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Economy of Botswana vs China compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $18.7T for China, ranking 133/197 and 2/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $16.6T (88.3% of GDP) in China.

Botswana vs China GDP by year

Botswana
China
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana China
2024 $19,402,063,513 $18,743,803,170,827
2023 $19,411,266,967 $18,270,356,654,533
2022 $20,321,150,599 $18,316,765,021,690
2021 $18,750,182,236 $18,201,698,719,564
2020 $14,960,251,608 $14,996,414,166,715
2019 $16,725,908,149 $14,560,167,101,283
2018 $17,031,943,186 $14,147,765,772,964
2017 $16,105,155,857 $12,537,559,062,283
2016 $15,082,637,184 $11,456,024,084,962
2015 $13,530,748,845 $11,280,814,787,469
2014 $15,470,088,501 $10,674,533,168,257
2013 $14,271,738,933 $9,743,124,247,267
2012 $13,907,464,500 $8,673,664,713,189
2011 $15,110,643,612 $7,671,757,207,851
2010 $12,637,273,429 $6,192,564,874,453
2009 $10,118,459,242 $5,189,577,094,998
2008 $10,730,829,116 $4,667,346,414,522
2007 $10,567,270,656 $3,604,055,822,572
2006 $9,919,158,482 $2,791,498,472,804
2005 $9,918,907,108 $2,317,551,298,052
2004 $8,957,467,707 $1,984,196,551,300
2003 $7,511,582,173 $1,683,903,309,844
2002 $5,438,863,983 $1,489,821,682,051
2001 $5,489,608,300 $1,355,036,590,252
2000 $5,788,329,609 $1,223,754,919,971
1999 $5,484,263,347 $1,103,843,203,576
1998 $4,790,481,509 $1,037,134,141,760
1997 $5,020,265,627 $967,753,570,435
1996 $4,847,757,218 $868,523,936,530
1995 $4,730,599,122 $738,190,896,228
1994 $4,259,259,604 $566,929,539,493
1993 $4,160,129,175 $446,557,291,212
1992 $4,146,464,587 $428,502,354,788
1991 $3,942,876,703 $384,510,452,962
1990 $3,790,636,324 $361,560,229,446
1989 $3,083,822,112 $348,380,566,802
1988 $2,644,554,159 $312,888,888,889
1987 $1,965,226,890 $273,455,156,951
1986 $1,392,602,164 $301,310,144,928
1985 $1,114,783,343 $310,064,625,850
1984 $1,240,822,167 $260,442,857,143
1983 $1,172,230,397 $231,130,268,199
1982 $1,014,945,696 $205,480,916,031
1981 $1,073,812,830 $196,218,253,968
1980 $1,060,889,704 $191,487,500,000
1979 $819,870,259 $178,573,913,043
1978 $590,407,374 $149,788,617,886
1977 $451,624,780 $175,226,595,860
1976 $372,025,093 $154,196,810,059
1975 $355,168,572 $163,687,619,736
1974 $306,044,208 $144,418,433,058
1973 $244,124,164 $138,764,340,892
1972 $164,460,915 $113,871,930,714
1971 $127,448,614 $99,959,013,880
1970 $96,243,234 $92,752,930,873
1969 $77,361,547 $79,847,786,729
1968 $66,248,441 $70,980,323,819
1967 $58,642,354 $73,011,350,596
1966 $51,465,655 $76,854,053,259
1965 $45,788,696 $70,565,994,356
1964 $41,616,348 $59,821,862,703
1963 $38,091,843 $50,812,227,919
1962 $35,644,957 $47,310,737,754
1961 $32,902,613 $50,162,299,350
1960 $30,411,414 $59,846,235,025

