Botswana vs. Namibia
Introduction
| Botswana | Namibia | |
|---|---|---|
| Background | Seeking to stop the incorporation of their land into Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) or the Union of South Africa, in 1885, three tribal chiefs traveled to Great Britain and successfully lobbied the British Government to put "Bechuanaland" under UK protection. Upon independence in 1966, the British protectorate of Bechuanaland adopted the new name of Botswana. More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party has won every national election since independence; President Mokgweetsi Eric MASISI assumed the presidency in April 2018 following the retirement of former President Ian KHAMA due to constitutional term limits. MASISI won his first election as president in October 2019, and he is Botswana's fifth president since independence. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease. | Various ethnic groups occupied south western Africa prior to Germany establishing a colony over most of the territory in 1884. South Africa occupied the colony, then known as German South West Africa, in 1915 during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966, the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that became Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia gained independence in 1990 and has been governed by SWAPO since, though the party has dropped much of its Marxist ideology. President Hage GEINGOB was elected in 2014 in a landslide victory, replacing Hifikepunye POHAMBA who stepped down after serving two terms. SWAPO retained its parliamentary super majority in the 2014 elections. In 2019 elections, GEINGOB was reelected but by a substantially reduced majority and SWAPO narrowly lost its super majority in parliament. Namibia gained independence in 1990. |
Geography
| Botswana | Namibia | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Southern Africa, north of South Africa | Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa |
| Geographic coordinates | 22 00 S, 24 00 E | 22 00 S, 17 00 E |
| Map references | Africa | Africa |
| Area | total: 581,730 sq km land: 566,730 sq km water: 15,000 sq km | total: 824,292 sq km land: 823,290 sq km water: 1,002 sq km |
| Area - comparative | slightly smaller than Texas; almost four times the size of Illinois | almost seven times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly more than half the size of Alaska |
| Land boundaries | total: 4,347.15 km border countries (4): Namibia 1544 km, South Africa 1969 km, Zambia 0.15 km, Zimbabwe 834 km | total: 4,220 km border countries (4): Angola 1427 km, Botswana 1544 km, South Africa 1005 km, Zambia 244 km |
| Coastline | 0 km (landlocked) | 1,572 km |
| Maritime claims | none (landlocked) | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
| Climate | semiarid; warm winters and hot summers | desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic |
| Terrain | predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest | mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east |
| Elevation extremes | highest point: Tsodilo Hills 1,489 m lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m mean elevation: 1,013 m | highest point: Konigstein on Brandberg 2,573 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 1,141 m |
| Natural resources | diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver | diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish, note, suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore |
| Land use | agricultural land: 45.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 45.2% (2018 est.) forest: 19.8% (2018 est.) other: 34.4% (2018 est.) | agricultural land: 47.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 46.2% (2018 est.) forest: 8.8% (2018 est.) other: 44% (2018 est.) |
| Irrigated land | 20 sq km (2012) | 80 sq km (2012) |
| Natural hazards | periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility | prolonged periods of drought |
| Environment - current issues | overgrazing; desertification; limited freshwater resources; air pollution | depletion and degradation of water and aquatic resources; desertification; land degradation; loss of biodiversity and biotic resources; wildlife poaching |
| Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements | party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
| Geography - note | landlocked; population concentrated in the southern and eastern parts of the country | the Namib Desert, after which the country is named, is considered to be the oldest desert in the world; Namibia is the first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip; Namib-Naukluft National Park (49,768 sq km), is the largest game park in Africa and one of the largest in the world |
| Total renewable water resources | 12.24 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | 39.91 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Population distribution | the population is primarily concentrated in the east with a focus in and around the captial of Gaborone, and the far central-eastern city of Francistown; population density remains low in other areas in the country, especially in the Kalahari to the west as shown in this population distribution map | population density is very low, with the largest clustering found in the extreme north-central area along the border with Angola as shown in this population distribution map |
Demographics
| Botswana | Namibia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,350,667 (July 2021 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected | 2,678,191 (July 2021 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected |
| Age structure | 0-14 years: 30.54% (male 357,065/female 350,550) 15-24 years: 18.31% (male 208,824/female 215,462) 25-54 years: 39.67% (male 434,258/female 484,922) 55-64 years: 5.92% (male 59,399/female 77,886) 65 years and over: 5.56% (male 53,708/female 75,159) (2020 est.) | 0-14 years: 35.68% (male 473,937/female 464,453) 15-24 years: 20.27% (male 267,106/female 265,882) 25-54 years: 35.47% (male 449,132/female 483,811) 55-64 years: 4.68% (male 54,589/female 68,619) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 43,596/female 58,948) (2020 est.) |
