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Economy of Botswana vs El Salvador compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $36.7B for El Salvador, ranking 135/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $32B (87.2% of GDP) in El Salvador.

Botswana vs El Salvador GDP by year

Botswana
El Salvador
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana El Salvador
2025 $19,928,479,839 $36,708,110,000
2024 $19,286,251,068 $34,879,730,000
2023 $19,413,614,555 $33,565,430,000
2022 $20,321,150,599 $31,870,110,000
2021 $18,750,182,236 $29,043,140,000
2020 $14,960,251,608 $24,921,190,000
2019 $16,725,908,149 $26,881,140,000
2018 $17,031,943,186 $26,020,850,000
2017 $16,105,155,857 $24,979,190,000
2016 $15,082,637,184 $24,191,430,000
2015 $13,530,748,845 $23,438,240,000
2014 $15,470,088,501 $22,593,470,000
2013 $14,271,738,933 $21,990,960,000
2012 $13,907,464,500 $21,386,150,000
2011 $15,110,643,612 $20,283,780,000
2010 $12,637,273,429 $18,447,920,000
2009 $10,118,459,242 $17,601,620,000
2008 $10,730,829,116 $17,986,890,000
2007 $10,567,270,656 $17,011,750,000
2006 $9,919,158,482 $15,999,890,000
2005 $9,918,907,108 $14,698,000,000
2004 $8,957,467,707 $13,724,810,900
2003 $7,511,582,173 $13,243,892,200
2002 $5,438,863,983 $12,664,190,300
2001 $5,489,608,300 $12,282,533,600
2000 $5,788,329,609 $11,784,927,700
1999 $5,484,263,347 $11,284,197,000
1998 $4,790,481,509 $10,936,669,900
1997 $5,020,265,627 $10,221,705,900
1996 $4,847,757,218 $9,586,327,800
1995 $4,730,599,122 $8,921,947,100
1994 $4,259,259,604 $7,679,384,000
1993 $4,160,129,175 $6,680,269,200
1992 $4,146,464,587 $5,813,399,300
1991 $3,942,876,703 $5,252,342,400
1990 $3,790,636,324 $4,817,542,204
1989 $3,083,822,112 $4,372,215,300
1988 $2,644,554,159 $4,189,880,000
1987 $1,965,226,890 $3,958,045,800
1986 $1,392,602,164 $3,771,663,200
1985 $1,114,783,343 $3,800,368,600
1984 $1,240,822,167 $3,661,683,400
1983 $1,172,230,397 $3,506,347,800
1982 $1,014,945,696 $3,399,189,100
1981 $1,073,812,830 $3,437,200,200
1980 $1,060,889,704 $3,573,959,900
1979 $819,870,259 $3,463,639,900
1978 $590,407,374 $3,127,960,000
1977 $451,624,780 $2,941,640,100
1976 $372,025,093 $2,328,280,100
1975 $355,168,572 $1,884,120,100
1974 $306,044,208 $1,665,880,000
1973 $244,124,164 $1,442,320,000
1972 $164,460,915 $1,263,720,000
1971 $127,448,614 $1,186,120,000
1970 $96,243,234 $1,132,920,000
1969 $77,361,547 $1,049,400,000
1968 $66,248,441 $1,009,760,100
1967 $58,642,354 $976,200,000
1966 $51,465,655 $929,520,000
1965 $45,788,696 $877,720,000
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/el-salvador | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs El Salvador by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana El Salvador
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $5,767 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $5,503 $13,264
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $5,320 $12,680
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $5,075 $11,876
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $4,643 $10,810
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $3,997 $9,393
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $4,320 $9,757
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $4,184 $9,204
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $4,020 $8,965
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $3,901 $8,456
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $3,790 $7,934
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $3,666 $7,504
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $3,582 $7,093
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $3,498 $6,708
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $3,331 $6,594
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $3,040 $6,248
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $2,910 $6,063
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $2,983 $6,175
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $2,831 $5,949
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $2,666 $5,695
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $2,447 $5,292
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $2,286 $4,998
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $2,208 $4,829
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $2,115 $4,672
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $2,058 $4,543
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,983 $4,422
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $1,908 $4,298
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $1,860 $4,171
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $1,749 $4,043
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $1,651 $3,880
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $1,548 $3,808
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $1,344 $3,591
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $1,180 $3,390
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $1,041 $3,171
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $956 $2,945
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $892 $2,856
1989 $2,428 - $825 -
1988 $2,141 - $806 -
1987 $1,639 - $777 -
1986 $1,200 - $755 -
1985 $994 - $776 -
1984 $1,145 - $763 -
1983 $1,121 - $745 -
1982 $1,006 - $735 -
1981 $1,107 - $752 -
1980 $1,132 - $787 -
1979 $909 - $773 -
1978 $695 - $712 -
1977 $565 - $684 -
1976 $490 - $553 -
1975 $493 - $457 -
1974 $446 - $413 -
1973 $374 - $366 -
1972 $264.2 - $329 -
1971 $212.2 - $316 -
1970 $163 - $309 -
1969 $131.8 - $293.4 -
1968 $113.4 - $290.1 -
1967 $100.9 - $288.4 -
1966 $89.1 - $282.4 -
1965 $79.7 - $274.3 -
1964 $73.5 - - -
1963 $68.9 - - -
1962 $66 - - -
1961 $62.3 - - -
1960 $58.9 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/el-salvador | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $5,767 in El Salvador, ranking 117/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264.