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs China by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana China
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $13,303 $27,105
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $12,951 $25,179
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $12,971 $23,032
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $12,887 $20,843
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $10,627 $18,267
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $10,343 $17,601
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $10,086 $16,298
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $8,980 $15,022
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $8,255 $14,157
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $8,175 $13,463
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $7,781 $12,942
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $7,147 $12,228
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $6,405 $11,420
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $5,704 $10,457
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $4,629 $9,411
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $3,898 $8,448
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $3,523 $7,713
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $2,735 $6,935
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $2,129 $5,946
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $1,778 $5,148
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $1,531 $4,505
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $1,307 $4,007
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $1,164 $3,591
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $1,065 $3,258
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $969 $2,964
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $881 $2,690
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $835 $2,483
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $787 $2,297
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $713 $2,088
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $613 $1,884
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $476 $1,680
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $379 $1,471
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $368 $1,276
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $334 $1,105
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $319 $991
1989 $2,428 - $311 -
1988 $2,141 - $284 -
1987 $1,639 - $252.3 -
1986 $1,200 - $282.4 -
1985 $994 - $295 -
1984 $1,145 - $251.2 -
1983 $1,121 - $225.9 -
1982 $1,006 - $203.7 -
1981 $1,107 - $197.4 -
1980 $1,132 - $195.1 -
1979 $909 - $184.3 -
1978 $695 - $156.7 -
1977 $565 - $185.7 -
1976 $490 - $165.7 -
1975 $493 - $178.6 -
1974 $446 - $160.4 -
1973 $374 - $157.3 -
1972 $264.2 - $132.1 -
1971 $212.2 - $118.8 -
1970 $163 - $113.3 -
1969 $131.8 - $100.3 -
1968 $113.4 - $91.6 -
1967 $100.9 - $96.8 -
1966 $89.1 - $104.5 -
1965 $79.7 - $98.7 -
1964 $73.5 - $85.7 -
1963 $68.9 - $74.5 -
1962 $66 - $71.1 -
1961 $62.3 - $76 -
1960 $58.9 - $89.7 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $13,303 in China, ranking 76/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while China ranks 77th at $27,105.

Economic indicators

Botswana China
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$18.7T
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
2/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
4.98%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$13,303
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$27,105
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
77/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$16.6T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
88.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$11,749
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
47/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$9,826
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$11.8T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
6,327,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
450
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
28.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
32.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
0.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
3.1%
2024
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
5.11%
2021
Population
2615162
1402578808

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
China
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana China
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 32.9% 88.3%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 32.7% 82%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 32.6% 75.5%
2021 33% 23.4% 31.9% 70.1%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 34.8% 69%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 33.6% 59.4%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 32.6% 55.6%
2017 35% 19.8% 32% 53.9%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 31.7% 49.7%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 31% 40.8%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 28.4% 39.3%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 28.1% 36.4%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 27.7% 33.8%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 26.6% 33.2%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 24.7% 33.3%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 25.2% 34%
2008 48% 7.77% 22.2% 26.7%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 17.9% 28.7%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 18.1% 25.2%
2005 35% 7.74% 18% 25.9%
2004 42% 11.3% 17.6% 26%
2003 44% 7.29% 18% 26.4%
2002 46% 8.55% 18.2% 25.6%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 17.2% 24.3%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 16.1% 22.7%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 14.9% 21.6%
1998 44.3% 12% 12.6% 20.4%
1997 40% - 11.5% 20.4%
1996 37.2% - 11% 21.2%
1995 38.1% - 11.1% 21.4%
1994 39.2% - 12.4% -
1993 44.2% - 13.4% -
1992 43.4% - 14.6% -
1991 42.3% - 16.5% -
1990 40.5% - 18.2% -
1989 - - 18.6% -
1988 - - 20.9% 4.46%
1987 - - 23.4% 3.6%
1986 - - 25.6% 3.24%
1985 - - 25.8% 3.31%
1984 - - 26.9% 0.97%
1983 - - 28.3% -
1982 - - 27.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while China spent $6.18T, or 32.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 88.3% in China, ranking 158/185 and 34/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

