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Economy of Botswana vs China compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $19.5T for China, ranking 135/197 and 2/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $19.3T (99.2% of GDP) in China.

Botswana vs China GDP by year

Botswana
China
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana China
2025 $19,928,479,839 $19,498,039,388,043
2024 $19,286,251,068 $18,729,668,435,848
2023 $19,413,614,555 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $7,778 - $13,862 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $13,293 $27,105
2023 $7,827 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $13,862 in China, ranking 77/197. 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
$19.9B
2025
$19.5T
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
2/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
4.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$13,862
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
77/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$27,105
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
77/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$19.3T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
99.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$13,756
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
47/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$10,414
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
$15.5T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
5,305,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
539
2026
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
35%
2025
32.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
0%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
3%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
4.57%
2022
Population
2624853
1403335670

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
2025 35% 38.6% 32.9% 99.2%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 32.9% 90.4%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 32.7% 84.1%
2022 29.1% 21% 32.6% 77.3%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 31.9% 72.1%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 34.8% 70.1%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 33.6% 59.8%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 32.6% 55.9%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 32% 53.9%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 31.7% 50%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 31% 40.8%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 28.4% 39.3%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 28.1% 36.4%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 27.7% 33.8%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 26.6% 33.2%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 24.7% 33.3%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 25.2% 34%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 22.2% 26.7%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 17.9% 28.7%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 18.1% 25.2%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 18% 25.9%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 17.6% 26%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 18% 26.4%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 18.2% 25.6%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 17.2% 24.3%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 16.1% 22.7%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 14.9% 21.6%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 12.6% 20.4%
1997 39% - 11.5% 20.4%
1996 36.1% - 11% 21.2%
1995 36.1% - 11.1% 21.4%
1994 37.6% - 12.4% -
1993 42% - 13.4% -
1992 42.3% - 14.6% -
1991 41.1% - 16.5% -
1990 38.9% - 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while China spent $6.41T, or 32.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 99.2% in China, ranking 137/185 and 26/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

China
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana China
2025 -7.42% -7.87%
2024 -7.26% -7.11%
2023 -4.16% -6.71%
2022 0.04% -7.32%
2021 -2.33% -5.9%
2020 -10.9% -9.56%
2019 -8.53% -6%
2018 -5.03% -4.2%
2017 -1.14% -3.34%
2016 0.71% -3.33%
2015 -4.82% -2.5%
2014 3.9% -0.67%
2013 5.84% -0.82%
2012 0.89% -0.3%
2011 -0.12% -0.1%
2010 -7.95% -0.36%
2009 -13.8% -1.72%
2008 -7.61% -0.02%
2007 5.73% 0.06%
2006 13.3% -1.13%
2005 10.3% -1.38%
2004 1.35% -1.49%
2003 -0.18% -2.36%
2002 -3.94% -2.84%
2001 -2.91% -2.56%
2000 8.73% -2.81%
1999 5.95% -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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/china | 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 China's deficit of $1.53T, or 7.87% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while China ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.13% of GDP for China.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

China
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana China
2025 2.66% 0%
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% 1.4%
2014 4.4% 2%
2013 5.88% 2.6%
2012 7.54% 2.6%
2011 8.46% 5.4%
2010 6.95% 3.3%
2009 8.03% -0.7%
2008 12.7% 5.8%
2007 7.08% 4.8%
2006 11.6% 1.5%
2005 8.61% 1.8%
2004 6.95% 3.9%
2003 9.19% 1.2%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 1.76% in China. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 0% 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 $170M
Textiles & consumer goods $62M
Metals $25.4M
Raw materials & minerals $19M
Chemicals & pharma $17.6M
Wood & paper products $3M
Miscellaneous $2.28M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $489K
Precious metals & jewellery $428K
Weapons & explosives $242K

Balance of trade

Botswana China
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$735B
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
1/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
+3.77%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$2.69T
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$3.75T
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$623B
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$385B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
16.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
21.1%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
64.6%
2025
57.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
35.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
6.66%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$20T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$29,160
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$3.75T
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
1/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
$77.2B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$192B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
1.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
0%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
40.5%
2024

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/china | 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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.