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Economy of Botswana vs Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $15.7B for the Congo, ranking 133/197 and 141/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $15.4B (98% of GDP) in the Congo.

Botswana vs Congo GDP by year

Botswana
Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Congo
2024 $19,402,063,513 $15,719,986,077
2023 $19,411,266,967 $15,321,055,823
2022 $20,321,150,599 $15,817,030,155
2021 $18,750,182,236 $14,825,690,211
2020 $14,960,251,608 $11,468,687,464
2019 $16,725,908,149 $13,976,637,780
2018 $17,031,943,186 $14,773,900,289
2017 $16,105,155,857 $11,834,473,039
2016 $15,082,637,184 $10,931,328,151
2015 $13,530,748,845 $12,434,793,867
2014 $15,470,088,501 $17,919,321,078
2013 $14,271,738,933 $17,958,720,699
2012 $13,907,464,500 $17,692,911,296
2011 $15,110,643,612 $15,655,383,577
2010 $12,637,273,429 $13,148,396,212
2009 $10,118,459,242 $9,723,299,915
2008 $10,730,829,116 $11,649,857,673
2007 $10,567,270,656 $8,782,703,437
2006 $9,919,158,482 $8,072,305,029
2005 $9,918,907,108 $6,650,001,680
2004 $8,957,467,707 $4,656,974,940
2003 $7,511,582,173 $3,503,723,088
2002 $5,438,863,983 $3,034,250,924
2001 $5,489,608,300 $2,796,704,604
2000 $5,788,329,609 $3,227,927,698
1999 $5,484,263,347 $2,354,772,960
1998 $4,790,481,509 $1,949,481,379
1997 $5,020,265,627 $2,322,719,103
1996 $4,847,757,218 $2,540,697,539
1995 $4,730,599,122 $2,116,003,868
1994 $4,259,259,604 $1,769,365,438
1993 $4,160,129,175 $2,684,323,623
1992 $4,146,464,587 $2,933,222,703
1991 $3,942,876,703 $2,724,853,506
1990 $3,790,636,324 $2,798,746,050
1989 $3,083,822,112 $2,389,593,026
1988 $2,644,554,159 $2,212,536,312
1987 $1,965,226,890 $2,297,753,652
1986 $1,392,602,164 $1,849,268,212
1985 $1,114,783,343 $2,160,872,540
1984 $1,240,822,167 $2,193,581,365
1983 $1,172,230,397 $2,097,274,290
1982 $1,014,945,696 $2,160,640,565
1981 $1,073,812,830 $1,993,512,323
1980 $1,060,889,704 $1,705,796,853
1979 $819,870,259 $1,198,749,667
1978 $590,407,374 $878,771,772
1977 $451,624,780 $765,224,029
1976 $372,025,093 $754,549,601
1975 $355,168,572 $767,102,680
1974 $306,044,208 $585,364,634
1973 $244,124,164 $541,973,363
1972 $164,460,915 $410,669,264
1971 $127,448,614 $322,128,019
1970 $96,243,234 $274,960,700
1969 $77,361,547 $265,040,036
1968 $66,248,441 $251,247,458
1967 $58,642,354 $237,397,428
1966 $51,465,655 $220,613,582
1965 $45,788,696 $198,318,064
1964 $41,616,348 $185,693,725
1963 $38,091,843 $172,233,431
1962 $35,644,957 $166,521,240
1961 $32,902,613 $151,675,739
1960 $30,411,414 $131,731,863

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Congo by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $2,482 $7,026
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $2,478 $6,850
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $2,621 $6,647
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $2,516 $6,263
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $1,994 $4,771
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $2,488 $5,720
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $2,694 $5,593
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $2,212 $4,445
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $2,093 $4,016
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $2,439 $4,715
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $3,601 $5,733
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $3,697 $5,834
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $3,732 $6,058
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $3,396 $5,175
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $2,947 $5,125
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $2,271 $4,801
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $2,832 $4,448
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $2,206 $4,243
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $2,104 $4,588
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $1,799 $4,279
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $1,306 $3,992
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $1,017 $3,887
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $906 $3,888
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $855 $3,748
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,024 $3,667
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $776 $3,464
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $660 $3,602
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $804 $3,510
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $899 $3,547
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $770 $3,434
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $662 $3,327
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $1,034 $3,550
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $1,164 $3,608
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $1,113 $3,536
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $1,176 $3,437
1989 $2,428 - $1,033 -
1988 $2,141 - $984 -
1987 $1,639 - $1,052 -
1986 $1,200 - $872 -
1985 $994 - $1,049 -
1984 $1,145 - $1,097 -
1983 $1,121 - $1,075 -
1982 $1,006 - $1,131 -
1981 $1,107 - $1,066 -
1980 $1,132 - $933 -
1979 $909 - $670 -
1978 $695 - $503 -
1977 $565 - $448 -
1976 $490 - $453 -
1975 $493 - $471 -
1974 $446 - $370 -
1973 $374 - $353 -
1972 $264.2 - $276.3 -
1971 $212.2 - $223.5 -
1970 $163 - $196.7 -
1969 $131.8 - $195.4 -
1968 $113.4 - $190.8 -
1967 $100.9 - $185.7 -
1966 $89.1 - $177.6 -
1965 $79.7 - $164.2 -
1964 $73.5 - $158.1 -
1963 $68.9 - $150.7 -
1962 $66 - $149.6 -
1961 $62.3 - $139.9 -
1960 $58.9 - $124.7 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $2,482 in the Congo, ranking 149/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026.

