Botswana Minute.
Friday, 16 October 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 16 October 2026
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Botswanan press · Organization

Statistics Botswana

Statistics Botswana — national statistical agency that publishes economic, demographic, health, and agricultural data used across government reporting and policy.

2026-04-232026-10-16

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. September 2026
  2. Mmegi

    Statistics Botswana figures released recently indicate that aircraft movements in the first quarter of the year reached 14,667 from 13,745 in the prior corresponding period. …

    Air volumes on the rise
  3. August 2026
  4. Botswana Sunday Standard

    … According to Statistics Botswana 2024 Vital Statistics Report, Botswana’s total fertility rate (TF) has fallen to 1.96 children per woman, below the widely used replacement-level benchmark of 2.1. …

    Botswana is running out of young people
  5. The Botswana Gazette

    … prices drive the sharpest monthly decline, offering some relief after inflation reached 10.7 percent in June GAZETTE REPORTER Botswana’s annual inflation rate fell to 9.4 percent in July 2026, down 1.3 percentage points from 10.7 percent in June, according to Statistics Botswana …

    Fuel Price Cuts Cool July Inflation
  6. Weekend Post

    … According to the latest Consumer Price Index report from Statistics Botswana, this easing was chiefly due to significant reductions in retail fuel prices, which translated into lower costs for operating personal vehicles and freight transport. …

    Botswana’s inflation eases to 9.4% in July
  7. Botswana Sunday Standard

    … Annual inflation fell to 9.4 percent from 10.7 percent in June, according to Statistics Botswana. …

    Inflation slows to 9.4%
  8. Botswana Sunday Standard

    … The working-age population, people aged 15 to 64, is projected to rise to 67.6 percent of the population by 2038 from 63.3 percent in 2023, according to Statistics Botswana’s Population Projections 2022–2038. …

    Botswana faces jobs test as working-age population swells
  9. Botswana Sunday Standard

    … Statistics Botswana’s Population Projections 2022–2038 show that international migration will make only a modest contribution to overall population growth. …

    Botswana faces skills drain as young workers seek opportunities abroad
  10. Botswana Sunday Standard

    … The population is projected to rise from 2.40 million people in 2023 to 2.95 million by 2038, an increase of about 558,000 people, according to the latest population projections from Statistics Botswana. …

    Population shift creates a test for jobs, infrastructure
  11. Botswana Sunday Standard

    … The country is on course to have a population of 2,954,519 people by 2038, according to new projections by Statistics Botswana. …

    Botswana’s population set to reach 3 million by 2038
  12. The Botswana Gazette

    … diamond and copper exports pushed Botswana to its second-largest trade deficit of 2026, even as imports also declined GAZETTE REPORTER Botswana recorded a trade deficit of P3.2 billion in May 2026, the country’s second-largest deficit of the year, according to Statistics Botswana …

    Botswana Posts P3.2 Billion Trade Deficit
Mining & Energy

Botswana's economy expands 8.7% on diamond output surge

The News

Botswana's economy expanded by 8.7 percent in the second quarter of 2026, driven by a surge in diamond output from mines that had been throttled during a downturn. Diamond production climbed to about 3.4 million carats from 2.7 million the previous quarter, with De Beers reporting Botswana accounted for 5.5 million carats in the period.

12 October 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 12 October

  1. Botswana's economy expands 8.7% on diamond output surge

    Botswana's economy expanded by 8.7 percent in the second quarter of 2026, driven by a surge in diamond output from mines that had been throttled during a downturn. Diamond production climbed to about 3.4 million carats from 2.7 million the previous quarter, with De Beers reporting Botswana accounted for 5.5 million carats in the period.

    12 October 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. Ground transport slumps while aviation surges on tourism

    Botswana's transport sector diverged sharply in Q2 2026: vehicle registrations fell 7.2% to 7,536 units and rail freight declined 16.4% to 143,531 tonnes, while aircraft movements surged 67.6% and passenger traffic climbed 35.8%, driven by tourism demand.

    12 October 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  3. Nurse numbers decline as Botswana pursues universal healthcare

    Public sector nurses fell to 7,620 in 2024 from 8,948 three years earlier, while the combined density of doctors and nurses dropped to 35 per 10,000 people from 42 in 2021, remaining below the WHO benchmark of 45 per 10,000, according to Statistics Botswana. President Duma Boko's government is moving to establish a National Health Insurance system to expand access to healthcare and reduce financial barriers.

