2079 | 0.12% | -1.01% |
| 2078 | 0.12% | -1.01% |
| 2077 | 0.14% | -1.01% |
| 2076 | 0.15% | -0.93% |
| 2075 | 0.15% | -0.9% |
| 2074 | 0.15% | -0.88% |
| 2073 | 0.2% | -0.86% |
| 2072 | 0.18% | -0.83% |
| 2071 | 0.19% | -0.8% |
| 2070 | 0.26% | -0.79% |
| 2069 | 0.27% | -0.77% |
| 2068 | 0.33% | -0.72% |
| 2067 | 0.33% | -0.69% |
| 2066 | 0.38% | -0.66% |
| 2065 | 0.4% | -0.62% |
| 2064 | 0.42% | -0.58% |
| 2063 | 0.47% | -0.58% |
| 2062 | 0.52% | -0.53% |
| 2061 | 0.54% | -0.51% |
| 2060 | 0.55% | -0.5% |
| 2059 | 0.64% | -0.45% |
| 2058 | 0.66% | -0.42% |
| 2057 | 0.66% | -0.43% |
| 2056 | 0.69% | -0.43% |
| 2055 | 0.7% | -0.38% |
| 2054 | 0.75% | -0.39% |
| 2053 | 0.79% | -0.4% |
| 2052 | 0.8% | -0.41% |
| 2051 | 0.82% | -0.37% |
| 2050 | 0.86% | -0.32% |
| 2049 | 0.9% | -0.33% |
| 2048 | 0.93% | -0.36% |
| 2047 | 0.97% | -0.3% |
| 2046 | 0.96% | -0.3% |
| 2045 | 0.96% | -0.28% |
| 2044 | 0.99% | -0.27% |
| 2043 | 0.99% | -0.24% |
| 2042 | 1.03% | -0.25% |
| 2041 | 1.05% | -0.22% |
| 2040 | 1.1% | -0.22% |
| 2039 | 1.11% | -0.2% |
| 2038 | 1.16% | -0.16% |
| 2037 | 1.19% | -0.13% |
| 2036 | 1.23% | -0.1% |
| 2035 | 1.27% | -0.07% |
| 2034 | 1.3% | 0.02% |
| 2033 | 1.36% | 0.1% |
| 2032 | 1.37% | 0.14% |
| 2031 | 1.46% | 0.18% |
| 2030 | 1.47% | 0.22% |
| 2029 | 1.54% | 0.29% |
| 2028 | 1.55% | 0.34% |
| 2027 | 1.62% | 0.37% |
| 2026 | 1.6% | 0.95% |
| 2025 | 1.65% | 1.2% |
| 2024 | 1.65% | 2.91% |
| 2023 | 1.65% | 4.07% |
| 2022 | 1.6% | 2.5% |
| 2021 | 1.5% | 0.52% |
| 2020 | 1.45% | 2.3% |
| 2019 | 1.43% | 4.13% |
| 2018 | 1.43% | 3.6% |
| 2017 | 1.43% | 2.77% |
| 2016 | 1.43% | 2.32% |
| 2015 | 1.44% | 2.48% |
| 2014 | 1.47% | 2.04% |
| 2013 | 1.52% | 1.14% |
| 2012 | 1.69% | 0.9% |
| 2011 | 1.99% | 0.42% |
| 2010 | 2.13% | 0.49% |
| 2009 | 2.09% | 0.76% |
| 2008 | 2.03% | 0.65% |
| 2007 | 1.96% | 0.35% |
| 2006 | 1.88% | 0.37% |
| 2005 | 1.81% | 0.64% |
| 2004 | 1.77% | 0.67% |
| 2003 | 1.78% | 0.66% |
| 2002 | 1.9% | 0.75% |
| 2001 | 2.08% | 0.75% |
| 2000 | 2.15% | 0.65% |
| 1999 | 2.18% | 0.59% |
| 1998 | 2.24% | 0.65% |
| 1997 | 2.33% | 0.76% |
| 1996 | 2.47% | 0.66% |
| 1995 | 2.66% | 0.7% |
| 1994 | 2.81% | 0.94% |
| 1993 | 2.9% | 1% |
| 1992 | 2.85% | 1.04% |
| 1991 | 2.76% | 2.73% |
| 1990 | 2.79% | 0.98% |
| 1989 | 2.82% | 0.98% |
| 1988 | 3.03% | 0.82% |
| 1987 | 3.32% | 0.69% |
| 1986 | 3.45% | 1.68% |
| 1985 | 3.53% | 1.77% |
| 1984 | 3.59% | 0.02% |
| 1983 | 3.65% | 1.42% |
| 1982 | 4.05% | 2.17% |
| 1981 | 3.47% | 0.74% |
| 1980 | 3.96% | 1.05% |
| 1979 | 6.18% | 1.02% |
| 1978 | 6.21% | 1.05% |
| 1977 | 5.41% | 0.39% |
| 1976 | 5.29% | 0.51% |
| 1975 | 5.1% | 0.74% |
| 1974 | 5.06% | -0.07% |
| 1973 | 4.82% | -0.08% |
| 1972 | 3.65% | -0.08% |
| 1971 | 1.72% | 0.02% |
| 1970 | 0.56% | -0.54% |
| 1969 | 0.53% | -1.17% |
| 1968 | 0.52% | -1.17% |
| 1967 | 0.53% | -1.16% |
| 1966 | 0.56% | -1.13% |
| 1965 | 1.48% | -0.76% |
