Botswana vs. Zambia
Introduction
| Botswana | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Multiple waves of Bantu-speaking groups moved into and through what is now Zambia over the past thousand years. In the 1880s, the British began securing mineral and other economic concessions from various local leaders and the territory that is now Zambia eventually came under the control of the former British South Africa Company and was incorporated as the protectorate of Northern Rhodesia in 1911. Administrative control was taken over by the UK in 1924. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices, economic mismanagement, and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule and propelled the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) to government. The subsequent vote in 1996, however, saw increasing harassment of opposition parties and abuse of state media and other resources. The election in 2001 was marked by administrative problems, with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. MWANAWASA was reelected in 2006 in an election that was deemed free and fair. Upon his death in August 2008, he was succeeded by his vice president, Rupiah BANDA, who won a special presidential byelection later that year. The MMD and BANDA lost to the Patriotic Front (PF) and Michael SATA in the 2011 general elections. SATA, however, presided over a period of haphazard economic management and attempted to silence opposition to PF policies. SATA died in October 2014 and was succeeded by his vice president, Guy SCOTT, who served as interim president until January 2015, when Edgar LUNGU won the presidential byelection and completed SATA's term. LUNGU then won a full term in August 2016 presidential elections. |
Geography
| Botswana | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Southern Africa, north of South Africa | Southern Africa, east of Angola, south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Geographic coordinates | 22 00 S, 24 00 E | 15 00 S, 30 00 E |
| Map references | Africa | Africa |
| Area | total: 581,730 sq km land: 566,730 sq km water: 15,000 sq km | total: 752,618 sq km land: 743,398 sq km water: 9,220 sq km |
| Area - comparative | slightly smaller than Texas; almost four times the size of Illinois | almost five times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Texas |
| 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: 6,043.15 km border countries (8): Angola 1065 km, Botswana 0.15 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2332 km, Malawi 847 km, Mozambique 439 km, Namibia 244 km, Tanzania 353 km, Zimbabwe 763 km |
| Coastline | 0 km (landlocked) | 0 km (landlocked) |
| Maritime claims | none (landlocked) | none (landlocked) |
| Climate | semiarid; warm winters and hot summers | tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April) |
| Terrain | predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest | mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains |
| 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: Mafinga Central 2,330 m lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m mean elevation: 1,138 m |
| Natural resources | diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver | copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower |
| 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: 31.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 26.9% (2018 est.) forest: 66.3% (2018 est.) other: 2% (2018 est.) |
| Irrigated land | 20 sq km (2012) | 1,560 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 | periodic drought; tropical storms (November to April) |
| Environment - current issues | overgrazing; desertification; limited freshwater resources; air pollution | air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds; loss of biodiversity; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks |
| 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: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, 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 |
| Geography - note | landlocked; population concentrated in the southern and eastern parts of the country | landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe; Lake Kariba on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border forms the world's largest reservoir by volume (180 cu km; 43 cu mi) |
| Total renewable water resources | 12.24 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | 104.8 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 | one of the highest levels of urbanization in Africa; high density in the central area, particularly around the cities of Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, and Mufulira as shown in this population distribution map |
Demographics
| Botswana | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 19,077,816 (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: 45.74% (male 4,005,134/female 3,964,969) 15-24 years: 20.03% (male 1,744,843/female 1,746,561) 25-54 years: 28.96% (male 2,539,697/female 2,506,724) 55-64 years: 3.01% (male 242,993/female 280,804) 65 years and over: 2.27% (male 173,582/female 221,316) (2020 est.) |
| Median age | total: 25.7 years male: 24.5 years female: 26.7 years (2020 est.) | total: 16.9 years male: 16.7 years female: 17 years (2020 est.) |
| Population growth rate | 1.43% (2021 est.) | 2.93% (2021 est.) |
| Birth rate | 20.6 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 35.23 births/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Death rate | 9.12 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 6.24 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) |
