As an expert in the field of international education and development, I have been closely monitoring the literacy rates across various countries, including Botswana. Literacy is a critical indicator of a nation's educational progress and is deeply connected to its socio-economic development. It is a measure of the ability to read and write, which are fundamental skills for personal empowerment and active participation in society.

Botswana has made significant strides in improving its literacy rate over the years. According to the data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics[^1^], literacy statistics typically cover the population aged 15 and older. The youth literacy rate, which reflects recent progress in education, indicates the proportion of the population who have acquired basic literacy and numeracy skills through the primary education system.

The World Bank[^2^], another reputable source, provides data on the adult literacy rate, which is defined as the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding. This measure includes not only literacy but also numeracy, the ability to perform simple arithmetic calculations. The World Bank data is sourced from UNESCO Institute for Statistics and is updated annually.

IndexMundi[^3^] offers a detailed breakdown of the literacy rates in Botswana, specifying the total population literacy rate, as well as the rates for males and females. According to their data, the literacy rate for the total population was 88.5% in 2015, with a slight difference between males (88%) and females (88.9%).

Statistics Botswana[^5^] has conducted its own surveys and reported an improvement in the adult literacy rate from 68.9% in 1993 to 81.2% in 2003, and further to 88.6% in 2014. This indicates a consistent upward trend in literacy levels within the country.

However, it is important to note that the latest World Bank data for 2020[^7^] shows a slight variation, with the national average literacy rate for all people aged 15 and above standing at 86.8%. There is a minor difference in the rates for women (87.5%) and men (86.1%).

The definition of literacy used by Statistics Botswana for their 2014 national literacy survey aligns with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) definition, which encompasses not just the ability to read and write but also to understand, evaluate, use, and engage with written texts to participate in society and achieve personal goals[^8^].

In conclusion, the literacy rate in Botswana has seen a commendable increase, reflecting the country's commitment to education and its impact on the population's ability to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic. While there may be slight variations in the reported rates from different sources, the overall trend is positive and indicative of progress.

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Adult literacy rate of Botswana increased from 68.58 % in 1991 to 88.22 % in 2015 growing at an average annual rate of 9.00 %. Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can, with understanding, read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life.read more >>