If you lived in Botswana instead of Russia, you would:

Health

be 18.2% less likely to be obese

In Russia, 23.1% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Botswana, that number is 18.9% of people as of 2016.

be 16.6 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Russia, 1.2% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2017. In Botswana, that number is 19.9% of people as of 2020.

live 6.8 years less

In Russia, the average life expectancy is 72 years (67 years for men, 78 years for women) as of 2022. In Botswana, that number is 66 years (64 years for men, 68 years for women) as of 2022.

Economy

make 56.0% less money

Russia has a GDP per capita of $39,800 as of 2023, while in Botswana, the GDP per capita is $17,500 as of 2023.

be 7.0 times more likely to be unemployed

In Russia, 3.3% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Botswana, that number is 23.4% as of 2023.

be 46.4% more likely to live below the poverty line

In Russia, 11.0% live below the poverty line as of 2021. In Botswana, however, that number is 16.1% as of 2015.

pay a 92.3% higher top tax rate

Russia has a top tax rate of 13.0% as of 2016. In Botswana, the top tax rate is 25.0% as of 2016.

Life

have 2.3 times more children

In Russia, there are approximately 8.4 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Botswana, there are 19.6 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

be 13.3 times more likely to die during childbirth

In Russia, approximately 14.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Botswana, 186.0 women do as of 2020.

be 11.2% less likely to be literate

In Russia, the literacy rate is 99.7% as of 2018. In Botswana, it is 88.5% as of 2015.

be 3.9 times more likely to die during infancy

In Russia, approximately 6.4 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Botswana, on the other hand, 25.2 children do as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 24.1% less likely to have access to electricity

In Russia, approximately 100% of the population has electricity access as of 2022. In Botswana, 76% of the population do as of 2022.

be 15.9% less likely to have internet access

In Russia, approximately 88.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Botswana, about 74.0% do as of 2021.

Expenditures

spend 18.4% less on healthcare

Russia spends 7.6% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Botswana, that number is 6.2% of GDP as of 2020.

spend 2.4 times more on education

Russia spends 3.7% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. Botswana spends 8.7% of total GDP on education as of 2020.


The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: Federal Tax Service of Russia, The World Factbook, Botswana Unified Revenue Service.

Botswana: At a glance

Botswana is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 566,730 sq km. Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. More than four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.
Read more

How big is Botswana compared to Russia? See an in-depth size comparison.

Share this

ASK THE ELSEWHERE COMMUNITY

Join the Elsewhere community and ask a question about Botswana.or Russia It's a free, question-and-answer based forum to discuss what life is like in countries and cities around the world.