Botswana

Introduction ::Botswana

Background:

Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. More than four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.

Geography ::Botswana

Location:

Southern Africa, north of South Africa

Geographic coordinates:

22 00 S, 24 00 E

Area:

total: 581,730 sq km

country comparison to the world: 48

land: 566,730 sq km

water: 15,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries:

total: 4,013 km

border countries: Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

semiarid; warm winters and hot summers

Terrain:

predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m

highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m

Natural resources:

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver

Land use:

arable land: 0.45%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 99.55% (2011)

Irrigated land:

14.39 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

12.24 cu km (2011)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.19 cu km/yr (42%/19%/39%)

per capita: 107.3 cu m/yr (2005)

Natural hazards:

periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility

Environment - current issues:

overgrazing; desertification; limited freshwater resources

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country

People and Society ::Botswana

Nationality:

noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

Ethnic groups:

Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and white 7%

Languages:

Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English (official) 2.1%, other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)

Religions:

Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census)

Population:

2,127,825 (July 2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 144

note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Age structure:

0-14 years: 33.2% (male 360,053/female 346,691)

15-24 years: 21.8% (male 229,713/female 233,546)

25-54 years: 36.7% (male 411,019/female 370,395)

55-64 years: 4.3% (male 40,639/female 51,305)

65 years and over: 4% (male 33,868/female 50,596) (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios:

total dependency ratio: 59.1 %

youth dependency ratio: 53.3 %

elderly dependency ratio: 5.8 %

potential support ratio: 17.3 (2013)

Median age:

total: 22.7 years

male: 22.6 years

female: 22.7 years (2013 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.35% (2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 90

Birth rate:

21.69 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 78

Death rate:

12.91 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 22

Net migration rate:

4.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population

country comparison to the world: 23

note: there is an increasing flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa and Botswana in search of better economic opportunities (2013 est.)

Urbanization:

urban population: 61.7% of total population (2011)

rate of urbanization: 2.07% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major urban areas - population:

GABORONE (capital) 202,000 (2011)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.1 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.79 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Maternal mortality rate:

160 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

country comparison to the world: 62

Infant mortality rate:

total: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births

country comparison to the world: 145

male: 10.34 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 54.47 years

country comparison to the world: 205

male: 55.98 years

female: 52.92 years (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.41 children born/woman (2013 est.)

country comparison to the world: 85

Contraceptive prevalence rate:

52.8%

note: percent of women aged 12-49 (2007/08)

Health expenditures:

8.3% of GDP (2010)

country comparison to the world: 55

Physicians density:

0.34 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Hospital bed density:

1.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Drinking water source:

improved:

urban: 99% of population

rural: 92% of population

total: 96% of population

unimproved:

urban: 1% of population

rural: 8% of population

total: 4% of population (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access:

improved:

urban: 75% of population

rural: 41% of population

total: 62% of population

unimproved:

urban: 25% of population

rural: 59% of population

total: 38% of population (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

24.8% (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 2

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

320,000 (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 18

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

5,800 (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 36

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria (2013)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate:

11.2% (2008)

country comparison to the world: 128

Children under the age of 5 years underweight:

11.2% (2008)

country comparison to the world: 65

Education expenditures:

7.8% of GDP (2009)

country comparison to the world: 15

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 85.1%

male: 84.6%

female: 85.6% (2011 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 12 years

male: 12 years

female: 12 years (2006)

Child labor - children ages 5-14:

total number: 45,036

percentage: 9 %

note: data represents children ages 7-17 (2006 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:

total: 13.6%

country comparison to the world: 94

male: 13.2%

female: 14% (2000)

Government ::Botswana

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Botswana

conventional short form: Botswana

local long form: Republic of Botswana

local short form: Botswana

former: Bechuanaland

Government type:

parliamentary republic

Capital:

name: Gaborone

geographic coordinates: 24 38 S, 25 54 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, North East, North West, Selebi-Pikwe*, South East, Southern

Independence:

30 September 1966 (from the UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)

Constitution:

