Skip to content

Economy of Belize vs Botswana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belize has a GDP of $3.2B compared to $19.4B for Botswana, ranking 168/197 and 133/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belize has $2.1B in government debt (65.4% of GDP), compared to $5.82B (30% of GDP) in Botswana.

Belize vs Botswana GDP by year

Belize
Botswana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belize Botswana
2024 $3,203,631,800 $19,402,063,513
2023 $3,052,362,650 $19,411,266,967
2022 $2,846,604,350 $20,321,150,599
2021 $2,428,606,250 $18,750,182,236
2020 $2,047,284,600 $14,960,251,608
2019 $2,381,187,850 $16,725,908,149
2018 $2,285,915,050 $17,031,943,186
2017 $2,266,028,250 $16,105,155,857
2016 $2,239,604,950 $15,082,637,184
2015 $2,193,095,150 $13,530,748,845
2014 $2,138,242,200 $15,470,088,501
2013 $2,035,191,450 $14,271,738,933
2012 $1,917,083,500 $13,907,464,500
2011 $1,831,576,700 $15,110,643,612
2010 $1,748,988,400 $12,637,273,429
2009 $1,688,012,750 $10,118,459,242
2008 $1,738,453,600 $10,730,829,116
2007 $1,706,190,450 $10,567,270,656
2006 $1,590,463,100 $9,919,158,482
2005 $1,474,298,400 $9,918,907,108
2004 $1,400,202,000 $8,957,467,707
2003 $1,308,280,250 $7,511,582,173
2002 $1,243,912,050 $5,438,863,983
2001 $1,172,045,150 $5,489,608,300
2000 $1,138,138,100 $5,788,329,609
1999 $999,713,050 $5,484,263,347
1998 $929,047,000 $4,790,481,509
1997 $872,916,050 $5,020,265,627
1996 $850,339,100 $4,847,757,218
1995 $818,590,250 $4,730,599,122
1994 $771,838,000 $4,259,259,604
1993 $752,255,150 $4,160,129,175
1992 $695,741,150 $4,146,464,587
1991 $596,682,100 $3,942,876,703
1990 $546,750,912 $3,790,636,324
1989 $491,100,000 $3,083,822,112
1988 $421,450,000 $2,644,554,159
1987 $371,100,000 $1,965,226,890
1986 $311,500,000 $1,392,602,164
1985 $287,300,000 $1,114,783,343
1984 $290,350,000 $1,240,822,167
1983 $262,150,000 $1,172,230,397
1982 $248,550,000 $1,014,945,696
1981 $260,750,000 $1,073,812,830
1980 $257,400,000 $1,060,889,704
1979 $151,800,000 $819,870,259
1978 $136,300,000 $590,407,374
1977 $117,650,000 $451,624,780
1976 $97,094,227 $372,025,093
1975 $118,194,026 $355,168,572
1974 $103,160,450 $306,044,208
1973 $78,214,768 $244,124,164
1972 $65,998,069 $164,460,915
1971 $59,074,687 $127,448,614
1970 $53,339,893 $96,243,234
1969 $47,399,905 $77,361,547
1968 $44,999,910 $66,248,441
1967 $47,431,256 $58,642,354
1966 $44,450,044 $51,465,655
1965 $40,110,040 $45,788,696
1964 $36,194,586 $41,616,348
1963 $33,750,114 $38,091,843
1962 $31,857,592 $35,644,957
1961 $29,965,000 $32,902,613
1960 $28,072,478 $30,411,414

