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Economy of Botswana vs Cape Verde compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $3.06B for Cape Verde, ranking 135/197 and 172/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $3.09B (101% of GDP) in Cape Verde.

Botswana vs Cape Verde GDP by year

Botswana
Cape Verde
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Cape Verde
2025 $19,928,479,839 $3,056,630,435
2024 $19,286,251,068 $2,713,721,857
2023 $19,413,614,555 $2,504,525,538
2022 $20,321,150,599 $2,247,003,344
2021 $18,750,182,236 $2,051,842,619
2020 $14,960,251,608 $1,821,565,614
2019 $16,725,908,149 $2,252,177,124
2018 $17,031,943,186 $2,205,099,507
2017 $16,105,155,857 $1,996,741,540
2016 $15,082,637,184 $1,849,789,986
2015 $13,530,748,845 $1,749,857,620
2014 $15,470,088,501 $2,041,930,125
2013 $14,271,738,933 $2,028,910,915
2012 $13,907,464,500 $1,913,081,210
2011 $15,110,643,612 $2,046,817,987
2010 $12,637,273,429 $1,824,751,468
2009 $10,118,459,242 $1,852,334,575
2008 $10,730,829,116 $1,959,620,648
2007 $10,567,270,656 $1,649,621,739
2006 $9,919,158,482 $1,107,571,458
2005 $9,918,907,108 $972,241,677
2004 $8,957,467,707 $924,940,012
2003 $7,511,582,173 $813,260,469
2002 $5,438,863,983 $620,507,387
2001 $5,489,608,300 $563,090,490
2000 $5,788,329,609 $539,227,278
1999 $5,484,263,347 $592,416,703
1998 $4,790,481,509 $521,910,561
1997 $5,020,265,627 $490,608,658
1996 $4,847,757,218 $501,979,270
1995 $4,730,599,122 $487,148,994
1994 $4,259,259,604 $406,580,652
1993 $4,160,129,175 $490,417,390
1992 $4,146,464,587 $357,160,985
1991 $3,942,876,703 $319,827,059
1990 $3,790,636,324 $306,890,963
1989 $3,083,822,112 $267,448,571
1988 $2,644,554,159 $264,308,140
1987 $1,965,226,890 $235,253,065
1986 $1,392,602,164 $190,651,168
1985 $1,114,783,343 $137,728,205
1984 $1,240,822,167 $132,019,039
1983 $1,172,230,397 $138,476,176
1982 $1,014,945,696 $140,630,679
1981 $1,073,812,830 $139,468,209
1980 $1,060,889,704 $142,246,815
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/cape-verde | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Cape Verde by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Cape Verde
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $5,796 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $5,170 $11,195
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $4,795 $10,242
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $4,323 $9,481
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $3,971 $7,685
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $3,539 $6,853
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $4,381 $8,646
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $4,295 $7,916
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $3,893 $7,936
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $3,609 $7,351
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $3,415 $6,773
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $3,986 $6,417
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $3,961 $6,367
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $3,737 $6,318
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $4,002 $6,384
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $3,579 $6,039
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $3,660 $5,901
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $3,909 $6,011
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $3,325 $5,567
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $2,257 $4,758
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $2,004 $4,324
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $1,929 $3,969
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $1,718 $3,551
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $1,329 $3,388
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $1,223 $3,217
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,190 $3,124
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $1,327 $2,714
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $1,187 $2,443
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $1,134 $2,182
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $1,180 $1,963
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $1,165 $1,762
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $991 $1,540
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $1,220 $1,291
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $908 $1,186
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $832 $1,069
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $817 $1,044
1989 $2,428 - $727 -
1988 $2,141 - $729 -
1987 $1,639 - $658 -
1986 $1,200 - $541 -
1985 $994 - $396 -
1984 $1,145 - $385 -
1983 $1,121 - $410 -
1982 $1,006 - $423 -
1981 $1,107 - $425 -
1980 $1,132 - $440 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/cape-verde | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $5,796 in Cape Verde, ranking 116/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195.

Economic indicators

Botswana Cape Verde
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$3.06B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
172/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
6.3%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$5,796
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
116/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$11,195
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
129/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$3.09B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
101%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$5,854
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
77/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$2,506
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
32.3%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.2%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
27%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
2.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
1.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
11.3%
2019
Population
2624853
530853

