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Economy of Bolivia vs Botswana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bolivia has a GDP of $64.8B compared to $19.9B for Botswana, ranking 88/197 and 135/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bolivia has $54.9B in government debt (84.8% of GDP), compared to $7.7B (38.6% of GDP) in Botswana.

Bolivia vs Botswana GDP by year

Bolivia
Botswana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bolivia Botswana
2025 $64,768,947,525 $19,928,479,839
2024 $54,881,327,453 $19,286,251,068
2023 $52,340,206,946 $19,413,614,555
2022 $50,959,081,954 $20,321,150,599
2021 $47,877,892,402 $18,750,182,236
2020 $42,313,784,081 $14,960,251,608
2019 $49,056,643,589 $16,725,908,149
2018 $48,414,038,842 $17,031,943,186
2017 $45,927,439,595 $16,105,155,857
2016 $33,941,126,194 $15,082,637,184
2015 $33,000,198,249 $13,530,748,845
2014 $32,996,188,017 $15,470,088,501
2013 $30,659,338,886 $14,271,738,933
2012 $27,084,497,482 $13,907,464,500
2011 $23,963,164,697 $15,110,643,612
2010 $19,649,723,722 $12,637,273,429
2009 $17,339,992,194 $10,118,459,242
2008 $16,674,276,286 $10,730,829,116
2007 $13,120,108,008 $10,567,270,656
2006 $11,451,844,902 $9,919,158,482
2005 $9,549,122,905 $9,918,907,108
2004 $8,773,451,752 $8,957,467,707
2003 $8,082,399,640 $7,511,582,173
2002 $7,905,485,146 $5,438,863,983
2001 $8,141,516,928 $5,489,608,300
2000 $8,397,855,485 $5,788,329,609
1999 $8,285,064,435 $5,484,263,347
1998 $8,497,494,652 $4,790,481,509
1997 $7,925,736,821 $5,020,265,627
1996 $7,396,949,126 $4,847,757,218
1995 $6,715,161,732 $4,730,599,122
1994 $5,981,222,859 $4,259,259,604
1993 $5,734,699,489 $4,160,129,175
1992 $5,643,868,749 $4,146,464,587
1991 $5,343,262,457 $3,942,876,703
1990 $4,867,582,598 $3,790,636,324
1989 $4,715,973,437 $3,083,822,112
1988 $4,597,612,362 $2,644,554,159
1987 $4,347,956,338 $1,965,226,890
1986 $3,959,382,833 $1,392,602,164
1985 $5,377,276,555 $1,114,783,343
1984 $6,169,483,225 $1,240,822,167
1983 $5,422,656,823 $1,172,230,397
1982 $5,594,126,369 $1,014,945,696
1981 $5,891,598,695 $1,073,812,830
1980 $4,537,479,608 $1,060,889,704
1979 $4,421,336,383 $819,870,259
1978 $3,758,220,890 $590,407,374
1977 $3,227,436,282 $451,624,780
1976 $2,731,984,008 $372,025,093
1975 $2,404,697,651 $355,168,572
1974 $2,100,249,875 $306,044,208
1973 $1,262,968,516 $244,124,164
1972 $1,257,615,645 $164,460,915
1971 $1,095,622,896 $127,448,614
1970 $1,017,003,367 $96,243,234
1969 $929,629,630 $77,361,547
1968 $857,912,458 $66,248,441
1967 $755,808,081 $58,642,354
1966 $669,191,919 $51,465,655
1965 $604,377,104 $45,788,696
1964 $544,023,569 $41,616,348
1963 $482,828,283 $38,091,843
1962 $448,400,673 $35,644,957
1961 $410,101,010 $32,902,613
1960 $377,020,202 $30,411,414

