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Economy of Botswana vs Cameroon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $53.3B for Cameroon, ranking 133/197 and 91/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $22.8B (42.8% of GDP) in Cameroon.

Botswana vs Cameroon GDP by year

Botswana
Cameroon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Cameroon
2024 $19,402,063,513 $53,296,694,320
2023 $19,411,266,967 $48,814,501,547
2022 $20,321,150,599 $44,347,206,073
2021 $18,750,182,236 $45,011,937,347
2020 $14,960,251,608 $40,773,241,177
2019 $16,725,908,149 $39,667,757,528
2018 $17,031,943,186 $39,955,552,190
2017 $16,105,155,857 $36,098,547,033
2016 $15,082,637,184 $33,814,337,044
2015 $13,530,748,845 $32,210,233,020
2014 $15,470,088,501 $36,386,544,706
2013 $14,271,738,933 $33,728,621,180
2012 $13,907,464,500 $30,155,062,329
2011 $15,110,643,612 $30,630,910,495
2010 $12,637,273,429 $27,507,501,821
2009 $10,118,459,242 $27,932,970,317
2008 $10,730,829,116 $27,715,142,033
2007 $10,567,270,656 $23,928,250,433
2006 $9,919,158,482 $20,910,512,975
2005 $9,918,907,108 $19,509,852,207
2004 $8,957,467,707 $18,826,214,136
2003 $7,511,582,173 $15,970,315,035
2002 $5,438,863,983 $12,417,251,350
2001 $5,489,608,300 $10,953,485,349
2000 $5,788,329,609 $10,566,579,295
1999 $5,484,263,347 $11,565,826,465
1998 $4,790,481,509 $11,298,144,990
1997 $5,020,265,627 $10,789,458,433
1996 $4,847,757,218 $11,093,538,846
1995 $4,730,599,122 $10,864,772,471
1994 $4,259,259,604 $8,902,446,252
1993 $4,160,129,175 $16,181,814,713
1992 $4,146,464,587 $12,071,775,335
1991 $3,942,876,703 $11,840,192,296
1990 $3,790,636,324 $12,314,482,628
1989 $3,083,822,112 $11,012,566,195
1988 $2,644,554,159 $12,236,057,362
1987 $1,965,226,890 $13,049,659,981
1986 $1,392,602,164 $11,857,056,199
1985 $1,114,783,343 $8,544,810,498
1984 $1,240,822,167 $7,311,938,026
1983 $1,172,230,397 $6,870,200,010
1982 $1,014,945,696 $6,611,255,964
1981 $1,073,812,830 $6,610,938,617
1980 $1,060,889,704 $6,674,569,047
1979 $819,870,259 $5,919,002,983
1978 $590,407,374 $4,662,852,583
1977 $451,624,780 $3,394,664,024
1976 $372,025,093 $2,898,090,002
1975 $355,168,572 $2,857,037,371
1974 $306,044,208 $2,157,415,533
1973 $244,124,164 $1,901,393,361
1972 $164,460,915 $1,498,251,890
1971 $127,448,614 $1,236,941,394
1970 $96,243,234 $1,151,216,993
1969 $77,361,547 $1,100,551,489
1968 $66,248,441 $1,046,191,218
1967 $58,642,354 $936,175,260
1966 $51,465,655 $851,112,535
1965 $45,788,696 $814,083,266
1964 $41,616,348 $776,650,177
1963 $38,091,843 $718,320,845
1962 $35,644,957 $694,247,864
1961 $32,902,613 $652,777,608
1960 $30,411,414 $614,206,068

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Cameroon by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Cameroon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $1,830 $5,589
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $1,720 $5,411
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $1,605 $5,189
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $1,672 $4,794
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $1,556 $4,365
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $1,555 $4,241
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $1,611 $4,011
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $1,496 $3,767
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $1,442 $3,627
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $1,415 $3,498
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $1,649 $3,422
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $1,576 $3,239
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $1,449 $3,060
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $1,514 $2,989
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $1,399 $2,914
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $1,461 $2,879
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $1,492 $2,870
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $1,326 $2,818
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $1,191 $2,704
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $1,143 $2,598
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $1,133 $2,533
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $988 $2,368
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $790 $2,263
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $715 $2,191
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $709 $2,108
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $796 $2,039
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $799 $1,975
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $783 $1,915
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $827 $1,850
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $832 $1,790
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $701 $1,752
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $1,310 $1,731
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $1,005 $1,890
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $1,015 $1,963
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $1,087 $2,032
1989 $2,428 - $1,001 -
1988 $2,141 - $1,145 -
1987 $1,639 - $1,258 -
1986 $1,200 - $1,179 -
1985 $994 - $875 -
1984 $1,145 - $772 -
1983 $1,121 - $746 -
1982 $1,006 - $732 -
1981 $1,107 - $750 -
1980 $1,132 - $784 -
1979 $909 - $718 -
1978 $695 - $582 -
1977 $565 - $435 -
1976 $490 - $381 -
1975 $493 - $386 -
1974 $446 - $299.9 -
1973 $374 - $271.8 -
1972 $264.2 - $220.1 -
1971 $212.2 - $186.7 -
1970 $163 - $178.5 -
1969 $131.8 - $175.2 -
1968 $113.4 - $170.8 -
1967 $100.9 - $156.6 -
1966 $89.1 - $145.8 -
1965 $79.7 - $142.7 -
1964 $73.5 - $139.2 -
1963 $68.9 - $131.6 -
1962 $66 - $130 -
1961 $62.3 - $124.6 -
1960 $58.9 - $119.1 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $1,830 in Cameroon, ranking 158/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589.

