- Six in 10 Batswana (59%) cite unemployment as the country’s most important problem that citizens want their government to address (Figure 1). o Health ranks a distant second (29%), followed by crime and security (20%), poverty/destitution (14%), education (13%), corruption (12%), and wages, incomes, and salaries (10%).
- Compared to 2019, there has been a modest decline in the proportion of citizens who cite unemployment as their policy priority (from 63% to 59%), while crime and security has risen in importance (+ 9 percentage points) (Figure 2). o In contrast, there have been significant declines in the proportion of citizens who prioritise poverty (-10 points) and education (-8 points).
- Young Batswana are more likely than senior citizens to express great concern about unemployment (66% among those aged 18-35 vs. 50% among those 56 and above) and education (16% vs. 9%) (Figure 3). Health and poverty are more urgent priorities for senior citizens.
- Compared to citizens with no formal schooling, the most educated are far more concerned about unemployment (70% vs. 41%) (Figure 4). Those with no education are more likely to mention poverty (26% vs. 9%), food shortage (9% vs. 2%), and agricultural issues (9% vs. 2%).
As Botswana prepares for its upcoming elections, a new Afrobarometer survey shows that unemployment is the citizens’ most pressing concern, far surpassing other issues such as health, crime, poverty, education, and corruption.
Over the past five years, unemployment has consistently topped the list of policy priorities Batswana want their government to address. Concerns around crime and security have also grown in importance.
The study shows that the issue of unemployment is particularly urgent for younger adults and educated citizens, while older Batswana place greater emphasis than youth on health care and poverty.
These findings offer critical insights into citizens’ expectation for the next government.
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