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Botswana

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Crime

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Death penalty in use

  • Total prison population: 5890 prisoners
  • Crime trend: Crime is rising

Crime rates

This section records official crime figures only. Reported statistics are normally lower than the actual figures.

President Mogae warned of a "crime wave" in 1999. Diamond smuggling remains a major concern. Human rights are generally respected.

Defence

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No compulsory military service

  • Annual defense budget: $254m

BOTSWANAN ARMED FORCES

  • Army: 60 light tanks (30 Scorpion, 30 SK-105 Kuerassier) (5800 personnel)
  • Navy: None (None)
  • Air force: 30 combat aircraft (F-5A, F-5B) (500 personnel)
  • Nuclear capability: None

The majority of officers in the Botswana Defense Force have been trained by the US. The force runs one of Africa's toughest antipoaching programs.

Economics

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Inflation 9% p.a. (1990–2001)

  • Gross National Product (GNP): $5.15bn

Score card

  • World GNP ranking: 114th
  • GNP per capita: $3010
  • Balance of payments: –$47.2bn
  • Inflation: 9.2%
  • Unemployment: 16%

Exports

This pie chart gives a broad picture of the country's principal export trading partners.

Imports

This pie chart gives a broad picture of the country's principal import trading partners.

Economic performance indicator

This graph shows year-on-year variations in GDP and consumer prices.

Strengths

Diamonds; party to Kimberley Process (curbs flow of gems from conflict areas). Recent economic growth among highest in world. Prudent management, large financial reserves, exchange control liberalization. Exports: copper, nickel, beef. Highly competitive. Tourism potential. Relatively low corruption.

Weaknesses

AIDS. Overdependence on diamonds. Agriculture and industry weak. Small population. Water shortages. Impact of cattle farming on land. Unemployment. Economic migrants from Zimbabwe. High costs of transportation to coast.