| Median age | total: 25.7 years male: 24.5 years female: 26.7 years (2020 est.) | total: 21.8 years male: 21.1 years female: 22.6 years (2020 est.) |
| Population growth rate | 1.43% (2021 est.) | 1.83% (2021 est.) |
| Birth rate | 20.6 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 25.33 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Death rate | 9.12 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 7.07 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Net migration rate | 2.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Sex ratio | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.76 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2020 est.) | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.8 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2020 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate | total: 25.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.38 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) | total: 30.38 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth | total population: 65.24 years male: 63.21 years female: 67.32 years (2021 est.) | total population: 65.87 years male: 63.9 years female: 67.9 years (2021 est.) |
| Total fertility rate | 2.42 children born/woman (2021 est.) | 3.03 children born/woman (2021 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate | 19.9% (2020 est.) | 11.6% (2020 est.) |
| Nationality | noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) | noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian |
| Ethnic groups | Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and people of European ancestry 7% | Ovambo 50%, Kavangos 9%, Herero 7%, Damara 7%, mixed European and African ancestry 6.5%, European 6%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, San 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana .5% |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | 370,000 (2020 est.) | 210,000 (2020 est.) |
| Religions | Christian 79.1%, Badimo 4.1%, other 1.4% (includes Baha'i, Hindu, Muslim, Rastafarian), none 15.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.) | Christian 80% to 90% (at least 50% Lutheran), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20% |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths | 5,100 (2020 est.) | 3,000 (2020 est.) |
| Languages | Setswana 77.3%, Sekalanga 7.4%, Shekgalagadi 3.4%, English (official) 2.8%, Zezuru/Shona 2%, Sesarwa 1.7%, Sembukushu 1.6%, Ndebele 1%, other 2.8% (2011 est.) | Oshiwambo languages 49.7%, Nama/Damara 11%, Kavango languages 10.4%, Afrikaans 9.4% (also a common language), Herero languages 9.2%, Zambezi languages 4.9%, English (official) 2.3%, other African languages 1.5%, other European languages 0.7%, other 1% (2016 est.) note: Namibia has 13 recognized national languages, including 10 indigenous African languages and 3 European languages |
| Literacy | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.5% male: 88% female: 88.9% (2015) | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.5% male: 91.6% female: 91.4% (2018) |
| Major infectious diseases | degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria | degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria water contact diseases: schistosomiasis |
| Education expenditures | NA | 3.1% of GDP (2014) |
| Urbanization | urban population: 71.6% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 2.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) | urban population: 53% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 3.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) |
| Drinking water source | improved: urban: 98.2% of population rural: 94% of population total: 96.9% of population unimproved: urban: 1.8% of population rural: 3.1% of population total: 3.8% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 80.8% of population total: 89.7% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population rural: 19.2% of population total: 10.3% of population (2017 est.) |
| Sanitation facility access | improved: urban: 92.9% of population rural: 60.8% of population total: 82.8% of population unimproved: urban: 7.1% of population rural: 39.2% of population total: 17.2% of population (2017 est.) | improved: urban: 72.9% of population rural: 22% of population total: 46.9% of population unimproved: urban: 27.1% of population rural: 78% of population total: 53.1% of population (2017 est.) |
| Major cities - population | 269,000 GABORONE (capital) (2018) | 446,000 WINDHOEK (capital) (2021) |
| Maternal mortality rate | 144 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) | 195 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) |
| Health expenditures | 5.9% (2018) | 8% (2018) |
| Physicians density | 0.53 physicians/1,000 population (2016) | 0.42 physicians/1,000 population (2018) |
| Hospital bed density | 1.8 beds/1,000 population (2010) | 2.7 beds/1,000 population (2009) |
| Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 18.9% (2016) | 17.2% (2016) |
