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Economy of Botswana vs Estonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $43.1B for Estonia, ranking 133/197 and 100/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $10.1B (23.4% of GDP) in Estonia.

Botswana vs Estonia GDP by year

Botswana
Estonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Estonia
2024 $19,402,063,513 $43,130,419,829
2023 $19,411,266,967 $41,470,344,395
2022 $20,321,150,599 $38,226,641,740
2021 $18,750,182,236 $37,201,101,171
2020 $14,960,251,608 $31,820,771,494
2019 $16,725,908,149 $31,873,748,770
2018 $17,031,943,186 $31,222,632,741
2017 $16,105,155,857 $27,469,461,919
2016 $15,082,637,184 $24,561,027,788
2015 $13,530,748,845 $23,311,847,751
2014 $15,470,088,501 $27,055,689,003
2013 $14,271,738,933 $25,451,032,781
2012 $13,907,464,500 $23,237,406,116
2011 $15,110,643,612 $23,303,915,795
2010 $12,637,273,429 $19,524,355,419
2009 $10,118,459,242 $19,633,984,440
2008 $10,730,829,116 $24,342,935,404
2007 $10,567,270,656 $22,450,264,166
2006 $9,919,158,482 $17,025,671,810
2005 $9,918,907,108 $14,109,491,357
2004 $8,957,467,707 $12,148,595,031
2003 $7,511,582,173 $9,876,595,528
2002 $5,438,863,983 $7,370,119,619
2001 $5,489,608,300 $6,250,218,423
2000 $5,788,329,609 $5,686,579,748
1999 $5,484,263,347 $5,756,912,266
1998 $4,790,481,509 $5,674,080,543
1997 $5,020,265,627 $5,154,420,649
1996 $4,847,757,218 $4,786,018,988
1995 $4,730,599,122 $4,502,970,889
1994 $4,259,259,604 $4,123,011,420
1993 $4,160,129,175 $4,013,091,682
1992 $4,146,464,587 -
1991 $3,942,876,703 -
1990 $3,790,636,324 -
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/estonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Estonia by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Estonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Estonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $31,428 $49,969
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $30,264 $48,637
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $28,340 $48,218
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $27,951 $44,252
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $23,934 $40,672
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $24,021 $40,586
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $23,618 $37,121
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $20,852 $34,507
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $18,666 $31,948
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $17,722 $29,713
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $20,582 $29,404
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $19,310 $27,831
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $17,568 $26,243
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $17,556 $24,652
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $14,664 $21,614
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $14,712 $20,489
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $18,206 $22,804
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $16,745 $22,201
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $12,641 $19,344
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $10,415 $16,638
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $8,916 $14,538
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $7,205 $13,135
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $5,343 $11,667
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $4,503 $10,309
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $4,071 $9,425
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $4,141 $8,412
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $4,093 $8,451
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $3,683 $7,980
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $3,381 $6,892
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $3,134 $6,480
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $2,819 $5,967
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $2,686 $5,814
1992 $3,005 $6,753 - $5,872
1991 $2,939 $6,598 - $7,151
1990 $2,903 $6,104 - $7,481
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/estonia | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $31,428 in Estonia, ranking 40/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Estonia ranks 45th at $49,969.

Economic indicators

Botswana Estonia
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$43.1B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
-0.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$31,428
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
40/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$49,969
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
45/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
23.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$7,356
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
65/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$23,740
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
23.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
43.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
3.52%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
7.5%
2024
Population
2615162
1339590

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Estonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Estonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 43.6% 23.4%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 43.5% 20.1%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 40.1% 19.2%
2021 33% 23.4% 42.1% 18.4%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 44.7% 19.1%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 39.1% 9.05%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 38.8% 8.51%
2017 35% 19.8% 38.9% 9.43%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 38.9% 10.2%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 39.3% 10.8%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 37.6% 11.6%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 38.3% 11.4%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 39.4% 11.1%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 37.6% 7.6%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 40.7% 7.99%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 46.1% 7.98%
2008 48% 7.77% 39.5% 4.67%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 33.8% 3.91%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 33.5% 4.72%
2005 35% 7.74% 33.7% 4.73%
2004 42% 11.3% 34.1% 5.16%
2003 44% 7.29% 35% 5.6%
2002 46% 8.55% 35.9% 5.66%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 35.3% 4.93%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 36.4% 5.11%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 40.7% 5.93%
1998 44.3% 12% 38.9% 5.4%
1997 40% - 35.8% 6.03%
1996 37.2% - 38.6% 7.3%
1995 38.1% - 39.5% 8.66%
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/estonia | CC BY

