Updated
Overview
Zambia has 8.6 times the population of Botswana: 21.91 million people against 2.56 million (2025).
Zambia's economy is about 45% larger than Botswana's, at $28.88B versus $19.93B.
Per person, Botswana is the wealthier of the two: $7,778 against $1,318 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Zambia | Botswana | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $28.88B | $19.93B | 2025 | $26.33B / $19.40B |
| GDP per capita | $1,318 | Higher: $7,778 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.8% | -0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 13.9% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | 15.0% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 5.9% | 24.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 30 | 38 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $170 | Higher: $483 | 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $50 | Higher: $139 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 21.91 million | 2.56 million | 2025 | 22.02 million / 2.52 million |
| Population growth | 2.8% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 17.9 yrs | 23.4 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.97 | 2.66 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 66.5 yrs | Higher: 69.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 46% | 68% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 17% | Higher: 57% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 752,612 km² | 582,000 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 29.1/km² | 4.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12 Mt | Lower: 7.46 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 3.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $349.67M | $567.82M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 2.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 16,000 | 9,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Zambia grew while the other economy contracted: 3.8% against -0.7%.
Zambia runs the hotter price environment: 13.9% inflation versus 2.7%.
Average monthly earnings favour Botswana: $483 against $170 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Zambia is the younger society: median age 17.9 versus 23.4 years.
Life expectancy is 2.8 years longer in Botswana (69.3 vs 66.5).
Botswana is considerably more urbanized: 68% of people live in cities, against 46%.
Internet adoption is higher in Botswana (57% vs 17% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Zambia is 29% larger than Botswana: 752,612 km² versus 582,000 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Zambia is far more densely settled: 29 people per km² against 4.
Military
Botswana spends about 60% more on defence than Zambia: $567.82M versus $349.67M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Botswana carries the heavier military burden: 2.8% of GDP versus 1.3%.
Zambia fields the larger armed forces: 16,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Zambia bigger than Botswana?
- Zambia is larger by land area. Zambia covers 752,612 km² while Botswana covers 582,000 km², so Zambia is 29% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Zambia or Botswana?
- Zambia has the larger population: 21.91 million versus 2.56 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Zambia richer than Botswana?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Botswana is richer: $7,778 against $1,318. Total GDP tells a different story: $28.88B for Zambia versus $19.93B for Botswana.
- Who spends more on their military, Zambia or Botswana?
- Botswana spends more: $567.82M versus $349.67M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).