Botswana population increases at a decreasing rate
On a downward trend since 1971 Families grow smaller To take approximately 58 years to double
The estimated population of Botswana from the 2022 Population and Housing Census is 2 346 179, a percentage increase of 16 percent from 2 024 904 registered in the 2011 Population and Housing Census.
According to Statistics Botswana that released preliminary results this week, at the current rate of growth, Botswana’s population will take approximately 58 years to reach double the current figure.
Statistician General, Dr. Burton Mguni said the estimated population is four percent lower than the projected figure of 2 446 163. Dr Mguni told the media this week that the population growth rate between the two censuses stands at 1.4 percent, a decline from the 1.9 percent in 2011 Population and Housing Census.
“It is worth noting that the current growth rate follows previous downward trends from 4.7 percent in 1971, 3.5 percent in 1981, and 2.4 percent in 1991 to 1.9 percent in 2011,” he said, adding that the population is increasing at a decreasing rate.
He added that at the current rate, it may seem like the growth rate is fast approaching zero percent. However, he assured that the population will continue to exist in Botswana.
Figures also indicate that families are growing smaller. The average annual household size is estimated at 3.3 persons per household, which is a 0.4 point drop from the 3.7 persons per household in 2011.
According to Dr. Mguni, among the drivers of population; fertility, mortality and migration, fertility is the main driver. Therefore, fertility has gone down.
Out of 64 villages, Mogoditshane population has surpassed that of Molepolole to become the largest village in Botswana with a population of 88 098 followed by Maun with 85 293 and Molepolole with 74 719. Villages with the least population are Morwa at 5 009, Charles Hill 5132 and Hukuntsi at 5 167. Gaborone, however, is said to have the highest density followed by Francistown and Selibe Phikwe, with Sowa as the lowest.
Dr. Mguni noted that the use of technology in the 2022 Census enabled preliminary results to be released within a short space of time of two weeks after completion of data collection. For previous census preliminary results came out after at least a month. The 2022 Census is the first to utilise digital technology for both cartography, that is, mapping and count so as to enhance the quality of the data and reduce the turnaround time towards releasing results. Dr. Mguni further noted that as a result, it was important to test all Information and Community Technology ( ICT) solutions related to fieldwork, daily data transfers to the repository, efficiency of connectivity, synchronisation, editing and tabulation applications. The Census is the first to generate public interest and discourse on social media - a thing that helped them to address queries and questions that were posed by members of the public, said Dr. Mguni. Also speaking at the dissemination session, Deputy Statistician General ( Economic and Social Statistics), Dr. Lucky Mokgatlhe concurred that the use of technology in the census including the use of Computer Assisted Personal Interview in enumerating, paid off.
He said that countries around the world that conducted their censuses in 2020/ 21 did so when the Covid- 19 scourge was at the peak.
“It was therefore imperative that Statistics Botswana also adopt innovative census operations and methodologies to adequately respond to reduced human movements as well as conform to all Covid protocols.”
Dr. Mokgatlhe said that a series of dissemination forums would be arranged to engage on the census results to ensure that all stakeholders are on board and the results are understood by all.