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Economy of Botswana vs Ethiopia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $126B for Ethiopia, ranking 135/197 and 66/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $54.4B (43.1% of GDP) in Ethiopia.

Botswana vs Ethiopia GDP by year

Botswana
Ethiopia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Ethiopia
2025 $19,928,479,839 $126,358,758,448
2024 $19,286,251,068 $149,740,297,952
2023 $19,413,614,555 $135,874,093,203
2022 $20,321,150,599 $123,140,304,665
2021 $18,750,182,236 $109,070,960,371
2020 $14,960,251,608 $98,676,811,062
2019 $16,725,908,149 $91,834,517,114
2018 $17,031,943,186 $83,337,901,072
2017 $16,105,155,857 $76,366,081,767
2016 $15,082,637,184 $68,475,871,210
2015 $13,530,748,845 $62,103,418,182
2014 $15,470,088,501 $55,612,228,234
2013 $14,271,738,933 $47,648,276,605
2012 $13,907,464,500 $43,310,721,414
2011 $15,110,643,612 $31,952,763,089
2010 $12,637,273,429 $29,933,790,334
2009 $10,118,459,242 $32,437,389,116
2008 $10,730,829,116 $27,066,912,635
2007 $10,567,270,656 $19,707,616,773
2006 $9,919,158,482 $15,280,861,835
2005 $9,918,907,108 $12,401,139,454
2004 $8,957,467,707 $10,131,187,261
2003 $7,511,582,173 $8,623,691,300
2002 $5,438,863,983 $7,850,809,498
2001 $5,489,608,300 $8,231,326,016
2000 $5,788,329,609 $8,242,349,618
1999 $5,484,263,347 $7,892,973,532
1998 $4,790,481,509 $8,013,274,132
1997 $5,020,265,627 $8,803,539,988
1996 $4,847,757,218 $8,761,215,548
1995 $4,730,599,122 $7,855,205,207
1994 $4,259,259,604 $7,100,806,754
1993 $4,160,129,175 $9,051,043,870
1992 $4,146,464,587 $10,754,799,037
1991 $3,942,876,703 $13,799,799,324
1990 $3,790,636,324 $12,478,943,895
1989 $3,083,822,112 $11,762,932,007
1988 $2,644,554,159 $11,181,119,718
1987 $1,965,226,890 $10,790,001,558
1986 $1,392,602,164 $10,094,328,898
1985 $1,114,783,343 $9,717,392,687
1984 $1,240,822,167 $8,298,309,581
1983 $1,172,230,397 $8,781,664,427
1982 $1,014,945,696 $7,899,988,841
1981 $1,073,812,830 $7,507,663,567
1980 $1,060,889,704 $7,012,585,454
1979 $819,870,259 $6,586,048,398
1978 $590,407,374 $6,014,961,435
1977 $451,624,780 $5,651,840,585
1976 $372,025,093 $4,943,806,093
1975 $355,168,572 $4,577,047,854
1974 $306,044,208 $4,577,209,966
1973 $244,124,164 $4,070,570,550
1972 $164,460,915 $3,520,252,938
1971 $127,448,614 $3,224,280,835
1970 $96,243,234 $3,045,354,455
1969 $77,361,547 $2,768,987,372
1968 $66,248,441 $2,619,948,865
1967 $58,642,354 $2,461,762,003
1966 $51,465,655 $2,324,466,416
1965 $45,788,696 $2,159,998,591
1964 $41,616,348 $1,984,129,186
1963 $38,091,843 $1,825,058,828
1962 $35,644,957 $1,747,566,307
1961 $32,902,613 $1,680,859,514
1960 $30,411,414 $1,610,511,694

