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Economy of Bahamas vs Botswana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Bahamas has a GDP of $15.8B compared to $19.4B for Botswana, ranking 140/197 and 133/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Bahamas has $11.5B in government debt (72.5% of GDP), compared to $5.82B (30% of GDP) in Botswana.

Bahamas vs Botswana GDP by year

Bahamas
Botswana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahamas Botswana
2024 $15,832,800,000 $19,402,063,513
2023 $15,271,300,000 $19,411,266,967
2022 $13,896,800,000 $20,321,150,599
2021 $12,037,000,000 $18,750,182,236
2020 $10,363,200,000 $14,960,251,608
2019 $13,277,000,000 $16,725,908,149
2018 $12,819,200,000 $17,031,943,186
2017 $12,446,900,000 $16,105,155,857
2016 $11,880,900,000 $15,082,637,184
2015 $11,837,600,000 $13,530,748,845
2014 $11,139,100,000 $15,470,088,501
2013 $10,475,300,000 $14,271,738,933
2012 $10,720,400,000 $13,907,464,500
2011 $10,070,450,000 $15,110,643,612
2010 $10,095,760,000 $12,637,273,429
2009 $9,981,960,000 $10,118,459,242
2008 $10,526,000,000 $10,730,829,116
2007 $10,618,340,000 $10,567,270,656
2006 $10,167,250,000 $9,919,158,482
2005 $9,836,200,000 $9,918,907,108
2004 $9,055,290,000 $8,957,467,707
2003 $8,870,090,000 $7,511,582,173
2002 $8,881,160,000 $5,438,863,983
2001 $8,317,830,000 $5,489,608,300
2000 $8,076,470,000 $5,788,329,609
1999 $7,683,870,000 $5,484,263,347
1998 $6,833,220,000 $4,790,481,509
1997 $6,332,360,000 $5,020,265,627
1996 $3,609,000,000 $4,847,757,218
1995 $3,429,000,000 $4,730,599,122
1994 $3,259,000,000 $4,259,259,604
1993 $3,092,000,000 $4,160,129,175
1992 $3,109,000,000 $4,146,464,587
1991 $3,111,160,000 $3,942,876,703
1990 $3,166,000,000 $3,790,636,324
1989 $3,062,000,000 $3,083,822,112
1988 $2,817,900,000 $2,644,554,159
1987 $2,713,999,900 $1,965,226,890
1986 $2,472,500,000 $1,392,602,164
1985 $2,320,699,900 $1,114,783,343
1984 $2,041,100,000 $1,240,822,167
1983 $1,732,800,000 $1,172,230,397
1982 $1,578,300,000 $1,014,945,696
1981 $1,426,500,000 $1,073,812,830
1980 $1,335,300,000 $1,060,889,704
1979 $1,139,800,100 $819,870,259
1978 $832,400,000 $590,407,374
1977 $713,000,000 $451,624,780
1976 $642,100,000 $372,025,093
1975 $596,200,000 $355,168,572
1974 $632,400,000 $306,044,208
1973 $670,900,000 $244,124,164
1972 $590,900,000 $164,460,915
1971 $573,400,000 $127,448,614
1970 $539,500,000 $96,243,234
1969 $538,700,000 $77,361,547
1968 $453,800,000 $66,248,441
1967 $398,000,000 $58,642,354
1966 $346,800,000 $51,465,655
1965 $300,272,048 $45,788,696
1964 $266,560,043 $41,616,348
1963 $237,650,038 $38,091,843
1962 $212,170,034 $35,644,957
1961 $190,022,030 $32,902,613
1960 $169,736,027 $30,411,414

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/botswana | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahamas vs Botswana by year

