Botswana has experienced significant population growth over the past several decades. In 1966, when the country gained independence, its population was approximately 600,000. Since then, the population has steadily increased, reaching about 2.6 million by 2023, according to United Nations estimates. This growth has been driven by improvements in healthcare, declining mortality rates, and a relatively high birth rate, although population growth has slowed somewhat in recent years due to the impact of HIV/AIDS and changing fertility patterns. Urbanization has also played a role, with a growing proportion of the population living in cities such as Gaborone and Francistown. Despite challenges, Botswana’s population continues to grow, shaping the country’s economic and social development.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 430,413 | 0.8 |
| 1955 | 461,100 | 0.8 |
| 1960 | 496,695 | 0.9 |
| 1965 | 538,100 | 0.9 |
| 1970 | 583,999 | 1 |
| 1975 | 704,591 | 1.2 |
| 1980 | 900,476 | 1.6 |
| 1985 | 1,077,420 | 1.9 |
| 1990 | 1,257,071 | 2.2 |
| 1995 | 1,464,188 | 2.6 |
| 2000 | 1,654,761 | 2.9 |
| 2005 | 1,813,417 | 3.2 |
| 2010 | 1,977,723 | 3.5 |
| 2015 | 2,146,296 | 3.8 |
| 2020 | 2,316,910 | 4.1 |
| 2022 | 2,384,246 | 4.2 |
| 2023 | 2,417,596 | 4.3 |
| 2024 | 2,450,668 | 4.3 |
| 2025 | 2,483,419 | 4.4 |
| 2030 | 2,643,329 | 4.7 |
| 2035 | 2,795,948 | 4.9 |
| 2040 | 2,940,674 | 5.2 |
| 2045 | 3,075,706 | 5.4 |
| 2050 | 3,199,855 | 5.6 |
| 2055 | 3,312,083 | 5.8 |
| 2060 | 3,410,656 | 6 |
| 2065 | 3,495,043 | 6.2 |
| 2070 | 3,564,966 | 6.3 |
| 2075 | 3,620,445 | 6.4 |
| 2080 | 3,661,841 | 6.5 |
| 2085 | 3,689,940 | 6.5 |
| 2090 | 3,705,672 | 6.5 |
| 2095 | 3,709,826 | 6.5 |
| 2100 | 3,703,138 | 6.5 |
Data from US Census International Database