Unemployment in Botswana has risen sharply over the past decade, with the total number of jobless citizens increasing by 45 percent, Parliament has been told.
Responding to a question from Bobirwa MP Taolo Lucas, Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe said preliminary results from the 2024/25 Botswana Multi-Topic Household Survey (BMTHS) show that the number of unemployed persons has climbed to 213,437, up from 147,206 recorded in 2015/16.
The figures, compiled by Statistics Botswana, also indicate that unemployment has been on an upward trajectory both in the short-term quarterly data and in long-term benchmark surveys.
According to the Quarterly Multi-Topic Survey (QMTS), the national unemployment rate stood at 27.1 percent in the first quarter of 2024 (January to March). The broader quarterly trend shows unemployment rising from 21.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 25.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023 which is an increase of four percentage points.
On the long-term benchmark comparison, the 2024/25 BMTHS estimates the unemployment rate at 21.0 percent among persons aged 15 years and above. This is up from 17.6 percent recorded in the 2015/16 BMTHS — representing a 3.4 percentage point increase over the period.
On job creation targets, the Minister said generating between 450,000 and 500,000 jobs over the next four years would require higher investment levels and accelerated economic diversification. Government is banking on the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) and the Twelfth National Development Plan (NDP 12) to drive a private sector-led growth model.
The Minister emphasised that while methodologies differ between the quarterly and benchmark surveys, both datasets confirm that unemployment is increasing.Despite the rise in unemployment, discouraged job seekers -those who have stopped actively looking for work-declined significantly. Preliminary results show discouraged job seekers fell to 88,671 in 2024/25, down from 133,276 in 2015/16, a decrease of 33.5 percent. Government attributed this to more individuals re-entering the labour market to actively seek employment.
On job creation targets, the Minister said generating between 450,000 and 500,000 jobs over the next four years would require higher investment levels and accelerated economic diversification. Government is banking on the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) and the Twelfth National Development Plan (NDP 12) to drive a private sector-led growth model.
The BETP has identified 186 projects across six economic priorities and three social sectors, with projected cumulative investment of P514 billion and the potential to create 512,000 jobs.
However, the Minister acknowledged that while employment levels have grown over time, labour force growth continues to outpace job creation- placing sustained upward pressure on unemployment.
Government maintains that with disciplined implementation of reforms and successful attraction of private capital, the ambitious employment targets remain achievable.