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

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

GDP per capita in Belize vs Botswana by year

Belize
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belize Botswana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,681 $14,347 $7,696 $20,538
2023 $7,425 $13,730 $7,826 $21,012
2022 $7,068 $13,461 $8,329 $19,977
2021 $6,143 $11,716 $7,808 $17,961
2020 $5,239 $9,639 $6,323 $15,292
2019 $6,172 $10,500 $7,172 $15,960
2018 $6,012 $9,497 $7,408 $15,786
2017 $6,072 $9,121 $7,105 $15,701
2016 $6,141 $9,399 $6,749 $16,228
2015 $6,155 $9,538 $6,141 $14,144
2014 $6,128 $9,490 $7,122 $15,003
2013 $5,957 $9,526 $6,667 $13,621
2012 $5,733 $9,303 $6,596 $12,737
2011 $5,596 $9,722 $7,287 $13,635
2010 $5,461 $9,748 $6,216 $12,753
2009 $5,400 $9,728 $5,083 $11,686
2008 $5,712 $9,975 $5,503 $13,810
2007 $5,762 $10,226 $5,529 $13,389
2006 $5,525 $9,910 $5,292 $12,563
2005 $5,270 $9,466 $5,391 $11,458
2004 $5,154 $9,245 $4,957 $10,818
2003 $4,960 $8,850 $4,230 $10,439
2002 $4,859 $8,154 $3,117 $9,958
2001 $4,719 $7,852 $3,206 $9,420
2000 $4,727 $7,544 $3,451 $9,380
1999 $4,290 $6,790 $3,340 $9,188
1998 $4,126 $6,333 $2,981 $8,441
1997 $4,014 $6,243 $3,194 $8,497
1996 $4,043 $6,087 $3,156 $7,890
1995 $4,010 $6,091 $3,156 $7,503
1994 $3,877 $6,073 $2,917 $7,049
1993 $3,860 $6,075 $2,929 $6,847
1992 $3,643 $5,706 $3,005 $6,753
1991 $3,190 $5,053 $2,939 $6,598
1990 $2,986 $4,467 $2,903 $6,104
1989 $2,742 - $2,428 -
1988 $2,406 - $2,141 -
1987 $2,166 - $1,639 -
1986 $1,859 - $1,200 -
1985 $1,754 - $994 -
1984 $1,814 - $1,145 -
1983 $1,677 - $1,121 -
1982 $1,629 - $1,006 -
1981 $1,753 - $1,107 -
1980 $1,774 - $1,132 -
1979 $1,071 - $909 -
1978 $983 - $695 -
1977 $866 - $565 -
1976 $729 - $490 -
1975 $906 - $493 -
1974 $805 - $446 -
1973 $619 - $374 -
1972 $529 - $264.2 -
1971 $481 - $212.2 -
1970 $442 - $163 -
1969 $402 - $131.8 -
1968 $392 - $113.4 -
1967 $426 - $100.9 -
1966 $412 - $89.1 -
1965 $383 - $79.7 -
1964 $356 - $73.5 -
1963 $342 - $68.9 -
1962 $332 - $66 -
1961 $320 - $62.3 -
1960 $307 - $58.9 -

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

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

Belize's GDP per capita is $7,681, ranking 98/197, compared to $7,696 in Botswana, ranking 97/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belize ranks 117th at $14,347, while Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538.

Economic indicators

Belize Botswana
Gross domestic product
$3.2B
2024
$19.4B
2024
GDP rank
168/197
2024
133/197
2024
GDP growth
3.5%
2023-2024
-2.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,681
2024
$7,696
2024
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2024
97/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,347
2024
$20,538
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
117/197
2024
95/197
2024
Government debt
$2.1B
2024
$5.82B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
65.4%
2024
30%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,026
2024
$2,310
2024
Government debt per person rank
78/185
2024
114/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,204
2026
$5,271
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.59B
2023
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30%
2018
42.9%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2018
1.4%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.3%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
2.82%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.9%
2024
Unemployment rate
29.3%
2020
24.4%
2024
Population
430409
2615162

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belize
Spending

Debt
Botswana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belize Botswana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.3% 65.4% 33.8% 30%
2023 25.8% 67.5% 32.4% 22.5%
2022 23.4% 66.8% 29.5% 21.3%
2021 25.7% 82.2% 33% 23.4%
2020 33.2% 103% 38.5% 24.8%
2019 27.5% 78.6% 36.4% 21.3%
2018 26.9% 79% 35.9% 19.8%
2017 27.7% 78.1% 35% 19.8%
2016 27.7% 70.5% 34.2% 22.4%
2015 27.9% 65.1% 39.7% 25.7%
2014 24.8% 61.5% 36.4% 23.9%
2013 23.8% 62.8% 34.8% 24.7%
2012 22.1% 63.1% 38.3% 27.3%
2011 23.5% 66.2% 37.4% 28.1%
2010 23.3% 68.4% 44.7% 27.9%
2009 23.2% 69.7% 54.5% 23.5%
2008 21.8% 64.7% 48% 7.77%
2007 22.1% 66.4% 38.3% 6.12%
2006 21.2% 71.4% 34.1% 6.32%
2005 21.4% 72.7% 35% 7.74%
2004 21.7% 70.7% 42% 11.3%
2003 24.6% 67.2% 44% 7.29%
2002 24.4% 53.2% 46% 8.55%
2001 25.9% 49.5% 42.9% 7.61%
2000 23.2% 79% 39.8% 8.37%
1999 23.6% 41.5% 41.7% 9.68%
1998 20.9% 38.7% 44.3% 12%
1997 19.9% 39.4% 40% -
1996 19.9% 38.4% 37.2% -
1995 - - 38.1% -
1994 - - 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); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1996–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Belize's government spending was $842M, accounting for 26.3% of its GDP, while Botswana spent $6.55B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 65.4% in Belize and 30% in Botswana, ranking 67/185 and 158/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belize