| 1964 | 2.41% | -0.4% |
| 1963 | 2.37% | -0.42% |
| 1962 | 2.32% | -0.42% |
| 1961 | 2.28% | -0.4% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/botswana/malta | CC BY
In 2024, the population of Botswana grew by 1.65%, while Malta's population grew by 2.91%.
Live population counters
|
Botswana
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
2615162
|
581729
|
| Population rank | 142/197 | 167/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.03% | 0.007% |
| One net population change |
12.9 minutes
|
32.6 minutes
|
| One birth every |
8.58 minutes
|
1.96 hours
|
| One death every |
37 minutes
|
2.17 hours
|
| Daily growth/decline | +112 | +44 |
| Annual growth/decline | +40,895 | +16,100 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +1.65% | +2.91% |
| Population growth rate rank | 66/197 | 19/197 |
| One migration net change every |
1.55 hours
|
1.7 hours
|
| Annual migration change | -5,665 | +5,161 |
| Net migration rank | 120/196 | 52/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 116,402 | 199,466 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 126/195 | 112/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 4.6% | 37% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 96/195 | 15/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Botswana
|
Malta
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | -5,665 | - | 5,161 |
| 2024 | - | -5,778 | - | 6,323 |
| 2023 | 47,098 | -6,487 | 442 | 6,591 |
| 2022 | 47,400 | -7,306 | 54 | 2,480 |
| 2021 | 40,894 | -4,083 | 259 | 4,638 |
| 2020 | 45,610 | -11,330 | 361 | 6,904 |
| 2019 | 45,110 | -11,770 | 655 | 20,302 |
| 2018 | 44,171 | -11,623 | 774 | 16,961 |
| 2017 | 43,154 | -10,916 | 747 | 14,372 |
| 2016 | 41,993 | -10,286 | 1,091 | 8,624 |
| 2015 | 40,897 | -9,599 | 888 | 9,588 |
| 2014 | 40,046 | -8,893 | 910 | 9,192 |
| 2013 | 39,404 | -7,836 | 807 | 861 |
| 2012 | 39,202 | -6,636 | 714 | 911 |
| 2011 | 38,613 | -1,019 | 916 | 999 |
| 2010 | 38,101 | 5,151 | 871 | 741 |
| 2009 | 36,671 | 4,960 | 825 | 836 |
| 2008 | 35,433 | 4,343 | 777 | 869 |
| 2007 | 33,832 | 3,926 | 691 | 926 |
| 2006 | 31,340 | 4,270 | 568 | 997 |
| 2005 | 29,385 | 4,283 | 727 | 1,626 |
| 2004 | 27,481 | 4,314 | 883 | 1,662 |
| 2003 | 26,545 | 4,488 | 917 | 1,626 |
| 2002 | 26,163 | 4,747 | 911 | 1,821 |
| 2001 | 26,112 | 7,991 | 1,061 | 1,678 |
| 2000 | 25,850 | 9,798 | 1,482 | 1,591 |
| 1999 | 25,358 | 9,762 | 1,357 | 1,463 |
| 1998 | 25,397 | 9,685 | 1,656 | 1,260 |
| 1997 | 25,738 | 9,597 | 1,991 | 1,003 |
| 1996 | 26,847 | 9,368 | 2,279 | 1,142 |
| 1995 | 28,478 | 9,464 | 1,887 | 1,306 |
| 1994 | 30,664 | 9,023 | 2,136 | 1,136 |
| 1993 | 31,691 | 8,441 | 2,451 | 1,006 |
| 1992 | 31,995 | 8,026 | 2,573 | 737 |
| 1991 | 32,219 | 4,311 | 2,438 | 763 |
| 1990 | 33,015 | 2,580 | 2,621 | 568 |
| 1989 | 33,756 | 1,495 | 2,981 | 248 |
| 1988 | 34,564 | -215 | 2,813 | 164 |
