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Economy of Botswana vs Equatorial Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $12.8B for Equatorial Guinea, ranking 135/197 and 150/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $5.21B (40.6% of GDP) in Equatorial Guinea.

Botswana vs Equatorial Guinea GDP by year

Botswana
Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Equatorial Guinea
2025 $19,928,479,839 $12,823,210,426
2024 $19,286,251,068 $13,254,388,261
2023 $19,413,614,555 $12,541,814,273
2022 $20,321,150,599 $13,687,643,436
2021 $18,750,182,236 $12,215,878,033
2020 $14,960,251,608 $9,893,816,008
2019 $16,725,908,149 $11,364,133,550
2018 $17,031,943,186 $13,097,012,134
2017 $16,105,155,857 $12,200,913,879
2016 $15,082,637,184 $11,240,808,848
2015 $13,530,748,845 $13,185,496,881
2014 $15,470,088,501 $21,765,453,082
2013 $14,271,738,933 $21,948,834,284
2012 $13,907,464,500 $22,388,344,144
2011 $15,110,643,612 $21,357,343,669
2010 $12,637,273,429 $16,314,443,436
2009 $10,118,459,242 $15,027,795,173
2008 $10,730,829,116 $19,749,893,536
2007 $10,567,270,656 $13,071,718,759
2006 $9,919,158,482 $10,086,528,699
2005 $9,918,907,108 $8,217,369,093
2004 $8,957,467,707 $4,410,764,339
2003 $7,511,582,173 $2,484,745,935
2002 $5,438,863,983 $1,806,742,742
2001 $5,489,608,300 $1,461,139,022
2000 $5,788,329,609 $1,045,998,496
1999 $5,484,263,347 $621,117,886
1998 $4,790,481,509 $370,687,634
1997 $5,020,265,627 $442,337,871
1996 $4,847,757,218 $232,463,023
1995 $4,730,599,122 $141,853,361
1994 $4,259,259,604 $100,807,003
1993 $4,160,129,175 $136,047,906
1992 $4,146,464,587 $134,707,184
1991 $3,942,876,703 $110,906,029
1990 $3,790,636,324 $112,119,411
1989 $3,083,822,112 $88,265,975
1988 $2,644,554,159 $100,534,657
1987 $1,965,226,890 $93,345,860
1986 $1,392,602,164 $76,407,396
1985 $1,114,783,343 $62,118,570
1984 $1,240,822,167 $50,320,914
1983 $1,172,230,397 $44,442,457
1982 $1,014,945,696 $44,294,648
1981 $1,073,812,830 $36,731,423
1980 $1,060,889,704 $50,642,881
1979 $819,870,259 -
1978 $590,407,374 -
1977 $451,624,780 $103,987,520
1976 $372,025,093 $103,653,050
1975 $355,168,572 $104,295,643
1974 $306,044,208 $94,159,863
1973 $244,124,164 $81,203,227
1972 $164,460,915 $65,429,198
1971 $127,448,614 $64,946,955
1970 $96,243,234 $66,331,429
1969 $77,361,547 $67,225,714
1968 $66,248,441 $67,514,286
1967 $58,642,354 $72,317,447
1966 $51,465,655 $69,110,000
1965 $45,788,696 $64,748,333
1964 $41,616,348 $51,915,000
1963 $38,091,843 $44,266,667
1962 $35,644,957 $37,253,333
1961 $32,902,613 -
1960 $30,411,414 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Equatorial Guinea by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $6,615 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $7,004 $17,567
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $6,788 $17,412
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $7,589 $18,140
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $6,946 $16,821
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $5,764 $13,677
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $6,804 $16,451
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $8,102 $18,413
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $7,809 $18,435
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $7,453 $16,649
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $9,069 $19,479
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $15,549 $27,177
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $16,304 $27,910
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $17,309 $30,012
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $17,198 $27,242
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $13,720 $26,168
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $13,233 $29,722
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $18,211 $30,523
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $12,617 $26,611
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $10,185 $23,511
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $8,674 $22,137
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $4,901 $19,354
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $2,931 $14,496
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $2,264 $13,255
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $1,949 $11,627
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,487 $7,420
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $931 $6,470
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $578 $5,280
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $717 $4,387
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $392 $1,793
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $248.3 $1,098
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $183.2 $951
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $256.7 $828
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $263.7 $756
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $225.3 $569
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $236.4 $577
1989 $2,428 - $193.2 -
1988 $2,141 - $228.7 -
1987 $1,639 - $220.9 -
1986 $1,200 - $188.8 -
1985 $994 - $161.1 -
1984 $1,145 - $137.9 -
1983 $1,121 - $129.4 -
1982 $1,006 - $137.5 -
1981 $1,107 - $121.1 -
1980 $1,132 - $175.5 -
1979 $909 - - -
1978 $695 - - -
1977 $565 - $376 -
1976 $490 - $369 -
1975 $493 - $362 -
1974 $446 - $319 -
1973 $374 - $268.6 -
1972 $264.2 - $211.4 -
1971 $212.2 - $205.6 -
1970 $163 - $206.8 -
1969 $131.8 - $208.4 -
1968 $113.4 - $211.7 -
1967 $100.9 - $231.9 -
1966 $89.1 - $226.7 -
1965 $79.7 - $217.1 -
1964 $73.5 - $177.8 -
1963 $68.9 - $154.8 -
1962 $66 - $132.9 -
1961 $62.3 - - -
1960 $58.9 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $6,615 in Equatorial Guinea, ranking 107/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Equatorial Guinea ranks 106th at $17,567.

