An Afrobarometer survey shows widespread dissatisfaction with government’s efforts to create jobs and improve economic conditions
GAZETTE REPORTER
Botswana’s unemployment crisis has emerged as one of the country’s biggest economic concerns, with a new Afrobarometer survey showing growing public dissatisfaction with government efforts to create jobs and improve livelihoods.
The survey reveals that employment creation remains the area where citizens rate government performance most negatively, reflecting deepening concerns over limited job opportunities, rising living costs and worsening economic pressures facing households.
JOB CREATION RECEIVES POOR RATING
According to the Afrobarometer report, 76% of Batswana rate government performance in creating jobs as “fairly badly” or “very badly”.
The findings suggest that citizens remain unconvinced that current economic interventions are producing enough employment opportunities, particularly for young people entering the labour market.
Afrobarometer states that employment creation continues to be a persistent challenge, with citizens expressing strong dissatisfaction with efforts to address unemployment.
The survey found that 55% of working-age Batswana between 18 and 65 years are unemployed and actively looking for work. This places Botswana among countries with some of the highest levels of job-seeking unemployment among the 38 African countries surveyed.
The report notes that across the surveyed countries, only about one-third of working-age adults have full-time or part-time jobs, while a similar proportion remain unemployed and searching for work.
YOUTH AND VULNERABLE GROUPS MOST AFFECTED
The report highlights that unemployment is particularly severe among young people and poorer households, who continue to face greater barriers in accessing employment opportunities.
Afrobarometer notes that citizens experiencing high levels of lived poverty are more likely to be unemployed.
Among working-age adults facing severe economic hardship, 44% are searching for employment, compared with between 17% and 38% among better-off citizens.
The findings indicate that unemployment is not only an economic challenge but also a major contributor to inequality and household insecurity.
GROWING CONCERNS OVER ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Public confidence in Botswana’s economic direction is also declining, according to the survey.
More than half of respondents, 55%, describe the country’s economic condition as “fairly bad” or “very bad”, while only 26% believe economic conditions are good.
HOUSEHOLD HARDSHIP DEEPENS
The survey highlights the extent to which economic challenges are affecting everyday life. About 82% of respondents said they or someone in their family went without cash income during the previous year.
Other reported hardships include going without medical care (55%), experiencing food shortages (47%), lacking clean water (47%), and going without cooking fuel (44%).
Afrobarometer says the findings show that economic struggles are directly affecting households rather than existing only in national economic indicators.
The results are expected to intensify calls for stronger job creation strategies, improved economic management and targeted interventions to support vulnerable communities. With unemployment remaining a dominant public concern, policymakers face increasing pressure to deliver tangible economic opportunities for citizens.