The Changing Death Rate in Botswana from 1990 to 2022

Botswana's death rate saw a sharp increase in the early 1990s, rising from 8.0 in 1990 to a peak of 13.4 in 2002. This surge can largely be attributed to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which significantly impacted the country. After reaching the peak, the death rate began to decline gradually after 2005, reflecting improvements in healthcare and the implementation of antiretroviral treatment programs. In recent years, the death rate has fluctuated but remained lower than its early 2000s peak, demonstrating the positive effects of health interventions. However, the 2020 increase to 7.0 could be linked to the broader global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.