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Ethiopia by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Ethiopia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $933 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $1,134 $3,288
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $1,056 $3,061
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $982 $2,845
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $893 $2,588
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $830 $2,407
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $793 $2,242
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $740 $2,095
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $696 $2,005
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $642 $1,858
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $598 $1,633
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $550 $1,485
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $484 $1,253
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $452 $1,179
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $343 $1,098
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $331 $996
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $369 $899
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $316 $845
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $237.1 $770
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $189.3 $693
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $158.2 $625
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $133.2 $558
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $116.8 $493
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $109.6 $509
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $118.5 $509
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $122.3 $474
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $120.7 $450
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $126.5 $436
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $143.4 $461
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $147.3 $453
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $136.5 $409
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $127.7 $391
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $168.5 $384
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $207.4 $343
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $277.6 $383
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $262.1 $417
1989 $2,428 - $256.4 -
1988 $2,141 - $253.2 -
1987 $1,639 - $254.1 -
1986 $1,200 - $246 -
1985 $994 - $243.9 -
1984 $1,145 - $214.2 -
1983 $1,121 - $232.7 -
1982 $1,006 - $215.3 -
1981 $1,107 - $212.7 -
1980 $1,132 - $203.7 -
1979 $909 - $192.4 -
1978 $695 - $178.3 -
1977 $565 - $170.4 -
1976 $490 - $152 -
1975 $493 - $144.3 -
1974 $446 - $147.9 -
1973 $374 - $134.9 -
1972 $264.2 - $119.8 -
1971 $212.2 - $112.7 -
1970 $163 - $109.4 -
1969 $131.8 - $102.3 -
1968 $113.4 - $99.5 -
1967 $100.9 - $96.1 -
1966 $89.1 - $93.2 -
1965 $79.7 - $88.9 -
1964 $73.5 - $83.8 -
1963 $68.9 - $79.2 -
1962 $66 - $77.8 -
1961 $62.3 - $76.7 -
1960 $58.9 - $75.3 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $933 in Ethiopia, ranking 182/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288.

Economic indicators

Botswana Ethiopia
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$126B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
66/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
9.77%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$933
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
182/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$3,288
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
175/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$54.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
43.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$402
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
172/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$2,030
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
24.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.5%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
12%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
13.2%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
3.94%
2021
Population
2624853
140722974

