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Economy of Botswana vs Bulgaria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $113B for Bulgaria, ranking 133/197 and 67/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $27.3B (24.1% of GDP) in Bulgaria.

Botswana vs Bulgaria GDP by year

Botswana
Bulgaria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Bulgaria
2024 $19,402,063,513 $113,343,355,780
2023 $19,411,266,967 $102,199,231,385
2022 $20,321,150,599 $90,506,153,294
2021 $18,750,182,236 $84,374,613,233
2020 $14,960,251,608 $70,486,877,546
2019 $16,725,908,149 $68,507,731,354
2018 $17,031,943,186 $66,097,226,262
2017 $16,105,155,857 $59,167,647,388
2016 $15,082,637,184 $53,929,397,039
2015 $13,530,748,845 $50,765,918,159
2014 $15,470,088,501 $57,080,897,012
2013 $14,271,738,933 $55,819,262,375
2012 $13,907,464,500 $54,297,052,002
2011 $15,110,643,612 $57,681,293,007
2010 $12,637,273,429 $50,689,051,382
2009 $10,118,459,242 $52,023,801,230
2008 $10,730,829,116 $54,480,684,188
2007 $10,567,270,656 $44,431,257,129
2006 $9,919,158,482 $34,380,536,496
2005 $9,918,907,108 $29,868,657,858
2004 $8,957,467,707 $26,157,743,369
2003 $7,511,582,173 $21,144,957,990
2002 $5,438,863,983 $16,403,043,850
2001 $5,489,608,300 $14,183,446,026
2000 $5,788,329,609 $13,245,990,274
1999 $5,484,263,347 $13,637,098,579
1998 $4,790,481,509 $15,031,055,047
1997 $5,020,265,627 $11,316,127,379
1996 $4,847,757,218 $12,294,964,838
1995 $4,730,599,122 $18,991,484,420
1994 $4,259,259,604 $9,709,240,034
1993 $4,160,129,175 $10,832,064,942
1992 $4,146,464,587 $8,602,887,623
1991 $3,942,876,703 $7,628,738,475
1990 $3,790,636,324 $20,632,090,909
1989 $3,083,822,112 $21,988,444,444
1988 $2,644,554,159 $22,555,941,176
1987 $1,965,226,890 $28,101,000,000
1986 $1,392,602,164 $20,249,294,118
1985 $1,114,783,343 $17,155,421,053
1984 $1,240,822,167 $17,594,944,444
1983 $1,172,230,397 $16,563,666,667
1982 $1,014,945,696 $19,342,000,000
1981 $1,073,812,830 $19,870,000,000
1980 $1,060,889,704 $19,839,230,769
1979 $819,870,259 -
1978 $590,407,374 -
1977 $451,624,780 -
1976 $372,025,093 -
1975 $355,168,572 -
1974 $306,044,208 -
1973 $244,124,164 -
1972 $164,460,915 -
1971 $127,448,614 -
1970 $96,243,234 -
1969 $77,361,547 -
1968 $66,248,441 -
1967 $58,642,354 -
1966 $51,465,655 -
1965 $45,788,696 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Bulgaria by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Bulgaria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $17,596 $41,969
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $15,853 $38,829
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $13,999 $36,320
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $12,966 $30,959
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $10,760 $27,352
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $10,354 $26,766
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $9,849 $23,998
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $8,697 $22,317
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $7,822 $20,746
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $7,269 $18,896
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $8,070 $17,991
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $7,796 $16,894
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $7,432 $16,327
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $7,850 $15,747
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $6,854 $14,954
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $6,988 $14,188
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $7,271 $14,347
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $5,889 $12,822
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $4,523 $11,406
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $3,900 $10,291
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $3,390 $9,200
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $2,719 $8,416
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $2,093 $7,786
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $1,771 $6,960
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,621 $6,424
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $1,661 $5,808
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $1,820 $6,178
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $1,361 $5,751
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $1,470 $6,849
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $2,259 $7,743
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $1,150 $7,338
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $1,279 $7,032
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $1,007 $6,917
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $884 $7,215
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $2,367 $7,548
1989 $2,428 - $2,477 -
1988 $2,141 - $2,511 -
1987 $1,639 - $3,132 -
1986 $1,200 - $2,260 -
1985 $994 - $1,915 -
1984 $1,145 - $1,964 -
1983 $1,121 - $1,853 -
1982 $1,006 - $2,169 -
1981 $1,107 - $2,235 -
1980 $1,132 - $2,239 -
1979 $909 - - -
1978 $695 - - -
1977 $565 - - -
1976 $490 - - -
1975 $493 - - -
1974 $446 - - -
1973 $374 - - -
1972 $264.2 - - -
1971 $212.2 - - -
1970 $163 - - -
1969 $131.8 - - -
1968 $113.4 - - -
1967 $100.9 - - -
1966 $89.1 - - -
1965 $79.7 - - -
1964 $73.5 - - -
1963 $68.9 - - -
1962 $66 - - -
1961 $62.3 - - -
1960 $58.9 - - -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $17,596 in Bulgaria, ranking 64/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969.

