Notes on adult mortality levels and trends in Botswana

Abstract

This paper uses the data from 2011 Population and Housing Census (PHC) to examine levels and trends in adult mortality in Botswana using information on the distribution of deaths and population by age. Estimates of mortality indicate that mortality levels in Botswana have gone down between 2001 and 2011 nationally and across all districts. The data also shows that gains in life expectancy favoured urban areas to rural areas. The gains in life expectancy experienced in the 1980s and reversed in 2001 have been regained, may be as a result of scaling up access the provision of antiretroviral treatment since 2001 (Avert 2012, WHO 2014). The sex differentials in mortality are still observed.