Net migration in Botswana
Botswana: Net migration was -5,665 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in Botswana, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
Botswana recorded -5,665 for net migration in 2025.
The figure is up 2.0% on the previous year and up 41.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Botswana peaked at 26,015 in 1978 and was at its lowest, -16,054, in 1970.
Botswana ranks 140th of 218 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Botswana, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | -4,331 | — |
| 1961 | -4,168 | -3.8% |
| 1962 | -4,028 | -3.4% |
| 1963 | -4,000 | -0.7% |
| 1964 | -4,126 | +3.1% |
| 1965 | -14,753 | +257.6% |
| 1966 | -15,140 | +2.6% |
| 1967 | -15,438 | +2.0% |
| 1968 | -15,681 | +1.6% |
| 1969 | -15,870 | +1.2% |
| 1970 | -16,054 | +1.2% |
| 1971 | -3,016 | -81.2% |
| 1972 | 5,937 | -296.9% |
| 1973 | 10,615 | +78.8% |
| 1974 | 8,854 | -16.6% |
| 1975 | 11,086 | +25.2% |
| 1976 | 11,914 | +7.5% |
| 1977 | 13,708 | +15.1% |
| 1978 | 26,015 | +89.8% |
| 1979 | 15,918 | -38.8% |
| 1980 | -10,849 | -168.2% |
| 1981 | 7,610 | -170.1% |
| 1982 | 1,751 | -77.0% |
| 1983 | 1,980 | +13.1% |
| 1984 | 2,393 | +20.9% |
| 1985 | 2,683 | +12.1% |
| 1986 | 2,558 | -4.7% |
| 1987 | 2,624 | +2.6% |
| 1988 | -215 | -108.2% |
| 1989 | 1,495 | -795.3% |
| 1990 | 2,580 | +72.6% |
| 1991 | 4,311 | +67.1% |
| 1992 | 8,026 | +86.2% |
| 1993 | 8,441 | +5.2% |
| 1994 | 9,023 | +6.9% |
| 1995 | 9,464 | +4.9% |
| 1996 | 9,368 | -1.0% |
| 1997 | 9,597 | +2.4% |
| 1998 | 9,685 | +0.9% |
| 1999 | 9,762 | +0.8% |
| 2000 | 9,798 | +0.4% |
| 2001 | 7,991 | -18.4% |
| 2002 | 4,747 | -40.6% |
| 2003 | 4,488 | -5.5% |
| 2004 | 4,314 | -3.9% |
| 2005 | 4,283 | -0.7% |
| 2006 | 4,270 | -0.3% |
| 2007 | 3,926 | -8.1% |
| 2008 | 4,343 | +10.6% |
| 2009 | 4,960 | +14.2% |
| 2010 | 5,151 | +3.9% |
| 2011 | -1,019 | -119.8% |
| 2012 | -6,636 | +551.2% |
| 2013 | -7,836 | +18.1% |
| 2014 | -8,893 | +13.5% |
| 2015 | -9,599 | +7.9% |
| 2016 | -10,286 | +7.2% |
| 2017 | -10,916 | +6.1% |
| 2018 | -11,623 | +6.5% |
| 2019 | -11,770 | +1.3% |
| 2020 | -11,330 | -3.7% |
| 2021 | -4,083 | -64.0% |
| 2022 | -7,306 | +78.9% |
| 2023 | -6,487 | -11.2% |
| 2024 | -5,778 | -10.9% |
| 2025 | -5,665 | -2.0% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's -5,665 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is -2,815, 2.0× the median. (59 countries reporting)
- Botswana's -5,665 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is -5,646, 1.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Botswana changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | +795.3% | -215 | 1,495 |
| 2012 | -551.2% | -1,019 | -6,636 |
| 1972 | +296.9% | -3,016 | 5,937 |
| 1965 | -257.6% | -4,126 | -14,753 |
| 1981 | +170.1% | -10,849 | 7,610 |
| 1980 | -168.2% | 15,918 | -10,849 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | -9,754 | -15,870 | -4,000 | 10 |
| 1970s | 8,498 | -16,054 | 26,015 | 10 |
| 1980s | 1,203 | -10,849 | 7,610 | 10 |
| 1990s | 8,026 | 2,580 | 9,762 | 10 |
| 2000s | 5,312 | 3,926 | 9,798 | 10 |
| 2010s | -7,343 | -11,770 | 5,151 | 10 |
| 2020s | -6,775 | -11,330 | -4,083 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More financial sector data for Botswana
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 4.92 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0034 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 26.64 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate -0.0848 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0025 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 19.45 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 4.92 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0034 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 26.64 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate -0.0848 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Botswana?
- Net migration in Botswana was -5,665 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 26,015 in 1978.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was -16,054 in 1970.
- How does Botswana rank for net migration?
- Botswana ranks 140th out of 218 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 41.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.