Share of population living in urban areas in Botswana
Botswana: Share of population living in urban areas was 68.0% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in urban areas in Botswana, 1950–2025
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, share of population living in urban areas in Botswana stood at 68.0%. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.7% on the previous year and up 3.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in urban areas in Botswana peaked at 68.0% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 2.7%, in 1950.
Botswana ranks 112th 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.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 2.8% | 2.7% | 2.9% | 10 |
| 1960s | 4.5% | 3.0% | 7.9% | 10 |
| 1970s | 11.8% | 9.0% | 14.2% | 10 |
| 1980s | 25.9% | 14.9% | 40.9% | 10 |
| 1990s | 48.8% | 43.6% | 52.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 57.9% | 53.2% | 62.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 65.1% | 63.5% | 66.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 67.0% | 66.4% | 68.0% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More population data for Botswana
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Population density 6.77 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 208,485 people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 2.7 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 2.7 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 816 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 2.7 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 2.73 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 2.58 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in urban areas in Botswana?
- Share of population living in urban areas in Botswana was 68.0% in 2025, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in urban areas recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 68.0% in 2025.
- What is the lowest share of population living in urban areas recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.7% in 1950.
- How does Botswana rank for share of population living in urban areas?
- Botswana ranks 112th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of population living in urban areas rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in urban areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population living in urban areas, based on each country's national definition.