Skip to content

Economy of Botswana vs Costa Rica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $103B for Costa Rica, ranking 135/197 and 74/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $62.2B (60.4% of GDP) in Costa Rica.

Botswana vs Costa Rica GDP by year

Botswana
Costa Rica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Costa Rica
2025 $19,928,479,839 $102,904,921,157
2024 $19,286,251,068 $96,715,644,331
2023 $19,413,614,555 $87,512,637,056
2022 $20,321,150,599 $71,001,226,361
2021 $18,750,182,236 $65,588,938,787
2020 $14,960,251,608 $62,806,591,555
2019 $16,725,908,149 $64,753,504,730
2018 $17,031,943,186 $62,567,765,946
2017 $16,105,155,857 $60,516,044,661
2016 $15,082,637,184 $58,847,019,588
2015 $13,530,748,845 $56,441,920,888
2014 $15,470,088,501 $52,016,408,816
2013 $14,271,738,933 $50,949,668,763
2012 $13,907,464,500 $47,231,655,493
2011 $15,110,643,612 $42,762,613,785
2010 $12,637,273,429 $37,658,616,966
2009 $10,118,459,242 $30,745,714,234
2008 $10,730,829,116 $30,801,745,703
2007 $10,567,270,656 $26,884,700,688
2006 $9,919,158,482 $22,715,540,342
2005 $9,918,907,108 $20,040,642,421
2004 $8,957,467,707 $18,610,594,844
2003 $7,511,582,173 $17,271,760,397
2002 $5,438,863,983 $16,578,820,799
2001 $5,489,608,300 $15,976,174,476
2000 $5,788,329,609 $15,013,629,579
1999 $5,484,263,347 $14,254,866,284
1998 $4,790,481,509 $13,684,255,998
1997 $5,020,265,627 $12,614,602,322
1996 $4,847,757,218 $11,678,424,727
1995 $4,730,599,122 $11,578,594,333
1994 $4,259,259,604 $10,489,903,834
1993 $4,160,129,175 $9,564,816,063
1992 $4,146,464,587 $8,579,754,953
1991 $3,942,876,703 $7,215,725,635
1990 $3,790,636,324 $5,711,687,787
1989 $3,083,822,112 $5,251,025,767
1988 $2,644,554,159 $4,614,629,898
1987 $1,965,226,890 $4,532,952,047
1986 $1,392,602,164 $4,418,983,871
1985 $1,114,783,343 $3,919,203,960
1984 $1,240,822,167 $3,660,477,856
1983 $1,172,230,397 $3,146,772,631
1982 $1,014,945,696 $2,606,623,555
1981 $1,073,812,830 $2,623,803,096
1980 $1,060,889,704 $4,831,447,001
1979 $819,870,259 $4,035,519,323
1978 $590,407,374 $3,523,208,810
1977 $451,624,780 $3,072,427,013
1976 $372,025,093 $2,412,555,426
1975 $355,168,572 $1,960,863,466
1974 $306,044,208 $1,666,544,754
1973 $244,124,164 $1,528,925,846
1972 $164,460,915 $1,238,251,696
1971 $127,448,614 $1,077,147,538
1970 $96,243,234 $984,830,158
1969 $77,361,547 $853,630,204
1968 $66,248,441 $773,841,494
1967 $58,642,354 $699,456,619
1966 $51,465,655 $647,305,630
1965 $45,788,696 $592,981,162
1964 $41,616,348 $542,578,367
1963 $38,091,843 $511,902,137
1962 $35,644,957 $479,180,824
1961 $32,902,613 $490,325,182
1960 $30,411,414 $507,513,830