| Demographic profile | Botswana has experienced one of the most rapid declines in fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa. The total fertility rate has fallen from more than 5 children per woman in the mid 1980s to approximately 2.4 in 2013. The fertility reduction has been attributed to a host of factors, including higher educational attainment among women, greater participation of women in the workforce, increased contraceptive use, later first births, and a strong national family planning program. Botswana was making significant progress in several health indicators, including life expectancy and infant and child mortality rates, until being devastated by the HIV/AIDs epidemic in the 1990s. Today Botswana has the third highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world at approximately 22%, however comprehensive and effective treatment programs have reduced HIV/AIDS-related deaths. The combination of declining fertility and increasing mortality rates because of HIV/AIDS is slowing the population aging process, with a narrowing of the youngest age groups and little expansion of the oldest age groups. Nevertheless, having the bulk of its population (about 60%) of working age will only yield economic benefits if the labor force is healthy, educated, and productively employed. Batswana have been working as contract miners in South Africa since the 19th century. Although Botswana's economy improved shortly after independence in 1966 with the discovery of diamonds and other minerals, its lingering high poverty rate and lack of job opportunities continued to push workers to seek mining work in southern African countries. In the early 1970s, about a third of Botswana's male labor force worked in South Africa (lesser numbers went to Namibia and Zimbabwe). Not until the 1980s and 1990s, when South African mining companies had reduced their recruitment of foreign workers and Botswana's economic prospects had improved, were Batswana increasingly able to find job opportunities at home. Most Batswana prefer life in their home country and choose cross-border migration on a temporary basis only for work, shopping, visiting family, or tourism. Since the 1970s, Botswana has pursued an open migration policy enabling it to recruit thousands of foreign workers to fill skilled labor shortages. In the late 1990s, Botswana's prosperity and political stability attracted not only skilled workers but small numbers of refugees from neighboring Angola, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. | Planning officials view Namibia's reduced population growth rate as sustainable based on the country's economic growth over the past decade. Prior to independence in 1990, Namibia's relatively small population grew at about 3% annually, but declining fertility and the impact of HIV/AIDS slowed this growth to 1.4% by 2011, rebounding to close to 2% by 2016. Namibia's fertility rate has fallen over the last two decades - from about 4.5 children per woman in 1996 to 3.4 in 2016 - due to increased contraceptive use, higher educational attainment among women, and greater female participation in the labor force. The average age at first birth has stayed fairly constant, but the age at first marriage continues to increase, indicating a rising incidence of premarital childbearing. The majority of Namibians are rural dwellers (about 55%) and live in the better-watered north and northeast parts of the country. Migration, historically male-dominated, generally flows from northern communal areas - non-agricultural lands where blacks were sequestered under the apartheid system - to agricultural, mining, and manufacturing centers in the center and south. After independence from South Africa, restrictions on internal movement eased, and rural-urban migration increased, bolstering urban growth. Some Namibians - usually persons who are better-educated, more affluent, and from urban areas - continue to legally migrate to South Africa temporarily to visit family and friends and, much less frequently, to pursue tertiary education or better economic opportunities. Namibians concentrated along the country's other borders make unauthorized visits to Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Botswana, to visit family and to trade agricultural goods. Few Namibians express interest in permanently settling in other countries; they prefer the safety of their homeland, have a strong national identity, and enjoy a well-supplied retail sector. Although Namibia is receptive to foreign investment and cross-border trade, intolerance toward non-citizens is widespread. |
| Contraceptive prevalence rate | 67.4% (2017) | 56.1% (2013) |
| Dependency ratios | total dependency ratio: 61.1 youth dependency ratio: 53.8 elderly dependency ratio: 7.3 potential support ratio: 13.8 (2020 est.) | total dependency ratio: 67.9 youth dependency ratio: 61.8 elderly dependency ratio: 6 potential support ratio: 16.6 (2020 est.) |
Government
| Botswana | Namibia | |
|---|---|---|
| Country name | conventional long form: Republic of Botswana conventional short form: Botswana local long form: Republic of Botswana local short form: Botswana former: Bechuanaland etymology: the name Botswana means "Land of the Tswana" - referring to the country's major ethnic group | conventional long form: Republic of Namibia conventional short form: Namibia local long form: Republic of Namibia local short form: Namibia former: German South-West Africa (Deutsch-Suedwestafrika), South-West Africa etymology: named for the coastal Namib Desert; the name "namib" means "vast place" in the Nama/Damara language |
| Government type | parliamentary republic | presidential republic |
| Capital | name: Gaborone geographic coordinates: 24 38 S, 25 54 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after GABORONE (ca. 1825-1931), a revered kgosi (chief) of the Tlokwa tribe, part of the larger Tswana ethnic group | name: Windhoek geographic coordinates: 22 34 S, 17 05 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April etymology: may derive from the Afrikaans word "wind-hoek" meaning "windy corner" |
| Administrative divisions | 10 districts and 6 town councils*; Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, North East, North West, Selebi-Phikwe*, South East, Southern, Sowa Town* | 14 regions; Erongo, Hardap, //Karas, Kavango East, Kavango West, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Zambezi; note - the Karas Region was renamed //Karas in September 2013 to include the alveolar lateral click of the Khoekhoegowab language |
| Independence | 30 September 1966 (from the UK) | 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) |
| National holiday | Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966) | Independence Day, 21 March (1990) |
