Census in Botswana

Through the census, Botswana systematically obtains/records information on demographic, social and economic characteristics, pertaining to all persons in the geographic boundaries of the country at a specified time.

[1] The results of the census provide the Government and other stakeholders with relevant, reliable and timely baseline data and statistical information for development planning,[2] policy formulation and service delivery as well as for monitoring and evaluation of development programs and plans.

The law goes further to spell out penalties for those (census officials and members of the public) who violate it.

Due to the Anglo-Boer War, the first census of Bechuanaland Protectorate, originally set to occur in 1901, took place on 17 April 1904.

[4] The early censuses were unreliable and took several years to tabulate; the results were outdated by the time they were calculated.