March 1965; effective 30 September 1966

Legal system:

mixed legal system of civil law influenced by the Roman-Dutch model and also customary and common law

International law organization participation:

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Ponatshego KEDIKILWE (since 2 August 2012); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Ponatshego KEDIKILWE (since 2 August 2012)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

(For more information visit the World Leaders website )

elections: president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 October 2009 (next to be held in October 2014); vice president appointed by the president

election results: Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 35-member body with 8 ex-officio members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 27 non-permanent members serving five-year terms, of which 22 are indirectly elected with the remaining 5 appointed by the President) and the National Assembly (63 seats; 57 members directly elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms)

elections: National Assembly elections last held on 16 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014)

election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 53.3%, BNF 21.9%, BCP 19.2%, BAM 2.3%, other 3.3%; seats by party - BDP 45, BNF 6, BCP 4, BAM 1, other 1

Judicial branch:

highest court(s): Court of Appeal, High Court (each consists of a chief justice and number of other judges as prescribed by the Parliament)

judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president and other judges appointed by the president upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; all judges appointed to serve until age 70

subordinate courts: Industrial Court (with circuits scheduled monthly in the capital city and in three districts); Magistrates Courts (one in each district); Customary Court of Appeal; Paramount Chief's Court/Urban Customary Court; Senior Chief's Representative Court; Chief's Representative’s Court; Headman's Court

Political parties and leaders:

Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Dumelang SALESHANDO]; Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Daniel KWELAGOBE]; Botswana Movement for Democracy or BMD [Gomolemo MOTSWALEDI]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Duma BOKO]; Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Bernard BALIKANI]; MELS Movement of Botswana or MELS [Themba JOINA]; New Democratic Front or NDF [Dick BAYFORD]

note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats - includes the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

First People of the Kalahari (Bushman organization); Pitso Ya Ba Tswana; Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language (Kalanga elites)

other: diamond mining companies

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Tebelelo Mazile SERETSE

chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] [phone]

FAX: [1] [phone]

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Michelle D. GAVIN

embassy: Embassy Drive, Government Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone

mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone

telephone: [267] 395-3982

FAX: [267] 318-0232

Flag description:

light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center; the blue symbolizes water in the form of rain, while the black and white bands represent racial harmony

National symbol(s):

zebra

National anthem:

name: ""Fatshe leno la rona"" (Our Land)

lyrics/music: Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE

note: adopted 1966

Economy ::Botswana

Economy - overview:

Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966. However, economic growth was negative in 2009, with the industrial sector shrinking by 30%, after the global crisis reduced demand for Botswana's diamonds. Although the economy recovered in 2010, GDP growth has again slowed. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $16,800 in 2012. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP, 70-80% of export earnings, and about one-third of the government's revenues. Botswana's heavy reliance on a single luxury export was a critical factor in the sharp economic contraction of 2009. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. According to official government statistics, unemployment reached 17.8% in 2009, but unofficial estimates run much higher. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is second highest in the world and threatens Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in diamond production within the next two decades overshadows long-term prospects. A major international diamond company signed a 10-year deal with Botswana in 2012 to move its rough stone sorting and trading division from London to Gaborone by the end of 2013. The move may support Botswana's downstream diamond industry.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$32.06 billion (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 112

$30.88 billion (2011 est.)

$29.39 billion (2010 est.)

note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$17.62 billion (2012 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3.8% (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 89

5.1% (2011 est.)

7% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$17,100 (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 79

$16,700 (2011 est.)

$16,000 (2010 est.)

note: data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving:

34.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 15

39.9% of GDP (2011 est.)

37.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use:

household consumption: 39.8%

government consumption: 20.5%

investment in fixed capital: 30%

investment in inventories: 5.4%

exports of goods and services: 35.7%

imports of goods and services: -43.6%

(2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin:

agriculture: 2.1%

industry: 45%

services: 52.9% (2011 est.)