| Constitution | history: previous 1960 (preindependence); latest adopted March 1965, effective 30 September 1966 amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires approval in two successive Assembly votes with at least two-thirds majority in the final vote; proposals to amend constitutional provisions on fundamental rights and freedoms, the structure and branches of government, and public services also requires approval by majority vote in a referendum and assent by the president of the republic; amended several times, last in 2016 | history: adopted 9 February 1990, entered into force 21 March 1990 amendments: initiated by the Cabinet; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of the National Assembly membership and of the National Council of Parliament and assent of the president of the republic; if the National Council fails to pass an amendment, the president can call for a referendum; passage by referendum requires two-thirds majority of votes cast; amendments that detract from or repeal constitutional articles on fundamental rights and freedoms cannot be amended, and the requisite majorities needed by Parliament to amend the constitution cannot be changed; amended 1998, 2010, 2014 |
| Legal system | mixed legal system of civil law influenced by the Roman-Dutch model and also customary and common law | mixed legal system of uncodified civil law based on Roman-Dutch law and customary law |
| Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 18 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch | chief of state: President Mokgweetse Eric MASISI (since 1 April 2018); Vice President Slumber TSOGWANE (since 4 April 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mokgweetse Eric MASISI (since 1 April 2018); Vice President Slumber TSOGWANE (since 4 April 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 24 October 2014 (next to be held on 31 October 2019); vice president appointed by the president election results: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008) stepped down on 1 April 2018 having completed the constitutionally mandated 10-year term limit; upon his retirement, then Vice President MASISI became president; national elections held on 23 October 2019 gave MASISI'S BPD 38 seats in the National Assembly which then selected MASISI as President | chief of state: President Hage GEINGOB (since 21 March 2015); Vice President Nangola MBUMBA (since 8 February 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hage GEINGOB (since 21 March 2015); Vice President Nangola MBUMBA (since 8 February 2018); Prime Minister Saara KUUGONGELWA-AMADHILA (since 21 March 2015) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly elections/appointments: president elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 28 November 2019 (next to be held in 2024) election results: Hage GEINGOB elected president in the first round; percent of vote - Hage GEINGOB (SWAPO) 56.3%, Panduleni ITULA (Independent) 29.4%, McHenry VENAANI (PDM) 5.3%, Bernadus SWARTBOOI (LPM) 2.7%, Apius AUCHAB (UDF) 2.7%, Esther MUINJANGUE (NUDO) 1.5%, other 2% |
| Legislative branch | description: unicameral Parliament consists of the National Assembly (63 seats; 57 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 4 nominated by the president and indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the rest of the National Assembly, and 2 ex-officio members - the president and attorney general; elected members serve 5-year terms); note - the House of Chiefs (Ntlo ya Dikgosi), an advisory body to the National Assembly, consists of 35 members - 8 hereditary chiefs from Botswana's principal tribes, 22 indirectly elected by the chiefs, and 5 appointed by the president; the House of Chiefs consults on issues including powers of chiefs, customary courts, customary law, tribal property, and constitutional amendments elections: last held on 23 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 52.7%, UDC 35.9%, BPF 4.4%, AP 5.1%, other 1.7%; seats by party - BDP 38, UDC 15, BPF 3, AP 1; composition - NA | description: bicameral Parliament consists of: National Council (42 seats); members indirectly elected 3 each by the 14 regional councils to serve 5-year terms); note - the Council primarily reviews legislation passed and referred by the National Assembly National Assembly (104 seats; 96 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed list, proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms and 8 nonvoting members appointed by the president) elections: National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held on 25 November 2020 (next to be held on 25 November 2025) National Assembly - last held on 27 November 2019 (next to be held in 2024) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SWAPO 28, LPM 6,IPC 2, PDM 2, UDF 2, NUDO 1, Independent 1; composition - men 36, women 6, percent of women 16.6% National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 65.5%, PDM 16.6%, LPM 4.7%, NUDO 1.9%, APP 1.8%, UDF 1.8%, RP 1.8%, NEFF 1.7%, RDP 1.1%, CDV .7%, SWANU .6%, other 1.8%; seats by party - SWAPO 63, PDM 16, LPM 4, NUDO 2, APP 2, UDF 2, RP 2, NEFF 2, RDP 1, CDV 1, SWANU 1; composition - NA |
| Judicial branch | highest courts: Court of Appeal, High Court (each consists of a chief justice and a number of other judges as prescribed by the Parliament) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president and other judges appointed by the president upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; all judges appointed to serve until age 70 subordinate courts: Industrial Court (with circuits scheduled monthly in the capital city and in 3 districts); Magistrates Courts (1 in each district); Customary Court of Appeal; Paramount Chief's Court/Urban Customary Court; Senior Chief's Representative Court; Chief's Representative's Court; Headman's Court | highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 3 judges in quorum sessions) judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president of Namibia upon the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission; judges serve until age 65, but terms can be extended by the president until age 70 subordinate courts: High Court; Electoral Court, Labor Court; regional and district magistrates' courts; community courts |
