Share of people living in cities in Botswana: 68.0% in 2025, ranking 98th of 217 countries. In 2010 it was 63.5%.
Data last updated · Period: 2010–2025
Understanding the chart
The line chart above tracks share of people living in cities in Botswana for each year from 2010 to 2025, 16 data points in all. Each dot is one year; the first and last years and the highest point are labelled with their values, and the vertical scale is in % of total. All values in this period were above zero. The data table below the chart lists every value, and you can download the data, embed the chart or share it from the buttons above. The figures cover 2010–2025 and come from World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
Key insights
- Between 2010 and 2025, Botswana's urban population rose from 63.5% to 68.0%, a rise of 4.5 percentage points.
- The highest value in this period was 68.0% in 2025; the lowest was 63.5% in 2010.
- Recently, the figure has risen in each of the last two years (2024: 67.5%; 2025: 68.0%).
- That is 10.1 percentage points above the world figure of 57.8%.
- Botswana has the 98th-highest value of 217 countries with recent data.
- Botswana has the highest value of the 5 countries in Southern Africa with recent data; the typical (median) value there is 50.9%.
Analysis
Averaged over periods, the figure was 64.4% in 2010 to 2014, 65.9% in 2015 to 2019 and 67.0% in 2020 onwards. The value went up in 15 of the 15 year-to-year steps and down in 0. The biggest one-year rise came in 2011 (+0.5 percentage points). Year to year, the figure typically varied by about 1.2 percentage points around its average of 65.8%, a moderately variable pattern.
What it means
For businesses and investors, the figure is most useful alongside related measures for the same country, such as growth, inflation, population and incomes, and compared with similar countries. Compared with its neighbours in Southern Africa, where the typical value is 50.9%, Botswana is 17.1 percentage points higher.
Related figures
- Urban population (% of total) by country, 2025: 100.0% (highest: Bahrain). The share of people living in areas defined as urban by each country.
- Share of people living in cities in Lesotho, 2010–2025: 44.7% (Urban population, 2025 · 162nd of 217). Share of people living in cities in Lesotho: 44.7% in 2025, ranking 162nd of 217 countries.
- Share of people living in cities in Namibia, 2010–2025: 50.9% (Urban population, 2025 · 154th of 217). Share of people living in cities in Namibia: 50.9% in 2025, ranking 154th of 217 countries.
About this statistic
The share of people living in areas defined as urban by each country. City dwellers are usually easier and cheaper to reach with deliveries, shops and services.
Population size, growth, age and urbanisation decide how many customers a market has, what they need, and where they live. The figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which compile official national statistics in a consistent form so countries can be compared.
Questions and answers
What is the share of people living in cities in Botswana?
68.0% (Urban population, 2025 · 98th of 217). Share of people living in cities in Botswana: 68.0% in 2025, ranking 98th of 217 countries. In 2010 it was 63.5%.
How has urban population in Botswana changed since 2010?
Between 2010 and 2025, Botswana's urban population rose from 63.5% to 68.0%, a rise of 4.5 percentage points. The highest value in this period was 68.0% in 2025; the lowest was 63.5% in 2010.
Where does this data come from?
From World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0), covering 2010–2025. The share of people living in areas defined as urban by each country. City dwellers are usually easier and cheaper to reach with deliveries, shops and services.
Data
| Year | Urban population (% of total) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 63.5% |
| 2011 | 64.0% |
| 2012 | 64.4% |
| 2013 | 64.8% |
| 2014 | 65.1% |
| 2015 | 65.4% |
| 2016 | 65.7% |
| 2017 | 65.9% |
| 2018 | 66.2% |
| 2019 | 66.3% |
| 2020 | 66.4% |
| 2021 | 66.5% |
| 2022 | 66.6% |
| 2023 | 67.0% |
| 2024 | 67.5% |
| 2025 | 68.0% |
Source and notes
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0). Period: 2010–2025. Coverage: Botswana.
The share of people living in areas defined as urban by each country. City dwellers are usually easier and cheaper to reach with deliveries, shops and services.
Cite this statistic
Please also credit the original source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).Related statistics
- Urban population (% of total) by country, 2025
- Share of people living in cities in Lesotho, 2010–2025
- Share of people living in cities in Namibia, 2010–2025
- Share of people living in cities in Eswatini, 2010–2025
- Share of people living in cities in South Africa, 2010–2025
- GDP of Botswana, 2010–2025
- Economic growth (GDP growth) in Botswana, 2010–2025
- GDP per person in Botswana, 2010–2025
- GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP, international $) in Botswana, 2010–2024
All Botswana data: economy, people, jobs and digital in one place
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