    12 October 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Thursday 8 October

  1. Botswana's diamond recovery raises diversification urgency

    After a severe slump, Botswana's diamond industry has recovered—the economy expanded 3.5 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026 and rough-diamond output surged in the second. Acting president and finance minister Ndaba Gaolathe has urged the country to use this reprieve to diversify away from dependence on diamonds, steering capital toward farms, factories, and tourism rather than relying on another diamond-market recovery.

    8 October 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. Indian explosives maker establishes Botswana subsidiary with $325,000

    Solar Industries India Limited has set up Solar Explochem Proprietary Limited in Botswana with an initial US$325,000 investment, holding a 65 percent stake through its Mauritian subsidiary. The venture targets mining, construction and blasting sectors, though the company has not disclosed prospective customers, revenue forecasts or operational timelines.

    8 October 2026 · Weekend Post →

Tuesday 6 October

  1. Mining surge drives 8.7% GDP growth in Q2 2026

    An 81.7 percent surge in mining lifted real economic growth to 8.7 percent in the second quarter, with diamond mining jumping 94.7 percent, though non-mining GDP declined 0.2 percent as manufacturing, agriculture and construction weakened.

    6 October 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  2. Economy grows 8.7% in Q2, second consecutive quarter of growth

    Statistics Botswana announced on Independence Day that the economy grew 8.7% in the second quarter, compared with a contraction of 5.2% in the same period last year. This marks the second consecutive quarter of growth, the first such occurrence since Q3–Q4 2023.

    6 October 2026 · Mmegi →

Monday 5 October

  1. Agro-economist urges BNF to champion living wage policy

    Dr Howard Sigwele, an agro-economist, is calling on the BNF to advocate for a living wage that enables workers to afford a decent standard of living during and after their working years, and to use parliamentary and council meetings to influence policy discussions on employment creation and economic diversification. His proposal comes as the government has adopted a P4,000 minimum wage for public servants.

    5 October 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. Nearly 6,000 secondary students with special education needs enrolled

    According to Statistics Botswana, nearly 6,000 students with special education needs were enrolled in secondary schools across all 10 education regions, with Central region recording the largest number at 1,809 and Chobe the lowest at eight students.

    5 October 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  3. Secondary enrolment rises, but completion rates lag SDG 4

    Botswana's secondary-school enrolment increased 2.8% to 190,453 students in 2021, with girls representing 51.8% of enrolment, yet data reveal gaps in student retention and completion that complicate the country's progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 on inclusive and equitable education.

    5 October 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Monday 28 September

  1. Botswana's diamond recovery stirs but masks deeper questions

    Botswana's diamond industry has rebounded after a slump, with the economy expanding 3.5 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026 and rough-diamond output surging in the second. However, acting president and finance minister Ndaba Gaolathe warned against treating the recovery as a transformation, calling for investment in farms, factories, and tourism rather than reliance on diamond market fluctuations.

    28 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. Botswana cuts 2026-27 budget deficit forecast sharply

    Botswana has reduced its projected budget deficit for the 2026-27 financial year to 9.26 billion pula (3.1% of GDP), down from 26.35 billion pula (8.9% of GDP) forecast in February, driven by stronger-than-expected Bank of Botswana revenue and spending controls. Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe cautioned that the result depends on controlling government spending and warned that the improvement should not obscure deeper structural strains on public finances.

    28 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 21 September

  1. Botswana's August inflation eases to 9.3 percent

    Botswana's annual inflation slowed marginally to 9.3 percent in August from 9.4 percent in July, according to Statistics Botswana's Consumer Price Index, though the figure remains well above the central bank's medium-term objective range as electricity and food costs continue to rise.

    21 September 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  2. Botswana's inflation barely falls; households still squeezed

    Botswana's annual inflation dipped to 9.3 percent in August—a 0.1 percentage-point decline from July—but transport, electricity, and food prices remain major pressures on consumers. An economist notes the marginal drop is "statistically real but economically negligible" as wages have not kept pace with rising costs.

    21 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

  3. Botswana records lowest marriage registrations in a decade

    Statistics Botswana's latest figures show just 4,517 marriages were registered in 2024, the lowest number in a decade and 41% below the 7,631 recorded in 2021. Batswana are delaying marriage or not marrying at all while continuing to fall in love, live together, and have children.

    21 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Monday 14 September

  1. National cattle herd shrinks by 105,623 over decade

    Botswana's national cattle herd declined to 1,638,543 in 2025 from 1,744,166 in 2015, a 6.1 percent contraction of 105,623 animals, according to the 2025 Agricultural Census by Statistics Botswana. The decline comes as cattle deaths have surged and raises questions about the resilience of the livestock sector.

