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Economy of Barbados vs Botswana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $19.4B for Botswana, ranking 157/197 and 133/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $5.82B (30% of GDP) in Botswana.

Barbados vs Botswana GDP by year

Barbados
Botswana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Botswana
2024 $7,498,050,000 $19,402,063,513
2023 $7,223,250,000 $19,411,266,967
2022 $6,884,900,000 $20,321,150,599
2021 $5,947,550,000 $18,750,182,236
2020 $5,407,050,000 $14,960,251,608
2019 $6,161,850,000 $16,725,908,149
2018 $6,001,950,000 $17,031,943,186
2017 $5,683,150,000 $16,105,155,857
2016 $5,674,600,000 $15,082,637,184
2015 $5,698,150,000 $13,530,748,845
2014 $5,620,600,000 $15,470,088,501
2013 $5,667,200,000 $14,271,738,933
2012 $5,761,450,000 $13,907,464,500
2011 $5,663,100,000 $15,110,643,612
2010 $5,672,900,000 $12,637,273,429
2009 $4,466,809,600 $10,118,459,242
2008 $4,790,410,400 $10,730,829,116
2007 $4,675,767,950 $10,567,270,656
2006 $4,217,323,400 $9,919,158,482
2005 $3,819,500,000 $9,918,907,108
2004 $3,444,500,000 $8,957,467,707
2003 $3,209,500,000 $7,511,582,173
2002 $3,106,500,000 $5,438,863,983
2001 $3,054,500,000 $5,489,608,300
2000 $3,059,500,000 $5,788,329,609
1999 $2,951,822,205 $5,484,263,347
1998 $2,817,083,478 $4,790,481,509
1997 $2,498,384,130 $5,020,265,627
1996 $2,363,645,403 $4,847,757,218
1995 $2,216,974,096 $4,730,599,122
1994 $2,151,344,901 $4,259,259,604
1993 $2,063,342,117 $4,160,129,175
1992 $1,957,000,000 $4,146,464,587
1991 $2,020,583,702 $3,942,876,703
1990 $2,012,131,457 $3,790,636,324
1989 $2,006,165,167 $3,083,822,112
1988 $1,812,757,918 $2,644,554,159
1987 $1,704,370,308 $1,965,226,890
1986 $1,547,755,183 $1,392,602,164
1985 $1,409,536,121 $1,114,783,343
1984 $1,346,890,071 $1,240,822,167
1983 $1,236,016,507 $1,172,230,397
1982 $1,163,923,830 $1,014,945,696
1981 $1,114,204,743 $1,073,812,830
1980 $1,012,280,615 $1,060,889,704
1979 $670,362,452 $819,870,259
1978 $552,883,707 $590,407,374
1977 $495,097,668 $451,624,780
1976 $435,911,269 $372,025,093
1975 $402,178,605 $355,168,572
1974 $311,804,630 $306,044,208
1973 $260,767,828 $244,124,164
1972 $213,725,217 $164,460,915
1971 $186,826,503 $127,448,614
1970 $166,210,203 $96,243,234
1969 $141,393,142 $77,361,547
1968 $125,733,669 $66,248,441
1967 $125,554,009 $58,642,354
1966 $113,195,123 $51,465,655
1965 $105,021,997 $45,788,696
1964 $99,252,731 $41,616,348
1963 $99,893,761 $38,091,843
1962 $88,782,583 $35,644,957
1961 $85,363,759 $32,902,613
1960 $80,021,847 $30,411,414

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

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

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Botswana by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Botswana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $7,696 $20,538
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $7,826 $21,012
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $8,329 $19,977
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $7,808 $17,961
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $6,323 $15,292
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $7,172 $15,960
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $7,408 $15,786
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $7,105 $15,701
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $6,749 $16,228
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $6,141 $14,144
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $7,122 $15,003
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $6,667 $13,621
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $6,596 $12,737
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $7,287 $13,635
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $6,216 $12,753
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $5,083 $11,686
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $5,503 $13,810
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $5,529 $13,389
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $5,292 $12,563
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $5,391 $11,458
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $4,957 $10,818
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $4,230 $10,439
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $3,117 $9,958
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $3,206 $9,420
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $3,451 $9,380
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $3,340 $9,188
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $2,981 $8,441
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $3,194 $8,497
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $3,156 $7,890
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $3,156 $7,503
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $2,917 $7,049
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $2,929 $6,847
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $3,005 $6,753
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $2,939 $6,598
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $2,903 $6,104
1989 $7,773 - $2,428 -
1988 $7,033 - $2,141 -
1987 $6,625 - $1,639 -
1986 $6,031 - $1,200 -
1985 $5,510 - $994 -
1984 $5,284 - $1,145 -
1983 $4,866 - $1,121 -
1982 $4,599 - $1,006 -
1981 $4,417 - $1,107 -
1980 $4,025 - $1,132 -
1979 $2,668 - $909 -
1978 $2,198 - $695 -
1977 $1,968 - $565 -
1976 $1,734 - $490 -
1975 $1,601 - $493 -
1974 $1,243 - $446 -
1973 $1,042 - $374 -
1972 $856 - $264.2 -
1971 $750 - $212.2 -
1970 $666 - $163 -
1969 $567 - $131.8 -
1968 $506 - $113.4 -
1967 $508 - $100.9 -
1966 $462 - $89.1 -
1965 $433 - $79.7 -
1964 $414 - $73.5 -
1963 $421 - $68.9 -
1962 $377 - $66 -
1961 $366 - $62.3 -
1960 $347 - $58.9 -

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

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

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $7,696 in Botswana, ranking 97/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538.

Economic indicators

Barbados Botswana
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$19.4B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
133/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
-2.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$7,696
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
97/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$20,538
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
95/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$5.82B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
30%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$2,310
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
114/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$5,271
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
$3.59B
2023
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
42.9%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
1.4%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
2.82%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
1.9%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
24.4%
2024
Population
282798
2615162

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Botswana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Botswana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 33.8% 30%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 32.4% 22.5%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 29.5% 21.3%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 33% 23.4%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 38.5% 24.8%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 36.4% 21.3%
2018 26.9% 115% 35.9% 19.8%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 35% 19.8%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 34.2% 22.4%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 39.7% 25.7%
2014 29% 122% 36.4% 23.9%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 34.8% 24.7%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 38.3% 27.3%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 37.4% 28.1%
2010 29.7% 96% 44.7% 27.9%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 54.5% 23.5%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 48% 7.77%
2007 27.8% 69% 38.3% 6.12%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 34.1% 6.32%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 35% 7.74%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 42% 11.3%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 44% 7.29%
2002 31% 66.1% 46% 8.55%
2001 22% 62.6% 42.9% 7.61%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 39.8% 8.37%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 41.7% 9.68%
1998 19% 50.5% 44.3% 12%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 40% -
1996 20.5% 56.1% 37.2% -
1995 18.6% 55.9% 38.1% -
1994 17% 55% 39.2% -
1993 - - 44.2% -
1992 - - 43.4% -
1991 - - 42.3% -
1990 - - 40.5% -

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

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

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Botswana spent $6.55B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 30% in Botswana, ranking 18/185 and 158/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Botswana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Botswana
2024 -0.89% -7.82%
2023 -1.71% -4.25%
2022 -1.96% -0.006%
2021 -4.65% -2.46%
2020 -4.16% -11.5%
2019 3.08% -8.43%
2018 -0.34% -5.07%
2017 -3.89% -1.16%
2016 -4.88% 0.72%
2015 -8.16% -5.06%
2014 -6.57% 3.88%
2013 -8.98% 6.07%
2012 -7.07% 0.92%
2011 -3.63% -0.12%
2010 -7.55% -8.36%
2009 -6.56% -14.4%
2008 -4.1% -7.59%
2007 -4.34% 5.92%
2006 -3.41% 13.7%
2005 -3.03% 10.7%
2004 -2.97% 1.42%
2003 -3.08% -0.18%
2002 -5.28% -4.02%
2001 4.07% -2.96%
2000 4.94% 8.95%
1999 5.39% 6.18%
1998 6.03% -
1997 5.64% -
1996 3.76% -
1995 6.22% -
1994 6.72% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $66.8M, equivalent to 0.89% of GDP. This compares to Botswana's deficit of $1.52B, or 7.82% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Botswana ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 3.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.96% of GDP for Botswana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Botswana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Botswana
2024 -0.44% 2.82%
2023 9.79% 5.07%
2022 - 11.7%
2021 - 7.24%
2020 - 1.89%
2019 4.1% 2.77%
2018 3.67% 3.24%
2017 4.66% 3.31%
2016 1.28% 2.81%
2015 -1.11% 3.06%
2014 1.77% 4.4%
2013 1.81% 5.88%
2012 4.53% 7.54%
2011 9.43% 8.46%
2010 5.82% 6.95%
2009 3.64% 8.03%
2008 8.11% 12.7%
2007 4.03% 7.08%
2006 7.31% 11.6%
2005 6.08% 8.61%
2004 1.39% 6.95%
2003 1.62% 9.19%
2002 0.13% 8.03%
2001 2.58% 6.56%
2000 2.44% 8.6%
1999 1.56% 7.75%
1998 -1.27% 6.66%
1997 7.71% 8.72%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 6.7% in Botswana. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 2.82% in Botswana.

Balance of trade

Barbados Botswana
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$821M
2024
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
118/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-4.23%
2024
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$6.86B
2024
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$4.66B
2024
Service imports
$687M
2017
$1.29B
2024
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$935M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
43.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
27.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Botswana
Economic freedom 70.4 67.7
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 53/197
Property rights 76.4 71.7
Government integrity 71.3 59.6
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 70.2
Tax burden 83.2 87.1
Government spending 74.5 69.8
Fiscal health 76.5 72.4
Business freedom 72.3 61.5
Labor freedom 54.3 60.7
Monetary freedom 80.8 72
Trade freedom 48.2 77
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Botswana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Botswana
2026 70.4 67.7
2025 68.9 69.9
2024 66.8 68
2023 69.8 64.9
2022 71.3 64.8
2021 65 67.6
2020 61.4 69.6
2019 64.7 69.5
2018 57 69.9
2017 54.5 70.1
2016 68.3 71.1
2015 67.9 69.8
2014 68.3 72
2013 69.3 70.6
2012 69 69.6
2011 68.5 68.8
2010 68.3 70.3
2009 71.5 69.7
2008 71.3 68.2
2007 70 68.1
2006 71.9 68.8
2005 70.1 69.3
2004 69.4 69.9
2003 71.3 68.6
2002 73.6 66.2
2001 71.5 66.8
2000 69.5 65.8
1999 66.7 62.9
1998 67.9 62.8
1997 64.5 59.1
1996 62.3 61.6
1995 - 56.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, 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

Barbados Botswana
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
63.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
29.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
1.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$19.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$20,570
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
$3.46B
2024
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
113/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$464M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$467M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$3.02M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
16.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
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/barbados/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)

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.