Capital

Botsuana

name: Gaborone

geographic coordinates: 24 38 S, 25 54 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: named after GABORONE (ca. 1825-1931), a revered kgosi (chief) of the Tlokwa tribe, part of the larger Tswana ethnic group

Lesotho

name: Maseru

geographic coordinates: 29 19 S, 27 29 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: in the Sesotho language the name means "[place of] red sandstones"

Nepal

name: Kathmandu

geographic coordinates: 27 43 N, 85 19 E

time difference: UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: name derives from the Kasthamandap temple that stood in Durbar Square; in Sanskrit, kastha means "wood" and mandapa means "pavilion"; the three-story structure was made entirely of wood, without iron nails or supports, and dated to the late 16th century; it collapsed during a 2015 earthquake

Citizenship

Botsuana

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Botswana

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Lesotho

citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Nepal

citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years

Legal system

Botsuana

mixed legal system of civil law influenced by the Roman-Dutch model and also customary and common law

Lesotho

mixed legal system of English common law and Roman-Dutch law; judicial review of legislative acts in High Court and Court of Appeal

Nepal

English common law and Hindu legal concepts; note - new criminal and civil codes came into effect on 17 August 2018

Suffrage

Botsuana

18 years of age; universal

Lesotho

18 years of age; universal

Nepal

18 years of age; universal

Area

Botsuana

total: 581,730 sq km

land: 566,730 sq km

water: 15,000 sq km

Lesotho

total: 30,355 sq km

land: 30,355 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Nepal

total: 147,181 sq km

land: 143,351 sq km

water: 3,830 sq km

Land use

Botsuana

agricultural land: 45.8% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0.6% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 45.2% (2018 est.)

forest: 19.8% (2018 est.)

other: 34.4% (2018 est.)

Lesotho

agricultural land: 76.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 10.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 65.9% (2018 est.)

forest: 1.5% (2018 est.)

other: 22.4% (2018 est.)

Nepal

agricultural land: 28.8% (2018 est.)

arable land: 15.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 12.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 25.4% (2018 est.)

other: 45.8% (2018 est.)

Location

Botsuana

Southern Africa, north of South Africa

Lesotho

Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa

Nepal

Southern Asia, between China and India

Age structure

Botsuana

0-14 years: 29.17% (male 355,951/female 349,283)

15-64 years: 64.88% (male 745,327/female 823,267)

65 years and over: 5.95% (2023 est.) (male 57,876/female 85,892)

Lesotho

0-14 years: 32.4% (male 360,327/female 355,863)

15-64 years: 62.21% (male 688,373/female 686,911)

65 years and over: 5.39% (2023 est.) (male 44,313/female 74,859)

Nepal

0-14 years: 26.32% (male 4,175,742/female 3,956,153)

15-64 years: 67.52% (male 10,016,748/female 10,846,101)

65 years and over: 6.16% (2023 est.) (male 930,510/female 974,189)

Birth rate

Botsuana

20 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Lesotho

23 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Nepal

17.3 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Death rate

Botsuana

9 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Lesotho

10.9 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Nepal

5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Languages

Botsuana

Setswana 77.3%, Sekalanga 7.4%, Shekgalagadi 3.4%, English (official) 2.8%, Zezuru/Shona 2%, Sesarwa 1.7%, Sembukushu 1.6%, Ndebele 1%, other 2.8% (2011 est.)

Lesotho

Sesotho (official) (southern Sotho), English (official), Phuthi, Xhosa, Zulu

Nepal

Nepali (official) 44.9%, Maithali 11.1%, Bhojpuri 6.2%, Tharu 5.9%, Tamang 4.9%, Bajjika 3.9%, Avadhi 3%, Nepalbhasha (Newari) 3%, Magar Dhut 2.8%, Doteli 1.7%, Urdu 1.4%, Yakthung/Limbu 1.2%, Gurung 1.1%, other 8.9%; note - 123 languages reported as mother tongue in 2021 national census; many in government and business also speak English (2021 est.)

major-language sample(s):
विश्व तथ्य पुस्तक,आधारभूत जानकारीको लागि अपरिहार्य स्रोत (Nepali)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Life expectancy at birth

Botsuana

total population: 66 years (2023 est.)

male: 64 years

female: 68.2 years

Lesotho

total population: 59.9 years (2023 est.)

male: 57.9 years

female: 62 years

Nepal

total population: 72.7 years (2023 est.)

male: 72 years

female: 73.4 years

Major urban areas - population

Botsuana

269,000 GABORONE (capital) (2018)

Lesotho

202,000 MASERU (capital) (2018)

Nepal

1.571 million KATHMANDU (capital) (2023)

Median age

Botsuana

total: 26.8 years (2023 est.)

male: 25.6 years

female: 27.9 years

Lesotho

total: 23.7 years (2023 est.)

male: 23.2 years

female: 24.2 years

Nepal

total: 27.1 years (2023 est.)

male: 26 years

female: 28.1 years

Lesotho

20.9 years (2014 est.)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

Nepal

20.4 years (2016 est.)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

Net migration rate

Botsuana

2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Lesotho

-4.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Nepal

-4.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Population distribution

Botsuana

the population is primarily concentrated in the east with a focus in and around the captial of Gaborone, and the far central-eastern city of Francistown; population density remains low in other areas in the country, especially in the Kalahari to the west as shown in this population distribution map

Lesotho

relatively higher population density in the western half of the nation, with the capital of Maseru, and the smaller cities of Mafeteng, Teyateyaneng, and Leribe attracting the most people as shown in this population distribution map

Nepal

most of the population is divided nearly equally between a concentration in the southern-most plains of the Tarai region and the central hilly region; overall density is quite low

Population growth rate

Botsuana

1.37% (2023 est.)

