Moving to United States from Botswana

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Botswana to United States? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Botswana to United States. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Washington averages 66°F vs 83°F in Gaborone, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Botswana to United States.

Moved in 2023
40 ↓ 2% vs 2022

people moved from Botswana to United States · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to United States?

Top countries of origin for United States's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in United States compared to Botswana.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

BW
10.6
US
6.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BW
16.5
US
14.2

United States performs significantly better than Botswana across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BW
$1,310
US
$13,473
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

BW
3.8
US
36.1

Botswana generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United States leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

BW
55.0
US
14.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BW
2.7t
US
13.6t

Botswana generally does better on environment, though United States leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BW
4.2
US
37.8
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BW
2.4%
US
28.2%

United States generally does better on infrastructure, though Botswana leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

BW
23.4%
US
3.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BW
$17,500
US
$73,600

United States generally does better on employment & economy, though Botswana leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BW
65.6 yrs
US
80.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BW
25.2
US
5.2

United States generally does better on family life, though Botswana leads in education spending.

Data: Botswana Unified Revenue Service, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Gaborone Rain: 21.7 in/yr (552 mm)
83° / 56°F

Avg. annual high / low

Washington Rain: 41.5 in/yr (1055 mm)
66° / 44°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Gaborone Washington
Jan–Mar 88°/66°F (31°/19°C) 48°/28°F (9°/-2°C)
Apr–Jun 77°/48°F (25°/9°C) 75°/51°F (24°/11°C)
Jul–Sep 79°/47°F (26°/8°C) 85°/62°F (29°/17°C)
Oct–Dec 89°/64°F (32°/18°C) 57°/35°F (14°/2°C)
View all months
Month Gaborone Washington
Jan 90°/67°F (32.5°/19.4°C) 42°/24°F (5.8°/-4.5°C)
Feb 89°/67°F (31.5°/19.3°C) 46°/26°F (8.0°/-3.3°C)
Mar 86°/63°F (30.2°/17.4°C) 56°/33°F (13.1°/0.5°C)
Apr 82°/56°F (27.8°/13.4°C) 67°/42°F (19.3°/5.6°C)
May 78°/47°F (25.4°/8.3°C) 75°/51°F (23.9°/10.7°C)
Jun 72°/40°F (22.5°/4.6°C) 84°/61°F (28.8°/16.1°C)
Jul 73°/40°F (22.8°/4.6°C) 88°/65°F (31.1°/18.6°C)
Aug 78°/46°F (25.7°/7.6°C) 87°/64°F (30.3°/17.9°C)
Sep 85°/54°F (29.6°/12.5°C) 79°/56°F (26.3°/13.5°C)
Oct 88°/61°F (31.0°/16.2°C) 68°/44°F (20.1°/6.6°C)
Nov 89°/64°F (31.5°/17.9°C) 58°/35°F (14.2°/1.8°C)
Dec 90°/66°F (32.3°/18.8°C) 46°/27°F (7.8°/-2.7°C)

Data: Botswana Meteorological Services Botswana Meteorological Services, National Weather Service National Weather Service

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Botswana and United States. To live, work, or study long-term in United States, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check United States's immigration authority.

Botswana passport

Botswana passport holder visiting United States

Visa Required
Botswana passport holders need a visa to enter United States.
United States passport

United States passport holder visiting Botswana

Visa Free
United States passport holders can enter Botswana without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from United States?

Connectivity is usually fine (United States: 37.8 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does United States offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is United States safe for expats?

United States performs significantly better than Botswana across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in United States is 6.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 10.6 in Botswana.

How is healthcare in United States compared to Botswana?

Botswana generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United States leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 36.1 doctors per 10,000 people in United States, compared to 3.8 in Botswana. United States scores 86 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Botswana: 55).

What's the weather like in United States compared to Botswana?

The average high temperature in Washington is 66°F, compared to 83°F in Gaborone. Washington receives around 41.5 in of rainfall per year, while Gaborone gets 21.7 in.

What language do they speak in United States?

The official language in United States is English. In Botswana, the official languages are English and Tswana.

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At a Glance

BW US
Population 2,384,246 337,341,954
Currency Botswanan Pula (BWP) United States Dollar ($)
Languages English, Tswana English
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +267 +1
Time zones 1 11
Emergency number 999 911