Botswana: How does this landlocked nation located in Southern Africa perform in leading international rankings on economic competitiveness and environmental sustainability? How well does its nation brand perform in comparison to other countries in the region?
Let’s explore what international rankings and indices have to say about Botswana in terms of its economic performance, sustainability, country brand strength, soft power, and reputation.
Let’s take a closer look at:
- Botswana’s soft power and country brand strength
- Its appeal to skilled labour, investors, and visitors
- The country’s global contribution to peace and well-being
- How well it fares in terms of happiness and sustainability
Soft Power and Brand Strength
In the Global Soft Power Index 2024 by Brand Finance, Botswana ranks 147th, a significant drop of 51 positions, with a score decrease of -6.2. When compared to its neighbours, Zimbabwe (127th), Zambia (113th), and Namibia (133rd), its Soft Power is similar, with the exception of South Africa (43rd).
The Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brand Index (NBI) calculates its ranking based on averaging the scores of six factors: exports, governance, tourism, culture, people, and immigration. According to the NBI 2023, it ranks 60th, a slight decline by one position.
Appeal to Talent, Business, Trade, and Travel
The UNCTAD World Investment Report 2023 reveals that the nation’s FDI inflows for 2023 were 198 million USD, a decrease of 510 million USD from the previous year. FDI outflows were negative, at -38 million USD, showing a decrease of 48 million USD.
The Country Brand Ranking Trade Edition 2024-2025 places Botswana 83rd globally and 12th regionally, reflecting its stable trade environment. Within the region, it ranks better than Zimbabwe (30th), Namibia (29th), and Zambia (22nd), but behind South Africa (1st).
However, in the Country Brand Ranking Tourism Edition 2024-2025, Botswana ranks 121st globally and 16th regionally, marking a slight improvement of two positions. Amongst its neighbours, it is behind Namibia (12th) and Zambia (15th), but ahead of Zimbabwe (28th).
Botswana ranks 55th in the IMD 2024 World Competitiveness Ranking, improving four positions. The country ranks 64th in Economic Performance, 38th in Government Efficiency, 47th in Business Efficiency, and 57th in Infrastructure.
It ranks 73rd in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023, improving by four positions. As an upper-middle-income country, it continues to develop its capabilities in attracting and retaining talent.
Botswana also ranks 93rd in the Numbeo Country Cost of Living Index, indicating its relative affordability compared to other countries.
According to the World University Rankings 2024, there are two universities in the 1201-1500 bracket: The University of Botswana and Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST).
Sustainability Performance
Botswana ranks 66th in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024, indicating a need for continued focus on environmental sustainability. Regionally, it ranks 3rd, showcasing its relative strength in this area.
The Sustainable Development Report 2024 ranks it 114th, an improvement of four positions, reflecting some progress in achieving sustainable development goals.
How “Good” is Botswana?
The CAF World Giving Index 2023 ranks the country 108th, with 73% of the population helping a stranger, 10% donating money, and 15% volunteering.
In the Good Country Index, it ranks 125th overall. The country performs well by categories in Culture (60th), Prosperity and Equality (81st), Planet and Climate (101st), and International Peace and Security (105th). However, there is room for improvement in World Order (127th), Science and Technology (130th), and Health and Wellbeing (150th).
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Democracy Index 2023, the nation ranks 33rd, reflecting a slight decline by one position.
The 2023 Corruption Perception Index ranks Botswana 39th, showing no change, highlighting its consistent efforts in combating corruption.
Peace and Happiness
The Global Peace Index 2024 ranks Botswana 50th, showing a slight decline of three positions. Regionally, it ranks 3rd, reflecting its relatively stable and peaceful environment.
The Global Terrorism Index 2024 places it at 89th, improving by five positions, indicating its low exposure to terrorism.
The World Happiness Report 2024 ranks the nation 137th, a decline of five positions. The report highlights that across different age groups, happiness levels remain low, with the country ranking 133rd in both the The Young and Lower Middle categories, and 140th in the Upper Middle and The Old categories.
Last updated in August 2024. Find more country profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Botswana’s economic and cultural landscape and facilitate comparison over time. While we strive for accuracy and completeness, we are not responsible for any typographical errors or inaccuracies. The data is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. Users should verify any information before relying on it for decision-making purposes.