| Political parties and leaders | Alliance of Progressives or AP [Ndaba GAOLATHE] Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Dumelang SALESHANDO] Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Mokgweetsi MASISI] Botswana Movement for Democracy or BMD [Sidney PILANE] Botswana National Front or BNF [Duma BOKO] Botswana Patriotic Front or BPF [Biggie BUTALE] Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Motlatsi MOLAPISI] Real Alternative Party or RAP [Gaontebale MOKGOSI] Umbrella for Democratic Change or UDC [Duma BOKO] (various times the collation has included the BMD, BPP, BCP and BNF) (2019) | All People's Party or APP [Ignatius SHIXWAMENI] Christian Democratic Voice or CDV [Gothard KANDUME] Landless People's Movement or LPM [Bernadus SWARTBOOI] National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Estes MUINJANGUE] Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters or NEFF [Epafras MUKWIILONGO] Popular Democratic Movement or PDM (formerly DTA) [McHenry VENAANI] Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Mike KAVEKOTORA] Republican Party or RP [Henk MUDGE] South West Africa National Union or SWANU [Tangeni IIYAMBO] South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Hage GEINGOB] United Democratic Front or UDF [Apius AUCHAB] United People's Movement or UPM [Jan J. VAN WYK] Workers' Revolutionary Party or WRP (formerly CPN) [MPs Salmon FLEERMUYS and Benson KAAPALA] |
| International organization participation | ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO | ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, CPLP (associate observer), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Onkokame Kitso MOKAILA (since 17 September 2020) chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164 email address and website: info@botswanaembassy.org http://www.botswanaembassy.org/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta | chief of mission: Ambassador Margaret Natalie MENSAH-WILLIAMS (since 18 January 2021) chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443 email address and website: info@namibiaembassyusa.org https://namibiaembassyusa.org/ |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: Ambassador Craig Lewis CLOUD (since 2 April 2019) embassy: Embassy Drive, Government Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone mailing address: 2170 Gabarone Place, Washington DC 20521-2170 telephone: [267] 395-3982 FAX: [267] 318-0232 email address and website: ConsularGabarone@state.gov https://bw.usembassy.gov/ | chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jessica LONG (since 2 July 2021) embassy: 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek mailing address: 2540 Windhoek Place, Washington DC 20521-2540 telephone: [264] (061) 295-8500 FAX: [264] (061) 295-8603 email address and website: ConsularWindhoek@state.gov https://na.usembassy.gov/ |
| Flag description | light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center; the blue symbolizes water in the form of rain, while the black and white bands represent racial harmony | a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a golden-yellow, 12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green; red signifies the heroism of the people and their determination to build a future of equal opportunity for all; white stands for peace, unity, tranquility, and harmony; blue represents the Namibian sky and the Atlantic Ocean, the country's precious water resources and rain; the golden-yellow sun denotes power and existence; green symbolizes vegetation and agricultural resources |
| National anthem | name: "Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land) lyrics/music: Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE note: adopted 1966 | name: Namibia, Land of the Brave lyrics/music: Axali DOESEB note: adopted 1991 |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| National symbol(s) | zebra; national colors: blue, white, black | oryx (antelope); national colors: blue, red, green, white, yellow |
| Citizenship | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Botswana dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years | citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Namibia dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years |
Economy
| Botswana | Namibia | |
|---|---|---|
| Economy - overview | Until the beginning of the global recession in 2008, Botswana maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since its independence in 1966. Botswana recovered from the global recession in 2010, but only grew modestly until 2017, primarily due to a downturn in the global diamond market, though water and power shortages also played a role. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world five decades ago into a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of approximately $18,100 in 2017. Botswana also ranks as one of the least corrupt and best places to do business in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Because of its heavy reliance on diamond exports, Botswana's economy closely follows global price trends for that one commodity. Diamond mining fueled much of Botswana's past economic expansion and currently accounts for one-quarter of GDP, approximately 85% of export earnings, and about one-third of the government's revenues. In 2017, Diamond exports increased to the highest levels since 2013 at about 22 million carats of output, driving Botswana's economic growth to about 4.5% and increasing foreign exchange reserves to about 45% of GDP. De Beers, a major international diamond company, signed a 10-year deal with Botswana in 2012 and moved its rough stone sorting and trading division from London to Gaborone in 2013. The move was geared to support the development of Botswana's nascent downstream diamond industry.