| Net migration rate | 2.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) | 0.33 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: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 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: 37.91 deaths/1,000 live births male: 41.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.27 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: 65.92 years male: 64.15 years female: 67.75 years (2021 est.) |
| Total fertility rate | 2.42 children born/woman (2021 est.) | 4.63 children born/woman (2021 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate | 19.9% (2020 est.) | 11.1% (2020 est.) |
| Nationality | noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) | noun: Zambian(s) adjective: Zambian |
| Ethnic groups | Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and people of European ancestry 7% | Bemba 21%, Tonga 13.6%, Chewa 7.4%, Lozi 5.7%, Nsenga 5.3%, Tumbuka 4.4%, Ngoni 4%, Lala 3.1%, Kaonde 2.9%, Namwanga 2.8%, Lunda (north Western) 2.6%, Mambwe 2.5%, Luvale 2.2%, Lamba 2.1%, Ushi 1.9%, Lenje 1.6%, Bisa 1.6%, Mbunda 1.2%, other 13.8%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS | 370,000 (2020 est.) | 1.5 million (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.) | Protestant 75.3%, Roman Catholic 20.2%, other 2.7% (includes Muslim Buddhist, Hindu, and Baha'i), none 1.8% (2010 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths | 5,100 (2020 est.) | 24,000 (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.) | Bemba 33.4%, Nyanja 14.7%, Tonga 11.4%, Lozi 5.5%, Chewa 4.5%, Nsenga 2.9%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda (North Western) 1.9%, Kaonde 1.8%, Lala 1.8%, Lamba 1.8%, English (official) 1.7%, Luvale 1.5%, Mambwe 1.3%, Namwanga 1.2%, Lenje 1.1%, Bisa 1%, other 9.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2010 est.) note: Zambia is said to have over 70 languages, although many of these may be considered dialects; all of Zambia's major languages are members of the Bantu family; Chewa and Nyanja are mutually intelligible dialects |
| 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 English total population: 86.7% male: 90.6% female: 83.1% (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: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies |
| Education expenditures | NA | 4.6% of GDP NA (2018) |
| Urbanization | urban population: 71.6% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 2.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) | urban population: 45.2% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 4.15% 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: 89.5% of population rural: 50.9% of population total: 67.5% of population unimproved: urban: 10.5% of population rural: 49.1% of population total: 32.5% 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: 69.6% of population rural: 24.8% of population total: 44.1% of population unimproved: urban: 31.4% of population rural: 75.2% of population total: 55.9% of population (2017 est.) |
| Major cities - population | 269,000 GABORONE (capital) (2018) | 2.906 million LUSAKA (capital) (2021) |
| Maternal mortality rate | 144 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) | 213 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) |
| Health expenditures | 5.9% (2018) | 4.9% (2018) |
| Physicians density | 0.53 physicians/1,000 population (2016) | 1.19 physicians/1,000 population (2018) |
| Hospital bed density | 1.8 beds/1,000 population (2010) | 2 beds/1,000 population (2010) |
| Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 18.9% (2016) | 8.1% (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. | Zambia's poor, youthful population consists primarily of Bantu-speaking people representing nearly 70 different ethnicities. Zambia's high fertility rate continues to drive rapid population growth, averaging almost 3 percent annually between 2000 and 2010. The country's total fertility rate has fallen by less than 1.5 children per woman during the last 30 years and still averages among the world's highest, almost 6 children per woman, largely because of the country's lack of access to family planning services, education for girls, and employment for women. Zambia also exhibits wide fertility disparities based on rural or urban location, education, and income. Poor, uneducated women from rural areas are more likely to marry young, to give birth early, and to have more children, viewing children as a sign of prestige and recognizing that not all of their children will live to adulthood. HIV/AIDS is prevalent in Zambia and contributes to its low life expectancy. Zambian emigration is low compared to many other African countries and is comprised predominantly of the well-educated. The small amount of brain drain, however, has a major impact in Zambia because of its limited human capital and lack of educational infrastructure for developing skilled professionals in key fields. For example, Zambia has few schools for training doctors, nurses, and other health care workers. Its spending on education is low compared to other Sub-Saharan countries. |
| Contraceptive prevalence rate | 67.4% (2017) | 49.6% (2018) |
| 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: 85.7 youth dependency ratio: 81.7 elderly dependency ratio: 4 potential support ratio: 25.3 (2020 est.) |
Government
| Botswana | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Zambia conventional short form: Zambia former: Northern Rhodesia etymology: name derived from the Zambezi River, which flows through the western part of the country and forms its southern border with neighboring Zimbabwe |
