Population aging in Botswana: Trends and implications

Abstract

In 2001, Botswana had 36.6% of the total population below 15 years while the 65+ population is only 5%. The proportion of the economically active age group stood at 58%. The median age of the population has increased from 15.7 years in 1971 to 20.1 in 2001. However, the tempo1 of aging is rather slow. Botswana is favourably placed in terms of the so-called ‘demographic bonus’ invoked by the age structural transition. The proportion of economically active population now is more than half of the population - 58.4%, which is likely to increase to 70.1% in 2051. Although, there is the prospect of a retarded aging process, HIV/AIDS affects the intergenerational transfer payments substantially and hence a serious threat to the care of the aged. The bottom line is that it will take several years for sub-Saharan Africa to become an aged society. Key words: Population, Botswana, HIV/AIDS, age structural transition, demographic bonus and aging.