Tourism is a secondary earner of foreign exchange and many Batswana engage in tourism-related services, subsistence farming, and cattle rearing. According to official government statistics, unemployment is around 20%, but unofficial estimates run much higher. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is second highest in the world and threatens the country's impressive economic gains. | Namibia's economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for about 12.5% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Marine diamond mining is increasingly important as the terrestrial diamond supply has dwindled. The rising cost of mining diamonds, especially from the sea, combined with increased diamond production in Russia and China, has reduced profit margins. Namibian authorities have emphasized the need to add value to raw materials, do more in-country manufacturing, and exploit the services market, especially in the logistics and transportation sectors. Namibia is one of the world's largest producers of uranium. The Chinese-owned Husab uranium mine began producing uranium ore in 2017, and is expected to reach full production in August 2018 and produce 15 million pounds of uranium a year. Namibia also produces large quantities of zinc and is a smaller producer of gold and copper. Namibia's economy remains vulnerable to world commodity price fluctuations and drought. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years, food shortages are problematic in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, obscures one of the world's most unequal income distributions; the current government has prioritized exploring wealth redistribution schemes while trying to maintain a pro-business environment. GDP growth in 2017 slowed to about 1%, however, due to contractions in both the construction and mining sectors, as well as an ongoing drought. Growth is expected to recover modestly in 2018. A five-year Millennium Challenge Corporation compact ended in September 2014. As an upper middle income country, Namibia is ineligible for a second compact. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Namibia receives 30%-40% of its revenues from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU); volatility in the size of Namibia's annual SACU allotment and global mineral prices complicates budget planning. |
| GDP (purchasing power parity) | $40.928 billion (2019 est.) $39.749 billion (2018 est.) $38.045 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars | $24.04 billion (2019 est.) $24.316 billion (2018 est.) $24.147 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
| GDP - real growth rate | 2.4% (2017 est.) 4.3% (2016 est.) -1.7% (2015 est.) | -1.56% (2019 est.) 1.13% (2018 est.) -1.02% (2017 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | $17,767 (2019 est.) $17,634 (2018 est.) $17,253 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars | $9,637 (2019 est.) $9,932 (2018 est.) $10,051 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars |
| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 1.8% (2017 est.) industry: 27.5% (2017 est.) services: 70.6% (2017 est.) | agriculture: 6.7% (2016 est.) industry: 26.3% (2016 est.) services: 67% (2017 est.) |
| Population below poverty line | 19.3% (2009 est.) | 17.4% (2015 est.) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA | lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 42% (2010) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 2.7% (2019 est.) 3.2% (2018 est.) 3.2% (2017 est.) | 3.7% (2019 est.) 4.2% (2018 est.) 6.1% (2017 est.) |
| Labor force | 1.177 million (2017 est.) | 956,800 (2017 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation | agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA | agriculture: 31% industry: 14% services: 54% (2013 est.) note: about half of Namibia's people are unemployed while about two-thirds live in rural areas; roughly two-thirds of rural dwellers rely on subsistence agriculture |
| Unemployment rate | 20% (2013 est.) 17.8% (2009 est.) | 34% (2016 est.) 28.1% (2014 est.) |
| Distribution of family income - Gini index | 53.3 (2015 est.) 63 (1993) | 59.1 (2015 est.) 70.7 (2003) |
| Budget | revenues: 5.305 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 5.478 billion (2017 est.) | revenues: 4.268 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 5 billion (2017 est.) |
| Industries | diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; beef processing; textiles | meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products, pasta, beverages; mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper) |
| Industrial production growth rate | -4.2% (2017 est.) | -0.4% (2017 est.) |
| Agriculture - products | milk, roots/tubers, vegetables, sorghum, beef, game meat, watermelons, cabbages, goat milk, onions | roots/tubers nes, milk, maize, onions, beef, grapes, fruit, pulses nes, vegetables, millet |
| Exports | $5.934 billion (2017 est.) $7.226 billion (2016 est.) | $6.087 billion (2019 est.) $6.225 billion (2018 est.) $5.347 billion (2017 est.) |
| Exports - commodities | diamonds, insulated wiring, gold, beef, carbonates (2019) | copper, diamonds, uranium, thorium, gold, radioactive chemicals, fish (2019) |
| Exports - partners | India 21%, Belgium 19%, United Arab Emirates 19%, South Africa 9%, Israel 7%, Hong Kong 6%, Singapore 5% (2019) | China 27%, South Africa 18%, Botswana 8%, Belgium 7% (2019) |
| Imports | $5.005 billion (2017 est.) $5.871 billion (2016 est.) | $9.921 billion (2019 est.) $9.611 billion (2018 est.) $9.249 billion (2017 est.) |
| Imports - commodities | diamonds, refined petroleum, cars, delivery trucks, electricity (2019) | copper, refined petroleum, delivery trucks, diamonds, cars (2019) |
| Imports - partners | South Africa 58%, Namibia 9%, Canada 7% (2019) | South Africa 47%, Zambia 16% (2019) |
| Debt - external | $2.187 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.421 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $7.969 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $6.904 billion (31 December 2016 est.) |
| Exchange rates | pulas (BWP) per US dollar - 10.90512 (2020 est.) 10.81081 (2019 est.) 10.60446 (2018 est.) 10.1263 (2014 est.) 8.9761 (2013 est.) | Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar - 13.67 (2017 est.) 14.7096 (2016 est.) 14.7096 (2015 est.) 12.7589 (2014 est.) 10.8526 (2013 est.) |
| Fiscal year | 1 April - 31 March | 1 April - 31 March |
| Public debt | 14% of GDP (2017 est.) 15.6% of GDP (2016 est.) | 41.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 39.5% of GDP (2016 est.) |
| Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | $7.491 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $7.189 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $2.432 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.834 billion (31 December 2016 est.) |
| Current Account Balance | $2.146 billion (2017 est.) $2.147 billion (2016 est.) | -$216 million (2019 est.) -$465 million (2018 est.) |
| GDP (official exchange rate) | $18.335 billion (2019 est.) | $12.372 billion (2019 est.) |
| Credit ratings | Moody's rating: A2 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BBB+ (2020) | Fitch rating: BB (2019) Moody's rating: Ba3 (2020) |
