Botswana

The World Bank cites Botswana as one of the world's great economic success stories, however, 40 per cent of the population still live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.

Botswana regularly features as one of the most unequal countries in the world, but scores well on such indices as transparency, human rights and least corrupt countries.

The Facts

• Capital: Gaborone

• Major religion: Christianity

• Main Languages: English and Setswana

• Key exports: diamonds, copper, nickel, beef, textiles

• Government: Botswana Democratic Party

• President: Seretse Khama Ian Khama

• Most recent Presidential/National Assembly elections: 2009/2009

• Next scheduled Presidential/National Assembly elections: 2014/2014

The Figures

• HIV prevalence: 23.9% aged 15-49 (UK: 0.2%)

• Adult literacy rate: 83% aged 15 and older (UK: >99%)

• GDP per capita: US$13,462 (UK: US$34,340)

• Life expectancy at birth: 56 years (UK: 80 years)

• Under-five mortality rate: 31 per 1,000 live births (UK: 6 per 1,000 live births)

• 2010 Human Development Index Ranking (out of 182 countries): 98

 

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 Related Links

• Government of Botswana

• Botswana Council of NGOs

• Botswana Centre for Human Rights

• Botswana Public Employees Union

• Human Development Report 2010

Latest News

• News from Botswana