| 1987 | 35,647 | 2,624 | 2,412 | 295 |
| 1986 | 36,203 | 2,558 | 2,395 | 464 |
| 1985 | 35,966 | 2,683 | 2,590 | -428 |
| 1984 | 35,530 | 2,393 | 2,678 | -558 |
| 1983 | 35,142 | 1,980 | 2,512 | -740 |
| 1982 | 34,859 | 1,751 | 2,835 | -1,059 |
| 1981 | 34,327 | 7,610 | 2,233 | -548 |
| 1980 | 33,934 | -10,849 | 2,375 | -886 |
| 1979 | 32,486 | 15,918 | 2,852 | -1,311 |
| 1978 | 30,596 | 26,015 | 2,389 | -1,302 |
| 1977 | 29,009 | 13,708 | 2,916 | -1,598 |
| 1976 | 27,497 | 11,914 | 2,721 | -1,641 |
| 1975 | 25,762 | 11,086 | 2,829 | -1,742 |
| 1974 | 24,160 | 8,854 | 2,687 | -1,597 |
| 1973 | 22,449 | 10,615 | 2,327 | -1,549 |
| 1972 | 21,004 | 5,937 | 2,480 | -1,316 |
| 1971 | 19,926 | -3,016 | 2,482 | -1,327 |
| 1970 | 19,438 | -16,054 | 2,270 | -1,123 |
| 1969 | 19,024 | -15,870 | 2,069 | -827 |
| 1968 | 18,725 | -15,681 | 2,247 | -753 |
| 1967 | 18,463 | -15,438 | 2,306 | -4,073 |
| 1966 | 18,250 | -15,140 | 2,458 | -4,318 |
| 1965 | 18,045 | -14,753 | 2,646 | -4,329 |
| 1964 | 17,634 | -4,126 | 3,630 | -4,768 |
| 1963 | 17,084 | -4,000 | 3,709 | -4,773 |
| 1962 | 16,507 | -4,028 | 4,664 | -5,360 |
| 1961 | 16,185 | -4,168 | 4,748 | -5,099 |
| 1960 | 15,861 | -4,331 | 5,747 | -5,540 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/botswana/malta | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 82.5% of the population change in Botswana is from natural causes (a gain of 436,373 people) and 17.5% is from migration (a loss of 92,293 people). In Malta 5.84% is from natural causes (a gain of 6,181 people) and 94.2% is from migration (a gain of 99,652 people).
As of 2024, 116,402 residents or 4.6% of the population were not native-born in Botswana, compared to 199,466 people or 37% in Malta.
Biggest cities by population
|
Botswana
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Gaborone | 236K |
| Francistown | 103K |
| Molepolole | 67.6K |
| Kanye | 48K |
| Serowe | 47.4K |
| Mahalapye | 41.3K |
| Palapye | 36.2K |
| Lobatse | 26.9K |
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| St. Paul's Bay | 40.2K |
| Mosta | 25.5K |
| Birkirkara | 24.4K |
| Naxxar | 18.1K |
| Zabbar | 18K |
| Sliema | 16.9K |
| San Gwann | 16.1K |
| Marsaskala | 15.6K |
| Gzira | 8.03K |
| Valletta | 6.44K |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between Botswana and Malta
|
Botswana
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 69.6 years | 83.8 years |
| Average age | 26.7 years | 43 years |
| Median age | 24.2 years | 41.8 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 49.8:50.2 | 51.9:48.1 |
| Fertility rate | 2.73 births per woman | 1.06 births per woman |
| Population density | 11.9 ppl/mi² | 4,704 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/population/botswana/malta | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-02-08)
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