Economic indicators

Botswana Equatorial Guinea
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$12.8B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
150/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
-5.85%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$6,615
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
107/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$17,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
106/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$5.21B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
40.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$2,686
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
109/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$4,723
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
29.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
20.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
2.8%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
8.6%
2014
Population
2624853
2008950

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Equatorial Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Equatorial Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 20.7% 40.6%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 18.5% 36.4%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 19.2% 39.1%
2022 29.1% 21% 14.8% 29.8%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 12.7% 42.3%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 16.2% 49.4%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 16.8% 43.2%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 19.1% 40.6%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 20.1% 36.2%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 27.8% 41.1%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 41.6% 31.7%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 31.6% 12.6%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 29.3% 6.27%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 35.2% 7.1%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 27.5% 7.17%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 31.2% 7.89%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 39.8% 4.34%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 19.9% 0.49%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 19.7% 0.75%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 18.1% 1.22%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 14.1% 2.85%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 15.5% 4.54%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 11.8% 6.77%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 11.3% 19.4%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 13.5% 25.5%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 22.6% 36.6%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 18.7% 60.5%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 35.1% 59.2%
1997 39% - 14.8% 46.3%
1996 36.1% - 22.9% 91.2%
1995 36.1% - 141.5% 136.9%
1994 37.6% - 510% 216%
1993 42% - 256.3% 152.6%
1992 42.3% - 595% 136.9%
1991 41.1% - 284.5% 169.5%
1990 38.9% - 212.9% 157%
1989 - - 116.8% 187%
1988 - - 227.9% 154.5%
1987 - - 183% 141.3%
1986 - - 119% 152.5%
1985 - - 115.4% 183.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Equatorial Guinea spent $2.65B, or 20.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 40.6% in Equatorial Guinea, ranking 137/185 and 132/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Equatorial Guinea
2025 -7.42% -2.55%
2024 -7.26% -0.55%
2023 -4.16% 2.39%
2022 0.04% 11.7%
2021 -2.33% 2.65%
2020 -10.9% -1.77%
2019 -8.53% 1.82%
2018 -5.03% 0.52%
2017 -1.14% -2.59%
2016 0.71% -10.9%
2015 -4.82% -15.1%
2014 3.9% -7.54%
2013 5.84% -4.4%
2012 0.89% -7.24%
2011 -0.12% 0.83%
2010 -7.95% -4.53%
2009 -13.8% -6.47%
2008 -7.61% 14.6%
2007 5.73% 17.2%
2006 13.3% 21.8%
2005 10.3% 18.5%
2004 1.35% 9.22%
2003 -0.18% 9.99%
2002 -3.94% 17.6%
2001 -2.91% 14.9%
2000 8.73% -2.67%
