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Economy of Botswana vs Central African Republic compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $2.75B for the Central African Republic, ranking 133/197 and 171/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $1.67B (60.7% of GDP) in the Central African Republic.

Botswana vs Central African Republic GDP by year

Botswana
Central African Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana CAR
2024 $19,402,063,513 $2,751,494,281
2023 $19,411,266,967 $2,555,492,086
2022 $20,321,150,599 $2,382,618,615
2021 $18,750,182,236 $2,516,498,412
2020 $14,960,251,608 $2,326,720,900
2019 $16,725,908,149 $2,221,301,351
2018 $17,031,943,186 $2,220,979,146
2017 $16,105,155,857 $2,072,349,973
2016 $15,082,637,184 $1,825,018,145
2015 $13,530,748,845 $1,695,825,714
2014 $15,470,088,501 $1,894,813,389
2013 $14,271,738,933 $1,691,544,110
2012 $13,907,464,500 $2,510,126,512
2011 $15,110,643,612 $2,437,982,705
2010 $12,637,273,429 $2,142,591,540
2009 $10,118,459,242 $2,067,381,665
2008 $10,730,829,116 $1,993,407,888
2007 $10,567,270,656 $1,699,811,295
2006 $9,919,158,482 $1,461,859,762
2005 $9,918,907,108 $1,337,894,379
2004 $8,957,467,707 $1,272,360,517
2003 $7,511,582,173 $1,142,315,523
2002 $5,438,863,983 $996,068,145
2001 $5,489,608,300 $932,648,605
2000 $5,788,329,609 $916,777,283
1999 $5,484,263,347 $999,477,511
1998 $4,790,481,509 $967,338,390
1997 $5,020,265,627 $937,741,513
1996 $4,847,757,218 $1,007,791,127
1995 $4,730,599,122 $1,115,389,674
1994 $4,259,259,604 $851,174,357
1993 $4,160,129,175 $1,278,781,262
1992 $4,146,464,587 $1,411,917,553
1991 $3,942,876,703 $1,377,374,987
1990 $3,790,636,324 $1,440,711,459
1989 $3,083,822,112 $1,233,930,281
1988 $2,644,554,159 $1,264,899,288
1987 $1,965,226,890 $1,200,991,978
1986 $1,392,602,164 $1,122,265,013
1985 $1,114,783,343 $864,849,836
1984 $1,240,822,167 $637,820,670
1983 $1,172,230,397 $658,679,333
1982 $1,014,945,696 $748,312,391
1981 $1,073,812,830 $694,803,623
1980 $1,060,889,704 $797,048,199
1979 $819,870,259 $700,764,748
1978 $590,407,374 $610,578,632
1977 $451,624,780 $507,298,148
1976 $372,025,093 $451,152,461
1975 $355,168,572 $378,660,016
1974 $306,044,208 $281,398,706
1973 $244,124,164 $271,183,082
1972 $164,460,915 $230,317,883
1971 $127,448,614 $201,450,800
1970 $96,243,234 $189,106,529
1969 $77,361,547 $188,039,210
1968 $66,248,441 $191,767,442
1967 $58,642,354 $163,820,514
1966 $51,465,655 $157,930,018
1965 $45,788,696 $150,574,795
1964 $41,616,348 $142,025,079
1963 $38,091,843 $129,379,124
1962 $35,644,957 $124,482,774
1961 $32,902,613 $123,134,583
1960 $30,411,414 $112,155,598

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/central-african-republic | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Central African Republic by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana CAR
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $516 $1,263
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $496 $1,257
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $467 $1,218
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $492 $1,129
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $463 $1,066
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $449 $985
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $455 $906
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $432 $884
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $387 $826
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $366 $769
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $410 $699
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $364 $710
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $544 $1,062
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $534 $980
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $477 $936
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $456 $877
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $437 $798
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $381 $783
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $334 $743
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $312 $702
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $303 $690
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $278.4 $648
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $248.6 $688
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $238 $668
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $239.2 $640
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $268 $660
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $266.6 $645
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $265.5 $626
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $293.3 $601
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $333 $631
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $261.3 $592
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $405 $570
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $462 $573
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $465 $618
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $502 $620
1989 $2,428 - $443 -
1988 $2,141 - $466 -
1987 $1,639 - $450 -
1986 $1,200 - $426 -
1985 $994 - $333 -
1984 $1,145 - $248.3 -
1983 $1,121 - $259.6 -
1982 $1,006 - $298.4 -
1981 $1,107 - $280.3 -
1980 $1,132 - $325 -
1979 $909 - $289.1 -
1978 $695 - $254.6 -
1977 $565 - $213.8 -
1976 $490 - $192.1 -
1975 $493 - $163.6 -
1974 $446 - $124 -
1973 $374 - $121.8 -
1972 $264.2 - $105.5 -
1971 $212.2 - $94.1 -
1970 $163 - $90.2 -
1969 $131.8 - $91.7 -
1968 $113.4 - $95.6 -
1967 $100.9 - $83.6 -
1966 $89.1 - $82.3 -
1965 $79.7 - $80.2 -
1964 $73.5 - $77.2 -
1963 $68.9 - $71.8 -
1962 $66 - $70.4 -
1961 $62.3 - $71 -
1960 $58.9 - $65.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/central-african-republic | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $516 in the Central African Republic, ranking 195/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263.

