Moving to Botswana from Sweden

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Sweden to Botswana, and you’d need to navigate life in English and Tswana. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Gaborone averages 83°F vs 52°F in Stockholm, making it significantly warmer.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Sweden to Botswana.

Living there in 2020
437 ↑ 7% vs 2015

people born in Sweden live in Botswana · UN DESA

Who's moving to Botswana?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Botswana compared to Sweden.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

SE
1.1
BW
10.6
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

SE
2.1
BW
16.5

Sweden performs better than Botswana across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

SE
$7,770
BW
$1,310
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

SE
71.5
BW
3.8

Sweden generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Botswana leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

SE
8.0
BW
55.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

SE
3.6t
BW
2.7t

Sweden generally does better on environment, though Botswana leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

SE
40.4
BW
4.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

SE
3.6%
BW
2.4%

Sweden 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

SE
7.6%
BW
23.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

SE
$64,200
BW
$17,500

Sweden 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

SE
82.7 yrs
BW
65.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

SE
2.3
BW
25.2

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

Data: Skatteverket, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Stockholm Rain: 21.5 in/yr (546 mm)
52° / 41°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months Stockholm Gaborone
Jan–Mar 36°/28°F (2°/-2°C) 88°/66°F (31°/19°C)
Apr–Jun 61°/45°F (16°/7°C) 77°/48°F (25°/9°C)
Jul–Sep 69°/56°F (21°/13°C) 79°/47°F (26°/8°C)
Oct–Dec 43°/36°F (6°/2°C) 89°/64°F (32°/18°C)
View all months
Month Stockholm Gaborone
Jan 34°/27°F (1.0°/-2.9°C) 90°/67°F (32.5°/19.4°C)
Feb 34°/26°F (1.2°/-3.2°C) 89°/67°F (31.5°/19.3°C)
Mar 40°/30°F (4.7°/-1.1°C) 86°/63°F (30.2°/17.4°C)
Apr 51°/37°F (10.7°/2.6°C) 82°/56°F (27.8°/13.4°C)
May 62°/45°F (16.5°/7.1°C) 78°/47°F (25.4°/8.3°C)
Jun 69°/53°F (20.8°/11.6°C) 72°/40°F (22.5°/4.6°C)
Jul 74°/59°F (23.6°/14.8°C) 73°/40°F (22.8°/4.6°C)
Aug 72°/58°F (22.1°/14.2°C) 78°/46°F (25.7°/7.6°C)
Sep 62°/50°F (16.6°/10.2°C) 85°/54°F (29.6°/12.5°C)
Oct 50°/42°F (10.1°/5.5°C) 88°/61°F (31.0°/16.2°C)
Nov 42°/35°F (5.4°/1.9°C) 89°/64°F (31.5°/17.9°C)
Dec 36°/30°F (2.5°/-1.2°C) 90°/66°F (32.3°/18.8°C)

Data: Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), Botswana Meteorological Services Botswana Meteorological Services

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Sweden passport

Sweden passport holder visiting Botswana

Visa Free
Sweden passport holders can enter Botswana without a visa.
Botswana passport

Botswana passport holder visiting Sweden

Visa Required
Botswana passport holders need a visa to enter Sweden.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Botswana?

Connectivity is usually fine (Botswana: 4.2 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Botswana offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Botswana safe for expats?

Sweden performs better than Botswana across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Botswana is 10.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.1 in Sweden.

How is healthcare in Botswana compared to Sweden?

Sweden generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Botswana leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 3.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Botswana, compared to 71.5 in Sweden. Botswana scores 55 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Sweden: 85).

What's the weather like in Botswana compared to Sweden?

The average high temperature in Gaborone is 83°F, compared to 52°F in Stockholm. Gaborone receives around 21.7 in of rainfall per year, while Stockholm gets 21.5 in.

What language do they speak in Botswana?

The official languages in Botswana are English and Tswana. In Sweden, the official language is Swedish.

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At a Glance

SE BW
Population 10,483,647 2,384,246
Currency Swedish Krona (SEK) Botswanan Pula (BWP)
Languages Swedish English, Tswana
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +46 +267
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112 999