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.