Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

be 25.7% less likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Swaziland, 26.8% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Botswana, that number is 19.9% of people as of 2020.

live 6.0 years longer

In Swaziland, the average life expectancy is 60 years (58 years for men, 62 years for women) as of 2022. In Botswana, that number is 66 years (64 years for men, 68 years for women) as of 2022.

be 14.5% more likely to be obese

In Swaziland, 16.5% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Botswana, that number is 18.9% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 65.1% more money

Swaziland has a GDP per capita of $10,600 as of 2023, while in Botswana, the GDP per capita is $17,500 as of 2023.

be 37.9% less likely to be unemployed

In Swaziland, 37.6% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Botswana, that number is 23.4% as of 2023.

be 72.7% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Swaziland, 58.9% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In Botswana, however, that number is 16.1% as of 2015.

pay a 24.2% lower top tax rate

Swaziland has a top tax rate of 33.0% as of 2016. In Botswana, the top tax rate is 25.0% as of 2016.

Life

be 57.4% less likely to die during childbirth

In Swaziland, approximately 437.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2017. In Botswana, 186.0 women do as of 2020.

be 36.5% less likely to die during infancy

In Swaziland, approximately 39.6 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.

have 12.1% fewer children

In Swaziland, there are approximately 22.3 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Botswana, there are 19.6 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 25.4% more likely to have internet access

In Swaziland, approximately 59.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Botswana, about 74.0% do as of 2021.

be 23.8% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Swaziland, approximately 80% of people have improved drinking water access (98% in urban areas, and 75% 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 74.0% more on education

Swaziland spends 5.0% 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: Swaziland Revenue Authority, 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.
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How big is Botswana compared to Swaziland? See an in-depth size comparison.

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