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Estonia spent $18.8B, or 43.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 23.4% in Estonia, ranking 158/185 and 171/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Estonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Estonia
2024 -7.82% -1.51%
2023 -4.25% -3.13%
2022 -0.006% -1.08%
2021 -2.46% -2.57%
2020 -11.5% -5.42%
2019 -8.43% -0.11%
2018 -5.07% -1.15%
2017 -1.16% -1.07%
2016 0.72% -0.62%
2015 -5.06% -0.24%
2014 3.88% 0.42%
2013 6.07% -0.66%
2012 0.92% -0.86%
2011 -0.12% 0.09%
2010 -8.36% -1.09%
2009 -14.4% -3.43%
2008 -7.59% -2.92%
2007 5.92% 2.5%
2006 13.7% 2.71%
2005 10.7% 1.07%
2004 1.42% 2.29%
2003 -0.18% 1.67%
2002 -4.02% 0.29%
2001 -2.96% 0.4%
2000 8.95% -0.11%
1999 6.18% -3.42%
1998 - 0.65%
1997 - 2.98%
1996 - -0.93%
1995 - -0.26%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/estonia | 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 Estonia's deficit of $651M, or 1.51% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Estonia ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.69% of GDP for Estonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Estonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Estonia
2024 2.82% 3.52%
2023 5.07% 9.16%
2022 11.7% 19.4%
2021 7.24% 4.65%
2020 1.89% -0.44%
2019 2.77% 2.28%
2018 3.24% 3.44%
2017 3.31% 3.42%
2016 2.81% 0.15%
2015 3.06% -0.49%
2014 4.4% -0.11%
2013 5.88% 2.78%
2012 7.54% 3.93%
2011 8.46% 4.98%
2010 6.95% 2.97%
2009 8.03% -0.08%
2008 12.7% 10.4%
2007 7.08% 6.6%
2006 11.6% 4.44%
2005 8.61% 4.08%
2004 6.95% 3.05%
2003 9.19% 1.33%
2002 8.03% 3.57%
2001 6.56% 5.75%
2000 8.6% 4.02%
1999 7.75% 3.3%
1998 6.66% 8.21%
1997 8.72% 10.6%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/estonia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 4.46% in Estonia. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 3.52% in Estonia.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1K
Estonia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $17K
Raw materials & minerals $2K

Balance of trade

Botswana Estonia
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$543M
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
107/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-1.26%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$22.1B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$19B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$10.4B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$13.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
75.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
75.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Estonia
Economic freedom 67.7 78.7
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 10/197
Property rights 71.7 93.6
Government integrity 59.6 86.3
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 92.4
Tax burden 87.1 77.9
Government spending 69.8 46
Fiscal health 72.4 93.1
Business freedom 61.5 82.8
Labor freedom 60.7 59
Monetary freedom 72 73.9
Trade freedom 77 79.4
Investment freedom 50 90
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Estonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Estonia
2026 67.7 78.7
2025 69.9 78.9
2024 68 77.8
2023 64.9 78.6
2022 64.8 80
2021 67.6 78.2
2020 69.6 77.7
2019 69.5 76.6
2018 69.9 78.8
2017 70.1 79.1
2016 71.1 77.2
2015 69.8 76.8
2014 72 75.9
2013 70.6 75.3
2012 69.6 73.2
2011 68.8 75.2
2010 70.3 74.7
2009 69.7 76.4
2008 68.2 77.9
2007 68.1 78
2006 68.8 74.9
2005 69.3 75.2
2004 69.9 77.4
2003 68.6 77.7
2002 66.2 77.6
2001 66.8 76.1
2000 65.8 69.9
1999 62.9 73.8
1998 62.8 72.5
1997 59.1 69.1
1996 61.6 65.4
1995 56.8 65.2

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/estonia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 78.7 for Estonia, ranking 10/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Estonia
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
65.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
1.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$39.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$48,880
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$2.07B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
125/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$285M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
-$3.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
-$3.72B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
24.6%
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/estonia | 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 (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.