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Economy of Botswana vs Brunei compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $15B for Brunei, ranking 135/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $232M (1.54% of GDP) in Brunei.

Botswana vs Brunei GDP by year

Botswana
Brunei
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Brunei
2025 $19,928,479,839 $15,031,980,994
2024 $19,286,251,068 $15,340,808,592
2023 $19,413,614,555 $15,095,084,656
2022 $20,321,150,599 $16,681,536,467
2021 $18,750,182,236 $14,006,496,617
2020 $14,960,251,608 $12,005,799,654
2019 $16,725,908,149 $13,469,235,365
2018 $17,031,943,186 $13,566,908,391
2017 $16,105,155,857 $12,128,168,045
2016 $15,082,637,184 $11,400,266,045
2015 $13,530,748,845 $12,930,296,870
2014 $15,470,088,501 $17,097,797,386
2013 $14,271,738,933 $18,094,148,099
2012 $13,907,464,500 $19,048,443,341
2011 $15,110,643,612 $18,524,791,063
2010 $12,637,273,429 $13,707,121,038
2009 $10,118,459,242 $11,912,904,510
2008 $10,730,829,116 $15,926,456,515
2007 $10,567,270,656 $13,432,029,484
2006 $9,919,158,482 $12,644,616,419
2005 $9,918,907,108 $10,547,202,621
2004 $8,957,467,707 $8,619,178,774
2003 $7,511,582,173 $7,167,725,262
2002 $5,438,863,983 $6,333,082,876
2001 $5,489,608,300 $6,096,155,767
2000 $5,788,329,609 $6,570,999,088
1999 $5,484,263,347 $6,309,070,378
1998 $4,790,481,509 $5,550,846,020
1997 $5,020,265,627 $7,793,034,376
1996 $4,847,757,218 $7,663,377,306
1995 $4,730,599,122 $7,700,144,069
1994 $4,259,259,604 $6,467,782,518
1993 $4,160,129,175 $6,203,339,912
1992 $4,146,464,587 $6,327,966,435
1991 $3,942,876,703 $6,284,497,294
1990 $3,790,636,324 $6,039,881,087
1989 $3,083,822,112 $4,983,622,881
1988 $2,644,554,159 $4,535,130,305
1987 $1,965,226,890 $4,918,010,080
1986 $1,392,602,164 $4,190,280,003
1985 $1,114,783,343 $6,967,623,884
1984 $1,240,822,167 $7,632,788,075
1983 $1,172,230,397 $7,927,590,750
1982 $1,014,945,696 $8,932,198,186
1981 $1,073,812,830 $9,367,218,664
1980 $1,060,889,704 $10,795,432,294
1979 $819,870,259 $6,044,367,628
1978 $590,407,374 $4,100,423,674
1977 $451,624,780 $3,681,242,528
1976 $372,025,093 $3,054,765,590
1975 $355,168,572 $2,496,420,258
1974 $306,044,208 $2,319,576,214
1973 $244,124,164 $433,095,527
1972 $164,460,915 $270,822,782
1971 $127,448,614 $197,525,768
1970 $96,243,234 $179,078,929
1969 $77,361,547 $161,210,236
1968 $66,248,441 $160,818,236
1967 $58,642,354 $139,029,537
1966 $51,465,655 $132,757,528
1965 $45,788,696 $114,039,501
1964 $41,616,348 -
1963 $38,091,843 -
1962 $35,644,957 -
1961 $32,902,613 -
1960 $30,411,414 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Brunei by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Brunei
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $32,235 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $33,153 $89,879
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $32,891 $85,033
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $36,633 $81,802
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $31,007 $78,249
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $26,834 $69,788
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $30,427 $69,354
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $30,988 $65,149
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $28,024 $61,658
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $26,663 $56,680
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $30,625 $62,708
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $41,027 $81,226
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $44,003 $83,237
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $46,969 $87,256
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $46,383 $82,735
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $34,938 $79,543
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $30,946 $77,957
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $42,157 $80,477
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $36,217 $83,693
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $34,675 $86,114
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $29,386 $81,534
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $24,423 $80,404
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $20,678 $79,632
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $18,621 $76,838
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $18,288 $74,254
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $20,130 $73,087
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $19,752 $70,585
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $17,769 $68,257
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $25,522 $73,980
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $25,692 $70,008
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $26,443 $70,440
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $22,767 $69,779
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $22,397 $69,387
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $23,451 $70,016
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $23,932 $72,610
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $23,659 $70,201
1989 $2,428 - $20,090 -
1988 $2,141 - $18,825 -
1987 $1,639 - $21,030 -
1986 $1,200 - $18,501 -
1985 $994 - $31,827 -
1984 $1,145 - $36,061 -
1983 $1,121 - $38,720 -
1982 $1,006 - $45,075 -
1981 $1,107 - $48,793 -
1980 $1,132 - $58,005 -
1979 $909 - $33,501 -
1978 $695 - $23,447 -
1977 $565 - $21,747 -
1976 $490 - $18,671 -
1975 $493 - $15,793 -
1974 $446 - $15,195 -
1973 $374 - $2,939 -
1972 $264.2 - $1,905 -
1971 $212.2 - $1,432 -
1970 $163 - $1,325 -
1969 $131.8 - $1,226 -
1968 $113.4 - $1,274 -
1967 $100.9 - $1,149 -
1966 $89.1 - $1,146 -
1965 $79.7 - $1,029 -
1964 $73.5 - - -
1963 $68.9 - - -
1962 $66 - - -
1961 $62.3 - - -
1960 $58.9 - - -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $32,235 in Brunei, ranking 42/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879.