| 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: Lusaka; note - a proposal to build a new capital city in Ngabwe was announced in May 2017 geographic coordinates: 15 25 S, 28 17 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after a village called Lusaka, located at Manda Hill, near where Zambia's National Assembly building currently stands; the village was named after a headman (chief) Lusakasa |
| 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* | 10 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western |
| Independence | 30 September 1966 (from the UK) | 24 October 1964 (from the UK) |
| National holiday | Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966) | Independence Day, 24 October (1964) |
| 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: several previous; latest adopted 24 August 1991, promulgated 30 August 1991 amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly in two separate readings at least 30 days apart; passage of amendments affecting fundamental rights and freedoms requires approval by at least one half of votes cast in a referendum prior to consideration and voting by the Assembly; amended 1996, 2015, 2016; note - in late 2020, an amendment which would have altered the structure of the constitution was defeated in the National Assembly |
| Legal system | mixed legal system of civil law influenced by the Roman-Dutch model and also customary and common law | mixed legal system of English common 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 Hakainde HICHILEMA (since 24 August 2021); Vice President Mutale NALUMANGO (since 24 August 2021) note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hakainde HICHILEMA (since 24 August 2021); Vice President Mutale NALUMANGO (since 24 August 2021) note - the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president from among members of the National Assembly elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 12 August 2021 (next to be held in 2026) election results: 2021: Hakainde HICHILEMA elected president; percent of the vote-Hakainde HICHILEMA (UPND) 57.9%,Edgar LUNGU (PF) 37.3%, other 4.8% 2016: Edgar LUNGU re-elected president; percent of vote- Edgar LUNGU (PF) 50.4%, Hakainde HICHILEMA (UPND) 47.6%, 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: unicameral National Assembly (167 seats; 156 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote in 2 rounds if needed, and up to 8 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms); 11 are appointed elections: last held on 12 August 2021 (next to be held 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - UPND 53.9%, PF 38.1%, PNUP 0.6%, independent 7.4%; seats by party - UPND 82, PF 61, PNUP 1, independent 11; composition - men 135, women 20, percent of women 13.5% note: 155 seats were filled with one seat left vacant; the election for Kaumbwe Constituency has yet to conducted. |
| 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, deputy chief justice, and at least 11 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 11 judges); note - the Constitutional Court began operation in June 2016 judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the advice of the 9-member Judicial Service Commission, which is headed by the chief justice, and ratified by the National Assembly; judges normally serve until age 65 subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Industrial Relations Court; subordinate courts (3 levels, based on upper limit of money involved); Small Claims Court; local courts (2 grades, based on upper limit of money involved) |
| 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) | Alliance for Democracy and Development or ADD [Charles MILUPI] Forum for Democracy and Development or FDD [Edith NAWAKWI] Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [Felix MUTATI] National Democratic Congress or NDC [Chishimba KAMBWILI] Patriotic Front or PF [Edgar LUNGU] United Party for National Development or UPND [Hakainde HICHILEMA] Party of National Unity and Progress or PNUP [Highvie HAMUDUDU] |
| 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, COMESA, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA, 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 Lazarous KAPAMBWE (since 8 April 2020) chancery: 2200 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4009 FAX: [1] (202) 332-0826 email address and website: info@zambiaembassy.org https://www.zambiaembassy.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 David J. YOUNG (since 2 March 2020) embassy: Eastern end of Kabulonga Road, Ibex Hill, Lusaka mailing address: 2310 Lusaka Place, Washington DC 20521-2310 telephone: [260] (0) 211-357-000
FAX: [260] (0) 211-357-224 email address and website: ACSLusaka@state.gov https://zm.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 | green field with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag; green stands for the country's natural resources and vegetation, red symbolizes the struggle for freedom, black the people of Zambia, and orange the country's mineral wealth; the eagle represents the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems |
| National anthem | name: "Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land) lyrics/music: Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE note: adopted 1966 | name: "Lumbanyeni Zambia" (Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free) lyrics/music: multiple/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA note: adopted 1964; the melody, from the popular song "God Bless Africa," is the same as that of Tanzania but with different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem |
| 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 | African fish eagle; national colors: green, red, black, orange |
| 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: only if at least one parent is a citizen of Zambia citizenship by descent only: yes, if at least one parent was a citizen of Zambia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years for those with an ancestor who was a citizen of Zambia, otherwise 10 years residency is required |
Economy
| Botswana | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Zambia had one of the world's fastest growing economies for the ten years up to 2014, with real GDP growth averaging roughly 6.7% per annum, though growth slowed during the period 2015 to 2017, due to falling copper prices, reduced power generation, and depreciation of the kwacha. Zambia's lack of economic diversification and dependency on copper as its sole major export makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in the world commodities market and prices turned downward in 2015 due to declining demand from China; Zambia was overtaken by the Democratic Republic of Congo as Africa's largest copper producer. GDP growth picked up in 2017 as mineral prices rose. Despite recent strong economic growth and its status as a lower middle-income country, widespread and extreme rural poverty and high unemployment levels remain significant problems, made worse by a high birth rate, a relatively high HIV/AIDS burden, by market-distorting agricultural and energy policies, and growing government debt. Zambia raised $7 billion from international investors by issuing separate sovereign bonds in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Concurrently, it issued over $4 billion in domestic debt and agreed to Chinese-financed infrastructure projects, significantly increasing the country's public debt burden to more than 60% of GDP. The government has considered refinancing $3 billion worth of Eurobonds and significant Chinese loans to cut debt servicing costs. |
| 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 | $61.985 billion (2019 est.) $61.104 billion (2018 est.) $58.735 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars |
| GDP - real growth rate | 2.4% (2017 est.) 4.3% (2016 est.) -1.7% (2015 est.) | 3.4% (2017 est.) 3.8% (2016 est.) 2.9% (2015 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | $17,767 (2019 est.) $17,634 (2018 est.) $17,253 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars | $3,470 (2019 est.) $3,522 (2018 est.) $3,485 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars |
| GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 1.8% (2017 est.) industry: 27.5% (2017 est.) services: 70.6% (2017 est.) | agriculture: 7.5% (2017 est.) industry: 35.3% (2017 est.) services: 57% (2017 est.) |
| Population below poverty line | 19.3% (2009 est.) | 54.4% (2015 est.) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA | lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 47.4% (2010) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 2.7% (2019 est.) 3.2% (2018 est.) 3.2% (2017 est.) | 9.1% (2019 est.) 7.4% (2018 est.) 6.5% (2017 est.) |
| Labor force | 1.177 million (2017 est.) | 6.898 million (2017 est.) |
| Labor force - by occupation | agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA | agriculture: 54.8% industry: 9.9% services: 35.3% (2017 est.) |
| Unemployment rate | 20% (2013 est.) 17.8% (2009 est.) | 15% (2008 est.) 50% (2000 est.) |
| Distribution of family income - Gini index | 53.3 (2015 est.) 63 (1993) | 57.1 (2015 est.) 50.8 (2004) |
| Budget | revenues: 5.305 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 5.478 billion (2017 est.) | revenues: 4.473 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 6.357 billion (2017 est.) |
| Industries | diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; beef processing; textiles | copper mining and processing, emerald mining, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture |
| Industrial production growth rate | -4.2% (2017 est.) | 4.7% (2017 est.) |
| Agriculture - products | milk, roots/tubers, vegetables, sorghum, beef, game meat, watermelons, cabbages, goat milk, onions | sugar cane, cassava, maize, milk, vegetables, soybeans, beef, tobacco, wheat, groundnuts |
| Exports | $5.934 billion (2017 est.) $7.226 billion (2016 est.) | $8.216 billion (2017 est.) $6.514 billion (2016 est.) |
| Exports - commodities | diamonds, insulated wiring, gold, beef, carbonates (2019) | copper, gold, gemstones, sulfuric acid, raw sugar, tobacco (2019) |
| Exports - partners | India 21%, Belgium 19%, United Arab Emirates 19%, South Africa 9%, Israel 7%, Hong Kong 6%, Singapore 5% (2019) | Switzerland 29%, China 16%, Namibia 12%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 9%, Singapore 5% (2019) |
| Imports | $5.005 billion (2017 est.) $5.871 billion (2016 est.) | $7.852 billion (2017 est.) $6.539 billion (2016 est.) |
| Imports - commodities | diamonds, refined petroleum, cars, delivery trucks, electricity (2019) | refined petroleum, crude petroleum, delivery trucks, gold, fertilizers (2019) |
| Imports - partners | South Africa 58%, Namibia 9%, Canada 7% (2019) | South Africa 29%, China 14%, United Arab Emirates 12%, India 5% (2019) |
| Debt - external | $2.187 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.421 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $11.66 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $9.562 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.) | Zambian kwacha (ZMK) per US dollar - 21.065 (2020 est.) 15.3736 (2019 est.) 11.855 (2018 est.) 8.6 (2014 est.) 6.2 (2013 est.) |
| Fiscal year | 1 April - 31 March | calendar year |
| Public debt | 14% of GDP (2017 est.) 15.6% of GDP (2016 est.) | 63.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 60.7% of GDP (2016 est.) |
| Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | $7.491 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $7.189 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $2.082 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.353 billion (31 December 2016 est.) |
| Current Account Balance | $2.146 billion (2017 est.) $2.147 billion (2016 est.) | -$1.006 billion (2017 est.) -$934 million (2016 est.) |
| GDP (official exchange rate) | $18.335 billion (2019 est.) | $25.71 billion (2017 est.) |
| Credit ratings | Moody's rating: A2 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BBB+ (2020) | Fitch rating: RD (2020) Moody's rating: Ca (2020) Standard & Poors rating: SD (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: 66.9 (2020) Starting a Business score: 84.9 (2020) Trading score: 56.9 (2020) Enforcement score: 50.8 (2020) |
| Taxes and other revenues | 30.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | 17.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) | -7.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) |
| Unemployment, youth ages 15-24 | total: 37.8% male: 39% female: 36.4% (2019 est.) | total: 26% male: 24.7% female: 27.6% (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: 52.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 21% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 27.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 43% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -44.9% (2017 est.) |
| Gross national saving | 32.5% of GDP (2018 est.) 34% of GDP (2017 est.) 38.8% of GDP (2016 est.) | 39.7% of GDP (2019 est.) 41.8% of GDP (2018 est.) 36.3% of GDP (2017 est.) |
Energy
| Botswana | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity - production | 2.527 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 11.55 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - consumption | 3.636 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 11.04 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (2016 est.) | 1.176 billion kWh (2015 est.) |
| Electricity - imports | 1.673 billion kWh (2016 est.) | 2.185 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
| Oil - production | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) | 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) |
| Oil - imports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 12,860 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.) | 0 cu m (1 January 2014 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.) | 2.573 million kW (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from fossil fuels | 100% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) | 5% of total installed capacity (2016 est.) |
| Electricity - from hydroelectric plants | 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) | 93% 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.) | 2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - production | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 13,120 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - consumption | 21,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) | 23,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - exports | 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 371 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Refined petroleum products - imports | 21,090 bbl/day (2015 est.) | 10,150 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
| Electricity access | electrification - total population: 59% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 71% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 29% (2019) | electrification - total population: 37% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 76% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 6% (2019) |
Telecommunications
| Botswana | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | total subscriptions: 142,587 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6.25 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 96,719 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.) |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | total subscriptions: 3,746,760 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 164.12 (2019 est.) | total subscriptions: 17,220,607 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 95.78 (2019 est.) |
| Internet country code | .bw | .zm |
| Internet users | total: 1,057,079 percent of population: 47% (July 2018 est.) | total: 2,351,646 percent of population: 14.3% (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: service is among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa; regulator promotes competition and is a partner to private sector service providers, offering mobile voice and Internet at some of the lowest prices in the region; investment made in data centers, education centers, and computer assembly training plants; operators invest in 3G and LTE-based services; Chinese company Huawei is helping to upgrade state-owned mobile infrastructure for 5G services; operators focused on improvements to towers (2020) (2020)domestic: fiber optic connections are available between most larger towns and cities with microwave radio relays serving more rural areas; 3G and LTE with FttX in limited urban areas and private Ku or Ka band VSAT terminals in remote locations; fixed-line 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 96 per 100 (2019) international: country code - 260; multiple providers operate overland fiber optic routes via Zimbabwe/South Africa, Botswana/Namibia and Tanzania provide access to the major undersea cables 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: 88,891 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2018 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) | according to the Independent Broadcast Authority, there are 137 radio stations and 47 television stations in Zambia; out of the 137 radio stations, 133 are private (categorized as either commercial or community radio stations), while 4 are public-owned; state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) operates 2 television channels and 3 radio stations; ZNBC owns 75% shares in GoTV, 40% in MultiChoice, and 40% in TopStar Communications Company, all of which operate in-country (2019) |