Botswana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belize Botswana
2024 -1.23% -7.82%
2023 -2.42% -4.25%
2022 -1.04% -0.006%
2021 -3.29% -2.46%
2020 -8.57% -11.5%
2019 -2.9% -8.43%
2018 -1.37% -5.07%
2017 -3.48% -1.16%
2016 -4.47% 0.72%
2015 -5.14% -5.06%
2014 -1.72% 3.88%
2013 -1.21% 6.07%
2012 -0.22% 0.92%
2011 -1.06% -0.12%
2010 -1.9% -8.36%
2009 -2.46% -14.4%
2008 1.25% -7.59%
2007 -0.19% 5.92%
2006 -2.27% 13.7%
2005 -3.7% 10.7%
2004 -4.52% 1.42%
2003 -8.41% -0.18%
2002 -5.41% -4.02%
2001 -7.23% -2.96%
2000 -6.68% 8.95%
1999 -6.51% 6.18%
1998 -2.69% -
1997 -1.81% -
1996 -1.76% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Belize's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.4M, equivalent to 1.23% of GDP. This compares to Botswana's deficit of $1.52B, or 7.82% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Belize recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Botswana ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Belize posted an annual deficit equal to 3.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.96% of GDP for Botswana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belize

Botswana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belize Botswana
2024 3.3% 2.82%
2023 4.4% 5.07%
2022 6.3% 11.7%
2021 3.2% 7.24%
2020 0.1% 1.89%
2019 0.2% 2.77%
2018 0.3% 3.24%
2017 1.1% 3.31%
2016 0.7% 2.81%
2015 -0.9% 3.06%
2014 1.2% 4.4%
2013 0.5% 5.88%
2012 1.2% 7.54%
2011 1.7% 8.46%
2010 0.9% 6.95%
2009 -1.1% 8.03%
2008 6.4% 12.7%
2007 2.3% 7.08%
2006 4.2% 11.6%
2005 3.7% 8.61%
2004 3.1% 6.95%
2003 2.6% 9.19%
2002 2.2% 8.03%
2001 1.1% 6.56%
2000 0.6% 8.6%
1999 -1.2% 7.75%
1998 -0.8% 6.66%
1997 1% 8.72%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Belize has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.73%, compared with 6.7% in Botswana. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in Belize and 2.82% in Botswana.

Balance of trade

Belize Botswana
Current account balance
-$51.7M
2024
-$821M
2024
Current account balance ranking
84/190
2024
118/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.61%
2024
-4.23%
2024
Goods imports
$1.36B
2024
$6.86B
2024
Goods exports
$482M
2024
$4.66B
2024
Service imports
$362M
2024
$1.29B
2024
Service exports
$1.16B
2024
$935M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
43.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.2%
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.

Belize Botswana
Economic freedom 64.7 67.7
Economic freedom ranking 71/197 53/197
Property rights 46.3 71.7
Government integrity 46.2 59.6
Judicial effectiveness 73.9 70.2
Tax burden 81.8 87.1
Government spending 81 69.8
Fiscal health 87.5 72.4
Business freedom 67.2 61.5
Labor freedom 57.6 60.7
Monetary freedom 72.6 72
Trade freedom 57.8 77
Investment freedom 55 50
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belize
Botswana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belize Botswana
2026 64.7 67.7
2025 64.2 69.9
2024 61.2 68
2023 59.8 64.9
2022 56.6 64.8
2021 57.5 67.6
2020 57.4 69.6
2019 55.4 69.5
2018 57.1 69.9
2017 58.6 70.1
2016 57.4 71.1
2015 56.8 69.8
2014 56.7 72
2013 57.3 70.6
2012 61.9 69.6
2011 63.8 68.8
2010 61.5 70.3
2009 63 69.7
2008 63 68.2
2007 63.3 68.1
2006 64.7 68.8
2005 64.5 69.3
2004 62.8 69.9
2003 63.5 68.6
2002 65.6 66.2
2001 65.9 66.8
2000 63.3 65.8
1999 60.7 62.9
1998 59.1 62.8
1997 64.3 59.1
1996 61.6 61.6
1995 62.9 56.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belize is 64.7, ranking 71/197, 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

Belize Botswana
Services, % of GDP
62.4%
2024
63.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.6%
2024
29.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.95%
2024
1.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.98B
2024
$19.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,760
2024
$20,570
2024
Total reserves including gold
$498M
2024
$3.46B
2024
Total reserves ranking
156/177
2024
113/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$126M
2024
-$464M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$128M
2024
$467M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.61M
2024
$3.02M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.15%
2024
1.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
52%
2018
16.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.8%
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/belize/botswana | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1996–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.