Distribution of population between different poverty lines in Botswana
Botswana: Distribution of population between different poverty lines was 476,456 people in 2015. ▼ Falling
Distribution of population between different poverty lines in Botswana, 1985–2015
Source: World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for distribution of population between different poverty lines in Botswana is 476,456 people, measured in 2015.
The figure is down 22.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, distribution of population between different poverty lines in Botswana peaked at 613,056 people in 2002 and was at its lowest, 421,688 people, in 2009.
Botswana ranks 52nd of 120 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Distribution of population between different poverty lines in Botswana, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 573,502 people | — |
| 1993 | 603,728 people | +5.3% |
| 2002 | 613,056 people | +1.5% |
| 2009 | 421,688 people | -31.2% |
| 2015 | 476,456 people | +13.0% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 476,456 people is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 88,601 people, 5.4× the median. (35 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 476,456 people is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 9.40 million people, 5% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 573,502 people | 573,502 people | 573,502 people | 1 |
| 1990s | 603,728 people | 603,728 people | 603,728 people | 1 |
| 2000s | 517,372 people | 421,688 people | 613,056 people | 2 |
| 2010s | 476,456 people | 476,456 people | 476,456 people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More poverty & inequality data for Botswana
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 0 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fertility rate vs. share living in extreme poverty 2.73 live births per woman (2023)
- Cereal yield vs. share in extreme poverty 900.4 kg per hectare (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, annual growth rate 3.47 % change on previous year (2024)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, gaps filled 22.79 (2023)
- Tax revenue as share of GDP vs. income inequality 22.8% (2023)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is distribution of population between different poverty lines in Botswana?
- Distribution of population between different poverty lines in Botswana was 476,456 people in 2015, according to World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest distribution of population between different poverty lines recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 613,056 people in 2002.
- What is the lowest distribution of population between different poverty lines recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 421,688 people in 2009.
- How does Botswana rank for distribution of population between different poverty lines?
- Botswana ranks 52nd out of 120 countries with data for 2015.
- Is distribution of population between different poverty lines rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 22.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Distribution of population between different poverty lines. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 5 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Number of people living in households with an income or consumption below $3 per day.