    14 September 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Sunday 13 September

  1. Botswana's cattle herd declines to 1.64 million

    Botswana's cattle population fell to 1.64 million in 2025 from 1.74 million a decade earlier, a 6.1 percent decline, according to Statistics Botswana's 2025 Agricultural Census. The decline underlines pressure on a sector that remains important to Botswana's agricultural economy, even as commercial farmers expand their share of the national herd.

    13 September 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Thursday 10 September

  1. Botswana recorded 14,037 deaths in 2024

    Statistics Botswana recorded 14,037 deaths in 2024, up 3.9 percent from 13,508 deaths in 2023, with non-communicable diseases accounting for most deaths.

    10 September 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  2. Goat and sheep herds grow while cattle decline in Botswana

    The 2025 Agricultural Census found that the goat population increased 5.5 per cent and sheep population surged 33.3 per cent over the past decade, while the national cattle population dropped 6.1 per cent. The decline in cattle was driven by a 13.1 per cent plunge in traditional cattle holdings, offset partly by significant expansion in the commercial cattle subsector.

    10 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Tuesday 8 September

  1. Botswana records P2.3 billion merchandise trade deficit in June

    Botswana recorded a merchandise trade deficit of P2.3 billion in June 2026, with imports falling sharply but still exceeding largely unchanged exports, according to Statistics Botswana.

    8 September 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Wednesday 2 September

  1. Aircraft movements rise to 14,667 in first quarter

    Statistics Botswana figures show aircraft movements in the first quarter reached 14,667, up from 13,745 in the prior corresponding period. Sir Seretse Khama International accounted for 54% of total passengers in the quarter.

    2 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Monday 24 August

  1. Botswana's fertility rate falls below replacement level

    According to Statistics Botswana's 2024 Vital Statistics Report, Botswana's total fertility rate has fallen to 1.96 children per woman, below the replacement-level benchmark of 2.1, marking a potential demographic shift from previous decades of concern about job creation for youth.

    24 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  2. Botswana inflation drops to 9.4 percent in July

    Botswana's annual inflation rate fell to 9.4 percent in July 2026, down from 10.7 percent in June, driven by lower fuel prices, according to Statistics Botswana.

    24 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Botswana's inflation eases to 9.4% in July

    Botswana's annual inflation rate dropped to 9.4 percent in July from 10.7 percent in June, driven largely by government fuel price cuts that reduced transport costs, which accounted for 5.2 percentage points of the overall inflation rate.

    18 August 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 17 August

  1. Botswana inflation falls to 9.4% in July on fuel prices

    Botswana's annual inflation declined to 9.4 percent in July from 10.7 percent in June, driven by a sharp drop in fuel prices that reduced transport costs by 6.5 percent.

    17 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  2. Botswana's growing workforce poses jobs creation challenge ahead

    Botswana's working-age population (aged 15–64) is projected to rise to 67.6 percent of the total population by 2038 from 63.3 percent in 2023, creating a demographic dividend that will depend on the country's ability to generate jobs and raise productivity.

    17 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  3. Botswana faces skills drain as young workers seek opportunities abroad

    Botswana's labour market faces a growing skills challenge as young adults continue to leave the country for education, employment and professional opportunities. Statistics Botswana's Population Projections 2022–2038 show annual net migration is projected to fall from 2,449 people in 2023 to 1,204 by 2038.

    17 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Sunday 16 August

  1. Botswana's population projected to reach 2.95 million by 2038

    Botswana's population is expected to grow from 2.40 million in 2023 to 2.95 million by 2038, an increase of about 558,000 people at an average annual growth rate of 1.4%, with rapid urbanisation and an expanding working-age population expected to strain jobs, housing, and infrastructure.

    16 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  2. Botswana population projected to reach 3 million by 2038

    Botswana's population is projected to reach 2,954,519 people by 2038, a substantial increase from the 2,359,609 recorded in the 2022 Population and Housing Census, according to Statistics Botswana. The country is expected to become more urban, older, and increasingly concentrated around major economic centres.

    16 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Monday 3 August

  1. Botswana posts P3.2 billion trade deficit in May 2026

    Botswana recorded a trade deficit of P3.2 billion in May 2026, the country's second-largest deficit of the year, driven by falling diamond and copper exports even as imports also declined.

    3 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Statistics Botswana — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute