Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%) in Botswana
Botswana: Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%) was 20.4% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in Botswana, 2015–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in %.
Analysis
Botswana recorded 20.4% for prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in 2024.
The figure is down 12.4% on the previous year and up 10.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in Botswana peaked at 26.7% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 18.4%, in 2015.
That places Botswana 19th out of 128 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%) in Botswana, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 18.4% | — |
| 2016 | 21.5% | +16.8% |
| 2017 | 22.8% | +6.0% |
| 2018 | 23.1% | +1.3% |
| 2019 | 23.7% | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 25.4% | +7.2% |
| 2021 | 26.7% | +5.1% |
| 2022 | 26.6% | -0.4% |
| 2023 | 23.3% | -12.4% |
| 2024 | 20.4% | -12.4% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 20.4% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.7%, 4.4× the median. (40 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 20.4% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 17.0%, 1.2× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 21.9% | 18.4% | 23.7% | 5 |
| 2020s | 24.5% | 20.4% | 26.7% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
More health data for Botswana
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.75 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.2265 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 281 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 0.6484 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0579 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.9109 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0591 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in Botswana?
- Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population in Botswana was 20.4% in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 26.7% in 2021.
- What is the lowest prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.4% in 2015.
- How does Botswana rank for prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population?
- Botswana ranks 19th out of 128 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 10.9%. 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 (FAO), published as part of Prevalence of severe food insecurity in the population (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The percentage of people in the population who live in households classified as severely food insecure. A household is classified as severely food insecure when at least one adult in the household has reported to have been exposed, at times during the year, to several of the most severe experiences described in the FIES questions, such as to have been forced to reduce the quantity of the food, to have skipped meals, having gone hungry, or having to go for a whole day without eating because of a lack of money or other resources.