China
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana China
2024 -7.82% -7.34%
2023 -4.25% -6.71%
2022 -0.006% -7.32%
2021 -2.46% -5.9%
2020 -11.5% -9.56%
2019 -8.43% -6%
2018 -5.07% -4.2%
2017 -1.16% -3.34%
2016 0.72% -3.33%
2015 -5.06% -2.5%
2014 3.88% -0.67%
2013 6.07% -0.82%
2012 0.92% -0.3%
2011 -0.12% -0.1%
2010 -8.36% -0.36%
2009 -14.4% -1.72%
2008 -7.59% -0.02%
2007 5.92% 0.06%
2006 13.7% -1.13%
2005 10.7% -1.38%
2004 1.42% -1.49%
2003 -0.18% -2.36%
2002 -4.02% -2.84%
2001 -2.96% -2.56%
2000 8.95% -2.81%
1999 6.18% -2.3%
1998 - -1.08%
1997 - -0.73%
1996 - -0.73%
1995 - -0.94%
1994 - -1.68%
1993 - -0.89%
1992 - -1.22%
1991 - -1.04%
1990 - -0.72%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -2.22%
1987 - -2.08%
1986 - -1.82%
1985 - -0.45%
1984 - -1.44%
1983 - -1.61%
1982 - -1.33%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/china | 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 China's deficit of $1.38T, or 7.34% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while China ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.96% of GDP for China.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

China
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana China
2024 2.82% 0.2%
2023 5.07% 0.2%
2022 11.7% 2%
2021 7.24% 0.9%
2020 1.89% 2.5%
2019 2.77% 2.9%
2018 3.24% 2.1%
2017 3.31% 1.6%
2016 2.81% 2%
2015 3.06% 1.5%
2014 4.4% 2%
2013 5.88% 2.7%
2012 7.54% 2.6%
2011 8.46% 5.4%
2010 6.95% 3.3%
2009 8.03% -0.7%
2008 12.7% 5.9%
2007 7.08% 4.7%
2006 11.6% 1.5%
2005 8.61% 1.8%
2004 6.95% 3.9%
2003 9.19% 1.1%
2002 8.03% -0.8%
2001 6.56% 0.7%
2000 8.6% 0.4%
1999 7.75% -1.4%
1998 6.66% -0.8%
1997 8.72% 2.8%

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/china | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 1.82% in China. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 0.2% in China.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $340M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.64M
Raw agricultural goods $1.56M
Animal & marine products $54K
Metals $31K
Machinery & equipment $15K
Miscellaneous $4K
China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $137M
Textiles & consumer goods $51.8M
Metals $16.2M
Raw materials & minerals $15.8M
Chemicals & pharma $13.9M
Wood & paper products $3.41M
Miscellaneous $1.93M
Precious metals & jewellery $354K
Weapons & explosives $250K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $240K

Balance of trade

Botswana China
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$424B
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
1/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+2.26%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$2.64T
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$3.41T
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$613B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$384B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
20%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana China
Economic freedom 67.7 48.3
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 170/197
Property rights 71.7 40.9
Government integrity 59.6 42.3
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 38.6
Tax burden 87.1 69.3
Government spending 69.8 67.8
Fiscal health 72.4 4.4
Business freedom 61.5 68.7
Labor freedom 60.7 57.9
Monetary freedom 72 76.1
Trade freedom 77 73.4
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
China
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana China
2026 67.7 48.3
2025 69.9 49
2024 68 48.5
2023 64.9 48.3
2022 64.8 48
2021 67.6 58.4
2020 69.6 59.5
2019 69.5 58.4
2018 69.9 57.8
2017 70.1 57.4
2016 71.1 52
2015 69.8 52.7
2014 72 52.5
2013 70.6 51.9
2012 69.6 51.2
2011 68.8 52
2010 70.3 51
2009 69.7 53.2
2008 68.2 53.1
2007 68.1 52
2006 68.8 53.6
2005 69.3 53.7
2004 69.9 52.5
2003 68.6 52.6
2002 66.2 52.8
2001 66.8 52.6
2000 65.8 56.4
1999 62.9 54.8
1998 62.8 53.1
1997 59.1 51.7
1996 61.6 51.3
1995 56.8 52

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 48.3 for China, ranking 170/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana China
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
56.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
36.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
6.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$19.3T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$26,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$3.46T
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
1/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
$154B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$18.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$172B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
1.89%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
0%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
40.6%
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/china | 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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.