1999 5.95% -0.19%
1998 - -7.65%
1997 - 3.21%
1996 - -6.36%
1995 - -123.4%
1994 - -487%
1993 - -217.9%
1992 - -557%
1991 - -236%
1990 - -160.2%
1989 - -76.2%
1988 - -208.5%
1987 - -158%
1986 - -97.3%
1985 - -89.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/equatorial-guinea | 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 Equatorial Guinea's deficit of $327M, or 2.55% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Equatorial Guinea ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.86% of GDP for Equatorial Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Equatorial Guinea
2025 2.66% 2.8%
2024 2.82% 3.4%
2023 5.07% 2.4%
2022 11.7% 4.9%
2021 7.24% -0.1%
2020 1.89% 4.8%
2019 2.77% 1.2%
2018 3.24% 1.3%
2017 3.31% 0.7%
2016 2.81% 1.4%
2015 3.06% 1.7%
2014 4.4% 4.3%
2013 5.88% 3.2%
2012 7.54% 3.4%
2011 8.46% 4.8%
2010 6.95% 5.3%
2009 8.03% 5.7%
2008 12.7% 4.7%
2007 7.08% 2.8%
2006 11.6% 4.5%
2005 8.61% 5.6%
2004 6.95% 4.2%
2003 9.19% 7.3%
2002 8.03% 7.6%
2001 6.56% 8.7%
2000 8.6% 4.8%
1999 7.75% 0.4%
1998 6.66% 7.9%
1997 8.72% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 3.89% in Equatorial Guinea. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 2.8% in Equatorial Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2K
Equatorial Guinea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4K

Balance of trade

Botswana Equatorial Guinea
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$344M
1996
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
98/190
1996
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-148%
1996
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$292M
1996
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$175M
1996
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$185M
1996
Service exports
$935M
2024
$4.88M
1996
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
28.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
46.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Equatorial Guinea
Economic freedom 67.7 47.4
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 175/197
Property rights 71.7 16.9
Government integrity 59.6 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 7.2
Tax burden 87.1 81
Government spending 69.8 90.8
Fiscal health 72.4 97.3
Business freedom 61.5 35.9
Labor freedom 60.7 45.2
Monetary freedom 72 73.5
Trade freedom 77 43.6
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Equatorial Guinea
2026 67.7 47.4
2025 69.9 47.7
2024 68 47.7
2023 64.9 48.3
2022 64.8 47.2
2021 67.6 49.2
2020 69.6 48.3
2019 69.5 41
2018 69.9 42
2017 70.1 45
2016 71.1 43.7
2015 69.8 40.4
2014 72 44.4
2013 70.6 42.3
2012 69.6 42.8
2011 68.8 47.5
2010 70.3 48.6
2009 69.7 51.3
2008 68.2 51.6
2007 68.1 53.2
2006 68.8 51.5
2005 69.3 53.3
2004 69.9 53.3
2003 68.6 53.1
2002 66.2 46.4
2001 66.8 47.9
2000 65.8 45.6
1999 62.9 45.1
1998 62.8 -
1997 59.1 -
1996 61.6 -
1995 56.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 47.4 for Equatorial Guinea, ranking 175/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Equatorial Guinea
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
55.5%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
41.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
3.21%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$11.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$14,610
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$1.08B
2024
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
141/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$376M
1996
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$188M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$154M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
50.7%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
-3.68%
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/equatorial-guinea | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2014, 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.