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bolivia vs Botswana by year

Bolivia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bolivia Botswana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,148 - $7,778 -
2024 $4,421 $12,878 $7,650 $20,538
2023 $4,275 $12,892 $7,827 $21,012
2022 $4,219 $12,307 $8,329 $19,977
2021 $4,011 $11,202 $7,808 $17,961
2020 $3,581 $9,581 $6,323 $15,292
2019 $4,203 $11,005 $7,172 $15,960
2018 $4,207 $10,758 $7,408 $15,786
2017 $4,048 $10,420 $7,105 $15,701
2016 $3,036 $9,242 $6,749 $16,228
2015 $2,996 $8,757 $6,141 $14,144
2014 $3,041 $8,629 $7,122 $15,003
2013 $2,870 $8,069 $6,667 $13,621
2012 $2,576 $7,184 $6,596 $12,737
2011 $2,316 $6,598 $7,287 $13,635
2010 $1,930 $6,245 $6,216 $12,753
2009 $1,731 $6,024 $5,083 $11,686
2008 $1,693 $5,890 $5,503 $13,810
2007 $1,355 $5,537 $5,529 $13,389
2006 $1,203 $5,244 $5,292 $12,563
2005 $1,020 $4,938 $5,391 $11,458
2004 $953 $4,663 $4,957 $10,818
2003 $893 $4,433 $4,230 $10,439
2002 $888 $4,304 $3,117 $9,958
2001 $930 $4,205 $3,206 $9,420
2000 $976 $4,113 $3,451 $9,380
1999 $979 $3,991 $3,340 $9,188
1998 $1,022 $3,988 $2,981 $8,441
1997 $970 $3,822 $3,194 $8,497
1996 $922 $3,645 $3,156 $7,890
1995 $853 $3,494 $3,156 $7,503
1994 $774 $3,331 $2,917 $7,049
1993 $757 $3,177 $2,929 $6,847
1992 $760 $3,036 $3,005 $6,753
1991 $734 $2,981 $2,939 $6,598
1990 $683 $2,797 $2,903 $6,104
1989 $675 - $2,428 -
1988 $673 - $2,141 -
1987 $650 - $1,639 -
1986 $604 - $1,200 -
1985 $838 - $994 -
1984 $982 - $1,145 -
1983 $882 - $1,121 -
1982 $930 - $1,006 -
1981 $1,001 - $1,107 -
1980 $788 - $1,132 -
1979 $785 - $909 -
1978 $683 - $695 -
1977 $600 - $565 -
1976 $520 - $490 -
1975 $468 - $493 -
1974 $418 - $446 -
1973 $257.2 - $374 -
1972 $261.9 - $264.2 -
1971 $233.4 - $212.2 -
1970 $221.6 - $163 -
1969 $207.1 - $131.8 -
1968 $195.5 - $113.4 -
1967 $176.1 - $100.9 -
1966 $159.3 - $89.1 -
1965 $147.1 - $79.7 -
1964 $135.2 - $73.5 -
1963 $122.6 - $68.9 -
1962 $116.2 - $66 -
1961 $108.5 - $62.3 -
1960 $101.8 - $58.9 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bolivia's GDP per capita is $5,148, ranking 121/197, compared to $7,778 in Botswana, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bolivia ranks 122nd at $12,878, while Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538.

Economic indicators

Bolivia Botswana
Gross domestic product
$64.8B
2025
$19.9B
2025
GDP rank
88/197
2025
135/197
2025
GDP growth
-1.58%
2024-2025
-0.73%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,148
2025
$7,778
2025
GDP per capita rank
121/197
2025
100/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,878
2024
$20,538
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
122/197
2024
95/197
2024
Government debt
$54.9B
2025
$7.7B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
84.8%
2025
38.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$4,364
2025
$3,005
2025
Government debt per person rank
93/185
2025
106/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,410
2026
$5,441
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.28B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.6%
2024
42.9%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2024
1.4%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.2%
2025
35%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
19.5%
2024-2025
2.66%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.26%
2025
5.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
2.73%
2024
24.4%
2024
Population
12837312
2624853

