🇧🇼 Botswana Population 2026
As of 2026, the population of Botswana is 2,603,388, ranking #146 in the world (0.03% of the global population), based on UN World Population Prospects 2024. The population is growing at 1.60% per year. The biggest city is Gaborone with 246,325 inhabitants.
Live estimate
2,604,349
Growth rate
1.60%
Density
5
people / km² (12 / mi²)
Median age
23.7
Fertility rate
2.63
births per woman
Life expectancy
69.6
years
Botswana population 1950–2100
By 2050, the population of Botswana is projected to reach 3,437,430, and 3,836,825 by 2100. The population is expected to peak in 2088 at 3,885,442, then decline.
Botswana population by year
| Year | Population | Growth | Density /km² | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2,603,388 | 1.60% | 4.6 | 23.7 |
| 2025 | 2,562,122 | 1.59% | 4.5 | 23.4 |
| 2024 | 2,521,139 | 1.63% | 4.4 | 23.2 |
| 2023 | 2,480,244 | 1.64% | 4.4 | 22.9 |
| 2022 | 2,439,892 | 1.64% | 4.3 | 22.6 |
| 2021 | 2,401,441 | 1.53% | 4.2 | 22.4 |
| 2020 | 2,365,894 | 1.45% | 4.2 | 22.3 |
| 2019 | 2,332,083 | 1.43% | 4.1 | 22.1 |
| 2018 | 2,299,141 | 1.42% | 4.1 | 21.9 |
| 2017 | 2,266,747 | 1.42% | 4.0 | 21.8 |
| 2016 | 2,234,776 | 1.42% | 3.9 | 21.7 |
| 2015 | 2,203,273 | 1.42% | 3.9 | 21.7 |
| 2014 | 2,172,044 | 1.43% | 3.8 | 21.7 |
| 2013 | 2,140,682 | 1.48% | 3.8 | 21.7 |
| 2012 | 2,108,616 | 1.54% | 3.7 | 21.8 |
| 2011 | 2,073,535 | 1.81% | 3.7 | 21.7 |
| 2010 | 2,033,110 | 2.13% | 3.6 | 21.5 |
| 2009 | 1,990,673 | 2.09% | 3.5 | 21.2 |
| 2008 | 1,949,970 | 2.04% | 3.4 | 21.0 |
| 2007 | 1,911,201 | 1.98% | 3.4 | 20.7 |
| 2006 | 1,874,516 | 1.90% | 3.3 | 20.4 |
| 2005 | 1,839,877 | 1.83% | 3.2 | 20.1 |
| 2004 | 1,807,146 | 1.76% | 3.2 | 19.8 |
| 2003 | 1,775,736 | 1.75% | 3.1 | 19.6 |
| 2002 | 1,744,763 | 1.77% | 3.1 | 19.3 |
| 2001 | 1,712,254 | 1.99% | 3.0 | 19.0 |
| 2000 | 1,677,382 | 2.13% | 3.0 | 18.7 |
| 1999 | 1,641,997 | 2.14% | 2.9 | 18.4 |
| 1998 | 1,606,900 | 2.18% | 2.8 | 18.0 |
| 1997 | 1,571,691 | 2.25% | 2.8 | 17.7 |
| 1996 | 1,535,914 | 2.36% | 2.7 | 17.4 |
| 1995 | 1,498,836 | 2.53% | 2.6 | 17.1 |
| 1994 | 1,460,023 | 2.72% | 2.6 | 16.9 |
| 1993 | 1,420,115 | 2.83% | 2.5 | 16.7 |
| 1992 | 1,380,033 | 2.90% | 2.4 | 16.5 |
| 1991 | 1,341,756 | 2.72% | 2.4 | 16.3 |
| 1990 | 1,305,696 | 2.73% | 2.3 | 16.1 |
