Photo: Joachim Huber derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Botswana: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Botswana is placed 162nd of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 51.96 (2025); Labour Income Share 40.05 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
162nd
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Botswana on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
51.96
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Botswana: 51.96. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Southern Africa
- 51.96 Botswana
- Land neighbours
- Namibia 47.49 · South Africa 37.58 · Zimbabwe 61.42
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
24.48
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Botswana: 24.48. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Southern Africa
- 16.32 Lesotho
- Land neighbours
- Namibia 19.29 · South Africa 32.39 · Zimbabwe 9.293
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
25.61
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Botswana: 25.61. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Southern Africa
- 11.66 South Africa
- Land neighbours
- Namibia 29.94 · South Africa 11.66 · Zimbabwe 68.21
02Over time
Which way Botswana is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
BotswanaWorld median
Botswana rose from 49.29 in 2000 to 51.96 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Botswana World median 2025 51.96 57.720 2024 52.24 57.694 2023 52.31 58.158 2022 49.36 57.688 2021 49.21 56.066 2020 48.42 55.691 2019 50.72 57.871 2018 50.70 56.911 2017 50.42 56.738 2016 50.39 56.845 2015 50.43 56.788 2014 50.47 56.774 2013 50.40 56.229 2012 50.21 56.289 2011 49.64 56.297 2010 49.17 56.212 2009 52.55 56.255 2008 51.72 57.308 2007 50.52 56.933 2006 49.24 56.685 2005 47.82 56.129 2004 46.50 55.465 2003 45.11 55.630 2002 46.45 55.843 2001 47.91 56.018 2000 49.29 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
BotswanaWorld median
Botswana rose from 32.9 in 2004 to 40.05 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Botswana World median 2025 40.0 46.230 2024 40.4 46.060 2023 39.5 45.900 2022 37.1 45.615 2021 41.0 45.433 2020 45.6 47.267 2019 41.3 46.277 2018 38.9 46.187 2017 38.0 46.467 2016 36.6 46.798 2015 40.8 46.876 2014 37.7 47.281 2013 40.6 46.887 2012 41.5 46.231 2011 36.3 45.679 2010 37.5 46.024 2009 31.1 47.071 2008 27.8 45.312 2007 27.2 45.246 2006 28.2 45.670 2005 29.4 46.265 2004 32.9 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
BotswanaWorld median
Botswana rose from 15.88 in 2000 to 24.48 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Botswana World median 2025 24.48 5.08 2024 23.81 5.15 2023 23.38 5.21 2022 23.62 5.34 2021 23.11 6.04 2020 21.02 6.38 2019 20.09 5.36 2018 19.67 5.35 2017 19.67 5.59 2016 19.33 5.90 2015 18.92 6.41 2014 18.48 6.58 2013 18.17 6.71 2012 17.92 6.79 2011 18.05 6.90 2010 17.86 7.04 2009 16.17 6.67 2008 16.29 5.79 2007 16.98 6.00 2006 17.78 6.50 2005 19.85 7.09 2004 21.76 6.80 2003 23.80 6.95 2002 21.28 6.91 2001 18.54 6.96 2000 15.88 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
BotswanaWorld median
Botswana rose from 19.06 in 2000 to 25.61 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Botswana World median 2025 25.61 28.67 2024 25.67 29.04 2023 25.76 29.33 2022 25.93 29.67 2021 26.11 30.01 2020 26.61 30.54 2019 27.05 29.98 2018 27.24 30.15 2017 27.45 29.93 2016 27.67 29.91 2015 27.90 30.26 2014 28.08 30.47 2013 28.38 31.14 2012 28.28 31.00 2011 28.07 31.41 2010 27.95 32.37 2009 27.73 32.59 2008 26.23 31.76 2007 24.84 33.47 2006 23.44 34.27 2005 22.57 34.66 2004 21.73 35.51 2003 20.96 35.90 2002 20.27 35.96 2001 19.64 35.27 2000 19.06 35.67
03In context
Botswana beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Botswana and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Zimbabwe | 102nd | 61.42 | 60.33 | 9.293 | 68.21 |
 South Africa | =134th | 37.58 | 52.64 | 32.39 | 11.66 |
 Namibia | 157th | 47.49 | 47.1 | 19.29 | 29.94 |
| Botswana | 162nd | 51.96 | 40.05 | 24.48 | 25.61 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Botswana in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Botswana is ahead of the world, and behind
31 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median9
Statistics on which Botswana does better than the middle country measured.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8648.2135.86▼ Worsened since 2019
Botswana: 48.21 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 7th of 86 · derived.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3663.7153.36▲ Improved since 2015
Botswana: 63.71 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 25th of 182 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6668.861.66▲ Improved since 2015
Botswana: 68.8 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 31st of 182 · derived.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6829.9616.68No earlier reading
Botswana: 29.96 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 25th of 139 · derived.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1622.9719.16No earlier reading
Botswana: 22.97 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 55th of 179 · derived.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0734.632.07No earlier reading
Botswana: 34.6 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38450,02947,384▼ Worsened since 2015
Botswana: 50,029 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 76th of 168 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8140.541.81No earlier reading
Botswana: 40.5 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 98th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23027,68025,230No real change since 2010
Botswana: 27,680 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 73rd of 151 · derived.