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bolivia
Spending

Debt
Botswana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bolivia Botswana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.2% 84.8% 35% 38.6%
2024 33.5% 83.2% 33.7% 33.2%
2023 33.5% 78.3% 32.4% 22.5%
2022 31.2% 69.2% 29.1% 21%
2021 29.4% 68.7% 31.4% 22.3%
2020 31.9% 67.5% 36.5% 23.5%
2019 30.1% 48.9% 36.9% 21.5%
2018 31.4% 44.2% 35.6% 19.6%
2017 31.6% 41.9% 34.7% 19.6%
2016 32.9% 38.2% 34.1% 22.3%
2015 37% 34% 37.8% 24.5%
2014 34.9% 31.8% 36.5% 23.9%
2013 30.4% 31% 33.5% 23.8%
2012 31.3% 30.7% 37.1% 26.4%
2011 30.6% 30.5% 37.2% 27.9%
2010 27.5% 32.8% 42.6% 26.5%
2009 28.9% 34.1% 52.1% 22.4%
2008 31.1% 32.4% 48.1% 7.79%
2007 28.9% 35.5% 37.1% 5.93%
2006 26.6% 48.6% 33.1% 6.14%
2005 29.5% 73.2% 33.8% 7.46%
2004 29% 80.6% 39.8% 10.7%
2003 28.6% 85.5% 42.7% 7.08%
2002 29.6% 77.2% 45.1% 8.37%
2001 28.6% 74.4% 42.1% 7.48%
2000 26.2% 66.5% 38.8% 8.16%
1999 26.3% 61.7% 40.1% 9.31%
1998 26.8% 61.2% 41.8% 11.3%
1997 25.3% 64.6% 39% -
1996 23.3% 72.4% 36.1% -
1995 23.1% 81.7% 36.1% -
1994 23.9% 87.6% 37.6% -
1993 24.3% 83.8% 42% -
1992 22.6% 92.4% 42.3% -
1991 21.6% 92.8% 41.1% -
1990 20.4% 102.9% 38.9% -
1989 24.4% 98% - -
1988 24% 115.9% - -
1987 24.4% 145.3% - -
1986 22.2% 149% - -
1985 21.8% 205.2% - -
1984 29% 166.5% - -
1983 32.1% 157.3% - -
1982 25% 155.4% - -
1981 16.6% 121.7% - -
1980 19.8% 100% - -
1979 18% 92% - -
1978 17.3% 82.5% - -
1977 18.6% 82.4% - -
1976 16.8% 68.9% - -
1975 14.4% 56.2% - -
1974 14.2% 52.7% - -
1973 14.1% 80.9% - -
1972 11.8% 77.7% - -
1971 11.3% 65.7% - -
1970 10% 63.9% - -
1969 12.3% - - -
1968 14.1% - - -
1967 13.1% - - -
1966 12.9% - - -
1965 12.9% - - -
1964 10.8% - - -
1963 10.8% - - -
1962 10.2% - - -
1961 10.7% - - -
1960 10.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bolivia's government spending was $20.8B, accounting for 32.2% of its GDP, while Botswana spent $6.98B, or 35% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 84.8% in Bolivia and 38.6% in Botswana, ranking 36/185 and 137/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bolivia

Botswana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bolivia Botswana
2025 -11.6% -7.42%
2024 -8.7% -7.26%
2023 -9.46% -4.16%
2022 -6.15% 0.04%
2021 -7.87% -2.33%
2020 -11% -10.9%
2019 -6.04% -8.53%
2018 -6.8% -5.03%
2017 -6.42% -1.14%
2016 -5.95% 0.71%
2015 -5.76% -4.82%
2014 -2.88% 3.9%
2013 0.51% 5.84%
2012 1.49% 0.89%
2011 0.72% -0.12%
2010 1.42% -7.95%
2009 2.29% -13.8%
2008 3.1% -7.61%
2007 -1.37% 5.73%
2006 3.99% 13.3%
2005 -2% 10.3%
2004 -4.97% 1.35%
2003 -7.04% -0.18%
2002 -7.82% -3.94%
2001 -6.11% -2.91%
2000 -3.34% 8.73%
1999 -3.43% 5.95%
1998 -4.56% -
1997 -2.94% -
1996 -1.7% -
1995 -1.63% -
1994 -2.68% -
1993 -5.46% -
1992 -3.94% -
1991 -3.76% -
1990 -3.94% -
1989 -5.5% -
1988 -6.5% -
1987 -7.7% -
1986 -2.7% -
1985 -9.8% -
1984 -25.4% -
1983 -19.8% -
1982 -15.9% -
1981 -12.3% -
1980 -15.3% -
1979 -11.2% -
1978 -9.97% -
1977 -11.2% -
1976 -1.15% -
1975 -2.33% -
1974 -1.87% -
1973 -3.72% -
1972 -3.69% -
1971 -3.67% -
1970 -1.92% -
1969 -4.16% -
1968 -5.67% -
1967 -4.29% -
1966 -3.55% -
1965 -4.12% -
1964 -2.68% -
1963 -3.02% -
1962 -2.8% -
1961 -2.81% -
1960 -3.35% -
1959 -4.32% -
1958 -2.95% -
1957 -1.11% -
1956 -0.11% -
1955 0.33% -
1954 0.006% -
1953 -0.48% -
1952 -0.94% -
1951 -0.42% -
1950 -1.17% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bolivia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $7.51B, equivalent to 11.6% of GDP. This compares to Botswana's deficit of $1.48B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Bolivia recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Botswana ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Bolivia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.12% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.16% of GDP for Botswana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bolivia