| 1989 | 1,270,274 | 2.77% | 2.2 | 16.0 |
| 1988 | 1,235,476 | 2.78% | 2.2 | 15.9 |
| 1987 | 1,199,167 | 3.19% | 2.1 | 15.8 |
| 1986 | 1,160,650 | 3.34% | 2.0 | 15.8 |
| 1985 | 1,121,945 | 3.44% | 2.0 | 15.7 |
| 1984 | 1,083,660 | 3.50% | 1.9 | 15.7 |
| 1983 | 1,046,137 | 3.55% | 1.8 | 15.7 |
| 1982 | 1,009,268 | 3.63% | 1.8 | 15.7 |
| 1981 | 969,996 | 4.32% | 1.7 | 15.7 |
| 1980 | 937,485 | 2.46% | 1.7 | 15.8 |
| 1979 | 901,742 | 5.37% | 1.6 | 15.8 |
| 1978 | 849,239 | 6.67% | 1.5 | 15.5 |
| 1977 | 799,574 | 5.34% | 1.4 | 15.3 |
| 1976 | 758,508 | 5.20% | 1.3 | 15.1 |
| 1975 | 720,380 | 5.12% | 1.3 | 14.9 |
| 1974 | 685,448 | 4.82% | 1.2 | 14.8 |
| 1973 | 652,408 | 5.07% | 1.2 | 14.6 |
| 1972 | 622,407 | 4.33% | 1.1 | 14.4 |
| 1971 | 600,481 | 2.82% | 1.1 | 14.3 |
| 1970 | 590,334 | 0.57% | 1.0 | 14.4 |
| 1969 | 587,066 | 0.54% | 1.0 | 14.5 |
| 1968 | 583,966 | 0.52% | 1.0 | 14.6 |
| 1967 | 580,932 | 0.52% | 1.0 | 14.8 |
| 1966 | 577,866 | 0.54% | 1.0 | 15.0 |
| 1965 | 574,664 | 0.57% | 1.0 | 15.2 |
| 1964 | 566,266 | 2.39% | 1.0 | 15.4 |
| 1963 | 552,966 | 2.37% | 1.0 | 15.8 |
| 1962 | 540,186 | 2.31% | 1.0 | 16.1 |
| 1961 | 527,942 | 2.28% | 0.9 | 16.4 |
| 1960 | 516,165 | 2.24% | 0.9 | 16.7 |
| 1959 | 504,878 | 2.19% | 0.9 | 16.9 |
| 1958 | 494,106 | 2.13% | 0.9 | 17.2 |
| 1957 | 483,788 | 2.09% | 0.9 | 17.3 |
| 1956 | 473,782 | 2.09% | 0.8 | 17.5 |
| 1955 | 463,926 | 2.12% | 0.8 | 17.6 |
| 1954 | 454,043 | 2.19% | 0.8 | 17.7 |
| 1953 | 443,973 | 2.30% | 0.8 | 17.8 |
| 1952 | 433,711 | 2.38% | 0.8 | 17.8 |
| 1951 | 423,556 | 2.36% | 0.7 | 17.9 |
| 1950 | 413,698 | 2.35% | 0.7 | 17.9 |
| Year | Population | Growth | Density /km² | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 2,644,642 | 1.54% | 4.7 | 24.0 |
| 2028 | 2,685,608 | 1.53% | 4.7 | 24.3 |
| 2029 | 2,726,044 | 1.46% | 4.8 | 24.6 |
| 2030 | 2,765,918 | 1.45% | 4.9 | 24.9 |
| 2031 | 2,804,989 | 1.36% | 4.9 | 25.2 |
| 2032 | 2,843,233 | 1.35% | 5.0 | 25.5 |
| 2033 | 2,880,982 | 1.29% | 5.1 | 25.7 |
| 2034 | 2,917,978 | 1.26% | 5.1 | 26.0 |
| 2035 | 2,954,414 | 1.22% | 5.2 | 26.3 |
| 2036 | 2,990,135 | 1.19% | 5.3 | 26.5 |
| 2037 | 3,025,228 | 1.15% | 5.3 | 26.8 |
| 2038 | 3,059,532 | 1.11% | 5.4 | 27.1 |
| 2039 | 3,093,374 | 1.09% | 5.5 | 27.3 |
| 2040 | 3,126,640 | 1.05% | 5.5 | 27.6 |