Behind the world median13
Statistics on which Botswana does worse than the middle country measured.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1622.1522.16▼ Worsened since 2015
Botswana: 22.15 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 92nd of 182 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.93545.9No earlier reading
Botswana: 35 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.88514.284.885No real change since 2015
Botswana: 14.28 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6361,2321,636▼ Worsened since 2019
Botswana: 1,232 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 49th of 75 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.612.911.61▼ Worsened since 2015
Botswana: 2.91 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7672.3136.76No earlier reading
Botswana: 72.31 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 26th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 988498▼ Worsened since 2015
Botswana: 84 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,7421,8996,742▼ Worsened since 2015
Botswana: 1,899 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 120th of 151 · derived.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 303▼ Worsened since 2015
Botswana: 0 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.8935.4617.89No real change since 2019
Botswana: 35.46 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 6th of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.313814.31▼ Worsened since 2019
Botswana: 38 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 4th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.834612.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Botswana: 46 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 5th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.6210.337No real change since 2019
Botswana: 0.621 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 2nd of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Botswana: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end8
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4552.4513.45Moved since 2019
Botswana: 52.45 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0127.2515.01No earlier reading
Botswana: 27.25 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 26th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8943.2838.89Moved since 2015
Botswana: 43.28 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 37th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5166.259.51Moved since 2015
Botswana: 66.2 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 73rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3818.0314.38Moved since 2015
Botswana: 18.03 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 81st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8428.1131.84No real change since 2015
Botswana: 28.11 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 102nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95354.44657.95Moved since 2014
Botswana: 354.44 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8815.7718.88Moved since 2015
Botswana: 15.77 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 134th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Botswana
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries and Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Botswana’s 15 topics
Work & Labour is Botswana’s 13th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Peace & Security52nd of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability55th of 1863/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties61st of 1984/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions65th of 1944/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience98th of 1934/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 102nd of 1983/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 109th of 1983/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation105th of 1764/4 keys
- Gender & Equality121st of 1834/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture134th of 1844/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital143rd of 1963/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing157th of 2003/4 keys
- Work & Labour162nd of 1824/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality147th of 1593/3 keys
- Energy158th of 1653/3 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Botswana can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Nigeria16th4/4 keysHighest in Southern Africa
South Africa=134th4/4 keysThis page
Botswana162nd4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Botswana and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Botswana on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Botswana rank on work & labour?
Botswana is placed 162nd of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Botswana?
51.96 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Botswana?
40.05 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Botswana compare with South Africa on work & labour?
South Africa is placed joint 134th of 182, and Botswana 162nd. Employment-to-Population Ratio: South Africa 37.58, Botswana 51.96; Labour Income Share: South Africa 52.64, Botswana 40.05; Unemployment Rate: South Africa 32.39, Botswana 24.48; Vulnerable Employment: South Africa 11.66, Botswana 25.61.
How have Botswana’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 49.29 in 2000 to 51.96 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 32.9 in 2004 to 40.05 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 15.88 in 2000 to 24.48 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment rose from 19.06 in 2000 to 25.61 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Botswana?
No current reading is published for Botswana on Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries and Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 31 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Botswana’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Botswana (banner) — Joachim Huber derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Botswana: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/botswana/work