Botswana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bolivia Botswana
2025 19.5% 2.66%
2024 5.1% 2.82%
2023 2.58% 5.07%
2022 1.75% 11.7%
2021 0.74% 7.24%
2020 0.94% 1.89%
2019 1.84% 2.77%
2018 2.27% 3.24%
2017 2.82% 3.31%
2016 3.62% 2.81%
2015 4.06% 3.06%
2014 5.77% 4.4%
2013 5.74% 5.88%
2012 4.52% 7.54%
2011 9.88% 8.46%
2010 2.5% 6.95%
2009 3.35% 8.03%
2008 14% 12.7%
2007 8.71% 7.08%
2006 4.28% 11.6%
2005 5.39% 8.61%
2004 4.44% 6.95%
2003 3.34% 9.19%
2002 0.93% 8.03%
2001 1.59% 6.56%
2000 4.61% 8.6%
1999 2.16% 7.75%
1998 7.67% 6.66%
1997 4.71% 8.72%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Bolivia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.79%, compared with 6.56% in Botswana. In 2025, inflation was 19.5% in Bolivia and 2.66% in Botswana.

Top exports between countries

Bolivia
Export category Export value
Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $171K

Balance of trade

Bolivia Botswana
Current account balance
-$1.22B
2025
-$821M
2024
Current account balance ranking
124/190
2025
113/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.88%
2025
-4.26%
2024
Goods imports
$9.23B
2025
$6.86B
2024
Goods exports
$9.56B
2025
$4.66B
2024
Service imports
$2.25B
2025
$1.29B
2024
Service exports
$1.21B
2025
$935M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
37.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.4%
2024
32%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bolivia Botswana
Economic freedom 42.4 67.7
Economic freedom ranking 184/197 53/197
Property rights 20.2 71.7
Government integrity 27.1 59.6
Judicial effectiveness 29.5 70.2
Tax burden 86.4 87.1
Government spending 56.3 69.8
Fiscal health 0.8 72.4
Business freedom 53.6 61.5
Labor freedom 52.2 60.7
Monetary freedom 67.1 72
Trade freedom 60.6 77
Investment freedom 15 50
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bolivia
Botswana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bolivia Botswana
2026 42.4 67.7
2025 44.1 69.9
2024 43.5 68
2023 43.4 64.9
2022 43 64.8
2021 42.7 67.6
2020 42.8 69.6
2019 42.3 69.5
2018 44.1 69.9
2017 47.7 70.1
2016 47.4 71.1
2015 46.8 69.8
2014 48.4 72
2013 47.9 70.6
2012 50.2 69.6
2011 50 68.8
2010 49.4 70.3
2009 53.6 69.7
2008 53.1 68.2
2007 54.2 68.1
2006 57.8 68.8
2005 58.4 69.3
2004 64.5 69.9
2003 64.3 68.6
2002 65.1 66.2
2001 68 66.8
2000 65 65.8
1999 65.6 62.9
1998 68.8 62.8
1997 65.1 59.1
1996 65.2 61.6
1995 56.8 56.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bolivia is 42.4, ranking 184/197, 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

Bolivia Botswana
Services, % of GDP
53.4%
2024
64.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
31.3%
2024
27.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.83%
2024
1.78%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$55.6B
2025
$18.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,530
2025
$19,960
2025
Total reserves including gold
$580M
2025
$3.46B
2024
Total reserves ranking
155/177
2025
117/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2025
-$464M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$358M
2024
$467M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$133M
2024
$3.02M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.41%
2024
1.45%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2024
16.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.9%
2024
29.2%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2021, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.