Economic indicators

Botswana Congo
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$15.7B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
2.58%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$2,482
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
149/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$7,026
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
148/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$15.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
98%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$2,433
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
112/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$2,153
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
37.9%
2011
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
1.6%
2011
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
21.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
3.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
10%
2012
Population
2615162
6681829

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 21.7% 98%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 20.7% 102.9%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 22.8% 93.5%
2021 33% 23.4% 20.9% 97.8%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 21.1% 102.5%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 20.2% 77.6%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 17.8% 71.2%
2017 35% 19.8% 26.6% 88.5%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 38.8% 84.6%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 41.3% 74.2%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 48.6% 42.3%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 42.4% 33.9%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 30.7% 30.2%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 27.9% 34.4%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 23% 43.5%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 24.4% 83.8%
2008 48% 7.77% 24.2% 69.6%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 28.6% 93.8%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 26.6% 94.7%
2005 35% 7.74% 22.1% 99.8%
2004 42% 11.3% 24.4% 122.6%
2003 44% 7.29% 27% 185.3%
2002 46% 8.55% 32.1% 163.5%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 29.1% 180.1%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 22.6% 145%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 28.8% 0%
1998 44.3% 12% 25.1% 0%
1997 40% - 22.2% 0%
1996 37.2% - 15.7% 0%
1995 38.1% - 27.6% 0%
1994 39.2% - 30.7% 0%
1993 44.2% - 32.8% 0%
1992 43.4% - 32.8% 0%
1991 42.3% - 34.1% 0%
1990 40.5% - 30.4% 0%
1989 - - 20.3% 151.7%

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

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while the Congo spent $3.4B, or 21.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 98% in the Congo, ranking 158/185 and 25/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Congo
2024 -7.82% 3.62%
2023 -4.25% 5.81%
2022 -0.006% 8.94%
2021 -2.46% 1.63%
2020 -11.5% -1.1%
2019 -8.43% 4.3%
2018 -5.07% 5.22%
2017 -1.16% -5.57%
2016 0.72% -14.5%
2015 -5.06% -17.8%
2014 3.88% -10.7%
2013 6.07% -2.85%
2012 0.92% 7.24%
2011 -0.12% 16.1%
2010 -8.36% 15.5%
2009 -14.4% 4.76%
2008 -7.59% 23.9%
2007 5.92% 8.99%
2006 13.7% 16%
2005 10.7% 13.4%
2004 1.42% 3.33%
2003 -0.18% 0.37%
2002 -4.02% -7.34%
2001 -2.96% -0.71%
2000 8.95% 1.05%
1999 6.18% -4.75%
1998 - -5.16%
1997 - 3.67%
1996 - 9.2%
1995 - -6.38%
1994 - -10.6%
1993 - -11.3%
1992 - -12.7%
1991 - -11.2%
1990 - -4.1%
1989 - 0.78%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/congo | 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 Congo's surplus of $568M, or 3.62% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while the Congo ran a deficit in 9 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.87% of GDP for the Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Congo
2024 2.82% 3.1%
2023 5.07% 4.3%
2022 11.7% 3%
2021 7.24% 2%
2020 1.89% 1.4%
2019 2.77% 0.4%
2018 3.24% 1.2%
2017 3.31% 0.4%
2016 2.81% 3.2%
2015 3.06% 3.2%
2014 4.4% 0.9%
2013 5.88% 4.6%
2012 7.54% 5%
2011 8.46% 1.8%
2010 6.95% 0.4%
2009 8.03% 4.3%
2008 12.7% 6%
2007 7.08% 2.6%
2006 11.6% 4.7%
2005 8.61% 2.5%
2004 6.95% 3.7%
2003 9.19% 1.7%
2002 8.03% 3%
2001 6.56% 0.8%
2000 8.6% 0.5%
1999 7.75% 3%
1998 6.66% 2.2%
1997 8.72% 12.7%

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/congo | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 2.95% in the Congo. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 3.1% in the Congo.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $193K
Raw agricultural goods $152K
Textiles & consumer goods $26K
Machinery & equipment $16K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Congo
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana Congo
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$1.72B
2021
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
48/190
2021
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+11.6%
2021
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$2.78B
2021
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$7.51B
2021
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$1.71B
2021
Service exports
$935M
2024
$240M
2021
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
40.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
52.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Congo
Economic freedom 67.7 48.6
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 169/197
Property rights 71.7 28.7
Government integrity 59.6 13.9
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 15.4
Tax burden 87.1 73.7
Government spending 69.8 85.8
Fiscal health 72.4 80.8
Business freedom 61.5 35.8
Labor freedom 60.7 52.4
Monetary freedom 72 78.4
Trade freedom 77 52.8
Investment freedom 50 35
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Congo
2026 67.7 48.6
2025 69.9 48.6
2024 68 47.8
2023 64.9 48.1
2022 64.8 48.5
2021 67.6 50.7
2020 69.6 41.8
2019 69.5 39.7
2018 69.9 38.9
2017 70.1 40
2016 71.1 42.8
2015 69.8 42.7
2014 72 43.7
2013 70.6 43.5
2012 69.6 43.8
2011 68.8 43.6
2010 70.3 43.2
2009 69.7 45.4
2008 68.2 45.3
2007 68.1 44.4
2006 68.8 43.8
2005 69.3 46.2
2004 69.9 45.9
2003 68.6 47.7
2002 66.2 45.3
2001 66.8 44.3
2000 65.8 40.6
1999 62.9 41.6
1998 62.8 33.8
1997 59.1 42.2
1996 61.6 40.3
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 48.6 for the Congo, ranking 169/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Congo
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
45%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
40.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
9.44%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$14.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$6,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$715M
2023
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
148/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
$330M
2021
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$604M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$25.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
7.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
40.9%
2011
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
26.8%
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/congo | 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. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.