Transportation
| Botswana | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Railways | total: 888 km (2014) narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2014) | total: 3,126 km (2014) narrow gauge: 3,126 km 1.067-m gauge (2014) note: includes 1,860 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) |
| Roadways | total: 31,747 km (2017) paved: 9,810 km (2017) unpaved: 21,937 km (2017) | total: 67,671 km (2018) paved: 14,888 km (2018) unpaved: 52,783 km (2018) |
| Airports | total: 74 (2013) | total: 88 (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: 8 (2013) over 3,047 m: 1 (2013) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2013) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013) |
| 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: 80 (2013) 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 (2013) 914 to 1,523 m: 53 (2013) under 914 m: 21 (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: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 8,904 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 75.08 million mt-km (2018) |
| Civil aircraft registration country code prefix | A2 | 9J |
Military
| Botswana | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Military branches | Botswana Defence Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Arm Command, Defense Logistics Command (2021) | Zambia Defense Force (ZDF): Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, Zambia National Service (support organization that also does public work projects); Defense Force Medical Service; the Zambia Police includes a paramilitary battalion (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 male and female voluntary military service (16 with parental consent); no conscription; 12-year enlistment period (7 years active, 5 in the Reserves) (2019) |
| 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) | 1.2% of GDP (2019) 1.3% of GDP (2018) 1.3% of GDP (2017) 1.5% of GDP (2016) 1.7% of GDP (2015) |
| Military and security service personnel strengths | the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) has approximately 9,000 active personnel (2021) | the Zambia Defense Force (ZDF) has approximately 16,500 active troops (15,000 Army; 1,500 Air) (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 ZDF's inventory is largely comprised of Chinese, Russian, and Soviet-era armaments, with a small mix of Israeli, South African, and US equipment; since 2010, China is the leading supplier of arms to Zambia (2020) |
Transnational Issues
| Botswana | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|
| Disputes - international | none | 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: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Zambia and Zambians abroad; most trafficking occurs within Zambia's borders, with traffickers exploiting women and children from rural areas in cities in domestic servitude or forced labor in agriculture, textile production, mining, construction, small businesses, such as bakeries, and forced begging; Jerabo gangs force Zambian children into illegal mining operations, such as loading stolen copper or crushing rocks; truck drivers exploit Zambian boys and girls in sex trafficking in towns along the Zimbabwean and Tanzanian borders, and miners exploit them in Solwezi; Zambian boys are exploited for sex trafficking in Zimbabwe and women and girls in South Africa; traffickers exploit victims from Tanzania and Malawi in the Zambian timber industry tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Zambia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making efforts to do so; efforts included increasing law enforcement training, establishing two fast-track human trafficking courts, conducting awareness campaigns about human trafficking, slightly increasing prosecutions and convictions, and strengthening prison sentences given to traffickers; however; investigations of trafficking crimes and funding to shelters and other victim assistance programs decreased; authorities did not proactively screen for trafficking among vulnerable populations, including foreign nationals and those involved in commercial sex; authorities detained and deported potential trafficking victims involved in smuggling; the national inter-ministerial committee is weak in overseeing national anti-trafficking efforts and trends (2020) |
Environment
| Botswana | Zambia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 24.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 5.14 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 14.1 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: 290 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 130 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.152 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Revenue from forest resources | forest revenues: 0.23% of GDP (2018 est.) | forest revenues: 4.45% of GDP (2018 est.) |
| Revenue from coal | coal revenues: 0.45% of GDP (2018 est.) | coal revenues: 0.04% 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: 2,608,268 tons (2002 est.) |
Source: CIA Factbook
