Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Botswana
Botswana: Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas was 19.4% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Botswana, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Botswana is 19.4%, measured in 2020. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 69.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Botswana peaked at 19.4% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1950.
Botswana ranks 174th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Botswana, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 0.0% | — |
| 1955 | 0.0% | — |
| 1960 | 0.0% | — |
| 1965 | 0.0% | — |
| 1970 | 0.0% | — |
| 1975 | 0.0% | — |
| 1980 | 0.0% | — |
| 1985 | 0.0% | — |
| 1990 | 0.0% | — |
| 1995 | 3.7% | — |
| 2000 | 3.8% | +4.8% |
| 2005 | 4.0% | +3.5% |
| 2010 | 11.5% | +188.8% |
| 2015 | 16.7% | +45.8% |
| 2020 | 19.4% | +16.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1960s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1970s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1980s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2 |
| 1990s | 1.8% | 0.0% | 3.7% | 2 |
| 2000s | 3.9% | 3.8% | 4.0% | 2 |
| 2010s | 14.1% | 11.5% | 16.7% | 2 |
| 2020s | 19.4% | 19.4% | 19.4% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More population data for Botswana
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.0624 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1457 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.7791 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1457 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 208,485 people (2100)
- Population density 6.77 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.6864 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.39 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Botswana?
- Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Botswana was 19.4% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 19.4% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1950.
- How does Botswana rank for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- Botswana ranks 174th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 69.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in cities. Cities are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.