Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Botswana
Botswana: Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas was 18.0% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Botswana, 1991–2023
Source: ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2023, share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Botswana stood at 18.0%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.0% on the previous year and down 10.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Botswana peaked at 29.1% in 2006 and was at its lowest, 14.9%, in 2019.
Botswana ranks 86th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Botswana, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 15.9% | — |
| 1992 | 15.8% | -1.2% |
| 1993 | 15.7% | -0.4% |
| 1994 | 15.6% | -0.5% |
| 1995 | 15.3% | -1.9% |
| 1996 | 15.1% | -1.6% |
| 1997 | 17.7% | +17.5% |
| 1998 | 20.7% | +17.1% |
| 1999 | 20.3% | -2.3% |
| 2000 | 20.0% | -1.5% |
| 2001 | 19.1% | -4.2% |
| 2002 | 20.1% | +5.2% |
| 2003 | 21.2% | +5.5% |
| 2004 | 23.9% | +12.6% |
| 2005 | 26.5% | +10.9% |
| 2006 | 29.1% | +9.8% |
| 2007 | 27.5% | -5.4% |
| 2008 | 26.1% | -5.1% |
| 2009 | 25.1% | -4.0% |
| 2010 | 23.6% | -6.0% |
| 2011 | 22.3% | -5.4% |
| 2012 | 21.6% | -3.4% |
| 2013 | 20.1% | -6.7% |
| 2014 | 19.1% | -5.3% |
| 2015 | 18.6% | -2.1% |
| 2016 | 17.5% | -5.9% |
| 2017 | 16.6% | -5.1% |
| 2018 | 15.8% | -5.3% |
| 2019 | 14.9% | -5.6% |
| 2020 | 19.4% | +30.6% |
| 2021 | 17.6% | -9.5% |
| 2022 | 17.6% | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 18.0% | +2.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 16.9% | 15.1% | 20.7% | 9 |
| 2000s | 23.9% | 19.1% | 29.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 19.0% | 14.9% | 23.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 18.2% | 17.6% | 19.4% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More agriculture & rural data for Botswana
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 4.45 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0178 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 138.54 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate 0.0839 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.3204 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 1.8% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 1.8% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 0.0% (2023)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 0.8% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Botswana?
- Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Botswana was 18.0% in 2023, according to ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 29.1% in 2006.
- What is the lowest share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 14.9% in 2019.
- How does Botswana rank for share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas?
- Botswana ranks 86th out of 186 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The share of people employed in agriculture includes working-age people with a job in farming, forestry, fishing, and related activities, including those temporarily absent.