Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

be 8.0 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Rwanda, 2.5% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Botswana, that number is 19.9% of people as of 2020.

be 3.3 times more likely to be obese

In Rwanda, 5.8% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Botswana, that number is 18.9% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 5.8 times more money

Rwanda has a GDP per capita of $3,000 as of 2023, while in Botswana, the GDP per capita is $17,500 as of 2023.

be 57.9% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Rwanda, 38.2% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In Botswana, however, that number is 16.1% as of 2015.

pay a 16.7% lower top tax rate

Rwanda has a top tax rate of 30.0% as of 2016. In Botswana, the top tax rate is 25.0% as of 2016.

be 56.6% more likely to be unemployed

In Rwanda, 14.9% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Botswana, that number is 23.4% as of 2023.

Life

be 28.2% less likely to die during childbirth

In Rwanda, approximately 259.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Botswana, 186.0 women do as of 2020.

be 16.6% more likely to be literate

In Rwanda, the literacy rate is 75.9% as of 2021. In Botswana, it is 88.5% as of 2015.

have 25.9% fewer children

In Rwanda, there are approximately 26.4 babies per 1,000 people as of 2022. In Botswana, there are 19.6 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 50.0% more likely to have access to electricity

In Rwanda, approximately 51% of people have electricity access (98% in urban areas, and 38% in rural areas) as of 2022. In Botswana, that number is 76% of people on average (93% in urban areas, and 25% in rural areas) as of 2022.

be 2.5 times more likely to have internet access

In Rwanda, approximately 30.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Botswana, about 74.0% do as of 2021.

be 20.2% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Rwanda, approximately 83% of people have improved drinking water access (92% in urban areas, and 81% in rural areas) as of 2020. In Botswana, that number is 99% of people on average (98% in urban areas, and 97% in rural areas) as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 15.1% less on healthcare

Rwanda spends 7.3% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Botswana, that number is 6.2% of GDP as of 2020.

spend 2.3 times more on education

Rwanda spends 3.8% of its total GDP on education as of 2021. Botswana spends 8.7% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Botswana Unified Revenue Service, Rwanda Revenue Authority.

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

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