| 2041 | 3,159,131 | 1.02% | 5.6 | 27.9 |
| 2042 | 3,190,970 | 0.98% | 5.6 | 28.1 |
| 2043 | 3,222,567 | 0.99% | 5.7 | 28.4 |
| 2044 | 3,254,015 | 0.96% | 5.7 | 28.7 |
| 2045 | 3,285,301 | 0.96% | 5.8 | 28.9 |
| 2046 | 3,317,002 | 0.96% | 5.9 | 29.2 |
| 2047 | 3,348,500 | 0.93% | 5.9 | 29.5 |
| 2048 | 3,379,112 | 0.89% | 6.0 | 29.7 |
| 2049 | 3,408,768 | 0.85% | 6.0 | 30.0 |
| 2050 | 3,437,430 | 0.82% | 6.1 | 30.3 |
| 2051 | 3,465,408 | 0.80% | 6.1 | 30.6 |
| 2052 | 3,493,077 | 0.79% | 6.2 | 30.9 |
| 2053 | 3,519,978 | 0.74% | 6.2 | 31.2 |
| 2054 | 3,545,430 | 0.70% | 6.3 | 31.6 |
| 2055 | 3,570,058 | 0.69% | 6.3 | 31.9 |
| 2056 | 3,594,089 | 0.65% | 6.3 | 32.2 |
| 2057 | 3,617,756 | 0.66% | 6.4 | 32.5 |
| 2058 | 3,641,214 | 0.63% | 6.4 | 32.8 |
| 2059 | 3,662,868 | 0.55% | 6.5 | 33.1 |
| 2060 | 3,682,968 | 0.54% | 6.5 | 33.4 |
| 2061 | 3,702,546 | 0.52% | 6.5 | 33.7 |
| 2062 | 3,720,811 | 0.47% | 6.6 | 34.0 |
| 2063 | 3,737,290 | 0.42% | 6.6 | 34.3 |
| 2064 | 3,752,679 | 0.40% | 6.6 | 34.5 |
| 2065 | 3,767,441 | 0.38% | 6.6 | 34.8 |
| 2066 | 3,780,896 | 0.33% | 6.7 | 35.1 |
| 2067 | 3,793,354 | 0.33% | 6.7 | 35.3 |
| 2068 | 3,804,747 | 0.27% | 6.7 | 35.6 |
| 2069 | 3,814,867 | 0.26% | 6.7 | 35.8 |
| 2070 | 3,823,499 | 0.19% | 6.7 | 36.0 |
| 2071 | 3,830,655 | 0.18% | 6.8 | 36.3 |
| 2072 | 3,837,865 | 0.20% | 6.8 | 36.5 |
| 2073 | 3,844,506 | 0.15% | 6.8 | 36.7 |
| 2074 | 3,850,178 | 0.14% | 6.8 | 36.9 |
| 2075 | 3,855,867 | 0.15% | 6.8 | 37.0 |
| 2076 | 3,861,536 | 0.14% | 6.8 | 37.2 |
| 2077 | 3,866,644 | 0.12% | 6.8 | 37.4 |
| 2078 | 3,871,222 | 0.12% | 6.8 | 37.6 |
| 2079 | 3,874,905 | 0.07% | 6.8 | 37.7 |
| 2080 | 3,877,213 | 0.04% | 6.8 | 37.9 |
| 2081 | 3,878,572 | 0.03% | 6.8 | 38.0 |
| 2082 | 3,880,018 | 0.05% | 6.8 | 38.2 |
| 2083 | 3,881,689 | 0.04% | 6.8 | 38.4 |
| 2084 | 3,883,106 | 0.04% | 6.9 | 38.5 |
| 2085 | 3,884,067 | 0.01% | 6.9 | 38.7 |
| 2086 | 3,884,584 | 0.01% | 6.9 | 38.9 |
| 2087 | 3,885,182 | 0.02% | 6.9 | 39.0 |
| 2088 | 3,885,442 | -0.00% | 6.9 | 39.2 |
| 2089 | 3,885,044 | -0.02% | 6.9 | 39.3 |
| 2090 | 3,883,332 | -0.07% | 6.9 | 39.5 |
| 2091 | 3,879,753 | -0.11% | 6.8 | 39.7 |
| 2092 | 3,875,608 | -0.10% | 6.8 | 39.9 |
| 2093 | 3,871,635 | -0.10% | 6.8 | 40.1 |
| 2094 | 3,867,504 | -0.11% | 6.8 | 40.2 |
| 2095 | 3,863,243 | -0.11% | 6.8 | 40.4 |
