Proportion of population below international poverty line in Botswana

Botswana: Proportion of population below international poverty line was 21.4% in 2015. ▼ Falling

Latest (2015)
21.4%
World rank
21st
of 110 countries
All-time high
50.1%
in 1985
All-time low
21.1%
in 2009
Years of data
5
1985–2015

Proportion of population below international poverty line in Botswana, 1985–2015

02040601985200020151985: 50.11993: 42.12002: 34.82009: 21.12015: 21.4

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.

Analysis

Botswana recorded 21.4% for proportion of population below international poverty line in 2015.

The figure is down 38.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, proportion of population below international poverty line in Botswana peaked at 50.1% in 1985 and was at its lowest, 21.1%, in 2009.

Botswana ranks 21st of 110 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Proportion of population below international poverty line in Botswana, year by year

Annual values for Proportion of population below international poverty line (%) in Botswana, 1985 to 2015.
Year Value Change
1985 50.1%
1993 42.1% -16.0%
2002 34.8% -17.3%
2009 21.1% -39.4%
2015 21.4% +1.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 50.1% 50.1% 50.1% 1
1990s 42.1% 42.1% 42.1% 1
2000s 27.9% 21.1% 34.8% 2
2010s 21.4% 21.4% 21.4% 1

Countries ranked near Botswana

  1. 18 Cameroon 26.7% compare
  2. 19 Pakistan 23.0% compare
  3. 20 Gambia 22.0% compare
  4. 22 Senegal 17.9% compare
  5. 23 South Africa 17.4% compare
  6. 24 Honduras 15.7% compare

See the full ranking of 164 places →

More poverty & inequality data for Botswana

All data for Botswana →

Frequently asked questions

What is proportion of population below international poverty line in Botswana?
Proportion of population below international poverty line in Botswana was 21.4% in 2015, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest proportion of population below international poverty line recorded in Botswana?
The highest recorded value was 50.1% in 1985.
What is the lowest proportion of population below international poverty line recorded in Botswana?
The lowest recorded value was 21.1% in 2009.
How does Botswana rank for proportion of population below international poverty line?
Botswana ranks 21st out of 110 countries with data for 2015.
Is proportion of population below international poverty line rising or falling in Botswana?
Over the last ten years it is down 38.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Botswana data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Proportion of population below international poverty line (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Proportion of population below international poverty line in Botswana. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 25 August 2026, from https://poverty.statizoid.com/stat/proportion-of-population-below-international-poverty-line-percent/botswana/

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About this data

Indicator
Proportion of population below international poverty line (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
164 places, 3,780 data points, 1963–2025
Last refreshed