Labor force participation rate by age in Botswana
Botswana: Labor force participation rate by age was 42.1% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate by age in Botswana, 1990–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate by age in Botswana is 42.1%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 0.1% on the previous year and up 13.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate by age in Botswana peaked at 48.9% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 35.0%, in 2020.
Botswana ranks 83rd of 188 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Labor force participation rate by age in Botswana, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 48.9% | — |
| 1991 | 48.3% | -1.2% |
| 1992 | 47.6% | -1.4% |
| 1993 | 46.8% | -1.7% |
| 1994 | 45.8% | -2.1% |
| 1995 | 44.8% | -2.4% |
| 1996 | 43.6% | -2.6% |
| 1997 | 42.4% | -2.7% |
| 1998 | 41.3% | -2.7% |
| 1999 | 40.1% | -2.8% |
| 2000 | 39.0% | -2.8% |
| 2001 | 39.5% | +1.2% |
| 2002 | 40.0% | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 40.5% | +1.2% |
| 2004 | 41.0% | +1.2% |
| 2005 | 41.5% | +1.2% |
| 2006 | 42.0% | +1.2% |
| 2007 | 41.1% | -2.0% |
| 2008 | 40.2% | -2.1% |
| 2009 | 39.4% | -2.1% |
| 2010 | 38.5% | -2.3% |
| 2011 | 38.2% | -0.8% |
| 2012 | 37.9% | -0.8% |
| 2013 | 37.5% | -0.8% |
| 2014 | 37.2% | -0.8% |
| 2015 | 36.9% | -0.9% |
| 2016 | 36.6% | -0.9% |
| 2017 | 36.3% | -0.9% |
| 2018 | 36.0% | -0.9% |
| 2019 | 35.6% | -0.9% |
| 2020 | 35.0% | -1.9% |
| 2021 | 38.0% | +8.6% |
| 2022 | 38.8% | +2.2% |
| 2023 | 42.1% | +8.5% |
| 2024 | 42.1% | +0.1% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 42.1% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 38.9%, 1.1× the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 42.1% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 38.1%, 1.1× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 45.0% | 40.1% | 48.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 40.4% | 39.0% | 42.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 37.1% | 35.6% | 38.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 39.2% | 35.0% | 42.1% | 5 |
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 labor force participation rate by age in Botswana?
- Labor force participation rate by age in Botswana was 42.1% in 2024, according to International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate by age recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 48.9% in 1990.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate by age recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 35.0% in 2020.
- How does Botswana rank for labor force participation rate by age?
- Botswana ranks 83rd out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is labor force participation rate by age rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 13.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate by age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population aged 15-24 who are economically active (employed or unemployed).