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Economy of Botswana vs Chad compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $21.5B for Chad, ranking 135/197 and 131/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $6.53B (30.4% of GDP) in Chad.

Botswana vs Chad GDP by year

Botswana
Chad
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Chad
2025 $19,928,479,839 $21,472,835,225
2024 $19,286,251,068 $19,906,706,690
2023 $19,413,614,555 $18,352,937,976
2022 $20,321,150,599 $17,828,508,290
2021 $18,750,182,236 $16,871,937,698
2020 $14,960,251,608 $14,932,897,821
2019 $16,725,908,149 $14,905,517,743
2018 $17,031,943,186 $15,327,000,249
2017 $16,105,155,857 $13,349,041,409
2016 $15,082,637,184 $13,026,289,836
2015 $13,530,748,845 $14,559,599,500
2014 $15,470,088,501 $18,144,336,904
2013 $14,271,738,933 $17,865,316,886
2012 $13,907,464,500 $17,892,228,570
2011 $15,110,643,612 $16,685,349,674
2010 $12,637,273,429 $14,058,506,664
2009 $10,118,459,242 $12,317,614,054
2008 $10,730,829,116 $13,385,593,990
2007 $10,567,270,656 $10,865,385,132
2006 $9,919,158,482 $9,709,626,596
2005 $9,918,907,108 $8,655,892,393
2004 $8,957,467,707 $4,422,855,661
2003 $7,511,582,173 $2,742,815,072
2002 $5,438,863,983 $1,997,005,709
2001 $5,489,608,300 $1,710,843,377
2000 $5,788,329,609 $1,388,506,772
1999 $5,484,263,347 $1,534,673,583
1998 $4,790,481,509 $1,744,794,531
1997 $5,020,265,627 $1,544,689,577
1996 $4,847,757,218 $1,607,345,356
1995 $4,730,599,122 $1,445,919,895
1994 $4,259,259,604 $1,179,837,963
1993 $4,160,129,175 $1,463,251,164
1992 $4,146,464,587 $1,881,847,670
1991 $3,942,876,703 $1,877,137,982
1990 $3,790,636,324 $1,738,605,558
1989 $3,083,822,112 $1,433,686,312
1988 $2,644,554,159 $1,482,597,298
1987 $1,965,226,890 $1,163,426,852
1986 $1,392,602,164 $1,067,828,246
1985 $1,114,783,343 $1,033,069,709
1984 $1,240,822,167 $919,103,735
1983 $1,172,230,397 $832,415,806
1982 $1,014,945,696 $834,369,860
1981 $1,073,812,830 $876,937,558
1980 $1,060,889,704 $1,033,002,404
1979 $819,870,259 $1,004,316,496
1978 $590,407,374 $1,113,920,124
1977 $451,624,780 $935,360,465
1976 $372,025,093 $866,044,962
1975 $355,168,572 $864,602,105
1974 $306,044,208 $652,532,795
1973 $244,124,164 $647,199,483
1972 $164,460,915 $585,427,547
1971 $127,448,614 $501,866,730
1970 $96,243,234 $469,266,737
1969 $77,361,547 $471,635,622
1968 $66,248,441 $453,980,096
1967 $58,642,354 $449,826,323
1966 $51,465,655 $432,794,922
1965 $45,788,696 $416,926,303
1964 $41,616,348 $392,247,518
1963 $38,091,843 $371,767,002
1962 $35,644,957 $357,635,713
1961 $32,902,613 $333,975,336
1960 $30,411,414 $313,582,728

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Chad by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Chad
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Chad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $1,022 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $981 $2,743
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $950 $2,700
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $966 $2,624
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $946 $2,435
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $867 $2,186
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $893 $2,352
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $949 $2,228
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $854 $2,097
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $862 $2,120
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $994 $2,378
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $1,279 $2,133
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $1,305 $2,110
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $1,354 $2,435
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $1,308 $2,388
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $1,142 $2,320
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $1,036 $2,087
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $1,166 $2,181
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $980 $2,149
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $907 $2,079
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $838 $2,102
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $446 $1,808
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $289.1 $1,378
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $219.1 $1,226
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $194.3 $1,152
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $163.1 $1,044
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $186.6 $1,066
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $219.8 $1,096
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $201.4 $1,049
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $216.9 $1,010
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $204 $1,014
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $173.9 $1,026
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $220.7 $933
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $290.6 $1,107
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $302 $1,046
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $290.6 $967
1989 $2,428 - $246.4 -
1988 $2,141 - $263.5 -
1987 $1,639 - $213.9 -
1986 $1,200 - $203.4 -
1985 $994 - $202.7 -
1984 $1,145 - $182.2 -
1983 $1,121 - $167.2 -
1982 $1,006 - $176.1 -
1981 $1,107 - $194 -
1980 $1,132 - $228.8 -
1979 $909 - $222.9 -
1978 $695 - $252.5 -
1977 $565 - $215.9 -
1976 $490 - $203.7 -
1975 $493 - $207.5 -
1974 $446 - $160 -
1973 $374 - $162.4 -
1972 $264.2 - $150.4 -
1971 $212.2 - $131.8 -
1970 $163 - $125.9 -
1969 $131.8 - $129.2 -
1968 $113.4 - $126.9 -
1967 $100.9 - $128.2 -
1966 $89.1 - $125.8 -
1965 $79.7 - $123.6 -
1964 $73.5 - $118.6 -
1963 $68.9 - $114.7 -
1962 $66 - $112.6 -
1961 $62.3 - $107.3 -
1960 $58.9 - $102.8 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $1,022 in Chad, ranking 181/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Chad ranks 182nd at $2,743.

