Botswana vs Zimbabwe
Botswana vs Zimbabwe: Median age
Median age in 2023: 22.9 years in Botswana and 17.8 years in Zimbabwe, by UN estimates. In 2023 the value was higher in Botswana, by 5.1 years, or 1.28 times that in Zimbabwe.
years · UN
What the numbers say
- Botswana has been higher since 1975, when it overtook Zimbabwe.
- In 2023, Botswana ranked 168 and Zimbabwe ranked 210 of 229 countries, counting from the highest.
- The UN projection (medium variant) puts Botswana at 41.3 years and Zimbabwe at 35.7 years in 2100.
- The world as a whole: 30.4 years in 2023.
Every year
years · UN
| Year | Botswana | Zimbabwe | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 22.9 | 17.8 | 30.4 |
| 2022 | 22.6 | 17.7 | 30.1 |
| 2021 | 22.4 | 17.5 | 29.8 |
| 2020 | 22.3 | 17.4 | 29.6 |
| 2019 | 22.1 | 17.2 | 29.3 |
| 2018 | 21.9 | 17 | 29 |
| 2017 | 21.8 | 16.9 | 28.8 |
| 2016 | 21.7 | 16.8 | 28.5 |
| 2015 | 21.7 | 16.7 | 28.3 |
| 2014 | 21.7 | 16.8 | 28.1 |
| 2013 | 21.7 | 16.9 | 27.8 |
| 2012 | 21.8 | 17 | 27.6 |
| 2011 | 21.7 | 17.2 | 27.4 |
| 2010 | 21.5 | 17.3 | 27.2 |
| 2009 | 21.2 | 17.4 | 27 |
| 2008 | 21 | 17.4 | 26.7 |
| 2007 | 20.7 | 17.5 | 26.5 |
| 2006 | 20.4 | 17.5 | 26.3 |
| 2005 | 20.1 | 17.5 | 26.1 |
| 2004 | 19.8 | 17.4 | 25.9 |
| 2003 | 19.6 | 17.2 | 25.7 |
| 2002 | 19.3 | 17.1 | 25.5 |
| 2001 | 19 | 16.9 | 25.3 |
| 2000 | 18.7 | 16.8 | 25.1 |
| 1999 | 18.4 | 16.6 | 24.9 |
| 1998 | 18 | 16.3 | 24.7 |
| 1997 | 17.7 | 16 | 24.4 |
| 1996 | 17.4 | 15.8 | 24.2 |
| 1995 | 17.2 | 15.5 | 24 |
| 1994 | 16.9 | 15.3 | 23.8 |
| 1993 | 16.7 | 15.1 | 23.5 |
| 1992 | 16.5 | 15.2 | 23.3 |
| 1991 | 16.3 | 15.3 | 23.1 |
| 1990 | 16.1 | 15.2 | 22.9 |
| 1989 | 16 | 15 | 22.8 |
| 1988 | 15.9 | 14.9 | 22.6 |
| 1987 | 15.8 | 14.9 | 22.4 |
| 1986 | 15.8 | 14.9 | 22.2 |
| 1985 | 15.7 | 14.8 | 22 |
| 1984 | 15.7 | 14.8 | 21.9 |
| 1983 | 15.7 | 14.7 | 21.8 |
| 1982 | 15.7 | 14.7 | 21.7 |
| 1981 | 15.7 | 14.7 | 21.6 |
| 1980 | 15.8 | 14.6 | 21.5 |
| 1979 | 15.8 | 14.5 | 21.3 |
| 1978 | 15.5 | 14.7 | 21.1 |
| 1977 | 15.3 | 14.8 | 21 |
| 1976 | 15.1 | 14.8 | 20.8 |
| 1975 | 14.9 | 14.8 | 20.7 |
| 1974 | 14.8 | 14.8 | 20.5 |
| 1973 | 14.6 | 14.8 | 20.4 |
| 1972 | 14.4 | 14.8 | 20.4 |
| 1971 | 14.3 | 14.7 | 20.3 |
| 1970 | 14.4 | 14.7 | 20.3 |
| 1969 | 14.5 | 14.7 | 20.3 |
| 1968 | 14.6 | 14.6 | 20.4 |
| 1967 | 14.8 | 14.6 | 20.5 |
| 1966 | 15 | 14.6 | 20.6 |
| 1965 | 15.2 | 14.5 | 20.8 |
| 1964 | 15.5 | 14.6 | 21 |
| 1963 | 15.8 | 14.8 | 21.2 |
| 1962 | 16.1 | 15 | 21.4 |
| 1961 | 16.4 | 15.1 | 21.4 |
| 1960 | 16.7 | 15.3 | 21.5 |
| 1959 | 16.9 | 15.4 | 21.5 |
| 1958 | 17.2 | 15.6 | 21.5 |
| 1957 | 17.3 | 15.8 | 21.6 |
| 1956 | 17.5 | 16 | 21.7 |
| 1955 | 17.6 | 16.2 | 21.8 |
| 1954 | 17.7 | 16.4 | 21.9 |
| 1953 | 17.8 | 16.7 | 22 |
| 1952 | 17.8 | 16.9 | 22.1 |
| 1951 | 17.9 | 17.2 | 22.1 |
| 1950 | 17.9 | 17.4 | 22.2 |
UN projection (medium variant) · 2024–2100
