Unemployment in Botswana
Botswana: Unemployment was 278.7 in 2024. ▲ Rising
Unemployment in Botswana, 2009–2024
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2024, unemployment in Botswana stood at 278.7. That is the highest value across all 7 years on record.
The figure is up 5.0% on the previous year and up 132.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment in Botswana peaked at 278.7 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 119.97, in 2009.
Botswana ranks 33rd of 58 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Unemployment in Botswana, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 119.97 | — |
| 2019 | 204.83 | +70.7% |
| 2020 | 227.05 | +10.8% |
| 2021 | 242.88 | +7.0% |
| 2022 | 245.92 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 265.41 | +7.9% |
| 2024 | 278.7 | +5.0% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 278.7 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 320.73, 87% of the median. (10 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 278.7 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 363.63, 77% of the median. (11 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 119.97 | 119.97 | 119.97 | 1 |
| 2010s | 204.83 | 204.83 | 204.83 | 1 |
| 2020s | 251.99 | 227.05 | 278.7 | 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 unemployment in Botswana?
- Unemployment in Botswana was 278.7 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 278.7 in 2024.
- What is the lowest unemployment recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 119.97 in 2009.
- How does Botswana rank for unemployment?
- Botswana ranks 33rd out of 58 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 132.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Unemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. The term disability, as defined in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), is used as an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. For measurement purposes, a person with disability is defined as a person who is limited in the kind or amount of activities that he or she can do because of ongoing difficulties due to a long-term physical condition, mental condition or health problem. For more information, refer to the Disability Labour Market Indicators (DLMI) database description.