Economic indicators

Botswana Cameroon
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$53.3B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
91/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
3.52%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$1,830
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
158/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$5,589
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
156/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$22.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$784
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
152/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$1,578
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
31.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
4.53%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
3.28%
2021
Population
2615162
30864115

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Cameroon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Cameroon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 16.7% 42.8%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 17.1% 43.1%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 17.1% 45.6%
2021 33% 23.4% 17.1% 47.2%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 16.6% 44.9%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 18.7% 41.6%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 18% 38.3%
2017 35% 19.8% 19.2% 36.5%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 20.2% 32.1%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 20.1% 31.6%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 20.1% 20.7%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 19.2% 17.5%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 17.2% 14.9%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 17.8% 15.9%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 15.2% 14%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 14.7% 11.3%
2008 48% 7.77% 15.9% 11.2%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 13.5% 13.8%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 12.5% 18.4%
2005 35% 7.74% 12.4% 43.8%
2004 42% 11.3% 13.4% 51.7%
2003 44% 7.29% 13.2% 51.5%
2002 46% 8.55% 13.9% 56.6%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 14.6% 62.2%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 14.6% 75.9%
1999 41.7% 9.68% - 68.4%
1998 44.3% 12% - 67.8%
1997 40% - - -
1996 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).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Cameroon spent $8.91B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 42.8% in Cameroon, ranking 158/185 and 125/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Cameroon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Cameroon
2024 -7.82% -1.48%
2023 -4.25% -0.63%
2022 -0.006% -1.11%
2021 -2.46% -3.01%
2020 -11.5% -3.19%
2019 -8.43% -3.24%
2018 -5.07% -2.41%
2017 -1.16% -4.72%
2016 0.72% -5.88%
2015 -5.06% -4.25%
2014 3.88% -4.09%
2013 6.07% -3.55%
2012 0.92% -1.4%
2011 -0.12% -2.26%
2010 -8.36% -0.93%
2009 -14.4% -0.04%
2008 -7.59% 2%
2007 5.92% 3.87%
2006 13.7% 28.2%
2005 10.7% 3.03%
2004 1.42% -0.46%
2003 -0.18% 0.56%
2002 -4.02% 1.51%
2001 -2.96% 0.86%
2000 8.95% 1.54%
1999 6.18% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/cameroon | 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 Cameroon's deficit of $789M, or 1.48% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Cameroon ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.24% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.04% of GDP for Cameroon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Cameroon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Cameroon
2024 2.82% 4.53%
2023 5.07% 7.38%
2022 11.7% 6.25%
2021 7.24% 2.27%
2020 1.89% 2.44%
2019 2.77% 2.45%
2018 3.24% 1.07%
2017 3.31% 0.64%
2016 2.81% 0.87%
2015 3.06% 2.68%
2014 4.4% 1.85%
2013 5.88% 2.05%
2012 7.54% 2.74%
2011 8.46% 2.94%
2010 6.95% 1.28%
2009 8.03% 3.04%
2008 12.7% 5.34%
2007 7.08% 0.92%
2006 11.6% 5.12%
2005 8.61% 2.01%
2004 6.95% 0.23%
2003 9.19% 0.62%
2002 8.03% 2.83%
2001 6.56% 4.42%
2000 8.6% 1.23%
1999 7.75% 1.87%
1998 6.66% 3.17%
1997 8.72% 4.79%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 2.75% in Cameroon. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 4.53% in Cameroon.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $76K
Textiles & consumer goods $16K
Metals $7K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Cameroon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3K

Balance of trade

Botswana Cameroon
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$2.02B
2023
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
144/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-4.14%
2023
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$7.74B
2023
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$6.34B
2023
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$2.55B
2023
Service exports
$935M
2024
$2.01B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
18.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
15.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Cameroon
Economic freedom 67.7 52
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 151/197
Property rights 71.7 28.1
Government integrity 59.6 21
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 10.1
Tax burden 87.1 72.2
Government spending 69.8 91.4
Fiscal health 72.4 94.5
Business freedom 61.5 48.6
Labor freedom 60.7 45.6
Monetary freedom 72 75.3
Trade freedom 77 57.2
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Cameroon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Cameroon
2026 67.7 52
2025 69.9 52.1
2024 68 53.6
2023 64.9 51.9
2022 64.8 52.9
2021 67.6 53.4
2020 69.6 53.6
2019 69.5 52.4
2018 69.9 51.9
2017 70.1 51.8
2016 71.1 54.2
2015 69.8 51.9
2014 72 52.6
2013 70.6 52.3
2012 69.6 51.8
2011 68.8 51.8
2010 70.3 52.3
2009 69.7 53
2008 68.2 54.3
2007 68.1 55.6
2006 68.8 54.6
2005 69.3 53
2004 69.9 52.3
2003 68.6 52.7
2002 66.2 52.8
2001 66.8 53.3
2000 65.8 49.9
1999 62.9 50.3
1998 62.8 48
1997 59.1 44.6
1996 61.6 45.7
1995 56.8 51.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 52 for Cameroon, ranking 151/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Cameroon
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
18.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$49.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$5,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$4.88B
2023
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
103/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$901M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$888M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$63.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
3.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
37.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
18.9%
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/cameroon | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.