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/costa-rica | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Costa Rica by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Costa Rica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $19,970 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $18,853 $31,107
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $17,141 $28,909
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $13,972 $26,226
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $12,962 $23,853
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $12,476 $22,100
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $12,952 $23,340
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $12,620 $21,498
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $12,317 $20,499
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $12,091 $19,202
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $11,715 $17,525
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $10,911 $16,394
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $10,803 $15,232
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $10,127 $14,464
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $9,276 $13,614
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $8,266 $12,928
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $6,833 $12,274
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $6,937 $12,472
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $6,138 $11,842
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $5,257 $10,800
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $4,703 $9,899
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $4,431 $9,365
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $4,173 $8,863
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $4,068 $8,461
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $3,985 $8,190
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $3,813 $7,879
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $3,691 $7,563
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $3,617 $7,306
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $3,408 $6,890
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $3,227 $6,568
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $3,275 $6,515
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $3,040 $6,276
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $2,840 $6,025
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $2,612 $5,635
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $2,253 $5,175
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $1,830 $5,021
1989 $2,428 - $1,725 -
1988 $2,141 - $1,555 -
1987 $1,639 - $1,567 -
1986 $1,200 - $1,569 -
1985 $994 - $1,429 -
1984 $1,145 - $1,372 -
1983 $1,121 - $1,213 -
1982 $1,006 - $1,032 -
1981 $1,107 - $1,068 -
1980 $1,132 - $2,021 -
1979 $909 - $1,735 -
1978 $695 - $1,556 -
1977 $565 - $1,393 -
1976 $490 - $1,123 -
1975 $493 - $937 -
1974 $446 - $817 -
1973 $374 - $769 -
1972 $264.2 - $639 -
1971 $212.2 - $570 -
1970 $163 - $536 -
1969 $131.8 - $477 -
1968 $113.4 - $445 -
1967 $100.9 - $414 -
1966 $89.1 - $395 -
1965 $79.7 - $374 -
1964 $73.5 - $354 -
1963 $68.9 - $346 -
1962 $66 - $335 -
1961 $62.3 - $356 -
1960 $58.9 - $382 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/costa-rica | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $19,970 in Costa Rica, ranking 59/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107.

Economic indicators

Botswana Costa Rica
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$103B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
74/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
4.56%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$19,970
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
59/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$31,107
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
72/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$62.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
60.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$12,064
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
51/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$12,879
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
$2.23B
2022
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
34.3%
2025
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
1.8%
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
17.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
-0.07%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
6.34%
2025
Population
2624853
5186356

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Costa Rica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 17.8% 60.4%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 18.6% 58.9%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 18.3% 60.4%
2022 29.1% 21% 18.7% 61.4%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 20.6% 67%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 22.1% 66.5%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 21.6% 56.1%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 18.9% 51.7%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 19.2% 47.1%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 18.8% 44.1%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 18.8% 39.8%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 18.4% 37.4%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 18.5% 35.1%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 17.3% 33.7%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 17.2% 29.5%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 18% 28.1%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 16.7% 26%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 15.2% 24%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 14.6% 27%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 15.2% 33%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 15.9% 37.3%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 17% 41%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 17.6% 40.6%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 18.6% 41.4%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 17.3% 39.6%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 16.9% 38.9%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 16.7% 39%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 16% 40.7%
1997 39% - 16.3% 30.6%
1996 36.1% - 17.3% 33.7%
1995 36.1% - 16.4% 29.1%
1994 37.6% - 17.4% 27%
1993 42% - 13.8% 24.4%
1992 42.3% - 13.7% 23.3%
1991 41.1% - 14% 28.4%
1990 38.9% - 18.9% 18.5%
1989 - - 26.1% 19.3%
1988 - - 24.5% 18.2%
1987 - - 27.2% 21.2%
1986 - - 26.4% 26.1%
1985 - - 21.8% 22.8%
1984 - - 22.8% 25.2%
1983 - - 23.6% 29.8%
1982 - - 18.4% 31.8%
1981 - - 21% 32.3%
1980 - - 25% 37.7%
1979 - - 24.9% 39.5%
1978 - - 23.2% 41.7%
1977 - - 19.3% 27.8%
1976 - - 20.1% 29.5%
1975 - - 19.1% 26.1%
1974 - - 18.3% 30.3%
1973 - - 18.4% 32.8%
1972 - - 17.2% 31.8%
1971 - - 17.5% 30.4%
1970 - - 14.9% 28.6%
1969 - - 14.5% 26.1%
1968 - - 13.8% 27.7%
1967 - - 14.7% 26.7%
1966 - - 14.3% 24.8%
1965 - - 13.8% 24.1%
1964 - - 13.5% 22.7%
1963 - - 13.3% 21.8%
1962 - - 14% 19.7%
1961 - - 13.2% 20.3%
1960 - - 12.5% 16.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/costa-rica | CC BY

