Updated
Overview
Zimbabwe has 6.6 times the population of Botswana: 16.95 million people against 2.56 million (2025).
Zimbabwe's economy is 2.6 times the size of Botswana's, at $51.22B versus $19.93B.
Per person, Botswana is the wealthier of the two: $7,778 against $3,021 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Zimbabwe | Botswana | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $51.22B | $19.93B | 2025 | $44.19B / $19.40B |
| GDP per capita | $3,021 | Higher: $7,778 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.1% | -0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 104.7% | Lower: 2.7% | 2022 / 2025 | — / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 9.3% | 24.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 56 | 38 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $483 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $139 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 16.95 million | 2.56 million | 2025 | 17.47 million / 2.52 million |
| Population growth | 1.9% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 18.1 yrs | 23.4 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.62 | 2.66 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 63.1 yrs | Higher: 69.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 40% | 68% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 42% | Higher: 57% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 390,757 km² | 582,000 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 43.4/km² | 4.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 14 Mt | Lower: 7.46 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.8 t | 3.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $98.39M | $567.82M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.4% | 2.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 51,000 | 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
Zimbabwe grew while the other economy contracted: 8.1% against -0.7%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Zimbabwe at 104.7%, while the other economy sits at 2.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Botswana: a price level of 38 versus 56 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Zimbabwe is the younger society: median age 18.1 versus 23.4 years.
Life expectancy is 6.2 years longer in Botswana (69.3 vs 63.1).
Botswana is considerably more urbanized: 68% of people live in cities, against 40%.
Internet adoption is higher in Botswana (57% vs 42% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Zimbabwe is 33% smaller than Botswana: 390,757 km² versus 582,000 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Zimbabwe is far more densely settled: 43 people per km² against 4.
Military
Botswana spends 5.8 times as much on defence as Zimbabwe: $567.82M versus $98.39M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Botswana carries the heavier military burden: 2.8% of GDP versus 0.4%.
Zimbabwe fields the larger armed forces: 51,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Zimbabwe bigger than Botswana?
- Botswana is larger by land area. Zimbabwe covers 390,757 km² while Botswana covers 582,000 km², so Botswana is 49% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Zimbabwe or Botswana?
- Zimbabwe has the larger population: 16.95 million versus 2.56 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Zimbabwe richer than Botswana?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Botswana is richer: $7,778 against $3,021. Total GDP tells a different story: $51.22B for Zimbabwe versus $19.93B for Botswana.
- Who spends more on their military, Zimbabwe or Botswana?
- Botswana spends more: $567.82M versus $98.39M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).