| Ease of Doing Business Index scores | Overall score: 66.2 (2020) Starting a Business score: 76.2 (2020) Trading score: 86.7 (2020) Enforcement score: 50 (2020) | Overall score: 61.4 (2020) Starting a Business score: 72.2 (2020) Trading score: 61.5 (2020) Enforcement score: 63.4 (2020) |
| Taxes and other revenues | 30.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | 32.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | -5.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 | total: 37.8% male: 39% female: 36.4% (2019 est.) | total: 38% male: 37.5% female: 38.5% (2018 est.) |
| GDP - composition, by end use | household consumption: 48.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 29% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -1.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 39.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -33.9% (2017 est.) | household consumption: 68.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 24.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.6% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 36.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -47.5% (2017 est.) |
| Gross national saving | 32.5% of GDP (2018 est.) 34% of GDP (2017 est.) 38.8% of GDP (2016 est.) | 8.6% of GDP (2019 est.) 12% of GDP (2018 est.) 12.8% of GDP (2017 est.) |
Energy
| Botswana | Namibia | |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity - production | 2.527 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 1.403 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - consumption | 3.636 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 3.891 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (2016 est.) | 88 million kWh (2015 est.) |
| Electricity - imports | 1.673 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 3.073 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Oil - production | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) |
| Oil - imports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Oil - proved reserves | 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.) | 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves | 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | 62.29 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.) |
| Natural gas - production | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports | 0 cu m (2017 est.) | 0 cu m (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - installed generating capacity | 735,000 kW (2016 est.) | 535,500 kW (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from fossil fuels | 100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) | 28% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from hydroelectric plants | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 64% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from nuclear fuels | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Electricity - from other renewable sources | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 8% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - production | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - consumption | 21,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) | 27,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 80 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - imports | 21,090 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 26,270 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Electricity access | electrification - total population: 59% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 71% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 29% (2019) | electrification - total population: 57% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 78% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 36% (2019) |
Telecommunications
| Botswana | Namibia | |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | total subscriptions: 142,587 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6.25 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 139,698 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5.41 (2019 est.) |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | total subscriptions: 3,746,760 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 164.12 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 2,823,655 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 109.39 (2019 est.) |
| Internet country code | .bw | .na |
| Internet users | total: 1,057,079 percent of population: 47% (July 2018 est.) | total: 1,291,944 percent of population: 51% (July 2018 est.) |
| Telecommunication systems | general assessment: due to effective regulatory reform and active competition, Botswana's telecom market is one of the most liberalized in the region; strategy to drive nationwide ICT penetration is slowed; one of the highest mobile penetration rates in Africa; operators developing 3G and LTE; Internet use rising due to lower prices; government has embraced digitalization, e-government and identity programs that require citizens to provide detailed personal information; previously dependent on satellites for international connectivity, country's new submarine cable landings improved competition and tripled international Internet capacity; importer of broadcast equipment from Hong Kong and China (2020) (2020)domestic: fixed-line teledensity has declined in recent years and now stands at roughly 6 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity has advanced to 174 telephones per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments | general assessment: good competition in mobile market and investment in LTE government program to provide 95% of population with broadband by 2024; 5G delayed due to public concerns of privacy and security; high prices for international bandwidth due to lack of submarine cables, yet improved by diversification of satellite access (2021) (2020)domestic: fixed-line subscribership is 6 per 100 and mobile-cellular 113 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 264; landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments |
| Broadband - fixed subscriptions | total: 49,295 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2.16 (2019 est.) | total: 63,314 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2.45 (2019 est.) |
| Broadcast media | 2 TV stations - 1 state-owned and 1 privately owned; privately owned satellite TV subscription service is available; 2 state-owned national radio stations; 4 privately owned radio stations broadcast locally (2019) | 1 private and 1 state-run TV station; satellite and cable TV service available; state-run radio service broadcasts in multiple languages; about a dozen private radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available |
Transportation
| Botswana | Namibia | |
|---|---|---|
| Railways | total: 888 km (2014) narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2014) | total: 2,628 km (2014) narrow gauge: 2,628 km 1.067-m gauge (2014) |
| Roadways | total: 31,747 km (2017) paved: 9,810 km (2017) unpaved: 21,937 km (2017) | total: 48,875 km (2018) paved: 7,893 km (2018) unpaved: 40,982 km (2018) |