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Costa Rica spent $18.3B, or 17.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 60.4% in Costa Rica, ranking 137/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Costa Rica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Costa Rica
2025 -7.42% -3.35%
2024 -7.26% -3.73%
2023 -4.16% -3.21%
2022 0.04% -2.74%
2021 -2.33% -5.04%
2020 -10.9% -8.32%
2019 -8.53% -6.65%
2018 -5.03% -5.65%
2017 -1.14% -5.88%
2016 0.71% -5.09%
2015 -4.82% -5.52%
2014 3.9% -5.45%
2013 5.84% -5.25%
2012 0.89% -4.22%
2011 -0.12% -3.91%
2010 -7.95% -4.96%
2009 -13.8% -3.25%
2008 -7.61% 0.18%
2007 5.73% 0.56%
2006 13.3% -1.04%
2005 10.3% -2.09%
2004 1.35% -3.42%
2003 -0.18% -3.43%
2002 -3.94% -4.99%
2001 -2.91% -3.47%
2000 8.73% -3.68%
1999 5.95% -2.88%
1998 - -2.96%
1997 - -3.39%
1996 - -4.32%
1995 - -3.68%
1994 - -5.46%
1993 - -1.52%
1992 - -1.51%
1991 - -2.41%
1990 - -4.4%
1989 - -1.55%
1988 - 0.57%
1987 - -2.57%
1986 - -4.26%
1985 - -1.06%
1984 - -0.5%
1983 - -1.84%
1982 - -0.94%
1981 - -3.14%
1980 - -7.24%
1979 - -6.6%
1978 - -4.12%
1977 - -2.63%
1976 - -2.42%
1975 - -1.13%
1974 - 0.26%
1973 - -2.41%
1972 - -4.54%
1971 - -4.72%
1970 - -1.41%
1969 - -1.61%
1968 - -1.72%
1967 - -3.03%
1966 - -2.12%
1965 - -1.71%
1964 - -1.51%
1963 - -2.01%
1962 - -1.99%
1961 - -0.71%
1960 - -0.19%
1959 - 0.49%
1958 - 0%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - 0.05%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/costa-rica | 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 Costa Rica's deficit of $3.45B, or 3.35% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Costa Rica ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.94% of GDP for Costa Rica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Costa Rica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Costa Rica
2025 2.66% -0.07%
2024 2.82% -0.41%
2023 5.07% 0.53%
2022 11.7% 8.27%
2021 7.24% 1.73%
2020 1.89% 0.72%
2019 2.77% 2.1%
2018 3.24% 2.22%
2017 3.31% 1.63%
2016 2.81% -0.02%
2015 3.06% 0.8%
2014 4.4% 4.52%
2013 5.88% 5.23%
2012 7.54% 4.5%
2011 8.46% 4.88%
2010 6.95% 5.66%
2009 8.03% 7.84%
2008 12.7% 13.4%
2007 7.08% 9.36%
2006 11.6% 11.5%
2005 8.61% 13.8%
2004 6.95% 12.3%
2003 9.19% 9.45%
2002 8.03% 9.17%
2001 6.56% 11.3%
2000 8.6% 11%
1999 7.75% 10%
1998 6.66% 11.7%
1997 8.72% 13.2%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/costa-rica | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 6.42% in Costa Rica. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and -0.07% in Costa Rica.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Metals $86K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Botswana Costa Rica
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$687M
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
108/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-0.67%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$24.4B
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$23.5B
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$8.64B
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$18.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
32.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
38.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Costa Rica
Economic freedom 67.7 69.1
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 43/197
Property rights 71.7 66
Government integrity 59.6 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 76.9
Tax burden 87.1 78.6
Government spending 69.8 89.3
Fiscal health 72.4 75.6
Business freedom 61.5 79.9
Labor freedom 60.7 55.9
Monetary freedom 72 78.2
Trade freedom 77 75
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Costa Rica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Costa Rica
2026 67.7 69.1
2025 69.9 68.6
2024 68 67.7
2023 64.9 66.5
2022 64.8 65.4
2021 67.6 64.2
2020 69.6 65.8
2019 69.5 65.3
2018 69.9 65.6
2017 70.1 65
2016 71.1 67.4
2015 69.8 67.2
2014 72 66.9
2013 70.6 67
2012 69.6 68
2011 68.8 67.3
2010 70.3 65.9
2009 69.7 66.4
2008 68.2 64.2
2007 68.1 64
2006 68.8 65.9
2005 69.3 66.1
2004 69.9 66.4
2003 68.6 67
2002 66.2 67.5
2001 66.8 67.6
2000 65.8 68.4
1999 62.9 67.4
1998 62.8 65.6
1997 59.1 65.6
1996 61.6 66.4
1995 56.8 68

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/costa-rica | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 69.1 for Costa Rica, ranking 43/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Costa Rica
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
69.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
19.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
3.37%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$92.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$30,760
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$17.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
70/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$5.12B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$5.4B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$337M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
6.31%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
17.1%
2025
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
15.8%
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/costa-rica | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2023, 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.