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Economy of Botswana vs Costa Rica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $95.4B for Costa Rica, ranking 133/197 and 73/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $57B (59.8% of GDP) in Costa Rica.

Botswana vs Costa Rica GDP by year

Botswana
Costa Rica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Costa Rica
2024 $19,402,063,513 $95,350,423,177
2023 $19,411,266,967 $86,497,941,439
2022 $20,321,150,599 $69,243,626,029
2021 $18,750,182,236 $64,960,725,734
2020 $14,960,251,608 $62,395,610,760
2019 $16,725,908,149 $64,417,670,521
2018 $17,031,943,186 $62,420,164,992
2017 $16,105,155,857 $60,516,044,657
2016 $15,082,637,184 $58,847,019,610
2015 $13,530,748,845 $56,441,920,821
2014 $15,470,088,501 $52,016,408,854
2013 $14,271,738,933 $50,949,668,842
2012 $13,907,464,500 $47,231,655,432
2011 $15,110,643,612 $42,762,613,699
2010 $12,637,273,429 $37,658,616,952
2009 $10,118,459,242 $30,745,714,313
2008 $10,730,829,116 $30,801,745,700
2007 $10,567,270,656 $26,884,700,709
2006 $9,919,158,482 $22,715,540,324
2005 $9,918,907,108 $20,040,642,477
2004 $8,957,467,707 $18,610,594,846
2003 $7,511,582,173 $17,271,760,507
2002 $5,438,863,983 $16,578,820,687
2001 $5,489,608,300 $15,976,174,337
2000 $5,788,329,609 $15,013,629,662
1999 $5,484,263,347 $14,254,866,285
1998 $4,790,481,509 $13,684,255,947
1997 $5,020,265,627 $12,614,602,382
1996 $4,847,757,218 $11,678,424,507
1995 $4,730,599,122 $11,578,594,260
1994 $4,259,259,604 $10,489,903,725
1993 $4,160,129,175 $9,564,815,975
1992 $4,146,464,587 $8,579,754,758
1991 $3,942,876,703 $7,215,725,487
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $18,587 $31,107
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $16,942 $28,909
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $13,626 $26,226
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $12,838 $23,853
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $12,394 $22,100
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $12,885 $23,340
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $12,590 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $18,587 in Costa Rica, ranking 62/197. 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
$19.4B
2024
$95.4B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$18,587
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
62/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$31,107
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
72/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$57B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
59.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$11,106
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
50/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$12,150
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$2.23B
2022
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
34.2%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
18.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
-0.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
6.94%
2024
Population
2615162
5181862

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
2024 33.8% 30% 18.9% 59.8%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 18.5% 61.1%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 19.2% 63%
2021 33% 23.4% 20.8% 67.6%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 22.3% 66.9%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 21.7% 56.4%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 18.9% 51.8%
2017 35% 19.8% 19.2% 47.1%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 18.8% 44.1%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 18.8% 39.8%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 18.4% 37.4%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 18.5% 35.1%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 17.3% 33.7%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 17.2% 29.5%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 18% 28.1%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 16.7% 26%
2008 48% 7.77% 15.2% 24%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 14.6% 27%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 15.2% 33%
2005 35% 7.74% 15.9% 37.3%
2004 42% 11.3% 17% 41%
2003 44% 7.29% 17.6% 40.6%
2002 46% 8.55% 18.6% 41.4%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 17.3% 39.6%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 16.9% 38.9%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 16.7% 39%
1998 44.3% 12% 16% 40.7%
1997 40% - 16.3% 30.6%
1996 37.2% - 17.3% 33.7%
1995 38.1% - 16.4% 29.1%
1994 39.2% - 17.4% 27%
1993 44.2% - 13.8% 24.4%
1992 43.4% - 13.7% 23.3%
1991 42.3% - 14% 28.4%
1990 40.5% - 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Costa Rica spent $18B, or 18.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 59.8% in Costa Rica, ranking 158/185 and 79/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Costa Rica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Costa Rica
2024 -7.82% -3.78%
2023 -4.25% -3.25%
2022 -0.006% -2.81%
2021 -2.46% -5.09%
2020 -11.5% -8.38%
2019 -8.43% -6.68%
2018 -5.07% -5.66%
2017 -1.16% -5.88%
2016 0.72% -5.09%
2015 -5.06% -5.52%
2014 3.88% -5.45%
2013 6.07% -5.25%
2012 0.92% -4.22%
2011 -0.12% -3.91%
2010 -8.36% -4.96%
2009 -14.4% -3.25%
2008 -7.59% 0.18%
2007 5.92% 0.56%
2006 13.7% -1.04%
2005 10.7% -2.09%
2004 1.42% -3.42%
2003 -0.18% -3.43%
2002 -4.02% -4.99%
2001 -2.96% -3.47%
2000 8.95% -3.68%
1999 6.18% -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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/costa-rica | 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 Costa Rica's deficit of $3.61B, or 3.78% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Costa Rica ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.98% of GDP for Costa Rica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Costa Rica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Costa Rica
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 6.66% in Costa Rica. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and -0.41% 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
-$1.25B
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
129/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$23.1B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$7.58B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$16.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
32.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
38.5%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
63.5%
2024
68.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
19.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
3.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$28,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
70/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$4.96B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$5.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$337M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
6.31%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
20.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
15.7%
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/costa-rica | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2023, 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.