Abstract:
This paper investigates household determinants of welfare and poverty in Botswana.
Using the 2002/03 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) and the 2009/10
Botswana Core Welfare Indicator Survey (BCWIS), and employing regression analysis,
we identify education level and employment status of the household head, as some of
the key determinants of household welfare and poverty in Botswana. Moreover, we find
that residing in rural areas increases the likelihood of being poor and negatively relates
to welfare. Therefore, public policy must continue to emphasize on education and job
creation amongst the strategies for poverty reduction in Botswana. Still, initiatives for rural
development are also critical for poverty reduction.
