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Economy of Botswana vs DR Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $71B for the DR Congo, ranking 133/197 and 87/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $16B (22.5% of GDP) in the DR Congo.

Botswana vs DR Congo GDP by year

Botswana
DR Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana DR Congo
2024 $19,402,063,513 $70,962,185,791
2023 $19,411,266,967 $69,843,655,425
2022 $20,321,150,599 $70,422,346,142
2021 $18,750,182,236 $59,067,289,574
2020 $14,960,251,608 $46,691,989,749
2019 $16,725,908,149 $46,845,900,350
2018 $17,031,943,186 $46,659,954,092
2017 $16,105,155,857 $37,537,521,566
2016 $15,082,637,184 $38,600,224,214
2015 $13,530,748,845 $40,179,574,490
2014 $15,470,088,501 $38,352,980,553
2013 $14,271,738,933 $34,891,189,160
2012 $13,907,464,500 $30,029,369,929
2011 $15,110,643,612 $26,392,379,642
2010 $12,637,273,429 $24,161,641,931
2009 $10,118,459,242 $18,607,259,481
2008 $10,730,829,116 $22,723,488,723
2007 $10,567,270,656 $18,374,807,773
2006 $9,919,158,482 $15,484,044,535
2005 $9,918,907,108 $12,609,728,573
2004 $8,957,467,707 $10,297,483,481
2003 $7,511,582,173 $8,937,567,060
2002 $5,438,863,983 $8,728,038,525
2001 $5,489,608,300 $7,438,189,100
2000 $5,788,329,609 $19,088,046,306
1999 $5,484,263,347 $4,711,259,427
1998 $4,790,481,509 $6,217,805,821
1997 $5,020,265,627 $6,090,838,693
1996 $4,847,757,218 $5,771,456,952
1995 $4,730,599,122 $5,643,439,376
1994 $4,259,259,604 $5,820,382,248
1993 $4,160,129,175 $10,706,259,937
1992 $4,146,464,587 $8,227,343,907
1991 $3,942,876,703 $9,625,436,873
1990 $3,790,636,324 $9,349,764,580
1989 $3,083,822,112 $9,021,862,775
1988 $2,644,554,159 $8,861,299,977
1987 $1,965,226,890 $7,661,625,473
1986 $1,392,602,164 $8,095,367,168
1985 $1,114,783,343 $7,195,042,616
1984 $1,240,822,167 $7,857,729,193
1983 $1,172,230,397 $11,006,712,650
1982 $1,014,945,696 $13,651,667,371
1981 $1,073,812,830 $12,537,821,038
1980 $1,060,889,704 $14,394,927,495
1979 $819,870,259 $15,068,422,236
1978 $590,407,374 $15,372,608,002
1977 $451,624,780 $12,344,424,764
1976 $372,025,093 $9,648,583,225
1975 $355,168,572 $10,237,343,174
1974 $306,044,208 $9,596,960,180
1973 $244,124,164 $7,870,239,461
1972 $164,460,915 $6,173,712,814
1971 $127,448,614 $5,594,770,359
1970 $96,243,234 $4,877,684,910
1969 $77,361,547 $5,032,434,970
1968 $66,248,441 $3,909,780,539
1967 $58,642,354 $3,384,063,372
1966 $51,465,655 $4,532,660,182
1965 $45,788,696 $4,043,901,818
1964 $41,616,348 $2,881,545,273
1963 $38,091,843 $6,213,185,743
1962 $35,644,957 $3,779,841,429
1961 $32,902,613 $3,086,746,857
1960 $30,411,414 $3,359,404,118

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs DR Congo by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana DR Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $649 $1,821
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $660 $1,731
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $688 $1,590
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $596 $1,402
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $486 $1,089
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $504 $1,056
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $518 $1,049
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $431 $991
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $460 $950
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $496 $910
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $489 $859
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $460 $761
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $410 $648
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $373 $644
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $352 $606
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $280.2 $573
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $353 $584
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $294.1 $550
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $255.4 $508
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $214.5 $484
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $180.7 $456
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $161.5 $428
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $162.4 $410
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $142.7 $404
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $378 $417
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $96.3 $452
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $131.5 $481
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $132.3 $497
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $127.4 $526
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $127 $532
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $136.5 $540
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $263.3 $576
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $209.7 $674
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $253.8 $762
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $254.9 $832
1989 $2,428 - $254.2 -
1988 $2,141 - $257.7 -
1987 $1,639 - $230.1 -
1986 $1,200 - $250.9 -
1985 $994 - $230.1 -
1984 $1,145 - $259.8 -
1983 $1,121 - $376 -
1982 $1,006 - $482 -
1981 $1,107 - $456 -
1980 $1,132 - $539 -
1979 $909 - $582 -
1978 $695 - $615 -
1977 $565 - $509 -
1976 $490 - $408 -
1975 $493 - $445 -
1974 $446 - $428 -
1973 $374 - $361 -
1972 $264.2 - $290.5 -
1971 $212.2 - $270.3 -
1970 $163 - $242.2 -
1969 $131.8 - $257.1 -
1968 $113.4 - $205.6 -
1967 $100.9 - $183.3 -
1966 $89.1 - $252.8 -
1965 $79.7 - $232 -
1964 $73.5 - $169.9 -
1963 $68.9 - $376 -
1962 $66 - $235.1 -
1961 $62.3 - $197.1 -
1960 $58.9 - $220.1 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $649 in the DR Congo, ranking 190/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821.

