Botswana: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Botswana?

Botswana's unemployment rate was 21.0% of people aged 15 and over in 2024/25, according to the preliminary labour force results of the Botswana Multi-Topic Household Survey published by Statistics Botswana in March 2026. It was 17.6% in 2015/16.

The rate was 20.9% for men and 21.0% for women. The extended unemployment rate, which also counts people who want work but have stopped looking, fell from 33.5% to 27.3%. Labour force participation rose from 61.5% to 65%. The home page of Statistics Botswana still lists 27.6% from the Quarterly Multi-Topic Survey of early 2024, a separate survey.

Official sources: Statistics Botswana: BMTHS 2024/25 labour force preliminary stats brief (PDF)

What is youth unemployment in Botswana?

Youth unemployment was 28.9% in 2024/25, up from 25.1% in 2015/16, according to the Botswana Multi-Topic Household Survey 2024/25 by Statistics Botswana. In Botswana youth means people aged 15 to 35.

The rate was 30.7% for young women and 27.2% for young men. The youth labour force grew 9.4% over the period. The share of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) fell from 39.9% to 37.1%. These are preliminary figures from the labour force module of the survey.

Official sources: Statistics Botswana: BMTHS 2024/25 labour force preliminary stats brief (PDF)

What is the minimum wage in Botswana?

1,883 BWP a month (about $139): that is the statutory minimum wage in Botswana for 2024, according to the ILO. No year since 2012 has been higher.

What is the average wage in Botswana?

$483 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Botswana for 2024, according to the ILO. The peak was $497 a month in 2021 and the low $455 a month in 2020. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $173 a month, and Botswana placed 2nd highest of 12. Of 75 countries with 2024 data, 50th highest.

What is the unemployment rate in Botswana?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Botswana was 24.5%, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.2%, and Botswana placed 3rd highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 4th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Botswana?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Botswana at 46.0% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 3rd highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 8.8%. Worldwide: 5th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Botswana?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Botswana at 68.8% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 14th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 64.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 31st highest.

What is female labour force participation in Botswana?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in Botswana was 63.7% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 57.3%, and Botswana placed 15th highest of 45. Worldwide: 25th of 174.

What share of adults in Botswana have a job?

According to the ILO, the employment to population ratio in Botswana was 52.0% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 47.8% (2005) to 52.5% (2009). It is 32nd highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 58.8%. Worldwide: 125th of 174.

How many workers in Botswana are self-employed or family workers?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Botswana was 25.6%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 22.6% (2005) to 28.4% (2013). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 67.6%, and Botswana placed 42nd highest of 45. Worldwide: 97th of 174.

What share of workers in Botswana earn a wage or salary?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 71.9%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 69.2% (2013) to 73.7% (2005). It is 4th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 29.0%. Worldwide: 73rd of 174.