Agriculture - products:

livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts

Industries:

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; livestock processing; textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

0% (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 135

Labor force:

1.288 million (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 135

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Unemployment rate:

17.8% (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 155

7.5% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

30.3% (2003)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

63 (1993)

country comparison to the world: 3

Budget:

revenues: $5.508 billion

expenditures: $5.393 billion (2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues:

31.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 85

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):

0.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 35

Public debt:

14.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 137

17% of GDP (2011 est.)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7.5% (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 181

8.5% (2011 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

9.5% (31 December 2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 25

10% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

11% (31 December 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 75

11% (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$1.361 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 138

$1.153 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money:

$7.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 114

$7.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:

$1.45 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 148

$1.114 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$4.44 billion (31 December 2012)

country comparison to the world: 88

$4.107 billion (31 December 2011)

$4.076 billion (31 December 2010)

Current account balance:

$231.3 million (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 52

$271 million (2011 est.)

Exports:

$6.259 billion (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 105

$6.458 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities:

diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles

Imports:

$6.938 billion (2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 112

$6.275 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$7.839 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 78

$8.082 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Debt - external:

$2.437 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 143

$2.396 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Exchange rates:

pulas (BWP) per US dollar -

7.6179 (2012 est.)

6.8382 (2011 est.)

6.7936 (2010 est.)

7.1551 (2009)

6.7907 (2008)

Energy ::Botswana

Electricity - production:

417 million kWh (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 164

Electricity - consumption:

3.118 billion kWh (2011 est.)

country comparison to the world: 131

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 160

Electricity - imports:

2.89 billion kWh (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 43

Electricity - installed generating capacity:

132,000 kW (2011 est.)

country comparison to the world: 163

Electricity - from fossil fuels:

100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 6

Electricity - from nuclear fuels:

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 45

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 157

Electricity - from other renewable sources:

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 108

Crude oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

country comparison to the world: 107

Crude oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 78

Crude oil - imports:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

country comparison to the world: 156

Crude oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 105

Refined petroleum products - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

country comparison to the world: 153

Refined petroleum products - consumption:

15,420 bbl/day (2011 est.)

country comparison to the world: 142

Refined petroleum products - exports:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

country comparison to the world: 151

Refined petroleum products - imports:

19,060 bbl/day (2008 est.)

country comparison to the world: 105

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 98

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 116

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 59

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 157

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

country comparison to the world: 108

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:

3.841 million Mt (2010 est.)

country comparison to the world: 130

Communications ::Botswana

Telephones - main lines in use:

149,600 (2011)

country comparison to the world: 135

Telephones - mobile cellular:

2.9 million (2011)

country comparison to the world: 130

Telephone system:

general assessment: Botswana is participating in regional development efforts; expanding fully digital system with fiber-optic cables linking the major population centers in the east as well as a system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relays links, and radiotelephone communication stations

domestic: fixed-line teledensity has declined in recent years and now stands at roughly 7 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity now pushing 140 telephones per 100 persons

international: country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)

Broadcast media:

2 TV stations - 1 state-owned and 1 privately owned; privately owned satellite TV subscription service is available; 2 state-owned national radio stations; 3 privately owned radio stations broadcast locally (2007)

Internet country code:

.bw

Internet hosts:

1,806 (2012)

country comparison to the world: 163

Internet users:

120,000 (2009)

country comparison to the world: 154

Transportation ::Botswana

Airports:

74 (2013)

country comparison to the world: 71

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 10

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 64

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 46

under 914 m:

13 (2013)

Railways:

total: 888 km

country comparison to the world: 93

narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 17,916 km

country comparison to the world: 117

note: includes 8,916 km of Public Highway Network roads (6,116 km paved and 2,800 km unpaved) and other 9,000 km of District Council roads (2011)

Military ::Botswana

Military branches:

Botswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Wing Command, Defense Logistics Command, Special Forces Group (2013)

Military service age and obligation:

18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 557,647

females age 16-49: 531,095 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 340,949

females age 16-49: 302,332 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 23,649

female: 23,063 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

2.8% of GDP (2012)

country comparison to the world: 43

Transnational Issues ::Botswana

Disputes - international:

none"