| 2096 | 3,858,668 | -0.13% | 6.8 | 40.6 |
| 2097 | 3,853,602 | -0.14% | 6.8 | 40.8 |
| 2098 | 3,847,968 | -0.16% | 6.8 | 40.9 |
| 2099 | 3,842,430 | -0.13% | 6.8 | 41.1 |
| 2100 | 3,836,825 | -0.16% | 6.8 | 41.3 |
States & provinces of Botswana by population
| # | State / province | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South-East | 276,319 | 10.6% |
| 2 | Gaborone | 231,626 | 8.9% |
| 3 | Kweneng | 230,335 | 8.8% |
| 4 | Central | 188,174 | 7.2% |
| 5 | Southern | 179,888 | 6.9% |
| 6 | North-East | 89,979 | 3.5% |
| 7 | North-West | 81,978 | 3.1% |
| 8 | Kgatleng | 79,665 | 3.1% |
| 9 | Kgalagadi | 42,049 | 1.6% |
| 10 | Ghanzi | 36,675 | 1.4% |
| 11 | Lobatse | 30,000 | 1.2% |
| 12 | Jwaneng | 18,063 | 0.7% |
State populations: GeoNames (latest official figures, reference dates vary by country).
Biggest cities in Botswana
| # | City | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gaborone capital | Gaborone | 246,325 |
| 2 | Francistown | City of Francistown | 103,417 |
| 3 | Mogoditshane | Kweneng | 88,004 |
| 4 | Maun | North-West | 85,350 |
| 5 | Molepolole | Kweneng | 74,861 |
| 6 | Serowe | Central | 55,676 |
| 7 | Tlokweng | South-East | 55,508 |
| 8 | Palapye | Central | 52,636 |
| 9 | Mochudi | Kgatleng | 50,321 |
| 10 | Mahalapye | Central | 48,431 |
| 11 | Kanye | Ngwaketsi | 48,028 |
| 12 | Selebi-Phikwe | Selibe Phikwe | 42,488 |
| 13 | Letlhakane | Central | 36,404 |
| 14 | Ramotswa | South-East | 33,271 |
| 15 | Lobatse | Lobatse | 29,772 |
FAQ
What is the population of Botswana in 2026?
The population of Botswana is 2,603,388 in 2026, according to UN World Population Prospects 2024 (medium variant).
What is the biggest city in Botswana?
Gaborone is the biggest city in Botswana with 246,325 inhabitants and it is also the capital.
Is the population of Botswana growing or shrinking?
The population of Botswana is growing at 1.60% per year, and is projected to peak in 2088 at 3,885,442.
Neighboring countries
Sources
- Country data: United Nations World Population Prospects 2024, medium variant (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Retrieved 2026-07-07.
- City and state data: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Retrieved 2026-07-07.
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