| Airports | total: 74 (2013) | total: 112 (2013) |
| Airports - with paved runways | total: 10 (2017) over 3,047 m: 2 (2017) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2017) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 (2017) 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017) | total: 19 (2017) over 3,047 m: 4 (2017) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2017) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 (2017) 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017) |
| Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 64 (2013) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 46 (2013) under 914 m: 13 (2013) | total: 93 (2013) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 52 (2013) under 914 m: 16 (2013) |
| National air transport system | number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 253,417 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 110,000 mt-km (2018) | number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 21 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 602,893 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 26.29 million mt-km (2018) |
| Civil aircraft registration country code prefix | A2 | V5 |
Military
| Botswana | Namibia | |
|---|---|---|
| Military branches | Botswana Defence Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Arm Command, Defense Logistics Command (2021) | Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Army, Navy, Air Force; Namibian Police Force: Special Field Force (paramilitary unit responsible for protecting borders and government installations) (2021) |
| Military service age and obligation | 18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2019) | 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2021) |
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP | 2.8% of GDP (2019) 2.8% of GDP (2018) 3% of GDP (2017) 3.4% of GDP (2016) 2.7% of GDP (2015) | 3% of GDP (2019) 3.2% of GDP (2018) 3.4% of GDP (2017) 3.9% of GDP (2016) 4.5% of GDP (2015) |
| Military and security service personnel strengths | the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) has approximately 9,000 active personnel (2021) | information varies; approximately 12,500 personnel (11,000 Army; 1,000 Navy; 500 Air Force) (2020) |
| Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the BDF has a mix of foreign-supplied and mostly older weapons and equipment, largely from Europe and the US; since 2010, France is the leading supplier of armaments to the BDF (2020) | the inventory of the Namibian Defense Force consists mostly of Soviet-era equipment; China is the leading supplier of weapons to Namibia since 2010 (2020) |
Transnational Issues
| Botswana | Namibia | |
|---|---|---|
| Disputes - international | none | concerns from international experts and local populations over the Okavango Delta ecology in Botswana and human displacement scuttled Namibian plans to construct a hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls along the Angola-Namibia border; the governments of South Africa and Namibia have not signed or ratified the text of the 1994 Surveyor's General agreement placing the boundary in the middle of the Orange River; Namibia has supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river |
| Trafficking in persons | current situation: Botswana is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; young Batswana serving as domestic workers, sometimes sent by their parents, may be denied education and basic necessities or experience confinement and abuse indicative of forced labor; Batswana girls and women also are forced into prostitution domestically; adults and children of San ethnicity were reported to be in forced labor on farms and at cattle posts in the country's rural west tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Botswana does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; an anti-trafficking act was passed at the beginning of 2014, but authorities did not investigate, prosecute, or convict any offenders or government officials complicit in trafficking or operationalize victim identification and referral procedures based on the new law; the government sponsored a radio campaign to familiarize the public with the issue of human trafficking (2015) | current situation: Namibia is a country of origin and destination for children and, to a lesser extent, women subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; victims, lured by promises of legitimate jobs, are forced to work in urban centers and on commercial farms; traffickers exploit Namibian children, as well as children from Angola, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, for forced labor in agriculture, cattle herding, domestic service, fishing, and street vending; children are also forced into prostitution, often catering to tourists from southern Africa and Europe; San and Zemba children are particularly vulnerable; foreign adults and Namibian adults and children are reportedly subjected to forced labor in Chinese-owned retail, construction, and fishing operations tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Namibia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; Namibia was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; in 2015, the Child Care and Protection Bill passed, criminalizing child trafficking; the government's first sex trafficking prosecution remained pending; no new prosecutions were initiated and no trafficking offenders have ever been convicted; accusations of forced labor at Chinese construction and mining companies continue to go uninvestigated; authorities failed to fully implement victim identification and referral processes, which led to the deportation of possible victims (2015) |
Environment
| Botswana | Namibia | |
|---|---|---|
| Air pollutants | particulate matter emissions: 21.24 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 6.34 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 5.73 megatons (2020 est.) | particulate matter emissions: 22.59 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 4.23 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 10.4 megatons (2020 est.) |
| Total water withdrawal | municipal: 100.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 23.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 69 million cubic meters (2017 est.) | municipal: 73 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 14 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 201 million cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Revenue from forest resources | forest revenues: 0.23% of GDP (2018 est.) | forest revenues: 0.47% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Revenue from coal | coal revenues: 0.45% of GDP (2018 est.) | coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Waste and recycling | municipal solid waste generated annually: 210,854 tons (2010 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,109 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 1% (2005 est.) | municipal solid waste generated annually: 256,729 tons (1993 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 11,553 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4.5% (2005 est.) |
Source: CIA Factbook