| Year | Botswana | Zimbabwe | World |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23.223.1–23.2 | 1817.9–18 | 30.6 |
| 2025 | 23.523.3–23.6 | 18.118–18.2 | 30.9 |
| 2026 | 23.723.5–24 | 18.318.1–18.4 | 31.1 |
| 2027 | 2423.7–24.3 | 18.518.3–18.7 | 31.3 |
| 2028 | 24.324–24.7 | 18.718.6–18.8 | 31.6 |
| 2029 | 24.624.2–25.1 | 1918.9–19 | 31.8 |
| 2030 | 24.924.4–25.5 | 19.219.2–19.2 | 32 |
| 2031 | 25.224.7–25.8 | 19.519.4–19.6 | 32.2 |
| 2032 | 25.524.9–26.2 | 19.819.6–19.9 | 32.4 |
| 2033 | 25.725.2–26.6 | 20.119.8–20.3 | 32.6 |
| 2034 | 2625.4–27 | 20.319.9–20.6 | 32.8 |
| 2035 | 26.325.6–27.3 | 20.620.1–21 | 33 |
| 2036 | 26.625.8–27.7 | 20.820.2–21.4 | 33.2 |
| 2037 | 26.826–28 | 21.120.3–21.8 | 33.4 |
| 2038 | 27.126.2–28.4 | 21.320.4–22.2 | 33.6 |
| 2039 | 27.426.4–28.7 | 21.520.4–22.5 | 33.8 |
| 2040 | 27.626.6–29.1 | 21.620.5–22.9 | 34 |
| 2041 | 27.926.8–29.5 | 21.820.5–23.2 | 34.2 |
| 2042 | 28.127–29.9 | 2220.6–23.6 | 34.4 |
| 2043 | 28.427.1–30.3 | 22.220.7–23.9 | 34.6 |
| 2044 | 28.727.3–30.7 | 22.420.8–24.2 | 34.8 |
| 2045 | 28.927.5–31.1 | 22.620.9–24.5 | 35 |
| 2046 | 29.227.8–31.4 | 22.821–24.8 | 35.2 |
| 2047 | 29.528–31.8 | 2321.1–25.2 | 35.4 |
| 2048 | 29.728.2–32.2 | 23.221.2–25.5 | 35.6 |
| 2049 | 3028.4–32.6 | 23.421.3–25.9 | 35.9 |
| 2050 | 30.328.6–33 | 23.621.5–26.2 | 36.1 |
| 2051 | 30.628.8–33.4 | 23.821.6–26.6 | 36.3 |
| 2052 | 30.929.1–33.8 | 2421.8–26.9 | 36.5 |
| 2053 | 31.229.2–34.1 | 24.322–27.2 | 36.7 |
| 2054 | 31.629.4–34.5 | 24.522.2–27.5 | 36.9 |
| 2055 | 31.929.7–34.9 | 24.722.4–27.8 | 37.1 |
| 2056 | 32.229.9–35.3 | 2522.5–28.1 | 37.3 |
| 2057 | 32.530.1–35.8 | 25.222.7–28.4 | 37.5 |
| 2058 | 32.830.3–36.4 | 25.522.9–28.7 | 37.6 |
| 2059 | 33.130.6–36.9 | 25.723.1–29 | 37.8 |
| 2060 | 33.430.8–37.4 | 2623.2–29.4 | 37.9 |
| 2061 | 33.731–38 | 26.223.4–29.7 | 38 |
| 2062 | 3431.2–38.5 | 26.523.5–30 | 38.1 |
| 2063 | 34.331.4–39.1 | 26.723.7–30.3 | 38.3 |
| 2064 | 34.531.5–39.6 | 2723.9–30.6 | 38.4 |
| 2065 | 34.831.7–40.1 | 27.224–31 | 38.5 |
| 2066 | 35.132–40.5 | 27.524.2–31.3 | 38.6 |
| 2067 | 35.332.2–41 | 27.724.4–31.6 | 38.7 |
| 2068 | 35.632.5–41.4 | 2824.5–31.9 | 38.8 |
| 2069 | 35.832.7–41.8 | 28.324.6–32.2 | 38.9 |
| 2070 | 3632.9–42.1 | 28.524.8–32.5 | 39 |
| 2071 | 36.333.1–42.4 | 28.824.9–32.9 | 39.1 |
| 2072 | 36.533.3–42.7 | 2925–33.2 | 39.2 |
| 2073 | 36.733.4–43 | 29.325.2–33.5 | 39.3 |
| 2074 | 36.933.6–43.4 | 29.525.3–33.8 | 39.4 |
| 2075 | 37.133.7–43.6 | 29.825.5–34.1 | 39.5 |
| 2076 | 37.233.9–43.8 | 30.125.6–34.4 | 39.6 |
| 2077 | 37.434.1–43.9 | 30.325.8–34.7 | 39.7 |
| 2078 | 37.634.2–44.1 | 30.625.9–35.1 | 39.8 |
| 2079 | 37.734.3–44.4 | 30.826.1–35.4 | 40 |
| 2080 | 37.934.4–44.6 | 31.126.2–35.7 | 40.1 |
| 2081 | 3834.6–44.7 | 31.326.4–36 | 40.2 |
| 2082 | 38.234.8–44.7 | 31.626.5–36.2 | 40.3 |
| 2083 | 38.434.9–44.7 | 31.826.6–36.4 | 40.4 |
| 2084 | 38.535.1–44.6 | 32.126.7–36.6 | 40.5 |
| 2085 | 38.735.2–44.6 | 32.326.9–36.9 | 40.6 |
| 2086 | 38.935.4–44.7 | 32.527–37.2 | 40.7 |
