Employment rate in Botswana
Botswana: Employment rate was 52.0% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
52.0%
Change on year
down 0.5%
World rank
129th
of 186 countries
All-time high
53.7%
in 1991
All-time low
45.1%
in 2003
Years of data
35
1991–2025
Employment rate in Botswana, 1991–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for employment rate in Botswana is 52.0%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 0.5% on the previous year and up 3.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, employment rate in Botswana peaked at 53.7% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 45.1%, in 2003.
Botswana ranks 129th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Employment rate in Botswana, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 53.7% | — |
| 1992 | 52.0% | -3.2% |
| 1993 | 50.3% | -3.2% |
| 1994 | 48.6% | -3.4% |
| 1995 | 48.2% | -0.8% |
| 1996 | 47.7% | -0.9% |
| 1997 | 47.7% | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 47.6% | -0.4% |
| 1999 | 48.6% | +2.1% |
| 2000 | 49.3% | +1.5% |
| 2001 | 47.9% | -2.8% |
| 2002 | 46.5% | -3.1% |
| 2003 | 45.1% | -2.9% |
| 2004 | 46.5% | +3.1% |
| 2005 | 47.8% | +2.8% |
| 2006 | 49.2% | +3.0% |
| 2007 | 50.5% | +2.6% |
| 2008 | 51.7% | +2.4% |
| 2009 | 52.5% | +1.6% |
| 2010 | 49.2% | -6.4% |
| 2011 | 49.6% | +0.9% |
| 2012 | 50.2% | +1.2% |
| 2013 | 50.4% | +0.4% |
| 2014 | 50.5% | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 50.4% | -0.1% |
| 2016 | 50.4% | -0.1% |
| 2017 | 50.4% | +0.1% |
| 2018 | 50.7% | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 50.7% | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 48.4% | -4.6% |
| 2021 | 49.2% | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 49.4% | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 52.3% | +6.0% |
| 2024 | 52.2% | -0.1% |
| 2025 | 52.0% | -0.5% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 52.0% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 55.7%, 93% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 52.0% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 58.8%, 88% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 49.4% | 47.6% | 53.7% | 9 |
| 2000s | 48.7% | 45.1% | 52.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 50.3% | 49.2% | 50.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 50.6% | 48.4% | 52.3% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More work & labour data for Botswana
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.146 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.1401 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.1516 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.9387 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.07 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 2,871 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 550.66 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 1,969 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 1,868 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 3,837 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is employment rate in Botswana?
- Employment rate in Botswana was 52.0% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest employment rate recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 53.7% in 1991.
- What is the lowest employment rate recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 45.1% in 2003.
- How does Botswana rank for employment rate?
- Botswana ranks 129th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is employment rate rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Employment rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and older) who are employed.