Bahamas
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahamas Botswana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $39,455 $41,198 $7,696 $20,538
2023 $38,232 $39,090 $7,826 $21,012
2022 $34,957 $36,791 $8,329 $19,977
2021 $30,368 $31,065 $7,808 $17,961
2020 $26,179 $27,205 $6,323 $15,292
2019 $33,640 $36,116 $7,172 $15,960
2018 $32,642 $35,228 $7,408 $15,786
2017 $31,875 $34,282 $7,105 $15,701
2016 $30,617 $32,285 $6,749 $16,228
2015 $30,719 $32,138 $6,141 $14,144
2014 $29,137 $31,726 $7,122 $15,003
2013 $27,643 $30,294 $6,667 $13,621
2012 $28,552 $31,036 $6,596 $12,737
2011 $27,091 $30,074 $7,287 $13,635
2010 $27,473 $29,625 $6,216 $12,753
2009 $27,513 $29,197 $5,083 $11,686
2008 $29,392 $30,679 $5,503 $13,810
2007 $30,052 $31,232 $5,529 $13,389
2006 $29,185 $30,402 $5,292 $12,563
2005 $28,602 $29,143 $5,391 $11,458
2004 $26,650 $27,660 $4,957 $10,818
2003 $26,429 $27,031 $4,230 $10,439
2002 $26,782 $27,171 $3,117 $9,958
2001 $25,372 $26,351 $3,206 $9,420
2000 $24,940 $25,422 $3,451 $9,380
1999 $24,041 $24,184 $3,340 $9,188
1998 $21,667 $22,556 $2,981 $8,441
1997 $20,368 $21,606 $3,194 $8,497
1996 $11,784 $21,287 $3,156 $7,890
1995 $11,375 $20,377 $3,156 $7,503
1994 $10,991 $19,441 $2,917 $7,049
1993 $10,613 $18,781 $2,929 $6,847
1992 $10,873 $18,636 $3,005 $6,753
1991 $11,082 $19,296 $2,939 $6,598
1990 $11,473 $19,817 $2,903 $6,104
1989 $11,291 - $2,428 -
1988 $10,576 - $2,141 -
1987 $10,361 - $1,639 -
1986 $9,601 - $1,200 -
1985 $9,167 - $994 -
1984 $8,202 - $1,145 -
1983 $7,081 - $1,121 -
1982 $6,559 - $1,006 -
1981 $6,029 - $1,107 -
1980 $5,743 - $1,132 -
1979 $4,994 - $909 -
1978 $3,720 - $695 -
1977 $3,253 - $565 -
1976 $2,993 - $490 -
1975 $2,841 - $493 -
1974 $3,080 - $446 -
1973 $3,341 - $374 -
1972 $3,014 - $264.2 -
1971 $3,004 - $212.2 -
1970 $2,916 - $163 -
1969 $3,027 - $131.8 -
1968 $2,668 - $113.4 -
1967 $2,453 - $100.9 -
1966 $2,239 - $89.1 -
1965 $2,030 - $79.7 -
1964 $1,883 - $73.5 -
1963 $1,759 - $68.9 -
1962 $1,651 - $66 -
1961 $1,555 - $62.3 -
1960 $1,459 - $58.9 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/botswana | CC BY

The Bahamas' GDP per capita is $39,455, ranking 30/197, compared to $7,696 in Botswana, ranking 97/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Bahamas ranks 57th at $41,198, while Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538.

Economic indicators

Bahamas Botswana
Gross domestic product
$15.8B
2024
$19.4B
2024
GDP rank
140/197
2024
133/197
2024
GDP growth
3.38%
2023-2024
-2.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$39,455
2024
$7,696
2024
GDP per capita rank
30/197
2024
97/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,198
2024
$20,538
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
57/197
2024
95/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$5.82B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.5%
2024
30%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,616
2024
$2,310
2024
Government debt per person rank
25/185
2024
114/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$29,535
2026
$5,271
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.59B
2023
Income share by richest 10% n/a
42.9%
2015
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.4%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.41%
2023-2024
2.82%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2016
1.9%
2024
Unemployment rate
8.65%
2023
24.4%
2024
Population
405203
2615162

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahamas
Spending

Debt
Botswana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahamas Botswana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 72.5% 33.8% 30%
2023 22.2% 74.8% 32.4% 22.5%
2022 23.9% 79.1% 29.5% 21.3%
2021 26.9% 84.5% 33% 23.4%
2020 28.2% 81.9% 38.5% 24.8%
2019 19.9% 59.3% 36.4% 21.3%
2018 19.2% 60.6% 35.9% 19.8%
2017 22.5% 53.4% 35% 19.8%
2016 19.4% 51% 34.2% 22.4%
2015 17.9% 48.5% 39.7% 25.7%
2014 17.6% 46.3% 36.4% 23.9%
2013 18.4% 44.8% 34.8% 24.7%
2012 16.5% 36.4% 38.3% 27.3%
2011 17.1% 35.3% 37.4% 28.1%
2010 15.3% 33.7% 44.7% 27.9%
2009 15.6% 30.9% 54.5% 23.5%
2008 14.4% 25.5% 48% 7.77%
2007 13.3% 23% 38.3% 6.12%
2006 13% 22.8% 34.1% 6.32%
2005 12.3% 22% 35% 7.74%
2004 12.4% 21.4% 42% 11.3%
2003 11.8% 20.9% 44% 7.29%
2002 11.3% 18.8% 46% 8.55%
2001 11.2% 18.2% 42.9% 7.61%
2000 11.3% 18.7% 39.8% 8.37%
1999 8.78% 18.7% 41.7% 9.68%
1998 11.6% 20% 44.3% 12%
1997 12.5% 20.8% 40% -
1996 11.2% 20.2% 37.2% -
1995 11.2% 20.5% 38.1% -
1994 11.4% 20.4% 39.2% -
1993 11.5% 19.8% 44.2% -
1992 11.8% 17.9% 43.4% -
1991 12% 15.4% 42.3% -
1990 11.4% 13.2% 40.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/botswana | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government spending was $3.26B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while Botswana spent $6.55B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.5% in the Bahamas and 30% in Botswana, ranking 53/185 and 158/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahamas

