Adoption of communication technologies in Botswana
Botswana: Adoption of communication technologies was 83,182 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Adoption of communication technologies in Botswana, 1960–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adoption of communication technologies in Botswana is 83,182, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 7.4% on the previous year and down 50.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adoption of communication technologies in Botswana peaked at 174,165 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 400, in 1960.
That places Botswana 131st out of 212 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Adoption of communication technologies in Botswana, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 400 | — |
| 1961 | 400 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 400 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 400 | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 400 | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 1,200 | +200.0% |
| 1966 | 1,200 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 1,200 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 1,200 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 1,200 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 2,300 | +91.7% |
| 1971 | 2,300 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 2,300 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 2,300 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 2,300 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 4,700 | +104.3% |
| 1976 | 5,000 | +6.4% |
| 1977 | 5,500 | +10.0% |
| 1978 | 5,900 | +7.3% |
| 1979 | 6,400 | +8.5% |
| 1980 | 7,128 | +11.4% |
| 1981 | 7,812 | +9.6% |
| 1982 | 8,486 | +8.6% |
| 1983 | 9,459 | +11.5% |
| 1984 | 10,079 | +6.6% |
| 1985 | 10,576 | +4.9% |
| 1986 | 11,751 | +11.1% |
| 1987 | 14,591 | +24.2% |
| 1988 | 18,215 | +24.8% |
| 1989 | 22,195 | +21.9% |
| 1990 | 26,367 | +18.8% |
| 1991 | 32,607 | +23.7% |
| 1992 | 36,477 | +11.9% |
| 1993 | 43,487 | +19.2% |
| 1994 | 50,447 | +16.0% |
| 1995 | 59,673 | +18.3% |
| 1996 | 72,189 | +21.0% |
| 1997 | 85,592 | +18.6% |
| 1998 | 102,016 | +19.2% |
| 1999 | 123,819 | +21.4% |
| 2000 | 135,900 | +9.8% |
| 2001 | 148,155 | +9.0% |
| 2002 | 148,155 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 131,399 | -11.3% |
| 2004 | 131,774 | +0.3% |
| 2005 | 136,463 | +3.6% |
| 2006 | 132,034 | -3.2% |
| 2007 | 136,946 | +3.7% |
| 2008 | 142,282 | +3.9% |
| 2009 | 137,422 | -3.4% |
| 2010 | 137,422 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 149,578 | +8.8% |
| 2012 | 160,488 | +7.3% |
| 2013 | 174,165 | +8.5% |
| 2014 | 169,236 | -2.8% |
| 2015 | 160,490 | -5.2% |
| 2016 | 142,122 | -11.4% |
| 2017 | 141,207 | -0.6% |
| 2018 | 142,481 | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 142,587 | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 140,003 | -1.8% |
| 2021 | 93,811 | -33.0% |
| 2022 | 91,725 | -2.2% |
| 2023 | 89,785 | -2.1% |
| 2024 | 83,182 | -7.4% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 83,182 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 734,874, 11% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 83,182 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 56,011, 1.5× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Adoption of communication technologies in Botswana changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | +200.0% | 400 | 1,200 |
| 1975 | +104.3% | 2,300 | 4,700 |
| 1970 | +91.7% | 1,200 | 2,300 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 800 | 400 | 1,200 | 10 |
| 1970s | 3,900 | 2,300 | 6,400 | 10 |
| 1980s | 12,029 | 7,128 | 22,195 | 10 |
| 1990s | 63,267 | 26,367 | 123,819 | 10 |
| 2000s | 138,053 | 131,399 | 148,155 | 10 |
| 2010s | 151,978 | 137,422 | 174,165 | 10 |
| 2020s | 99,701 | 83,182 | 140,003 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More reference data data for Botswana
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0472 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.37 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0078 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.1582 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.0825 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 6.97 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 7.25 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0424 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adoption of communication technologies in Botswana?
- Adoption of communication technologies in Botswana was 83,182 in 2024, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 174,165 in 2013.
- What is the lowest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 400 in 1960.
- How does Botswana rank for adoption of communication technologies?
- Botswana ranks 131st out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is adoption of communication technologies rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 50.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Adoption of communication technologies. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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