If you lived in Botswana instead of Zambia, you would:

Health

be 79.3% more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Zambia, 11.1% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Botswana, that number is 19.9% of people as of 2020.

be 2.3 times more likely to be obese

In Zambia, 8.1% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Botswana, that number is 18.9% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 4.8 times more money

Zambia has a GDP per capita of $3,300 as of 2020, while in Botswana, the GDP per capita is $16,000 as of 2020.

be 64.5% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Zambia, 54.4% live below the poverty line as of 2015. In Botswana, however, that number is 19.3% as of 2009.

pay a 28.6% lower top tax rate

Zambia has a top tax rate of 35.0% as of 2016. In Botswana, the top tax rate is 25.0% as of 2016.

be 33.3% more likely to be unemployed

In Zambia, 15.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2008. In Botswana, that number is 20.0% as of 2013.

Life

be 32.4% less likely to die during childbirth

In Zambia, approximately 213.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2017. In Botswana, 144.0 women do as of 2017.

be 32.1% less likely to die during infancy

In Zambia, approximately 37.1 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Botswana, on the other hand, 25.2 children do as of 2022.

have 41.8% fewer children

In Zambia, there are approximately 34.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2022. In Botswana, there are 20.3 babies per 1,000 people as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 59.5% more likely to have access to electricity

In Zambia, approximately 37% of people have electricity access (76% in urban areas, and 6% in rural areas) as of 2019. In Botswana, that number is 59% of people on average (71% in urban areas, and 29% in rural areas) as of 2019.

be 3.2 times more likely to have internet access

In Zambia, approximately 20.0% of the population has internet access as of 2020. In Botswana, about 64.0% do as of 2020.

be 38.8% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Zambia, approximately 72% of people have improved drinking water access (90% in urban areas, and 57% in rural areas) as of 2020. In Botswana, that number is 99% of people on average (98% in urban areas, and 97% in rural areas) as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 53.3% more on education

Zambia spends 4.5% of its total GDP on education as of 2019. Botswana spends 6.9% of total GDP on education as of 2019.

spend 15.1% more on healthcare

Zambia spends 5.3% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2019. In Botswana, that number is 6.1% of GDP as of 2019.


The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Botswana Unified Revenue Service, Zambia Revenue Authority.

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.
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How big is Botswana compared to Zambia? See an in-depth size comparison.

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