Economic indicators

Botswana Brunei
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$15B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
147/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
0.67%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$32,235
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
42/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$89,879
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
9/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$232M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
1.54%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$498
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
169/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$25,392
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
29.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
-0.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
4.87%
2024
Population
2624853
471596

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Brunei
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Brunei
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 29.9% 1.54%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 30.3% 1.57%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 30.1% 1.67%
2022 29.1% 21% 26.1% 1.33%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 30.1% 1.43%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 32.8% 2.16%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 32.1% 1.82%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 32.9% 1.9%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 36.6% 2.58%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 39.8% 3%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 37% 2.95%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 34% 3.23%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 33.4% 2.21%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 31.1% 2.1%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 29.9% 2.13%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 25.5% 1.11%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 34.8% 1.11%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 27.2% 0.94%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 29.3% 0.68%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 28% 0.59%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 29.1% 0%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 33.2% 0%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 30.9% 0%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 41.4% 0%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 35.5% 0%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 37.5% 0%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 44.1% 0%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 45.4% 0%
1997 39% - 39% 0%
1996 36.1% - 36.9% 0%
1995 36.1% - 44% 0%
1994 37.6% - 47.1% 0%
1993 42% - 38% 0%
1992 42.3% - 34.1% 0%
1991 41.1% - 30.6% 0%
1990 38.9% - 32% 0%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Brunei spent $4.5B, or 29.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 1.54% in Brunei, ranking 137/185 and 185/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Brunei
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Brunei
2025 -7.42% -13.4%
2024 -7.26% -12.9%
2023 -4.16% -8.62%
2022 0.04% -0.25%
2021 -2.33% -8.34%
2020 -10.9% -16.2%
2019 -8.53% -4.16%
2018 -5.03% -2.9%
2017 -1.14% -13.8%
2016 0.71% -16.7%
2015 -4.82% -11.4%
2014 3.9% 1.25%
2013 5.84% 10.4%
2012 0.89% 19.5%
2011 -0.12% 21.5%
2010 -7.95% 11.3%
2009 -13.8% 3.61%
2008 -7.61% 36.1%
2007 5.73% 3.12%
2006 13.3% 19.8%
2005 10.3% 16%
2004 1.35% 8.57%
2003 -0.18% 8.06%
2002 -3.94% -4.61%
2001 -2.91% 2.59%
2000 8.73% 6.86%
1999 5.95% -18.3%
1998 - -24%
1997 - -11.8%
1996 - -8.7%
1995 - -19.8%
1994 - -22.6%
1993 - -12.8%
1992 - -8.28%
1991 - -1.06%
1990 - -1.63%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.48B, equivalent to 7.42% of GDP. This compares to Brunei's deficit of $2.02B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Brunei ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.38% of GDP for Brunei.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Brunei
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Brunei
2025 2.66% -0.3%
2024 2.82% -0.39%
2023 5.07% 0.36%
2022 11.7% 3.68%
2021 7.24% 1.73%
2020 1.89% 1.94%
2019 2.77% -0.39%
2018 3.24% 1.03%
2017 3.31% -1.26%
2016 2.81% -0.28%
2015 3.06% -0.49%
2014 4.4% -0.21%
2013 5.88% 0.39%
2012 7.54% 0.11%
2011 8.46% 0.14%
2010 6.95% 0.36%
2009 8.03% 1.04%
2008 12.7% 2.08%
2007 7.08% 0.97%
2006 11.6% 0.16%
2005 8.61% 1.24%
2004 6.95% 0.81%
2003 9.19% 0.3%
2002 8.03% -2.31%
2001 6.56% 0.6%
2000 8.6% 1.56%
1999 7.75% -0.42%
1998 6.66% -0.44%
1997 8.72% 1.71%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 0.47% in Brunei. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and -0.3% in Brunei.

Balance of trade

Botswana Brunei
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$2.71B
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
40/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
+18%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$6.28B
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$10.3B
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$1.54B
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$463M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
52%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
71.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Brunei
Economic freedom 67.7 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 55/197
Property rights 71.7 66.1
Government integrity 59.6 60.4
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 48.6
Tax burden 87.1 95
Government spending 69.8 75.6
Fiscal health 72.4 39
Business freedom 61.5 75.3
Labor freedom 60.7 75.1
Monetary freedom 72 74.8
Trade freedom 77 84.6
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Brunei
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Brunei
2026 67.7 67.5
2025 69.9 67
2024 68 65.9
2023 64.9 65.7
2022 64.8 64.8
2021 67.6 66.6
2020 69.6 66.6
2019 69.5 65.1
2018 69.9 64.2
2017 70.1 69.8
2016 71.1 67.3
2015 69.8 68.9
2014 72 69
2013 70.6 -
2012 69.6 -
2011 68.8 -
2010 70.3 -
2009 69.7 -
2008 68.2 -
2007 68.1 -
2006 68.8 -
2005 69.3 -
2004 69.9 -
2003 68.6 -
2002 66.2 -
2001 66.8 -
2000 65.8 -
1999 62.9 -
1998 62.8 -
1997 59.1 -
1996 61.6 -
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 67.5 for Brunei, ranking 55/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Brunei
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
40.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
60%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
1.18%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$16.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$95,420
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$5.49B
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
100/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$157M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$29.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
27.1%
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/botswana/brunei | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, 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.