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POPULATION

2.5m

CURRENCY

P (BWP)

CAPITAL CITY

Gaborone

Overview

Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, is known for its vast wilderness areas, abundant wildlife, and stable political environment. From the Okavango Delta to the Kalahari Desert, Botswana offers a unique safari experience and a wealth of natural beauty.

The country's economy is largely based on mining, particularly diamonds, with efforts underway to diversify the economy, improve infrastructure, and promote sustainable development. Botswana's stable political environment and sound economic policies make it an attractive destination for investment and tourism.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this content. It is not legal advice and shall not be relied on as such.

Local Employment Regulations

Last updated on March, 22nd, 2023

Employment Contracts

Employment contracts in Botswana may be written or oral and must include:

  • names of the employer and employee,

  • names and addresses of the next of kin of the employee,

  • workplace location,

  • responsibilities of the employer and employee,

  • contract duration,

  • salary details including amount, payment interval and bonuses,

  • notice period and any conditions related to terminating the contract, and

  • employee’s signature or thumbprint.

Working Hours

The standard workweek in Botswana is 48 hours a week over five or six days. Any work performed over 48 hours is considered overtime for which employees receive extra pay. Overtime is limited to 14 hours per week and is paid at 150% or 200% of the basic rate depending on when the overtime is performed.

Public Holidays

In Botswana, the public holidays are:

  • New Year's Day

  • 2nd January

  • Good Friday

  • Saturday following Good Friday

  • Easter Monday

  • Ascension Day

  • Labor Day

  • Sir Seretse Khama Day

  • President's Day

  • Tuesday following President's Day

  • Botswana Day

  • 1st October

  • Christmas Day

  • Boxing Day

Employment Termination/Severance

Employers must provide written notice and just cause when terminating a contract in Botswana. The notice period is equivalent to the pay period. Professional staff, like managers and executives, receive severance pay after 60 consecutive months of employment.

Compensation

Employers are not required to pay bonuses in Botswana but may elect to do so as part of their compensation package.

Population 2.5m

Population in total, including all residents regardless of legal status © 2024 - WBG • EUROSTAT

73.5%

Urban Population

81.4%

Internet access

61.4%

Banking access

100%

Mobile phone access

DATA SOURCES

Population: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), uri: https://population.un.org/wpp/, publisher: UN Population Division; Statistical databases and publications from national statistical offices, National Statistical Offices, uri: https://unstats.un.org/home/nso_sites/, publisher: National Statistical Offices; Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, Eurostat (ESTAT), uri: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database?node_code=earn_ses_monthly, publisher: Eurostat; Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), United Nations (UN), uri: https://unstats.un.org, publisher: UN Statistics Division

Urban Population: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN), uri: https://population.un.org/wup/, publisher: UN Population Division

Internet access: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, ITU (ITU), uri: https://datahub.itu.int/

Banking access: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • FINDEX, WBG (WB), uri: https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/globalfindex

Mobile phone access: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, ITU (ITU)

Social Protection & Benefits

Last updated on March, 22nd, 2023

Vacation Leave

Employees in Botswana receive 15 days of paid leave each year, eight of which should be taken within six months of the time that they were accrued. The remaining days can be accumulated for up to three years.

Sick Leave

Employees receive up to 14 days of paid sick leave in Botswana if they have a doctor’s certificate. The employee must inform the employer as soon as possible if they are absent from work for more than 24 hours.

Maternity/Paternity Leave

Female employees are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave in Botswana. Six weeks of maternity leave is taken before the expected due date and the remaining is taken after the birth. Maternity leave can be extended by two additional weeks if there is a pregnancy-related illness.

Health Insurance Benefits

Botswana has a universal healthcare system, but many employers still offer private options.

Unemployment 23.1%

Share of the labor force that is unemployed, but available for and seeking employment © 2024 - WBG • ILO

68.6%

Labor force population share

46.9%

Female share of labor force

55%

Healthcare access

DATA SOURCES

Unemployment: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), ILO (ILO), uri: https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/bulk/, publisher: ILOSTAT, type: external database, date accessed: January 07, 2025.

Labor force (total): The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • ILO (ILO), type: estimates based on external database; United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division; Staff estimates, WBG (WB)

Labor force population share: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), ILO (ILO), uri: https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/bulk/, publisher: ILOSTAT, type: external database, date accessed: January 07, 2025

Female share of labor force: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • ILO (ILO), type: estimates based on external database; United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division; Staff estimates, WBG (WB)

Healthcare access: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • GHO, WHO (WHO), uri: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/topics/service-coverage

         

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