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Ethiopia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 12% 43.1%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 9.54% 33.4%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 10.8% 38.7%
2022 29.1% 21% 12.7% 46.9%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 13.8% 53.8%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 14.5% 53.2%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 15.4% 54.7%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 16.1% 58.4%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 18% 55.3%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 17.9% 51.8%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 17.3% 50.7%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 17.5% 44.2%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 17.8% 44.1%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 16.6% 39.4%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 18.2% 44.6%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 18.5% 39.4%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 17.1% 30%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 18.8% 56.1%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 20.5% 55.7%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 22.1% 79.6%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 22.9% 78.2%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 23.1% 103.1%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 27% 103.7%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 24.9% 107.4%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 22.4% 97.3%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 25.6% 93.6%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 26.8% 97.8%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 21.1% 89.3%
1997 39% - 17.9% 80.3%
1996 36.1% - 18.8% 132.8%
1995 36.1% - 17.4% 146.6%
1994 37.6% - 17.6% 155.2%
1993 42% - 13.8% 141%
1992 42.3% - 14.2% 87.9%
1991 41.1% - 17.3% 89.3%
1990 38.9% - 20.9% 91.6%
1989 - - 24% 84.7%
1988 - - 21.6% 84.3%
1987 - - 18.4% 82.3%
1986 - - 19.8% 75.7%
1985 - - 19.7% 67.7%
1984 - - 18.8% 65.4%
1983 - - 21.3% 55.2%
1982 - - 16.4% 48.8%
1981 - - 14.2% 30.6%
1980 - - 13.5% 18.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Ethiopia spent $15.2B, or 12% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 43.1% in Ethiopia, ranking 137/185 and 122/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Ethiopia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Ethiopia
2025 -7.42% -1.19%
2024 -7.26% -1.99%
2023 -4.16% -2.6%
2022 0.04% -4.16%
2021 -2.33% -2.77%
2020 -10.9% -2.76%
2019 -8.53% -2.53%
2018 -5.03% -3.03%
2017 -1.14% -3.24%
2016 0.71% -2.3%
2015 -4.82% -1.95%
2014 3.9% -2.58%
2013 5.84% -1.93%
2012 0.89% -1.17%
2011 -0.12% -1.61%
2010 -7.95% -1.32%
2009 -13.8% -0.93%
2008 -7.61% -2.88%
2007 5.73% -3.57%
2006 13.3% -3.79%
2005 10.3% -4.12%
2004 1.35% -2.65%
2003 -0.18% -5.59%
2002 -3.94% -5.76%
2001 -2.91% -3.76%
2000 8.73% -8.88%
1999 5.95% -8.54%
1998 - -3.65%
1997 - -1.76%
1996 - -3.93%
1995 - -2.76%
1994 - -5.39%
1993 - -4.12%
1992 - -4.92%
1991 - -6%
1990 - -6.86%
1989 - -4.33%
1988 - -3.48%
1987 - -3.54%
1986 - -3.98%
1985 - -4.71%
1984 - -3.69%
1983 - -7.59%
1982 - -3.6%
1981 - -2.19%
1980 - -2.56%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/ethiopia | 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 Ethiopia's deficit of $1.5B, or 1.19% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Ethiopia ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.24% of GDP for Ethiopia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Ethiopia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Ethiopia
2025 2.66% 13.2%
2024 2.82% 21%
2023 5.07% 30.2%
2022 11.7% 33.9%
2021 7.24% 26.8%
2020 1.89% 20.4%
2019 2.77% 15.8%
2018 3.24% 13.8%
2017 3.31% 10.7%
2016 2.81% 6.63%
2015 3.06% 9.57%
2014 4.4% 6.89%
2013 5.88% 7.46%
2012 7.54% 23.6%
2011 8.46% 33.2%
2010 6.95% 8.15%
2009 8.03% 8.48%
2008 12.7% 44.4%
2007 7.08% 17.2%
2006 11.6% 12.3%
2005 8.61% 9.97%
2004 6.95% 3.33%
2003 9.19% 13.7%
2002 8.03% 0.68%
2001 6.56% -8.24%
2000 8.6% 0.66%
1999 7.75% 7.94%
1998 6.66% 0.89%
1997 8.72% 2.4%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 13.6% in Ethiopia. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 13.2% in Ethiopia.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $12K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10K
Chemicals & pharma $9K
Metals $6K
Miscellaneous $5K
Wood & paper products $1K
Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.18M
Textiles & consumer goods $186K
Raw agricultural goods $6K
Wood & paper products $6K
Miscellaneous $2K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Botswana Ethiopia
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$3.79B
2024
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
154/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-2.53%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$19.6B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$5.58B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$5.51B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$7.61B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
20.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
13.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Ethiopia
Economic freedom 67.7 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 171/197
Property rights 71.7 22.1
Government integrity 59.6 33.2
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 19.1
Tax burden 87.1 78.6
Government spending 69.8 96.4
Fiscal health 72.4 84.3
Business freedom 61.5 44.5
Labor freedom 60.7 37.8
Monetary freedom 72 53.7
Trade freedom 77 57.4
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Ethiopia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Ethiopia
2026 67.7 48.1
2025 69.9 48.1
2024 68 47.9
2023 64.9 48.3
2022 64.8 49.6
2021 67.6 51.7
2020 69.6 53.6
2019 69.5 53.6
2018 69.9 52.8
2017 70.1 52.7
2016 71.1 51.5
2015 69.8 51.5
2014 72 50
2013 70.6 49.4
2012 69.6 52
2011 68.8 50.5
2010 70.3 51.2
2009 69.7 53
2008 68.2 52.5
2007 68.1 53.6
2006 68.8 50.9
2005 69.3 51.1
2004 69.9 54.5
2003 68.6 48.8
2002 66.2 49.8
2001 66.8 48.9
2000 65.8 50.2
1999 62.9 46.7
1998 62.8 49.2
1997 59.1 48.1
1996 61.6 45.9
1995 56.8 42.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 48.1 for Ethiopia, ranking 171/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Ethiopia
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
36.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
27.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
32.8%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$151B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$3,620
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$3.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
113/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$4.02B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$4.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
0.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
33.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
20.1%
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/ethiopia | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.