Botswana Fertility Rate
Total fertility rate SP.DYN.TFRT.IN
Botswana's fertility rate was 2.65 in 2025, ranked 64th globally. This represents a 2.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Botswana's fertility rate stood at 2.65 in 2025, a decline of +0.08 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.65 by 2025. Botswana ranked 64th globally.
Botswana’s fertility rate has fallen dramatically over the 65‑year series, sliding from a peak of 6.61 births per woman in 1974 to a trough of 2.65 in 2025, the latter placing the nation 64th globally. The early post‑independence period saw fertility well above the regional average, but successive declines accelerated after the 1990s as urbanisation, expanded education, and greater access to reproductive health services took hold. By 2025 the rate is virtually identical to that of Egypt (2.66) and only marginally above Algeria’s 2.64, reflecting a convergence with other middle‑income African states that have moved beyond the high‑fertility stage of the demographic transition. The long‑term downward trajectory suggests that, barring a reversal in policy or a significant socioeconomic shock, Botswana is likely to continue edging toward replacement‑level fertility in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Fertility Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 2.61 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.65 | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.65 | −0.08 | #64 |
| 2023 | 2.73 | −0.05 | #153 |
| 2022 | 2.79 | −0.04 | #152 |
| 2021 | 2.83 | −0.03 | #153 |
| 2020 | 2.86 | −0.04 | #152 |
| 2019 | 2.91 | −0.03 | #153 |
| 2018 | 2.94 | −0.03 | #153 |
| 2017 | 2.97 | −0.02 | #150 |
| 2016 | 2.99 | −0.02 | #147 |
| 2015 | 3.01 | −0.02 | #146 |
| 2014 | 3.03 | −0.02 | #146 |
| 2013 | 3.05 | −0.02 | #149 |
| 2012 | 3.07 | −0.03 | #146 |
| 2011 | 3.10 | −0.03 | #147 |
| 2010 | 3.14 | +0.00 | #147 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Botswana matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw fertility rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Botswana's fertility rate was 2.65 in 2025. Ranked 64th globally. This represents a 2.9% decrease from the previous year.
Botswana's fertility rate peaked at 6.61 in 1974.
The lowest fertility rate in Botswana was 2.65 in 2025.
Botswana ranks 64th globally in fertility rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.DYN.TFRT.IN. Data sourced from World Bank.
Botswana's fertility rate is projected to reach 2.65 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fertility rate of Botswana in 2025 was 2.65. This ranks 64th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_botswana_fertility-rate,
title = {Botswana Fertility Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/botswana/fertility-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}