Economic indicators

Botswana Bulgaria
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$113B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
67/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
3.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$17,596
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
64/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$41,969
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
54/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$27.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
24.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$4,237
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
90/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$14,263
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$8.41B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
31.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
36.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
1.81%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
4.17%
2024
Population
2615162
6359449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Bulgaria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 36.7% 24.1%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 37.4% 22.9%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 37.6% 22.5%
2021 33% 23.4% 38.4% 23.8%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 37.6% 22.7%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 36% 18.4%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 34.4% 20.1%
2017 35% 19.8% 32% 22.9%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 32.7% 27%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 37.3% 25.4%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 37.1% 26.3%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 35.5% 17.2%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 32.5% 16.5%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 32% 14.3%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 34.6% 14.1%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 33.8% 14.5%
2008 48% 7.77% 33.5% 14.7%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 33.1% 17.6%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 32.5% 22.6%
2005 35% 7.74% 34% 28.5%
2004 42% 11.3% 34.6% 37.8%
2003 44% 7.29% 35.8% 45.4%
2002 46% 8.55% 35.1% 53.4%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 36.5% 67.1%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 37.1% 73.3%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 36.2% 78.7%
1998 44.3% 12% 30.6% 67.3%
1997 40% - 32.9% 88.4%
1996 37.2% - 44% 113.8%
1995 38.1% - 45.4% 72%
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 (1995–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Bulgaria spent $41.5B, or 36.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 24.1% in Bulgaria, ranking 158/185 and 169/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Bulgaria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Bulgaria
2024 -7.82% -3.04%
2023 -4.25% -3.03%
2022 -0.006% -0.8%
2021 -2.46% -2.8%
2020 -11.5% -2.92%
2019 -8.43% -0.96%
2018 -5.07% 0.12%
2017 -1.16% 0.82%
2016 0.72% 1.54%
2015 -5.06% -2.77%
2014 3.88% -3.65%
2013 6.07% -1.75%
2012 0.92% -0.43%
2011 -0.12% -1.83%
2010 -8.36% -3.77%
2009 -14.4% -0.86%
2008 -7.59% 2.73%
2007 5.92% 3.09%
2006 13.7% 3.22%
2005 10.7% 2.19%
2004 1.42% 1.59%
2003 -0.18% 0.003%
2002 -4.02% -0.61%
2001 -2.96% -0.58%
2000 8.95% -0.6%
1999 6.18% 0.15%
1998 - 1.08%
1997 - 0.83%
1996 - -10.1%
1995 - -7.98%
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - 0%
1943 - 0%
1942 - -0.3%
1941 - 3.96%
1940 - 0.75%
1939 - 0.72%
1938 - 1%
1937 - 1.41%
1936 - 1.17%
1935 - 1.34%
1934 - -0.12%
1933 - -0.56%
1932 - -2.14%
1931 - -3.07%
1930 - -5.48%
1929 - -6.67%
1928 - -1.09%
1927 - -0.02%
1926 - -0.25%
1925 - -0.97%
1924 - 1.26%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.52B, equivalent to 7.82% of GDP. This compares to Bulgaria's deficit of $3.44B, or 3.04% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Bulgaria ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.58% of GDP for Bulgaria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Bulgaria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Bulgaria
2024 2.82% 2.6%
2023 5.07% 8.6%
2022 11.7% 13%
2021 7.24% 2.8%
2020 1.89% 1.2%
2019 2.77% 2.5%
2018 3.24% 2.6%
2017 3.31% 1.2%
2016 2.81% -1.3%
2015 3.06% -1.1%
2014 4.4% -1.6%
2013 5.88% 0.4%
2012 7.54% 2.4%
2011 8.46% 3.4%
2010 6.95% 3%
2009 8.03% 2.5%
2008 12.7% 12%
2007 7.08% 7.6%
2006 11.6% 7.4%
2005 8.61% 6%
2004 6.95% 6.1%
2003 9.19% 2.3%
2002 8.03% 5.8%
2001 6.56% 7.4%
2000 8.6% 10.3%
1999 7.75% 2.6%
1998 6.66% 18.7%
1997 8.72% 1,061%

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/botswana/bulgaria | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 42.5% in Bulgaria. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 2.6% in Bulgaria.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $28K
Miscellaneous $9K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $1.11M
Machinery & equipment $100K
Textiles & consumer goods $15K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Botswana Bulgaria
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$1.74B
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
138/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-1.54%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$52.8B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$47.3B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$8.26B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$16.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
53.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
56.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Bulgaria
Economic freedom 67.7 68.9
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 44/197
Property rights 71.7 75.8
Government integrity 59.6 48.4
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 58.5
Tax burden 87.1 89.1
Government spending 69.8 58.4
Fiscal health 72.4 90.4
Business freedom 61.5 78.2
Labor freedom 60.7 62.4
Monetary freedom 72 75.8
Trade freedom 77 79.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Bulgaria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Bulgaria
2026 67.7 68.9
2025 69.9 68.8
2024 68 68.5
2023 64.9 69.3
2022 64.8 71
2021 67.6 70.4
2020 69.6 70.2
2019 69.5 69
2018 69.9 68.3
2017 70.1 67.9
2016 71.1 65.9
2015 69.8 66.8
2014 72 65.7
2013 70.6 65
2012 69.6 64.7
2011 68.8 64.9
2010 70.3 62.3
2009 69.7 64.6
2008 68.2 63.7
2007 68.1 62.7
2006 68.8 64.1
2005 69.3 62.3
2004 69.9 59.2
2003 68.6 57
2002 66.2 57.1
2001 66.8 51.9
2000 65.8 47.3
1999 62.9 46.2
1998 62.8 45.7
1997 59.1 47.6
1996 61.6 48.6
1995 56.8 50

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 68.9 for Bulgaria, ranking 44/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Bulgaria
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
63.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
21.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
2.35%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$99B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$39,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$43.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
47/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$2.22B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$3.55B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$1.13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
6.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
20.4%
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/botswana/bulgaria | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.