Africa · Southern Africa
Capital: Gaborone
Botswana
Explore the facts and rankings that shape Botswana in Country Blitz, from its population and economy to its military, innovation, manufacturing, and neighboring countries.
Country Blitz power profile
Overall rank #131
Botswana's Country Blitz power profile compares population, GDP, military expenditure, research-and-development spending, and manufacturing output across every playable country. A lower numerical rank represents a stronger position in that category.
Population
2.6M
#141 of 196
28th percentile
2025 · World Bank WDI / UN population sources
View data source ↗GDP (Nominal)
$19.93B
#133 of 196
32nd percentile
2025 · World Bank WDI
View data source ↗Military Expenditure
$567.8M
#101 of 196
49th percentile
2024 · SIPRI via World Bank WDI
View data source ↗R&D Spending
$80.1M
#93 of 196
53rd percentile
2013 · UNESCO UIS and World Bank WDI
View data source ↗Manufacturing Output
$1.13B
#143 of 196
27th percentile
2025 · World Bank WDI
View data source ↗Quick facts
- Capital
- Gaborone
- Region
- Africa
- Subregion
- Southern Africa
- Country code
- BWA
- Neighbors
- NamibiaSouth AfricaZambiaZimbabwe
Three interesting facts
Botswana shares land borders with 4 countries: Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Botswana has a low average population density, with large areas containing relatively few residents.
Botswana’s position in Southern Africa places it within a distinctive network of regional trade routes and migration paths.
Geography
Botswana on the map
Botswana is located in Southern Africa, north of South Africa. Its terrain is predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland, Kalahari Desert in southwest. The climate is semiarid, warm winters and hot summers. In area, the country is slightly smaller than Texas, almost four times the size of Illinois.
Economy
Economic profile
Botswana's economy is characterized by good economic governance and financial management, diamond-driven growth model declining, rapid poverty reductions, high unemployment, particularly among youth, COVID-19 sharply contracted the economy and recovery is slow, public sector wages have posed fiscal challenges. Major industries include diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver, beef processing, textiles. Important agricultural products include root vegetables, beef, vegetables, sorghum, maize, game meat, milk, watermelons, goat milk, sunflower seeds (2023). Notable exports include diamonds, copper ore, insulated wire, carbonates, cattle (2023).
Demographics
People and population
Botswana has an estimated population of 2,359,609. Languages spoken include Setswana 77.3%, Sekalanga 7.4%, Shekgalagadi 3.4%, English (official) 2.8%, Zezuru/Shona 2%, Sesarwa 1.7%, Sembukushu 1.6%, Ndebele 1%, other 2.8% (2011 est.). The population includes Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and people of European ancestry 7%. The urban population represents 72.9% of total population (2023).
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