Population

The population of Botswana is 1.8 million and is growing at the rate 3.5% per annum. The population is heavily skewed towards the urban areas such as Gaborone, Francistown, Selibe Phikwe, and Lobatse. The population of Gaborone is almost 250 000 people. Botswana has a small population size compared to most SADC countries, which has necessitated the government to consider an export led industry.

All indigenous citizens are known as Batswana (single Motswana). The majority of the population are Setswana, of which there are eight recognised sub-groups: Bamangwaro, Batawana, Bakgatla, Bakwena, Bangwakeste, Bamalete, Barolong and Batlokwa. In Setswana the names of all indigenous communities (whether Tswana or non-Tswana) have the prefix 'Ba' added at the beginning of the word.

Languages

Languages include Setswana, English and a variety of minority languages. However, English is the official language for education, business and government and is widely spoken by the general population.