If you lived in Botswana instead of Republic of the Congo, you would:

Health

live 3.3 years longer

In Republic of the Congo, the average life expectancy is 66 years (64 years for men, 68 years for women) as of 2024. In Botswana, that number is 69 years (67 years for men, 72 years for women) as of 2024.

View global rankings →

see 6.3 times more spent on your healthcare

Republic of the Congo spends $209 per person on healthcare as of 2023 (international dollars, adjusted for prices). Botswana spends $1,310 as of 2023.

View global rankings →

have 2.2 times more doctors per person

Republic of the Congo has 1.7 doctors per 10,000 people as of 2022. Botswana has 3.8 as of 2023.

View global rankings →

have 34.1% more access to essential health services

Republic of the Congo scores 41 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Botswana scores 55 as of 2021.

View global rankings →

be 4.9 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Republic of the Congo, 3.2% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2024. In Botswana, that number is 15.7% of people as of 2024.

View global rankings →

be 62.2% more likely to be obese

In Republic of the Congo, 12.2% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Botswana, that number is 19.8% of people as of 2024.

View global rankings →

be 24.4% more likely to die by suicide

Republic of the Congo has a suicide rate of 6.7 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Botswana, it is 8.3 per 100,000 as of 2021.

View global rankings →

Economy

make 3.1 times more money

Republic of the Congo has a GDP per capita of $2,515 as of 2025, while in Botswana, the GDP per capita is $7,778 as of 2025.

View global rankings →

be 23.1% more likely to be unemployed

In Republic of the Congo, 19.9% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Botswana, that number is 24.5% as of 2025.

View global rankings →

Life

be 35.7% less likely to die during childbirth

In Republic of the Congo, approximately 241.0 women die from pregnancy or childbirth per 100,000 live births as of 2023. In Botswana, 155.0 women do as of 2023.

View global rankings →

be 18.9% more likely to die during infancy

In Republic of the Congo, approximately 27.0 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In Botswana, on the other hand, 32.1 children do as of 2024.

View global rankings →

have 19.9% fewer children

In Republic of the Congo, there are approximately 30.4 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Botswana, there are 24.4 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

View global rankings →

Basic Needs

be 48.1% more likely to have access to electricity

In Republic of the Congo, approximately 51% of people have electricity access (69% in urban areas, and 11% in rural areas) as of 2023. In Botswana, that number is 76% of people on average (98% in urban areas, and 25% in rural areas) as of 2023.

View global rankings →

be 21.6% more likely to have internet access

In Republic of the Congo, approximately 47.2% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In Botswana, about 57.5% do as of 2024.

View global rankings →

be 24.9% more likely to have access to drinking water

In Republic of the Congo, approximately 73% of people have access to drinking water (87% in urban areas, and 44% in rural areas) as of 2021. In Botswana, that number is 92% of people on average (97% in urban areas, and 78% in rural areas) as of 2024.

View global rankings →

Expenditures

spend 2.4 times more on education

Republic of the Congo spends 3.3% of its total GDP on education as of 2023. Botswana spends 8.1% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

View global rankings →

spend 89.7% more on healthcare

Republic of the Congo spends 3.3% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2023. In Botswana, that number is 6.3% of GDP as of 2023.

View global rankings →

Safety

be 96.4% more likely to die in a road accident

In Republic of the Congo, road accidents kill 8.4 people per 100,000 as of 2021. In Botswana, they kill 16.5 per 100,000 as of 2021.

View global rankings →

Infrastructure

find 5.9 times more home broadband

Republic of the Congo has 1.3 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2023. Botswana has 7.4 as of 2024.

View global rankings →

use 4.8 times more electricity

Republic of the Congo uses 338 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Botswana uses 1,641 kWh as of 2023.

View global rankings →

live with 74.3 times more strain on fresh water

Republic of the Congo withdraws 0% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Botswana withdraws 2% as of 2022.

View global rankings →

Environment

be 16.7% less likely to die from air pollution

In Republic of the Congo, air pollution causes 66.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Botswana, it causes 55.0 as of 2019.

View global rankings →

emit 2.0 times more CO2

Republic of the Congo emits 1.3 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Botswana emits 2.7 tonnes as of 2024.

View global rankings →


Sources: World Bank (2020–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024). How we calculate this

Botswana: At a glance

Botswana is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 566,730 sq km. Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. More than four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.
Read more

How big is Botswana compared to Republic of the Congo? See an in-depth size comparison.

Share this

Ask the Elsewhere Community

Join the Elsewhere community and ask a question about Botswana or Republic of the Congo. It's a free, question-and-answer based forum to discuss what life is like in countries and cities around the world.