| 2087 | 3935.6–44.8 | 32.827.2–37.4 | 40.9 |
| 2088 | 39.235.8–44.8 | 3327.3–37.5 | 41 |
| 2089 | 39.335.9–44.9 | 33.227.4–37.7 | 41.1 |
| 2090 | 39.536–45.3 | 33.527.6–37.8 | 41.2 |
| 2091 | 39.736.1–45.7 | 33.727.7–38 | 41.3 |
| 2092 | 39.936.2–46.1 | 33.927.9–38.3 | 41.4 |
| 2093 | 40.136.3–46.5 | 34.128–38.5 | 41.5 |
| 2094 | 40.336.5–46.9 | 34.428.2–38.7 | 41.6 |
| 2095 | 40.436.6–47.3 | 34.628.3–38.9 | 41.7 |
| 2096 | 40.636.7–47.6 | 34.828.4–39 | 41.8 |
| 2097 | 40.836.9–48 | 3528.6–39.2 | 41.9 |
| 2098 | 4137.1–48.4 | 35.228.7–39.4 | 42 |
| 2099 | 41.137.2–48.8 | 35.528.8–39.5 | 42 |
| 2100 | 41.337.4–49.1 | 35.728.9–39.6 | 42.1 |
Each country on its own
Good to know
- Half the people are older than this age and half are younger.
- Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024.
- The dashed line is the UN projection (medium variant), a scenario rather than a forecast; the band is its 95% prediction interval.
- Ranks count the 229 countries with a value in 2023, highest first.
- The faint line is the world as a whole, as the same source counts it.
How the layers work, where their data comes from and what they can’t tell you: Countries through time
Botswana vs Zimbabwe
Health
- Life expectancyBotswana: 69.2 years in 2023Zimbabwe: 62.8 years in 2023
- Child mortalityBotswana: 3.3 per 100 live births in 2024Zimbabwe: 6.5 per 100 live births in 2024
- Infant mortalityBotswana: 28.4 per 1,000 live births in 2023Zimbabwe: 33.2 per 1,000 live births in 2023
- DepressionBotswana: 3.97% in 2017Zimbabwe: 3.19% in 2017
- Suicide rateBotswana: 10 per 100,000 people in 2017Zimbabwe: 26.4 per 100,000 people in 2017
People
- PopulationBotswana: 2.48 million people in 2023Zimbabwe: 16.3 million people in 2023
- Population growthBotswana: 1.64% a year in 2023Zimbabwe: 1.68% a year in 2023
- Fertility rateBotswana: 2.73 births per woman in 2023Zimbabwe: 3.72 births per woman in 2023
- Urban populationBotswana: 68% in 2025Zimbabwe: 40.5% in 2025
- People aged 65 and overBotswana: 4% in 2023Zimbabwe: 3.6% in 2023
- Net migration rateBotswana: -2.6 per 1,000 people in 2023Zimbabwe: -6 per 1,000 people in 2023
Economy
Education
Politics
Conflict
Military
- Military spendingBotswana: 3.11% of GDP in 2025Zimbabwe: 0.56% of GDP in 2025
- Military spending in US dollarsBotswana: $595M in 2025Zimbabwe: $134M in 2025
- Military spending per personBotswana: $242 in 2025Zimbabwe: $10 in 2025
- Military share of state spendingBotswana: 8.9% of government spending in 2025Zimbabwe: 5.3% of government spending in 2005
- Armed forces personnelBotswana: 9,000 people in 2020Zimbabwe: 51,000 people in 2020
- National powerBotswana: 0.02% of world capability in 2022Zimbabwe: 0.08% of world capability in 2022
- Armed forces, share of workersBotswana: 0.92% of the labour force in 2020Zimbabwe: 0.88% of the labour force in 2020
- Arms importsBotswana: 11 million TIV in 2024Zimbabwe: 20 million TIV in 2023