Economic indicators

Botswana CAR
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$516
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$1,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
195/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
60.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$313
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
178/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$1,078
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
33.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
6.9%
2017
Population
2615162
5753659

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana CAR
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 19.5% 60.7%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 17.5% 55.6%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 17.4% 49.9%
2021 33% 23.4% 19.2% 46.9%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 24.2% 42.8%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 15.8% 44.9%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 16.8% 47.9%
2017 35% 19.8% 13.1% 47.4%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 11.1% 49.3%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 12.7% 54.4%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 16.7% 57.5%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 13.4% 51.8%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 14.7% 31.5%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 14.2% 19.7%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 17.3% 19.9%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 16% 20.3%
2008 48% 7.77% 16% 35.8%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 12.9% 47.9%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 13.4% 46.7%
2005 35% 7.74% 16.2% 103%
2004 42% 11.3% 13.1% 99.7%
2003 44% 7.29% 12.3% 95.9%
2002 46% 8.55% 16.7% 98.5%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 14.1% 103.1%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 17.2% 94.7%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 18.2% 84.2%
1998 44.3% 12% 18.1% 85.3%
1997 40% - 14.5% 96.1%
1996 37.2% - 11.7% 93%
1995 38.1% - 20.6% 83.8%
1994 39.2% - 22.4% 103.4%
1993 44.2% - 20.6% 68.2%
1992 43.4% - 23.1% 57.4%
1991 42.3% - 22.6% 55.8%
1990 40.5% - 22% 44.6%
1989 - - 19.6% 50.9%
1988 - - 21.4% 48.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while the Central African Republic spent $538M, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 60.7% in the Central African Republic, ranking 158/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Central African Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana CAR
2024 -7.82% -5.08%
2023 -4.25% -3.44%
2022 -0.006% -5.23%
2021 -2.46% -5.8%
2020 -11.5% -3.24%
2019 -8.43% 1.33%
2018 -5.07% -0.93%
2017 -1.16% -1%
2016 0.72% 1.17%
2015 -5.06% -0.53%
2014 3.88% -3.02%
2013 6.07% -2.3%
2012 0.92% -0.78%
2011 -0.12% -2.15%
2010 -8.36% -1.35%
2009 -14.4% -0.54%
2008 -7.59% -1.23%
2007 5.92% 1.04%
2006 13.7% 8.58%
2005 10.7% -4.37%
2004 1.42% -1.74%
2003 -0.18% -3.06%
2002 -4.02% -1.19%
2001 -2.96% -0.88%
2000 8.95% -2.01%
1999 6.18% -0.5%
1998 - 0.001%
1997 - -1.57%
1996 - -1.06%
1995 - -4.84%
1994 - -7.57%
1993 - -5.66%
1992 - -7.33%
1991 - -8%
1990 - -6.6%
1989 - -3.25%
1988 - -3.72%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/central-african-republic | 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 the Central African Republic's deficit of $140M, or 5.08% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while the Central African Republic ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.47% of GDP for the Central African Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Central African Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana CAR
2024 2.82% 1.5%
2023 5.07% 3%
2022 11.7% 5.6%
2021 7.24% 4.3%
2020 1.89% 0.9%
2019 2.77% 2.8%
2018 3.24% 1.6%
2017 3.31% 4.2%
2016 2.81% 4.9%
2015 3.06% 1.4%
2014 4.4% 17.8%
2013 5.88% 4%
2012 7.54% 5.9%
2011 8.46% 1.2%
2010 6.95% 1.5%
2009 8.03% 3.6%
2008 12.7% 9.2%
2007 7.08% 0.9%
2006 11.6% 6.9%
2005 8.61% 2.9%
2004 6.95% -2.6%
2003 9.19% 4.4%
2002 8.03% 2.3%
2001 6.56% 4.1%
2000 8.6% 3.4%
1999 7.75% -1.6%
1998 6.66% -2%
1997 8.72% 1.6%

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/central-african-republic | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 3.35% in the Central African Republic. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 1.5% in the Central African Republic.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $45K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
CAR
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana CAR
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$24.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
81/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-2.9%
1994
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$131M
1994
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$146M
1994
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$114M
1994
Service exports
$935M
2024
$33.1M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
31.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
15%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana CAR
Economic freedom 67.7 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 182/197
Property rights 71.7 5.6
Government integrity 59.6 19.2
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 4
Tax burden 87.1 65.5
Government spending 69.8 90.1
Fiscal health 72.4 59
Business freedom 61.5 26.5
Labor freedom 60.7 48.5
Monetary freedom 72 75.6
Trade freedom 77 47.6
Investment freedom 50 45
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Central African Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana CAR
2026 67.7 43.1
2025 69.9 42.8
2024 68 41.3
2023 64.9 43.8
2022 64.8 45.7
2021 67.6 48.8
2020 69.6 50.7
2019 69.5 49.1
2018 69.9 49.2
2017 70.1 51.8
2016 71.1 45.2
2015 69.8 45.9
2014 72 46.7
2013 70.6 50.4
2012 69.6 50.3
2011 68.8 49.3
2010 70.3 48.4
2009 69.7 48.3
2008 68.2 48.6
2007 68.1 50.6
2006 68.8 54.2
2005 69.3 56.5
2004 69.9 57.5
2003 68.6 60
2002 66.2 59.8
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 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/central-african-republic | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 43.1 for the Central African Republic, ranking 182/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana CAR
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
42.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
20%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
27.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$2.74B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$1,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$480M
2023
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
158/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
$3.6M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$40.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
68.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
23.6%
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/central-african-republic | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.