Economic indicators

Botswana DR Congo
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$71B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
87/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
6.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$649
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
190/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$1,821
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
190/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$16B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
22.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$146.4
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
183/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$1,693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
35.7%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.1%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
2.89%
2015-2016
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
17.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
1.47%
2020
Population
2615162
117507801

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
DR Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana DR Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 16.7% 22.5%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 16.5% 27%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 18.3% 23.8%
2021 33% 23.4% 13.8% 25.3%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 12.1% 23.7%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 14% 19.4%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 11.9% 19.3%
2017 35% 19.8% 10.7% 23.2%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 14.3% 33%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 16% 25.5%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 13.7% 22.8%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 11.9% 23.8%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 13.4% 25.1%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 13.7% 29.3%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 15.4% 31.8%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 12.4% 91.6%
2008 48% 7.77% 10.1% 80.3%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 8.07% 85.1%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 7.47% 107.5%
2005 35% 7.74% 7.59% 112%
2004 42% 11.3% 7.18% 164.1%
2003 44% 7.29% 8.87% 114.5%
2002 46% 8.55% 4.17% 136%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 4.16% 185.4%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 2.49% 135%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 2.15% -
1998 44.3% 12% 2.78% -
1997 40% - 2.51% -
1996 37.2% - 2.17% -
1995 38.1% - - -
1994 39.2% - - -
1993 44.2% - - -
1992 43.4% - - -
1991 42.3% - - -
1990 40.5% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while the DR Congo spent $11.9B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 22.5% in the DR Congo, ranking 158/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

DR Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana DR Congo
2024 -7.82% -1.48%
2023 -4.25% -1.65%
2022 -0.006% -1.01%
2021 -2.46% -1.68%
2020 -11.5% -3.17%
2019 -8.43% -3.17%
2018 -5.07% -1.34%
2017 -1.16% -0.05%
2016 0.72% -0.93%
2015 -5.06% -1.35%
2014 3.88% 3.73%
2013 6.07% 3.28%
2012 0.92% 1.71%
2011 -0.12% -0.94%
2010 -8.36% -0.95%
2009 -14.4% 0.92%
2008 -7.59% -0.41%
2007 5.92% 1.12%
2006 13.7% 1.97%
2005 10.7% 1.3%
2004 1.42% -0.17%
2003 -0.18% -3.92%
2002 -4.02% 0.89%
2001 -2.96% -1.13%
2000 8.95% -1.85%
1999 6.18% -1.35%
1998 - -1.55%
1997 - -1.06%
1996 - -0.56%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/dr-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 DR Congo's deficit of $1.05B, or 1.48% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while the DR Congo ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.45% of GDP for the DR Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

DR Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana DR Congo
2024 2.82% -
2023 5.07% -
2022 11.7% -
2021 7.24% -
2020 1.89% -
2019 2.77% -
2018 3.24% -
2017 3.31% -
2016 2.81% 2.89%
2015 3.06% 0.74%
2014 4.4% 1.24%
2013 5.88% 0.81%
2012 7.54% 9.72%
2011 8.46% 15.3%
2010 6.95% 7.1%
2009 8.03% 2.8%
2008 12.7% 17.3%
2007 7.08% 16.9%
2006 11.6% 13.1%
2005 8.61% 21.3%
2004 6.95% 3.99%
2003 9.19% 12.9%
2002 8.03% 31.5%
2001 6.56% 360%
2000 8.6% 514%
1999 7.75% 284.9%
1998 6.66% 29.1%
1997 8.72% 198.5%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 20 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.48%, compared with 77.2% in the DR Congo. In 2016, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 2.89% in the DR Congo.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8.78M
Raw agricultural goods $4.46M
Animal & marine products $1.68M
Metals $768K
Textiles & consumer goods $150K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $91K
Raw materials & minerals $77K
Wood & paper products $18K
Chemicals & pharma $6K
Miscellaneous $4K
DR Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $318K
Metals $69K
Raw materials & minerals $56K
Textiles & consumer goods $13K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Weapons & explosives $1K

Balance of trade

Botswana DR Congo
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$2.72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
153/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-3.83%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$31B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$34.9B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$6.14B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$322M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
51.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
48.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana DR Congo
Economic freedom 67.7 47
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 176/197
Property rights 71.7 15.4
Government integrity 59.6 12.8
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 11.7
Tax burden 87.1 73.8
Government spending 69.8 91.2
Fiscal health 72.4 95.9
Business freedom 61.5 32.3
Labor freedom 60.7 54.2
Monetary freedom 72 58.6
Trade freedom 77 68.2
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
DR Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana DR Congo
2026 67.7 47
2025 69.9 47.3
2024 68 47.6
2023 64.9 47.9
2022 64.8 47.6
2021 67.6 49
2020 69.6 49.5
2019 69.5 50.3
2018 69.9 52.1
2017 70.1 56.4
2016 71.1 46.4
2015 69.8 45
2014 72 40.6
2013 70.6 39.6
2012 69.6 41.1
2011 68.8 40.7
2010 70.3 41.4
2009 69.7 42.8
2008 68.2 -
2007 68.1 -
2006 68.8 -
2005 69.3 -
2004 69.9 -
2003 68.6 -
2002 66.2 -
2001 66.8 -
2000 65.8 34.8
1999 62.9 34
1998 62.8 40.6
1997 59.1 39.5
1996 61.6 39.5
1995 56.8 41.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 47 for the DR Congo, ranking 176/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana DR Congo
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
46.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
39.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
9.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$72.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$1,760
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$5.1B
2023
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
99/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$2.92B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$2.92B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$198M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
0.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
56.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
32.5%
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/dr-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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.