Economic indicators

Botswana El Salvador
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$36.7B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
108/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
3.91%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$5,767
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
117/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$13,264
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
120/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$32B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
87.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$5,030
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
86/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$5,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
29.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
1.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
30.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
0.26%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
2.71%
2024
Population
2624853
6404781

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
El Salvador
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana El Salvador
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 30.2% 87.2%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 31.4% 87.4%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 30.5% 85%
2022 29.1% 21% 28.7% 83.7%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 31.1% 88%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 32.7% 95.4%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 27.8% 77.9%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 27.6% 77%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 28.1% 77.1%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 27.5% 75.2%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 27.1% 73.5%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 27.6% 71.8%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 28.5% 69.7%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 27.4% 70%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 25.3% 65.6%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 25.6% 66.8%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 26% 65.8%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 24.5% 54.2%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 22.8% 52.2%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 23.4% 52.6%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 22.4% 46.3%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 21.5% 46.8%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 22.6% 46%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 22.5% 43.8%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 21.7% 37.8%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 21% 29.6%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 19.7% 28%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 19.3% 25.7%
1997 39% - 18.6% 27.8%
1996 36.1% - 21% 28.5%
1995 36.1% - 18.6% 28%
1994 37.6% - 18.9% 30.5%
1993 42% - 18.5% 31.9%
1992 42.3% - 20.8% 36.4%
1991 41.1% - 18.5% 43.3%
1990 38.9% - 15.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/el-salvador | CC BY

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while El Salvador spent $11.1B, or 30.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 87.2% in El Salvador, ranking 137/185 and 32/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

El Salvador
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana El Salvador
2025 -7.42% -2.82%
2024 -7.26% -4.55%
2023 -4.16% -4.69%
2022 0.04% -2.68%
2021 -2.33% -5.53%
2020 -10.9% -8.14%
2019 -8.53% -3.07%
2018 -5.03% -2.71%
2017 -1.14% -2.53%
2016 0.71% -3.1%
2015 -4.82% -3.63%
2014 3.9% -4.02%
2013 5.84% -4.46%
2012 0.89% -3.81%
2011 -0.12% -4.47%
2010 -7.95% -4.97%
2009 -13.8% -6.65%
2008 -7.61% -3.8%
2007 5.73% -2.32%
2006 13.3% -3.42%
2005 10.3% -3.47%
2004 1.35% -2.76%
2003 -0.18% -4.23%
2002 -3.94% -5.5%
2001 -2.91% -4.95%
2000 8.73% -3.45%
1999 5.95% -3.08%
1998 - -2.94%
1997 - -1.97%
1996 - -2.7%
1995 - -0.18%
1994 - -0.94%
1993 - -1.42%
1992 - -4.29%
1991 - -2.3%
1990 - -0.61%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/el-salvador | 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 El Salvador's deficit of $1.03B, or 2.82% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while El Salvador ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.03% of GDP for El Salvador.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

El Salvador
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana El Salvador
2025 2.66% 0.26%
2024 2.82% 0.85%
2023 5.07% 4.05%
2022 11.7% 7.2%
2021 7.24% 3.47%
2020 1.89% -0.37%
2019 2.77% 0.08%
2018 3.24% 1.09%
2017 3.31% 1.01%
2016 2.81% 0.6%
2015 3.06% -0.73%
2014 4.4% 1.14%
2013 5.88% 0.76%
2012 7.54% 1.73%
2011 8.46% 5.13%
2010 6.95% 1.18%
2009 8.03% 1.06%
2008 12.7% 6.71%
2007 7.08% 4.58%
2006 11.6% 4.04%
2005 8.61% 4.69%
2004 6.95% 4.45%
2003 9.19% 2.12%
2002 8.03% 1.87%
2001 6.56% 3.75%
2000 8.6% 2.27%
1999 7.75% 0.51%
1998 6.66% 2.55%
1997 8.72% 4.49%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/el-salvador | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 2.43% in El Salvador. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 0.26% in El Salvador.

Balance of trade

Botswana El Salvador
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$1.3B
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
125/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-3.54%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$16.7B
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$5.55B
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$3.94B
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$6.21B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
56.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
32%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana El Salvador
Economic freedom 67.7 57.7
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 114/197
Property rights 71.7 42.7
Government integrity 59.6 31.5
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 15.3
Tax burden 87.1 76.8
Government spending 69.8 72.7
Fiscal health 72.4 59.4
Business freedom 61.5 65.7
Labor freedom 60.7 51.6
Monetary freedom 72 70.6
Trade freedom 77 76.4
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
El Salvador
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana El Salvador
2026 67.7 57.7
2025 69.9 56.6
2024 68 54.4
2023 64.9 56
2022 64.8 59.6
2021 67.6 61
2020 69.6 61.6
2019 69.5 61.8
2018 69.9 63.2
2017 70.1 64.1
2016 71.1 65.1
2015 69.8 65.7
2014 72 66.2
2013 70.6 66.7
2012 69.6 68.7
2011 68.8 68.8
2010 70.3 69.9
2009 69.7 69.8
2008 68.2 68.5
2007 68.1 68.9
2006 68.8 69.6
2005 69.3 71.5
2004 69.9 71.2
2003 68.6 71.5
2002 66.2 73
2001 66.8 73
2000 65.8 76.3
1999 62.9 75.1
1998 62.8 70.2
1997 59.1 70.5
1996 61.6 70.1
1995 56.8 69.1

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/el-salvador | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 57.7 for El Salvador, ranking 114/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana El Salvador
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
58.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
24.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
4.4%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$34.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$13,140
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$4.82B
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
107/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$445M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$1.05B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$310M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
35.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
27.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
26.3%
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/el-salvador | CC BY

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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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.