Economic indicators

Botswana Chad
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$21.5B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
131/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
5.59%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$1,022
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
181/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$2,743
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
182/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$6.53B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
30.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$311
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
178/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$1,529
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
29.5%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
18.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
-2.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
3.11%
2022
Population
2624853
21855137

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Chad
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Chad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 18.6% 30.4%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 18.1% 31.4%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 17.1% 32.2%
2022 29.1% 21% 12.6% 32.1%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 13% 41.7%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 14.1% 41.6%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 10.6% 38.4%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 9.73% 33.8%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 11.3% 39.1%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 11.2% 40.2%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 13.8% 31.3%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 16.9% 29.4%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 16.6% 22.3%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 16.6% 20%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 16.3% 22.3%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 18.5% 22.9%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 19.8% 23.9%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 14.6% 15.7%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 13.6% 17.6%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 10.7% 20.1%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 8.87% 22%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 9.84% 25.2%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 14.9% 34.4%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 13.8% 42%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 12% 43.5%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 14% 52.4%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 12.9% 44.7%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 10.1% 34.7%
1997 39% - 12% 41.3%
1996 36.1% - 12% 40.5%
1995 36.1% - 12.3% 41.1%
1994 37.6% - - -
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 (1995–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Chad spent $3.99B, or 18.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 30.4% in Chad, ranking 137/185 and 152/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Chad
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Chad
2025 -7.42% -1.26%
2024 -7.26% -2.03%
2023 -4.16% -1.26%
2022 0.04% 3.79%
2021 -2.33% -1.29%
2020 -10.9% 1.24%
2019 -8.53% -0.11%
2018 -5.03% 1.39%
2017 -1.14% -0.18%
2016 0.71% -1.51%
2015 -4.82% -3.29%
2014 3.9% -3.22%
2013 5.84% -1.5%
2012 0.89% 0.33%
2011 -0.12% 1.75%
2010 -7.95% -3.16%
2009 -13.8% -8.44%
2008 -7.61% 2.82%
2007 5.73% 2.02%
2006 13.3% 1.7%
2005 10.3% -0.05%
2004 1.35% -1.84%
2003 -0.18% -4.32%
2002 -3.94% -4.08%
2001 -2.91% -3.53%
2000 8.73% -4.68%
1999 5.95% -4.07%
1998 - -1.73%
1997 - -2.58%
1996 - -2.86%
1995 - -3.12%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/chad | 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 Chad's deficit of $271M, or 1.26% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Chad ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.29% of GDP for Chad.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Chad
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Chad
2025 2.66% -2.6%
2024 2.82% 5.7%
2023 5.07% 4.1%
2022 11.7% 5.8%
2021 7.24% -0.8%
2020 1.89% -2.7%
2019 2.77% -1%
2018 3.24% 4%
2017 3.31% -0.9%
2016 2.81% -1.6%
2015 3.06% 4.8%
2014 4.4% -5.5%
2013 5.88% 0.2%
2012 7.54% 7.5%
2011 8.46% 2%
2010 6.95% -2.1%
2009 8.03% 10.1%
2008 12.7% 8.3%
2007 7.08% -7.4%
2006 11.6% 9.6%
2005 8.61% 4.4%
2004 6.95% -4.8%
2003 9.19% -1.8%
2002 8.03% 5.2%
2001 6.56% 12.4%
2000 8.6% 3.8%
1999 7.75% -8.4%
1998 6.66% 4.3%
1997 8.72% 5.6%

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/chad | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 2.01% in Chad. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and -2.6% in Chad.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Chad
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana Chad
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$37.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
75/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-3.2%
1994
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$212M
1994
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$135M
1994
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$199M
1994
Service exports
$935M
2024
$54.8M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
16.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
29.4%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Chad
Economic freedom 67.7 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 154/197
Property rights 71.7 17.2
Government integrity 59.6 15.2
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 15
Tax burden 87.1 77.9
Government spending 69.8 92.2
Fiscal health 72.4 97.9
Business freedom 61.5 27.4
Labor freedom 60.7 53.7
Monetary freedom 72 71.6
Trade freedom 77 46.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Chad
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Chad
2026 67.7 51.2
2025 69.9 52.2
2024 68 51.4
2023 64.9 52
2022 64.8 49.8
2021 67.6 50.4
2020 69.6 50.2
2019 69.5 49.9
2018 69.9 49.3
2017 70.1 49
2016 71.1 46.3
2015 69.8 45.9
2014 72 44.5
2013 70.6 45.2
2012 69.6 44.8
2011 68.8 45.3
2010 70.3 47.5
2009 69.7 47.5
2008 68.2 47.8
2007 68.1 50.1
2006 68.8 50
2005 69.3 52.1
2004 69.9 53.1
2003 68.6 52.6
2002 66.2 49.2
2001 66.8 46.4
2000 65.8 46.8
1999 62.9 47.2
1998 62.8 46.6
1997 59.1 45.1
1996 61.6 -
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 51.2 for Chad, ranking 154/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Chad
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
33.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
26.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
36.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$20.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$2,770
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$1.55B
2024
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
133/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$26.5M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$1.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
1.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
44.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
20.4%
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/chad | 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 (1995–1998, 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.