Botswana: health and care

What is the HIV rate in Botswana?

15.7% of people aged 15 to 49 in Botswana were living with HIV in 2024, according to the World Bank, which publishes UNAIDS estimates. The rate was 18.2% in 2021.

The figure is a modelled estimate of everyone in that age group living with the virus, whether diagnosed or not. Because people on antiretroviral treatment live long lives, prevalence falls only slowly even when new infections drop. Botswana's Ministry of Health runs the national HIV treatment programme.

Official sources: World Bank: Prevalence of HIV, Botswana · Ministry of Health

What is the life expectancy in Botswana?

Life expectancy at birth in Botswana was 69.3 years in 2024, according to the World Bank. It was 63.3 years in 2021, when COVID-19 deaths pulled it down, and 68.8 years in 2022.

Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn would live if the death rates of that year stayed the same. The World Bank figures come from UN population estimates.

Official sources: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, Botswana

What is the maternal mortality rate in Botswana?

Botswana's maternal mortality ratio was 155 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the modelled estimate published by the World Bank. It was 120 in 2022 and 165 in 2021.

The ratio counts deaths of women from pregnancy-related causes during pregnancy or within 42 days of its end. The UN estimates can move noticeably from year to year. The Ministry of Health tracks maternal deaths by district; its home page reports that the Minister praised the Ngami District Health Management Team for the largest fall in maternal mortality in its district over the past five years.

Official sources: World Bank: Maternal mortality ratio, Botswana · Ministry of Health

What is the infant mortality rate in Botswana?

Botswana's infant mortality rate was 32.1 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, according to the World Bank, down from 35.4 in 2021.

The rate counts deaths of babies before their first birthday. The World Bank figure is a modelled estimate from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, which combines survey and registration data and is revised as new data arrive. It can therefore differ from rates calculated from registered deaths.

Official sources: World Bank: Infant mortality rate, Botswana

How many doctors does Botswana have?

Botswana had 0.38 doctors per 1,000 people in 2023, according to the World Bank, which publishes World Health Organization data. With a population of about 2.5 million, that is roughly 950 doctors.

The rate has edged down from 0.43 in 2020. The figure counts generalist and specialist physicians reported by the health ministry, including those in private practice where reported. Nurses and midwives are counted separately.

Official sources: World Bank: Physicians per 1,000 people, Botswana

What is the average life expectancy in Botswana?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in Botswana was 69.3 years in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 64.3 years, and Botswana placed 5th highest of 48. Worldwide: 135th of 193.

How many babies die in Botswana?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Botswana was 32.1 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 37.2 per 1,000, and Botswana placed 33rd highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 42nd of 192.

How many women die in childbirth in Botswana?

In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in Botswana was 155 per 100,000, according to the WHO. The peak was 288 per 100,000 in 2012 and the low 46.0 per 100,000 in 2017. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 257 per 100,000; Botswana is 38th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 47th of 192.

What share of GDP does Botswana spend on health care?

According to the WHO, current health spending in Botswana was 6.3% of GDP in 2023. The peak was 6.6% of GDP in 2017 and the low 4.9% of GDP in 2006. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 4.4% of GDP; Botswana is 14th highest of 48. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 97th highest.

How much of health care in Botswana do patients pay for?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 4.3%. The peak was 8.5% in 2005 and the low 3.0% in 2017. It is 47th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 32.4%. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 184th highest.

How many doctors per person does Botswana have?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 0.38 per 1,000. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 0.43 per 1,000; its low point was 2005, at 0.25 per 1,000. It is 4th highest of 16 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 0.18 per 1,000. Worldwide: 42nd of 58.

How many hospital beds per person does Botswana have?

The WHO puts hospital beds per 1,000 people in Botswana at 2.4 per 1,000 in 2022. The peak was 2.6 per 1,000 in 2015 and the low 2.2 per 1,000 in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 1.6 per 1,000, and Botswana placed 3rd highest of 8. World rank, highest first: 70th of 110.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Botswana?

WHO and UNICEF puts measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Botswana at 97.0% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 81.0%, and Botswana placed 2nd highest of 48. Worldwide: 31st of 191.