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Economy of Botswana vs East Timor compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $1.87B for East Timor, ranking 133/197 and 181/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $249M (13.3% of GDP) in East Timor.

Botswana vs East Timor GDP by year

Botswana
East Timor
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana East Timor
2024 $19,402,063,513 $1,865,608,515
2023 $19,411,266,967 $2,079,767,170
2022 $20,321,150,599 $3,208,599,889
2021 $18,750,182,236 $3,625,024,341
2020 $14,960,251,608 $2,162,619,241
2019 $16,725,908,149 $2,032,550,389
2018 $17,031,943,186 $1,555,988,614
2017 $16,105,155,857 $1,584,878,440
2016 $15,082,637,184 $1,640,464,612
2015 $13,530,748,845 $1,590,282,371
2014 $15,470,088,501 $1,447,535,183
2013 $14,271,738,933 $1,395,727,421
2012 $13,907,464,500 $1,160,555,040
2011 $15,110,643,612 $1,042,534,598
2010 $12,637,273,429 $881,909,347
2009 $10,118,459,242 $726,937,836
2008 $10,730,829,116 $648,523,571
2007 $10,567,270,656 $542,795,447
2006 $9,919,158,482 $453,792,415
2005 $9,918,907,108 $462,267,954
2004 $8,957,467,707 $440,771,962
2003 $7,511,582,173 $490,439,116
2002 $5,438,863,983 $469,455,491
2001 $5,489,608,300 $477,359,253
2000 $5,788,329,609 $366,924,277
1999 $5,484,263,347 $225,357,600
1998 $4,790,481,509 $325,729,800
1997 $5,020,265,627 $319,972,700
1996 $4,847,757,218 $306,956,900
1995 $4,730,599,122 $262,819,900
1994 $4,259,259,604 $239,040,500
1993 $4,160,129,175 $216,914,400
1992 $4,146,464,587 $187,891,500
1991 $3,942,876,703 $147,713,000
1990 $3,790,636,324 $128,210,142
1989 $3,083,822,112 -
1988 $2,644,554,159 -
1987 $1,965,226,890 -
1986 $1,392,602,164 -
1985 $1,114,783,343 -
1984 $1,240,822,167 -
1983 $1,172,230,397 -
1982 $1,014,945,696 -
1981 $1,073,812,830 -
1980 $1,060,889,704 -
1979 $819,870,259 -
1978 $590,407,374 -
1977 $451,624,780 -
1976 $372,025,093 -
1975 $355,168,572 -
1974 $306,044,208 -
1973 $244,124,164 -
1972 $164,460,915 -
1971 $127,448,614 -
1970 $96,243,234 -
1969 $77,361,547 -
1968 $66,248,441 -
1967 $58,642,354 -
1966 $51,465,655 -
1965 $45,788,696 -
1964 $41,616,348 -
1963 $38,091,843 -
1962 $35,644,957 -
1961 $32,902,613 -
1960 $30,411,414 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/east-timor | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs East Timor by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana East Timor
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $1,332 $4,423
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $1,502 $4,807
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $2,343 $5,730
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $2,685 $6,825
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $1,631 $6,132
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $1,562 $4,557
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $1,219 $3,561
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $1,266 $3,463
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $1,336 $3,391
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $1,320 $3,108
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $1,225 $2,860
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $1,205 $2,566
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $1,023 $2,386
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $939 $2,066
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $813 $1,955
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $687 $1,810
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $628 $1,675
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $540 $1,516
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $465 $1,377
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $487 $1,435
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $474 $1,379
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $535 $1,355
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $534 $1,417
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $588 $1,619
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $492 $1,483
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $270 $819
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $346 $1,108
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $349 $1,149
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $344 $1,116
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $303 $1,043
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $283.1 $985
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $264.1 $925
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $235.1 $843
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $189.8 $766
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $168.6 $685
1989 $2,428 - - -
1988 $2,141 - - -
1987 $1,639 - - -
1986 $1,200 - - -
1985 $994 - - -
1984 $1,145 - - -
1983 $1,121 - - -
1982 $1,006 - - -
1981 $1,107 - - -
1980 $1,132 - - -
1979 $909 - - -
1978 $695 - - -
1977 $565 - - -
1976 $490 - - -
1975 $493 - - -
1974 $446 - - -
1973 $374 - - -
1972 $264.2 - - -
1971 $212.2 - - -
1970 $163 - - -
1969 $131.8 - - -
1968 $113.4 - - -
1967 $100.9 - - -
1966 $89.1 - - -
1965 $79.7 - - -
1964 $73.5 - - -
1963 $68.9 - - -
1962 $66 - - -
1961 $62.3 - - -
1960 $58.9 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/east-timor | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $1,332 in East Timor, ranking 167/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423.

