Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its current name upon independence in 1966. Four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. As one of Africa's most stable countries, and the continent's longest continuous multiparty democracy, the country is relatively free of corruption and has a good human rights record. Botswana is also the world's largest producer of diamonds, but also has one of the highest known rates of HIV/AIDS. The country consists of nine districts and five town councils, and four major languages - English (the official language), Setswana, Kalanga, and Sekgalagadi - are spoken.

Leader: President Seretse Khama Ian Khama (re-elected in October 2009)
Capital city: Gaborone

Economic profile

Monetary unit: Pula
GDP per capita: $14 000 (2010) (World Bank)
GDP composition by sector:
Agriculture: 2.3% (2008) (CIA)
Industry: 45.8% (2008) (CIA)
Services: 51.9% (2008) (CIA)
GDP growth rate: 8.6% (2010) (World Bank)
Budget:
Revenue excluding grants: $4.165-billion (2010) (IMF)
Government expenditure: $5.888-billion (2010) (IMF)
Consumer price inflation: 7.1% (2010) (CIA)
Industries: Diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, livestock processing and textiles.
Exports of goods and services: $4.419-million (2010) (World Bank)
Imports of goods and services: $4.518-billion (2010) (World Bank)
Import commodities: Foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products.
Export commodities: Diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat and textiles.
Reserves: $7.834-billion (2011) (CIA)
Total investment: 28.2% of GDP (2010) (IMF)
Market capitalisation of listed companies: 38.2% of GDP (2006) (World Bank)

Social profile

Population: 1.94-million (2009) (CIA)
Population growth: 1.5% (2009) (World Bank)
Life expectancy at birth: 61,85 years (2009) (CIA)
Adult literacy: 90% (2009) (World Bank).
School enrolment primary: 109% (2007) (World Bank)
School enrolment secondary: 82% (2007) (World Bank)
School enrolment tertiary: 5,1% (2005) (World Bank)
Unemployment: 7.5% (2006) (World Bank)
Number of people living with HIV/Aids: 320 000 (2009) (Unicef)

Election profile

Pre-election report

Post election report