Botswana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahamas Botswana
2024 -1.18% -7.82%
2023 -3.49% -4.25%
2022 -5.16% -0.006%
2021 -11.1% -2.46%
2020 -8.09% -11.5%
2019 -1.65% -8.43%
2018 -3.24% -5.07%
2017 -5.92% -1.16%
2016 -2.61% 0.72%
2015 -3.24% -5.06%
2014 -4.38% 3.88%
2013 -5.16% 6.07%
2012 -3.15% 0.92%
2011 -2.87% -0.12%
2010 -2.56% -8.36%
2009 -2.45% -14.4%
2008 -0.83% -7.59%
2007 -0.76% 5.92%
2006 -0.43% 13.7%
2005 -1.11% 10.7%
2004 -1.93% 1.42%
2003 -1.63% -0.18%
2002 -1.62% -4.02%
2001 0.3% -2.96%
2000 0.09% 8.95%
1999 1.68% 6.18%
1998 -0.41% -
1997 -1.56% -
1996 -0.15% -
1995 0.18% -
1994 -0.39% -
1993 -1.05% -
1992 -2.23% -
1991 -2.29% -
1990 -2.64% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/botswana | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $187M, equivalent to 1.18% of GDP. This compares to Botswana's deficit of $1.52B, or 7.82% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, the Bahamas recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Botswana ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, the Bahamas posted an annual deficit equal to 2.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.96% of GDP for Botswana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahamas

Botswana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahamas Botswana
2024 0.41% 2.82%
2023 3.05% 5.07%
2022 5.61% 11.7%
2021 2.9% 7.24%
2020 0.04% 1.89%
2019 2.49% 2.77%
2018 2.27% 3.24%
2017 1.52% 3.31%
2016 -0.35% 2.81%
2015 1.86% 3.06%
2014 1.51% 4.4%
2013 0.72% 5.88%
2012 1.97% 7.54%
2011 3.2% 8.46%
2010 1.34% 6.95%
2009 2.06% 8.03%
2008 4.49% 12.7%
2007 2.49% 7.08%
2006 2.39% 11.6%
2005 1.59% 8.61%
2004 0.98% 6.95%
2003 3.03% 9.19%
2002 2.17% 8.03%
2001 2.04% 6.56%
2000 1.61% 8.6%
1999 1.25% 7.75%
1998 1.34% 6.66%
1997 0.54% 8.72%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/botswana | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Bahamas has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 6.7% in Botswana. In 2024, inflation was 0.41% in the Bahamas and 2.82% in Botswana.

Top exports between countries

Bahamas
Export category Export value
Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2K

Balance of trade

Bahamas Botswana
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
-$821M
2024
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2024
118/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.65%
2024
-4.23%
2024
Goods imports
$4.6B
2024
$6.86B
2024
Goods exports
$874M
2024
$4.66B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Service exports
$5.9B
2024
$935M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
43.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
27.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bahamas Botswana
Economic freedom 65.1 67.7
Economic freedom ranking 66/197 53/197
Property rights 62.7 71.7
Government integrity 67.1 59.6
Judicial effectiveness 79.8 70.2
Tax burden 96.1 87.1
Government spending 83.8 69.8
Fiscal health 9.1 72.4
Business freedom 69.4 61.5
Labor freedom 66.5 60.7
Monetary freedom 77.2 72
Trade freedom 59.4 77
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahamas
Botswana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahamas Botswana
2026 65.1 67.7
2025 63.2 69.9
2024 62.5 68
2023 62.6 64.9
2022 68.7 64.8
2021 64.6 67.6
2020 64.5 69.6
2019 62.9 69.5
2018 63.3 69.9
2017 61.1 70.1
2016 70.9 71.1
2015 68.7 69.8
2014 69.8 72
2013 70.1 70.6
2012 68 69.6
2011 68 68.8
2010 67.3 70.3
2009 70.3 69.7
2008 71.1 68.2
2007 72 68.1
2006 72.3 68.8
2005 72.6 69.3
2004 72.1 69.9
2003 73.5 68.6
2002 74.4 66.2
2001 74.8 66.8
2000 73.9 65.8
1999 74.7 62.9
1998 74.5 62.8
1997 74.5 59.1
1996 74 61.6
1995 71.8 56.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/botswana | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Bahamas is 65.1, ranking 66/197, compared to 67.7 for Botswana, ranking 53/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahamas Botswana
Services, % of GDP
77.2%
2024
63.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
9.63%
2024
29.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.51%
2024
1.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.9B
2024
$19.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,550
2024
$20,570
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.51B
2023
$3.46B
2024
Total reserves ranking
122/177
2023
113/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$77.6M
2024
-$464M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$241M
2024
$467M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$163M
2024
$3.02M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.3%
2020
16.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
36%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/botswana | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.