Skip to content

Economy of Botswana vs Burundi compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $3.36B for Burundi, ranking 135/197 and 169/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $1.39B (41.2% of GDP) in Burundi.

Botswana vs Burundi GDP by year

Botswana
Burundi
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Burundi
2025 $19,928,479,839 $3,364,713,864
2024 $19,286,251,068 $3,037,579,858
2023 $19,413,614,555 $3,419,558,408
2022 $20,321,150,599 $4,020,736,757
2021 $18,750,182,236 $3,425,127,991
2020 $14,960,251,608 $3,188,355,944
2019 $16,725,908,149 $2,871,555,326
2018 $17,031,943,186 $2,913,411,408
2017 $16,105,155,857 $2,831,362,208
2016 $15,082,637,184 $2,618,093,125
2015 $13,530,748,845 $2,810,532,912
2014 $15,470,088,501 $2,705,826,648
2013 $14,271,738,933 $2,451,624,638
2012 $13,907,464,500 $2,327,402,363
2011 $15,110,643,612 $2,235,812,880
2010 $12,637,273,429 $2,032,135,192
2009 $10,118,459,242 $1,775,495,032
2008 $10,730,829,116 $1,611,835,857
2007 $10,567,270,656 $1,356,199,387
2006 $9,919,158,482 $1,273,375,078
2005 $9,918,907,108 $1,117,113,080
2004 $8,957,467,707 $915,257,323
2003 $7,511,582,173 $784,654,424
2002 $5,438,863,983 $825,394,519
2001 $5,489,608,300 $876,794,723
2000 $5,788,329,609 $870,486,066
1999 $5,484,263,347 $808,077,223
1998 $4,790,481,509 $893,770,740
1997 $5,020,265,627 $972,896,268
1996 $4,847,757,218 $869,033,856
1995 $4,730,599,122 $1,000,428,394
1994 $4,259,259,604 $925,030,590
1993 $4,160,129,175 $938,632,612
1992 $4,146,464,587 $1,083,037,671
1991 $3,942,876,703 $1,167,398,478
1990 $3,790,636,324 $1,132,101,253
1989 $3,083,822,112 $1,113,924,130
1988 $2,644,554,159 $1,082,403,219
1987 $1,965,226,890 $1,131,466,494
1986 $1,392,602,164 $1,201,725,497
1985 $1,114,783,343 $1,149,979,286
1984 $1,240,822,167 $987,143,931
1983 $1,172,230,397 $1,082,926,304
1982 $1,014,945,696 $1,013,222,222
1981 $1,073,812,830 $969,046,667
1980 $1,060,889,704 $919,726,667
1979 $819,870,259 $782,496,667
1978 $590,407,374 $610,225,556
1977 $451,624,780 $547,535,556
1976 $372,025,093 $448,412,754
1975 $355,168,572 $420,986,667
1974 $306,044,208 $345,263,492
1973 $244,124,164 $304,339,524
1972 $164,460,915 $246,804,571
1971 $127,448,614 $252,842,286
1970 $96,243,234 $242,732,571
1969 $77,361,547 $190,205,714
1968 $66,248,441 $183,200,000
1967 $58,642,354 $178,297,143
1966 $51,465,655 $165,444,571
1965 $45,788,696 $158,994,963
1964 $41,616,348 $260,750,008
1963 $38,091,843 $232,749,998
1962 $35,644,957 $213,500,006
1961 $32,902,613 $202,999,992
1960 $30,411,414 $195,999,990

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Burundi by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Burundi
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $233.8 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $216.2 $1,195
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $249.8 $1,150
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $302 $1,105
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $264.2 $1,036
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $252.7 $958
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $234.3 $868
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $245.7 $823
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $246.1 $791
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $232.9 $764
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $254.4 $722
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $250.5 $724
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $234.8 $687
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $231.1 $637
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $230.1 $629
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $216.7 $614
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $198.4 $605
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $189.5 $609
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $166.2 $594
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $161.9 $580
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $147.2 $553
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $125.2 $552
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $111.4 $532
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $121 $545
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $132.2 $528
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $134.5 $519
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $127.5 $523
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $144.5 $533
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $160.3 $513
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $143.2 $513
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $164.9 $548
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $161.9 $619
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $165.3 $634
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $184.9 $640
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $204.7 $636
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $202.6 $598
1989 $2,428 - $203.6 -
1988 $2,141 - $201.7 -
1987 $1,639 - $215.6 -
1986 $1,200 - $234.3 -
1985 $994 - $228.4 -
1984 $1,145 - $200.4 -
1983 $1,121 - $225.2 -
1982 $1,006 - $216.4 -
1981 $1,107 - $212.2 -
1980 $1,132 - $209.8 -
1979 $909 - $186.2 -
1978 $695 - $148.8 -
1977 $565 - $137.4 -
1976 $490 - $115.5 -
1975 $493 - $110.9 -
1974 $446 - $93.2 -
1973 $374 - $84.3 -
1972 $264.2 - $68.2 -
1971 $212.2 - $69.9 -
1970 $163 - $68.8 -
1969 $131.8 - $55.1 -
1968 $113.4 - $54.2 -
1967 $100.9 - $54 -
1966 $89.1 - $51.4 -
1965 $79.7 - $50.6 -
1964 $73.5 - $85.3 -
1963 $68.9 - $78.4 -
1962 $66 - $73.4 -
1961 $62.3 - $71.6 -
1960 $58.9 - $70.9 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $233.8 in Burundi, ranking 197/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195.

Economic indicators

Botswana Burundi
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$3.36B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
169/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
4.24%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$233.8
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
197/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$1,195
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
196/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$1.39B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
41.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$96.3
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
184/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$1,052
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
29.9%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.9%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
20.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
34.1%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
1.03%
2020
Population
2624853
14909238

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Burundi
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Burundi
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 20.4% 41.2%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 22.3% 53.1%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 28.4% 59.9%
2022 29.1% 21% 33.5% 69.8%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 28.4% 63.6%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 29.2% 65.9%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 28.8% 60.1%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 26% 53%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 24.1% 46.9%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 22.6% 46.1%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 23.2% 39.9%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 28.5% 38%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 34.8% 37.9%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 37.5% 41.4%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 42.2% 42.7%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 40.8% 46.9%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 38% 25.7%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 41.2% 102.5%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 39% 129.6%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 36.5% 130.3%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 33.1% 137%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 39.2% 166.1%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 33.9% 159.9%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 21.9% 144.8%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 22.7% 113.6%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 21.7% 120%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 20.5% 140.6%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 19.9% 138.9%
1997 39% - 18.8% 122.8%
1996 36.1% - 24.4% 139.4%
1995 36.1% - 22.1% 117.1%
1994 37.6% - 19.4% 119.6%
1993 42% - 24% 112%
1992 42.3% - 26.1% 93.5%
1991 41.1% - 19.2% -
1990 38.9% - 17.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Burundi spent $686M, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 41.2% in Burundi, ranking 137/185 and 129/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Burundi
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Burundi
2025 -7.42% -2.98%
2024 -7.26% -4.83%
2023 -4.16% -7.7%
2022 0.04% -10.7%
2021 -2.33% -4.6%
2020 -10.9% -6.58%
2019 -8.53% -6.4%
2018 -5.03% -6.66%
2017 -1.14% -5.01%
2016 0.71% -7.11%
2015 -4.82% -7.56%
2014 3.9% -3.93%
2013 5.84% -1.9%
2012 0.89% -3.79%
2011 -0.12% -3.49%
2010 -7.95% -3.64%
2009 -13.8% -5.14%
2008 -7.61% -2.7%
2007 5.73% -2.51%
2006 13.3% -9.92%
2005 10.3% -10.6%
2004 1.35% -14.9%
2003 -0.18% -13.7%
2002 -3.94% -4.9%
2001 -2.91% -7.78%
2000 8.73% -5.66%
1999 5.95% -5.33%
1998 - -4.43%
1997 - -4.48%
1996 - -8.61%
1995 - -3.72%
1994 - -1.76%
1993 - -1.22%
1992 - -4.16%
1991 - 4.14%
1990 - 8.14%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/burundi | 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 Burundi's deficit of $100M, or 2.98% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Burundi ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.3% of GDP for Burundi.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Burundi
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Burundi
2025 2.66% 34.1%
2024 2.82% 20.2%
2023 5.07% 26.9%
2022 11.7% 18.8%
2021 7.24% 8.4%
2020 1.89% 7.32%
2019 2.77% -0.69%
2018 3.24% -2.81%
2017 3.31% 16.1%
2016 2.81% 5.56%
2015 3.06% 5.54%
2014 4.4% 4.41%
2013 5.88% 7.94%
2012 7.54% 18.2%
2011 8.46% 9.59%
2010 6.95% 6.49%
2009 8.03% 10.6%
2008 12.7% 24.4%
2007 7.08% 8.41%
2006 11.6% 2.75%
2005 8.61% 13.3%
2004 6.95% 8.18%
2003 9.19% 10.6%
2002 8.03% -1.37%
2001 6.56% 9.3%
2000 8.6% 24.4%
1999 7.75% 3.39%
1998 6.66% 12.5%
1997 8.72% 31.1%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 11.8% in Burundi. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 34.1% in Burundi.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Miscellaneous $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Burundi
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana Burundi
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$461M
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
103/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-13.7%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$1.1B
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$407M
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$406M
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$148M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
24.4%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
5.29%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Burundi
Economic freedom 67.7 40.2
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 187/197
Property rights 71.7 27.2
Government integrity 59.6 15.5
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 7.5
Tax burden 87.1 76.1
Government spending 69.8 76.3
Fiscal health 72.4 14.6
Business freedom 61.5 27.2
Labor freedom 60.7 49.9
Monetary freedom 72 55.5
Trade freedom 77 52.2
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Burundi
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Burundi
2026 67.7 40.2
2025 69.9 39.7
2024 68 38.4
2023 64.9 41.9
2022 64.8 39.4
2021 67.6 49.9
2020 69.6 49
2019 69.5 48.9
2018 69.9 50.9
2017 70.1 53.2
2016 71.1 53.9
2015 69.8 53.7
2014 72 51.4
2013 70.6 49
2012 69.6 48.1
2011 68.8 49.6
2010 70.3 47.5
2009 69.7 48.8
2008 68.2 46.2
2007 68.1 46.9
2006 68.8 48.7
2005 69.3 -
2004 69.9 -
2003 68.6 -
2002 66.2 -
2001 66.8 -
2000 65.8 42.6
1999 62.9 41.1
1998 62.8 44.7
1997 59.1 45.4
1996 61.6 -
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 40.2 for Burundi, ranking 187/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Burundi
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
42.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
18.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
34.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$3.46B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$1,250
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$90.3M
2023
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
174/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$31.2M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$33.3M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$8.51M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
1.18%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
51%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
10%
2023

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/burundi | 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 (1960–2025, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.