Economic indicators

Botswana East Timor
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$1.87B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
-9.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$1,332
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
167/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$4,423
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
163/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$249M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
13.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$177.5
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
182/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$1,440
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
24%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
4%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
90.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
2.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
1.54%
2022
Population
2615162
1441764

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
East Timor
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana East Timor
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 90.8% 13.3%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 78.6% 12.4%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 59.9% 7.9%
2021 33% 23.4% 45.7% 6.53%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 61.7% 10.1%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 68.8% 9.51%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 85.5% 9.31%
2017 35% 19.8% 87.3% 6.71%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 112.2% 4.71%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 98.1% 2.95%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 111% 1.52%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 96.1% 0.46%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 129.3% 0.002%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 133.3% 0%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 121.3% 0%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 121.8% 0%
2008 48% 7.77% 122.4% 0%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 75.8% 0%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 59.8% 0%
2005 35% 7.74% 58.3% 0%
2004 42% 11.3% 74.2% 0%
2003 44% 7.29% 80.1% 0%
2002 46% 8.55% 93.5% 0%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 95.7% 0%
2000 39.8% 8.37% - -
1999 41.7% 9.68% - -
1998 44.3% 12% - -
1997 40% - - -
1996 37.2% - - -
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/east-timor | CC BY

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while East Timor spent $1.69B, or 90.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 13.3% in East Timor, ranking 158/185 and 178/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

East Timor
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana East Timor
2024 -7.82% -43.5%
2023 -4.25% -34.7%
2022 -0.006% -29.5%
2021 -2.46% -20.1%
2020 -11.5% -18.9%
2019 -8.43% -25.4%
2018 -5.07% -26.9%
2017 -1.16% -33.8%
2016 0.72% -55.7%
2015 -5.06% -33.2%
2014 3.88% -37.5%
2013 6.07% -14.4%
2012 0.92% -38.7%
2011 -0.12% -25.4%
2010 -8.36% -19.8%
2009 -14.4% -17.2%
2008 -7.59% -18.6%
2007 5.92% -29.9%
2006 13.7% 41%
2005 10.7% -10.5%
2004 1.42% -7.48%
2003 -0.18% -8.24%
2002 -4.02% -7.64%
2001 -2.96% 3.24%
2000 8.95% -
1999 6.18% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/east-timor | 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 East Timor's deficit of $812M, or 43.5% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while East Timor ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.67% of GDP, compared to deficit of 21.4% of GDP for East Timor.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

East Timor
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana East Timor
2024 2.82% 2.1%
2023 5.07% 8.4%
2022 11.7% 7%
2021 7.24% 3.8%
2020 1.89% 0.5%
2019 2.77% 0.9%
2018 3.24% 2.3%
2017 3.31% 0.5%
2016 2.81% -1.5%
2015 3.06% 0.6%
2014 4.4% 0.8%
2013 5.88% 9.5%
2012 7.54% 10.9%
2011 8.46% 13.2%
2010 6.95% 5.2%
2009 8.03% -0.2%
2008 12.7% 7.4%
2007 7.08% 8.6%
2006 11.6% 5.2%
2005 8.61% 1.6%
2004 6.95% 2.2%
2003 9.19% 8%
2002 8.03% 4.1%
2001 6.56% 3.6%
2000 8.6% -
1999 7.75% -
1998 6.66% -
1997 8.72% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/east-timor | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.49%, compared with 4.36% in East Timor. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 2.1% in East Timor.

Balance of trade

Botswana East Timor
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$587M
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
108/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-31.5%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$839M
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$196M
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$432M
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$82.1M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
84.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
10.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana East Timor
Economic freedom 67.7 47.9
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 173/197
Property rights 71.7 43.5
Government integrity 59.6 43.9
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 34.5
Tax burden 87.1 97.1
Government spending 69.8 0
Fiscal health 72.4 19.6
Business freedom 61.5 62.7
Labor freedom 60.7 56.5
Monetary freedom 72 72.2
Trade freedom 77 79.8
Investment freedom 50 45
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
East Timor
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana East Timor
2026 67.7 47.9
2025 69.9 47.9
2024 68 50.2
2023 64.9 47.2
2022 64.8 46.3
2021 67.6 44.7
2020 69.6 45.9
2019 69.5 44.2
2018 69.9 48.1
2017 70.1 46.3
2016 71.1 45.8
2015 69.8 45.5
2014 72 43.2
2013 70.6 43.7
2012 69.6 43.3
2011 68.8 42.8
2010 70.3 45.8
2009 69.7 50.5
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 -
1999 62.9 -
1998 62.8 -
1997 59.1 -
1996 61.6 -
1995 56.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/east-timor | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 47.9 for East Timor, ranking 173/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana East Timor
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
71.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
11.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
20.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$2.31B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$5,040
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$737M
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
147/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$211M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$216M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$4.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
1.23%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
41.8%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
30.1%
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/east-timor | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.