Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Botswana
Botswana: Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished was 26.1 percent in 2023. ▲ Rising
Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Botswana, 2015–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in percent.
Analysis
In 2023, share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Botswana stood at 26.1 percent.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.9% on the previous year and up 41.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Botswana peaked at 26.7 percent in 2021 and was at its lowest, 18.4 percent, in 2015.
That places Botswana 11th out of 125 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 21.9 percent | 18.4 percent | 23.7 percent | 5 |
| 2020s | 26.2 percent | 25.4 percent | 26.7 percent | 4 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More reference data data for Botswana
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Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Botswana?
- Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Botswana was 26.1 percent in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 26.7 percent in 2021.
- What is the lowest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.4 percent in 2015.
- How does Botswana rank for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished?
- Botswana ranks 11th out of 125 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 41.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Both metrics indicate that someone does not get enough food (in terms of calories) to eat: these metrics should be strongly correlated. Severe food insecurity is measured based on food security questionnaires among households. Undernourishment is based on estimates of actual calorie intake across the population.