Lesotho

0.76% (2023 est.)

Nepal

0.74% (2023 est.)

Total fertility rate

Botsuana

2.37 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Lesotho

2.88 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Nepal

1.88 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Urbanization

Botsuana

urban population: 72.9% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 2.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Lesotho

urban population: 30.4% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Nepal

urban population: 21.9% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 3.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Education expenditures

Botsuana

8.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

Lesotho

8.7% of GDP (2021 est.)

Nepal

4.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

Botsuana

total: 12 years

male: 12 years

female: 12 years (2021)

Lesotho

total: 12 years

male: 12 years

female: 13 years (2017)

Nepal

total: 13 years

male: 13 years

female: 13 years (2020)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

Botsuana

-1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Lesotho

-6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Nepal

-0.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

Botsuana

19.38% (2021 est.)

Lesotho

8.52% (2021 est.)

Nepal

4.51% (2021 est.)

Labor force

Botsuana

1.05 million (2021 est.)

Lesotho

955,600 (2021 est.)

Nepal

16.884 million (2021 est.)

note: severe lack of skilled labor

Population below poverty line

Botsuana

19.3% (2009 est.)

Lesotho

49.7% (2017 est.)

Nepal

25.2% (2011 est.)

Unemployment rate

Botsuana

24.72% (2021 est.)

24.93% (2020 est.)

22.61% (2019 est.)

Lesotho

24.6% (2021 est.)

24.56% (2020 est.)

22.44% (2019 est.)

Nepal

5.05% (2021 est.)

4.72% (2020 est.)

3.1% (2019 est.)

Public debt

Botsuana

19.66% of GDP (2020 est.)

16.22% of GDP (2019 est.)

15.23% of GDP (2018 est.)

Lesotho

33.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

36.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Nepal

39.05% of GDP (2020 est.)

31.78% of GDP (2019 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Botsuana

7.24% (2021 est.)

1.89% (2020 est.)

2.77% (2019 est.)

Lesotho

6.05% (2021 est.)

4.98% (2020 est.)

5.19% (2019 est.)

Nepal

4.09% (2021 est.)

5.05% (2020 est.)

5.57% (2019 est.)

Exports

Botsuana

$7.931 billion (2021 est.)

$4.81 billion (2020 est.)

$6.229 billion (2019 est.)

note: Data are in current year dollars and do not include illicit exports or re-exports.

Lesotho

$1.08 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$902.123 million (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$1.093 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Nepal

$2.52 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$1.771 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$2.726 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Exports - partners

Botsuana

India 21%, Belgium 19%, United Arab Emirates 19%, South Africa 9%, Israel 7%, Hong Kong 6%, Singapore 5% (2019)

Lesotho

United States 29%, Belgium 26%, South Africa 25%, Switzerland 6% (2019)

Nepal

India 68%, United States 10% (2019)

Imports

Botsuana

$9.277 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$7.413 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$7.696 billion (2019 est.)

Lesotho

$2.221 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$1.98 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$2.23 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Nepal

$16.993 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$10.694 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$13.836 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Imports - partners

Botsuana

South Africa 58%, Namibia 9%, Canada 7% (2019)

Lesotho

South Africa 85%, China 5% (2019)

Nepal

India 70%, China 15% (2019)

Airports

Botsuana

74 (2021)

Lesotho

24 (2021)

Nepal

47 (2021)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

Botsuana

total: 259,525 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.)

Lesotho

total: 5,060 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.2 (2020 est.)

Nepal

total: 1.27 million (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.)

Internet users

Botsuana

total: 1.924 million (2021 est.)

percent of population: 74% (2021 est.)

Lesotho

total: 1.104 million (2021 est.)

percent of population: 48% (2021 est.)

Nepal

total: 15.6 million (2021 est.)

percent of population: 52% (2021 est.)

Railways

Botsuana

total: 888 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 888 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge

Nepal

total: 59 km (2018)

narrow gauge: 59 km (2018) 0.762-m gauge

Roadways

Botsuana

total: 31,747 km (2017)

paved: 9,810 km (2017)

unpaved: 21,937 km (2017)

Lesotho

total: 5,940 km (2011)

paved: 1,069 km (2011)

unpaved: 4,871 km (2011)

Nepal

total: 27,990 km (2016)

paved: 11,890 km (2016)

unpaved: 16,100 km (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

Botsuana

total subscriptions: 132,457 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2021 est.)

Lesotho

total subscriptions: 9,559 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2021 est.) less than 1

Nepal

total subscriptions: 730,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

Botsuana

total subscriptions: 4,160,553 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 161 (2021 est.)

Lesotho

total subscriptions: 1,821,374 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 80 (2021 est.)

Nepal

total subscriptions: 38 million (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 130 (2021 est.)

Disputes - international

Botsuana

none identified

Lesotho

Lesotho-South Africa: South Africa has placed military units to assist police operations along the border of Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to control smuggling, poaching, and illegal migration

 

Nepal

Nepal-China: China may have constructed 11 buildings in Nepal’s Humla region in 2021

Nepal-India: joint border commission continues to work on contested sections of boundary with India, including the 400 sq km dispute over the source of the Kalapani River; the Kalapani issue resurfaced in November 2019 when India issued a new map showing the contested area within India’s borders and then built a new road in the region through Lipulekh pass, an area controlled by India but claimed by Nepal; Nepal countered by amending its constitution and issuing its own map showing the disputed area within its borders; the countries prime ministers briefly discussed the border dispute in April 2022; India has instituted a stricter border regime to restrict transit of illegal cross-border activities