Urban Population: Botswana
Botswana's urban population is currently 67.5% as of 2024. # Botswana Urban Population Botswana's urban population reached 67.
Current (2024)
67.5%
+0.7% y/y
Peak (2024)
67.5%
Low (1960)
3.0%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Botswana
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Botswana
Analysis# Botswana Urban Population
Botswana's urban population reached 67.462% in 2024, marking an all-time high. This represents a dramatic transformation from 1960, when only 3.002% of the population lived in urban areas—a staggering 2,147% increase over six decades. The country has transitioned from predominantly rural to substantially urbanized, reflecting rapid economic development and rural-to-urban migration patterns tied to diamond mining and regional growth.
The urbanization trend accelerated noticeably after 2015, when urban population stood at 65.41%. Year-over-year growth rates have remained consistent, averaging approximately 0.5–0.7 percentage points annually through 2024. Continued urbanization appears likely given ongoing economic activity in cities like Gaborone and Francistown, suggesting Botswana's urban share will continue climbing in the coming years.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 67.5% | +0.66% |
| 2023 | 67.0% | +0.65% |
| 2022 | 66.6% | +0.11% |
| 2021 | 66.5% | +0.10% |
| 2020 | 66.4% | +0.18% |
| 2019 | 66.3% | +0.26% |
| 2018 | 66.2% | +0.32% |
| 2017 | 65.9% | +0.38% |
| 2016 | 65.7% | +0.44% |
| 2015 | 65.4% | +0.48% |
| 2014 | 65.1% | +0.52% |
| 2013 | 64.8% | +0.56% |
| 2012 | 64.4% | +0.59% |
| 2011 | 64.0% | +0.83% |
| 2010 | 63.5% | +1.19% |
| 2009 | 62.8% | +1.48% |
| 2008 | 61.8% | +1.73% |
| 2007 | 60.8% | +1.91% |
| 2006 | 59.6% | +2.03% |
| 2005 | 58.5% | +2.09% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 57.3% | +2.07% |
| 2003 | 56.1% | +1.97% |
| 2002 | 55.0% | +1.79% |
| 2001 | 54.0% | +1.59% |
| 2000 | 53.2% | +1.45% |
| 1999 | 52.4% | +1.37% |
| 1998 | 51.7% | +1.35% |
| 1997 | 51.1% | +1.39% |
| 1996 | 50.4% | +1.50% |
| 1995 | 49.6% | +1.68% |
| 1994 | 48.8% | +1.94% |
| 1993 | 47.9% | +2.28% |
| 1992 | 46.8% | +2.76% |
| 1991 | 45.5% | +4.34% |
| 1990 | 43.6% | +6.67% |
| 1989 | 40.9% | +8.87% |
| 1988 | 37.6% | +10.97% |
| 1987 | 33.9% | +12.94% |
| 1986 | 30.0% | +14.61% |
| 1985 | 26.2% | +15.68% |
| 1984 | 22.6% | +15.59% |
| 1983 | 19.6% | +13.55% |
| 1982 | 17.2% | +8.97% |
| 1981 | 15.8% | +5.85% |
| 1980 | 14.9% | +5.19% |
| 1979 | 14.2% | +4.56% |
| 1978 | 13.6% | +4.09% |
| 1977 | 13.1% | +3.81% |
| 1976 | 12.6% | +3.76% |
| 1975 | 12.1% | +3.98% |
| 1974 | 11.7% | +4.52% |
| 1973 | 11.1% | +5.45% |
| 1972 | 10.6% | +6.93% |
| 1971 | 9.9% | +9.84% |
| 1970 | 9.0% | +13.49% |
| 1969 | 7.9% | +17.00% |
| 1968 | 6.8% | +20.05% |
| 1967 | 5.6% | +21.92% |
| 1966 | 4.6% | +20.79% |
| 1965 | 3.8% | +13.63% |
| 1964 | 3.4% | +4.78% |
| 1963 | 3.2% | +2.55% |
| 1962 | 3.1% | +2.35% |
| 1961 | 3.1% | +2.20% |
| 1960 | 3.0% | — |
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