Moving to Botswana: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

5 facts — expand for details.

Population

2,317,233

Population - note

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 the population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population Growth Rate

1.35%

Urban Population

61.700000

Population in Major Urban Areas

GABORONE (capital) 202,000

8 facts — expand for details.

Age Structure

32.400000

Median Age

22.700000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

22

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

12.91

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

2.41

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

52.8%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

52.8%

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.030000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

4.68

Ethnic Groups

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

Language Note

English is the official language while Setswana is considered the national language. Tjikalanga is commonly spoken in northeastern Botswana.

Nationality Noun

Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)

6 facts — expand for details.

Literacy - total population

81.2%

Literacy - male

76.9%

Literacy - female

82.4%

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

9.5%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

12.000000

12 facts — expand for details.

Life Expectancy at Birth

54.470000

Infant Mortality Rate

9.900000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

9.900000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

160

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.34

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

1.8

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

5.1%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

High

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

11.2%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

99.300000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

77.900000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

11.2%

4 facts — expand for details.

Economic Overview

Until the beginning of the global recession in 2008, Botswana maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since its independence in 1966.

Botswana recovered from the global recession in 2010, but only grew modestly until 2017, primarily due to a downturn in the global diamond market, though water and power shortages also played a role.

Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world five decades ago into a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of approximately $18,100 in 2017.

Botswana also ranks as one of the least corrupt and best places to do business in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Because of its heavy reliance on diamond exports, Botswana’s economy closely follows global price trends for that one commodity.

Diamond mining fueled much of Botswana’s past economic expansion and currently accounts for one-quarter of GDP, approximately 85% of export earnings, and about one-third of the government's revenues.

In 2017, Diamond exports increased to the highest levels since 2013 at about 22 million carats of output, driving Botswana’s economic growth to about 4.5% and increasing foreign exchange reserves to about 45% of GDP.

De Beers, a major international diamond company, signed a 10-year deal with Botswana in 2012 and moved its rough stone sorting and trading division from London to Gaborone in 2013.

The move was geared to support the development of Botswana's nascent downstream diamond industry.

Tourism is a secondary earner of foreign exchange and many Batswana engage in tourism-related services, subsistence farming, and cattle rearing.

According to official government statistics, unemployment is around 20%, but unofficial estimates run much higher.

The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is the second highest in the world and threatens the country's impressive economic gains.

Industries

• Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver
• livestock processing
• textiles

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$16,900.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.1%

9 facts — expand for details.

GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$37,720,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$16,900.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.1%

GDP - official exchange rate

$10,950,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• Consumption: 46.1% Government
• Consumption: 17.1% Investment in Fixed
• Capital: 29.5% Investment in
• Inventories: 6.9% Exports of Goods and
• Services: 52.4% Imports of Goods and
• Services: -52%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

1.8%

GDP by Sector- Industry

29.8%

GDP by Sector- services

68.4%

Industrial Growth Rate

2.5%

5 facts — expand for details.

Inflation Rate

3.4%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

10.21

Currency Name and Code

Pula (BWP)

Fiscal Year

1 April - 31 March

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

7%

8 facts — expand for details.

Labor Force

1,177,000

Unemployment Rate

20%

Major Industries

• Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver
• livestock processing
• textiles

Agriculture Products

Livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts

Population Below Poverty Line

30.3%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

45,036

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

9%

Child Labor - note

note: data represents children ages 7-17

4 facts — expand for details.

Annual Budget

$4,690,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

21%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-5.6%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

42.8%

8 facts — expand for details.

Full Country Name

Republic of Botswana

Country Name

Botswana

Local - Long

Republic of Botswana

Local - Short

Botswana

Former Name

Bechuanaland

Etymology- history of name

the name Botswana means "Land of the Tswana" - referring to the country's largest ethnic group

Independence

30 September 1966 (from the UK)

National Holiday

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

10 facts — expand for details.

Government Type

parliamentary republic

Constitution

• history: previous 1960 (pre-independence); latest adopted March 1965, effective 30 September 1966
• amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires approval in two successive Assembly votes with at least two-thirds majority in the final vote; proposals to amend constitutional provisions on fundamental rights and freedoms, the structure and branches of government, and public services also requires approval by majority vote in a referendum and assent by the president of the republic; amended several times, last in 2021

Legal System:

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

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Duma BOKO (since 1 November 2024)
• head of government: President Duma BOKO (since 1 November 2024)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
• elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 31 October 2024 (next to be held in October 2029); vice president appointed by the president
• election results: National elections held in 2024 gave BOKO's UDC 35 seats in the National Assembly, which then selected BOKO as President

Legislative Branch:

• legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: unicameral chamber name: National Assembly number of seats: 69 (61 directly elected; 6 indirectly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of
• Elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 10/30/2024 parties elected and seats per party: Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) (36); Botswana Congress Party (BCP) (15); Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) (5); Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) (4); Other (1) percentage of women in chamber: 8.7% expected date of next election: October 2029
• Note: the House of Chiefs (Ntlo ya Dikgosi), an advisory body to the National Assembly, consists of 35 members -- 8 hereditary chiefs from Botswana's principal tribes, 22 indirectly elected by the chiefs, and 5 appointed by the president; the House of Chiefs consults on issues including powers of chiefs, customary courts, customary law, tribal property, and constitutional amendments

Judicial Branch:

• 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 3 districts); Magistrates Courts (1 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

Regions or States:

10 districts and 6 town councils* Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, North East, North West, Selebi-Phikwe*, South East, Southern, Sowa Town*

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Alliance of Progressives or AP [Ndaba GAOLATHE]
• Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Dumelang SALESHANDO]
• Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Mokgweetsi MASISI]
• Botswana National Front or BNF [Duma BOKO]
• Botswana Patriotic Front or BPF [Mephato REATILE]
• Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Motlatsi MOLAPISI]
• Botswana Republic Party or BRP [Biggie BUTALE]
• Umbrella for Democratic Change or UDC [Duma BOKO] (various times the coalition has included the BPP, BCP, BNF and other parties)

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Botswana dual citizenship
• recognized: no residency requirement for
• naturalization: 10 years

Capital Name

Gaborone

Capital - geographic coordinate

24 38 S, 25 54 E

Capital Time Difference

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

4 facts — expand for details.

International Organization Participation:

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

International Law Organization Participation:

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Howard A. VAN VRANKEN (since 24 May 2023)
• Embassy: Embassy Drive, Government Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone
• Mailing Address: 2170 Gaborone Place, Washington DC 20521-2170
• Telephone: [267] 395-3982
• FAX: [267] 318-0232
• Email: ConsularGaborone@state.gov
• Website: https://bw.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Mpho Churchill MOPHUTING (since 18 September 2024)
• Chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
• Telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990
• FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164
• Email: info@botswanaembassy.org
• Website: http://www.botswanaembassy.org/

7 facts — expand for details.

Geographic Location

Africa

Geographic Coordinates

22 00 S, 24 00 E

Total Area

224,606 Square Miles 581,730 Square Kilometers

Land Area

218,814 Square Miles 566,730 Square Kilometers

Water Area

5,792 Square Miles 15,000 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

2,494 Miles 4,013 Kilometers

Border Countries

Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km

7 facts — expand for details.

Terrain

Predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; the Kalahari Desert in southwest

Highest Point

1,489 Meters

Highest Point Location

Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m

Lowest Point

513 Meters

Lowest Point Location

Junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m

Natural Resources

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

Irrigated Land

5 Square Miles 14 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

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

5 facts — expand for details.

Climate

Most of its area is an inhospitable semi-desert known as the Kalahari.

Even the most arable sections of eastern Botswana are subject to periodic drought and unpredictable rains.

Botswana straddles the Tropic of Capricorn and has an average elevation of 3,300 feet.

Daily high temperatures during the hottest month, January, average in the upper 90's to over 100°F.

Winter daytime temperatures generally reach 70 degrees, but with little cloud cover and no humidity to hold warmth in the air, they plummet to 30 or 40°F at night.

Terrain

Predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; the Kalahari Desert in southwest

Location

Southern Africa, north of South Africa

Total Area

224,606 Square Miles 581,730 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km

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

4 facts — expand for details.

Exports

$6,448,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$7,194,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles

Major Imports

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

Country Description

Botswana, a country in southern Africa roughly the size of Texas with a population of approximately 2 million, has a stable democratic, parliamentary government, and a stable economy.

Diamond and mineral mining are key components of the economy, while facilities for tourism are also widely available.

2 facts — expand for details.

Crime

Crime is a serious concern in Botswana.

Visitors must be vigilant and take common-sense security precautions.

Petty street crimes and crimes of opportunity, primarily the theft of money and personal property, are not uncommon.

Home invasions, “smash and grabs” from vehicles, and cell phone thefts, often at knifepoint, are routinely reported to the police.

Hotels and lodges are not immune from criminal activity, and visitors should remain alert and take reasonable precautions in safeguarding personal property (particularly money and electronic equipment).

Visitors are urged to exercise extreme caution near the Gaborone Dam and Kgale Hill in Gaborone due to the high number of reported criminal incidents.

Travelers arriving in Botswana via South Africa should be aware that there is a serious continuing baggage pilferage problem at OR Tambo (Johannesburg) and Cape Town International Airports.

Travelers are encouraged to use an airport plastic wrapping service and to avoid placing electronics, jewelry, cameras, designer athletic gear, or other valuables in checked luggage.

Also, make an inventory of items in checked baggage to aid in claims processing if theft does occur.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available.

Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law.

In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Botswana, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law.

Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses.

Persons violating Botswana’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in Botswana are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.

Motorists should note that it is illegal to use a cell phone while driving; failure to comply could result in fines and/or confiscation of the cell phone.

If you break local laws in Botswana, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Botswana, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the U.S. embassy of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the U.S. embassy.

Languages English is the official language while Setswana is considered the national language.

Tjikalanga is commonly spoken in northeastern Botswana.

2 facts — expand for details.

Medical Facilities

Private medical facilities in Gaborone are adequate for simple medical problems, but facilities outside of Gaborone are severely limited.

Adequately equipped emergency rooms and trained physicians are available in the capital but services are rudimentary elsewhere.

Professional private emergency rescue services operate air and ground ambulances throughout the country, but care is rendered only after a patient’s ability to pay is established.

Response times are often slow in less populated areas.

Outside of Gaborone, most airports are either not equipped or may have malfunctioning night lighting capability, so airborne medical evacuations can often only be conducted during daylight hours.

Malaria is prevalent only in the north of the country, particularly around the Chobe and Okavango National Parks.

Malaria prophylaxis is not required in Gaborone but is suggested for travel to the north.

For advanced care, U.S. citizens often choose to travel to South Africa.

Many South African manufactured prescription drugs are available in Gaborone.

In many areas of Botswana (including Gaborone), tap water can be unsafe and should be avoided or boiled for at least one minute before drinking.

Bottled water and beverages are believed to be safe.

However, visitors should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested.

Ice may also come from tap water and should be avoided.

Approximately one-quarter of the population of Botswana is infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Travelers are advised to exercise appropriate precautions if engaging in sexual activity or if exposed to blood products through injuries or rendering assistance to accident victims.

Tuberculosis is also endemic to Botswana.

Several hundred cases of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) have been identified in Botswana since January 2008 when Botswana first obtained the ability to test for this form of TB.

Individuals who plan to reside or stay in Botswana for extended periods are advised to obtain a tuberculosis skin test (PPD test) prior to arrival and again upon departure from Botswana.

There are occasional diarrhea outbreaks in areas affected by heavy rains.

Travelers in those regions are encouraged to take necessary precautions when handling food and drinking water.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions While in Botswana, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Botswana is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Driving in Botswana is challenging and motorists must drive defensively.

As elsewhere in the region, traffic circulates on the left in Botswana.

While the roads in major population centers are generally good, rural roads can be in poor condition and treacherous.

Rolling power outages mean that many traffic lights and street lamps do not work properly.

The combination of long, tedious stretches of two-lane highways without shoulders, high-speed limits, intoxicated drivers, free-range domestic animals (even in urban centers), and large numbers of pedestrians and hitchhikers in the roadways make fatal accidents a frequent occurrence.

Outside of Gaborone, it is also common to find large numbers of animals along or on the unlit roads, which can be particularly hazardous when driving at night.

The Embassy prohibits government employees from driving outside of Gaborone after dark. ‘Smash and grab’ robberies from vehicles are increasingly common in Botswana, particularly in urban areas at traffic lights.

Motorists should avoid carrying anything of value (handbags, briefcases, purses, cell phones, etc.) in the passenger compartment that could attract potential assailants.

Traffic Safety

While in Botswana, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Botswana is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Driving in Botswana is challenging and motorists must drive defensively.

As elsewhere in the region, traffic circulates on the left in Botswana.

While the roads in major population centers are generally good, rural roads can be in poor condition and treacherous.

Rolling power outages mean that many traffic lights and street lamps do not work properly.

The combination of long, tedious stretches of two-lane highways without shoulders, high-speed limits, intoxicated drivers, free-range domestic animals (even in urban centers), and large numbers of pedestrians and hitchhikers in the roadways make fatal accidents a frequent occurrence.

Outside of Gaborone, it is also common to find large numbers of animals along or on the unlit roads, which can be particularly hazardous when driving at night.

The

5 facts — expand for details.

Airports - total

74

Airports with Paved Runways

10

Railways

552 Miles 888 Kilometers

Roadways- total

11,132 Miles 17,916 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

None

7 facts — expand for details.

Telephones

144,200

Cell Phones

1,427,000

Internet Users

80,000

Internet Country Code

.bw

Internet Hosts

2,739

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

Telephone System

• Assessment: Botswana is participating in regional development efforts; expanding a 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)

4 facts — expand for details.

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

2,648,000,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

2,181,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

1,052,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

15,420

Anthem History

Adopted 1966

Anthem Lyrics

Fatshe leno la rona, Ke mpho ya Modimo, Ke boswa jwa borraetsho; A le nne ka kagiso.

Tsogang, tsogang! banna, tsogang!

Emang, basadi, emang, tlhagafalang!

Re kopaneleng go direla Lefatshe la rona.

Ina lentle la tumo La chaba ya Botswana, Ka kutlwano le kagisano, E bopagantswe mmogo.

Anthem Lyrics English

Blessed be this noble land, Gift to us from God's strong hand, Heritage our fathers left to us, May it always be at peace.

Awake, awake, O men, awake!

And women close beside them stand, Together we'll work and serve This land, this happy land!

Word of beauty and of fame, The name Botswana to us came.

Through our unity and harmony, We'll remain at peace as one.