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Cape Verde
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 27% 101%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 26.1% 112.8%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 25.7% 117.5%
2022 29.1% 21% 26.6% 127.6%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 30.8% 149.5%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 34.5% 149.1%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 27.5% 109.8%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 27.5% 112.3%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 28% 113%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 26.6% 115.6%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 28.7% 115.7%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 27.8% 105.7%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 30.9% 93.5%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 31.6% 82.9%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 30.3% 71.6%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 35.7% 66.2%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 30.6% 58.8%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 27.6% 57.5%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 27.1% 59.6%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 28.4% 66.2%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 26.2% 66.7%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 26.3% 67.8%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 23.4% 65.6%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 28.5% 64.7%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 24.2% 62.2%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 36.7% 71.9%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 35% 66.4%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 29.8% 72.9%
1997 39% - 34.8% 79.3%
1996 36.1% - 38.9% 85.7%
1995 36.1% - 44.5% 74.3%
1994 37.6% - 48.1% 73.4%
1993 42% - - -
1992 42.3% - - -
1991 41.1% - - -
1990 38.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/cape-verde | CC BY

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Cape Verde spent $827M, or 27% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 101% in Cape Verde, ranking 137/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Cape Verde
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Cape Verde
2025 -7.42% 1.06%
2024 -7.26% -1.07%
2023 -4.16% -0.28%
2022 0.04% -4.25%
2021 -2.33% -7.51%
2020 -10.9% -9.29%
2019 -8.53% -1.62%
2018 -5.03% -2.36%
2017 -1.14% -2.63%
2016 0.71% -2.73%
2015 -4.82% -4.16%
2014 3.9% -6.93%
2013 5.84% -8.49%
2012 0.89% -9.36%
2011 -0.12% -6.98%
2010 -7.95% -9.6%
2009 -13.8% -5.32%
2008 -7.61% -1.42%
2007 5.73% -0.86%
2006 13.3% -4.32%
2005 10.3% -4.69%
2004 1.35% -2.98%
2003 -0.18% -3.63%
2002 -3.94% -6.14%
2001 -2.91% -5.03%
2000 8.73% -15.5%
1999 5.95% -10.9%
1998 - -3.16%
1997 - -10.2%
1996 - -11.2%
1995 - -11.1%
1994 - -12.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/cape-verde | 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 Cape Verde's surplus of $32.3M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Cape Verde ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.07% of GDP for Cape Verde.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Cape Verde
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Cape Verde
2025 2.66% 2.3%
2024 2.82% 1.1%
2023 5.07% 3.7%
2022 11.7% 7.9%
2021 7.24% 1.9%
2020 1.89% 0.6%
2019 2.77% 1.1%
2018 3.24% 1.3%
2017 3.31% 0.8%
2016 2.81% -1.4%
2015 3.06% 0.1%
2014 4.4% -0.2%
2013 5.88% 1.5%
2012 7.54% 2.5%
2011 8.46% 4.5%
2010 6.95% 2.1%
2009 8.03% 1%
2008 12.7% 6.8%
2007 7.08% 4.4%
2006 11.6% 4.8%
2005 8.61% 0.4%
2004 6.95% -1.9%
2003 9.19% 1.2%
2002 8.03% 1.9%
2001 6.56% 3.7%
2000 8.6% -2.4%
1999 7.75% 4.3%
1998 6.66% 4.4%
1997 8.72% 8.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/cape-verde | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 2.31% in Cape Verde. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 2.3% in Cape Verde.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $3K
Cape Verde
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana Cape Verde
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$108M
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
63/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
+3.53%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$1.29B
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$344M
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$350M
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$940M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
53.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
42%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Cape Verde
Economic freedom 67.7 71.4
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 32/197
Property rights 71.7 72.7
Government integrity 59.6 63.3
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 77.1
Tax burden 87.1 84.4
Government spending 69.8 79.5
Fiscal health 72.4 74.4
Business freedom 61.5 78.9
Labor freedom 60.7 59.5
Monetary freedom 72 80.4
Trade freedom 77 66.6
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Cape Verde
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Cape Verde
2026 67.7 71.4
2025 69.9 68.7
2024 68 62.9
2023 64.9 65.8
2022 64.8 66.7
2021 67.6 63.8
2020 69.6 63.6
2019 69.5 63.1
2018 69.9 60
2017 70.1 56.9
2016 71.1 66.5
2015 69.8 66.4
2014 72 66.1
2013 70.6 63.7
2012 69.6 63.5
2011 68.8 64.6
2010 70.3 61.8
2009 69.7 61.3
2008 68.2 57.9
2007 68.1 56.5
2006 68.8 58.6
2005 69.3 57.8
2004 69.9 58.1
2003 68.6 56.1
2002 66.2 57.6
2001 66.8 56.3
2000 65.8 51.9
1999 62.9 50.7
1998 62.8 48
1997 59.1 47.7
1996 61.6 49.7
1995 56.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/cape-verde | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 71.4 for Cape Verde, ranking 32/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Cape Verde
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
67.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
10.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
5.04%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$2.95B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$12,010
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$1.26B
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
138/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$130M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$110M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$20.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
5.72%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
24.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
17.4%
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/cape-verde | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2020, 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.