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Economy of Botswana vs Gabon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $20.9B for Gabon, ranking 133/197 and 127/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $15.2B (72.7% of GDP) in Gabon.

Botswana vs Gabon GDP by year

Botswana
Gabon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Gabon
2024 $19,402,063,513 $20,895,684,426
2023 $19,411,266,967 $19,388,372,071
2022 $20,321,150,599 $20,440,655,695
2021 $18,750,182,236 $19,444,935,097
2020 $14,960,251,608 $15,342,236,164
2019 $16,725,908,149 $16,874,405,465
2018 $17,031,943,186 $16,867,326,402
2017 $16,105,155,857 $14,929,487,485
2016 $15,082,637,184 $14,023,890,265
2015 $13,530,748,845 $14,383,107,763
2014 $15,470,088,501 $18,203,966,896
2013 $14,271,738,933 $17,595,744,798
2012 $13,907,464,500 $17,170,464,016
2011 $15,110,643,612 $18,210,307,744
2010 $12,637,273,429 $14,372,593,020
2009 $10,118,459,242 $12,113,699,068
2008 $10,730,829,116 $15,571,348,344
2007 $10,567,270,656 $12,455,409,587
2006 $9,919,158,482 $10,327,598,306
2005 $9,918,907,108 $9,582,783,991
2004 $8,957,467,707 $7,770,219,008
2003 $7,511,582,173 $6,511,903,365
2002 $5,438,863,983 $5,335,451,100
2001 $5,489,608,300 $5,023,265,413
2000 $5,788,329,609 $5,080,483,629
1999 $5,484,263,347 $4,662,992,036
1998 $4,790,481,509 $4,483,417,310
1997 $5,020,265,627 $5,326,817,115
1996 $4,847,757,218 $5,694,040,003
1995 $4,730,599,122 $4,958,845,648
1994 $4,259,259,604 $4,190,819,344
1993 $4,160,129,175 $4,378,645,081
1992 $4,146,464,587 $5,592,390,827
1991 $3,942,876,703 $5,402,919,785
1990 $3,790,636,324 $5,952,293,765
1989 $3,083,822,112 $4,186,411,464
1988 $2,644,554,159 $3,834,503,376
1987 $1,965,226,890 $3,281,797,043
1986 $1,392,602,164 $3,403,638,189
1985 $1,114,783,343 $3,339,914,757
1984 $1,240,822,167 $3,561,451,561
1983 $1,172,230,397 $3,391,275,732
1982 $1,014,945,696 $3,618,007,841
1981 $1,073,812,830 $3,862,269,121
1980 $1,060,889,704 $4,279,637,942
1979 $819,870,259 $3,030,251,120
1978 $590,407,374 $2,389,479,272
1977 $451,624,780 $2,809,349,069
1976 $372,025,093 $3,009,409,974
1975 $355,168,572 $2,157,592,940
1974 $306,044,208 $1,544,216,002
1973 $244,124,164 $722,780,701
1972 $164,460,915 $430,508,359
1971 $127,448,614 $381,687,073
1970 $96,243,234 $323,802,476
1969 $77,361,547 $318,124,701
1968 $66,248,441 $294,468,564
1967 $58,642,354 $271,543,680
1966 $51,465,655 $245,849,781
1965 $45,788,696 $226,474,286
1964 $41,616,348 $215,679,855
1963 $38,091,843 $154,480,244
1962 $35,644,957 $182,796,536
1961 $32,902,613 $167,637,907
1960 $30,411,414 $141,468,978

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Gabon by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Gabon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $8,230 $21,510
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $7,803 $20,756
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $8,409 $19,993
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $8,181 $18,524
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $6,606 $14,477
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $7,441 $15,950
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $7,624 $15,432
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $6,922 $14,797
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $6,677 $13,998
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $7,047 $14,306
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $9,201 $14,854
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $9,198 $14,498
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $9,297 $14,620
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $10,219 $14,784
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $8,357 $14,015
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $7,291 $13,384
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $9,689 $13,734
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $8,004 $14,391
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $6,847 $13,637
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $6,548 $14,028
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $5,466 $13,638
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $4,711 $13,564
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $3,966 $13,369
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $3,836 $13,556
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $3,983 $13,326
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $3,751 $13,629
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $3,700 $15,138
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $4,509 $14,837
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $4,943 $14,147
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $4,415 $13,750
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $3,828 $13,164
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $4,106 $12,757
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $5,386 $12,312
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $5,345 $12,760
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $6,051 $11,952
1989 $2,428 - $4,374 -
1988 $2,141 - $4,119 -
1987 $1,639 - $3,624 -
1986 $1,200 - $3,865 -
1985 $994 - $3,898 -
1984 $1,145 - $4,273 -
1983 $1,121 - $4,182 -
1982 $1,006 - $4,584 -
1981 $1,107 - $5,026 -
1980 $1,132 - $5,718 -
1979 $909 - $4,155 -
1978 $695 - $3,360 -
1977 $565 - $4,048 -
1976 $490 - $4,441 -
1975 $493 - $3,258 -
1974 $446 - $2,384 -
1973 $374 - $1,140 -
1972 $264.2 - $693 -
1971 $212.2 - $627 -
1970 $163 - $543 -
1969 $131.8 - $545 -
1968 $113.4 - $515 -
1967 $100.9 - $482 -
1966 $89.1 - $443 -
1965 $79.7 - $415 -
1964 $73.5 - $400 -
1963 $68.9 - $290.7 -
1962 $66 - $348 -
1961 $62.3 - $323 -
1960 $58.9 - $276.1 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $8,230 in Gabon, ranking 93/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510.

Economic indicators

Botswana Gabon
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
127/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
3.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$8,230
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$21,510
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
90/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
72.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$5,985
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
75/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$5,368
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
27.7%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.2%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
24.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
1.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
20.4%
2010
Population
2615162
2663339

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Gabon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Gabon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 24.8% 72.7%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 21.5% 70.6%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 19.7% 65.6%
2021 33% 23.4% 17.3% 72.9%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 19.8% 83%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 17.4% 59.8%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 17.1% 62.3%
2017 35% 19.8% 18.1% 62.9%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 21.8% 64.5%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 22.3% 44.7%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 23.8% 34.1%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 34.7% 31.1%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 23.9% 21.4%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 22.1% 21.4%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 23.1% 21.3%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 22.6% 26%
2008 48% 7.77% 18.9% 20.1%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 19.4% 39.2%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 21.1% 34.9%
2005 35% 7.74% 20.8% 41.7%
2004 42% 11.3% 20.9% 60.3%
2003 44% 7.29% 21.2% 70.2%
2002 46% 8.55% 25.7% 81.1%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 27.8% 81%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 20.3% 72.5%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 25.5% 73.1%
1998 44.3% 12% 45.5% 87.6%
1997 40% - 29.7% 57%
1996 37.2% - 22.2% 64.5%
1995 38.1% - 25.1% 73.4%
1994 39.2% - 23.9% 71.3%
1993 44.2% - 26.9% 90.1%
1992 43.4% - 26.5% 87.9%
1991 42.3% - 25.1% 89.3%
1990 40.5% - 22.6% 90%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Gabon spent $5.18B, or 24.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 72.7% in Gabon, ranking 158/185 and 51/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Gabon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Gabon
2024 -7.82% -3.84%
2023 -4.25% 1.79%
2022 -0.006% -0.89%
2021 -2.46% -1.93%
2020 -11.5% -2.19%
2019 -8.43% 2.13%
2018 -5.07% -0.21%
2017 -1.16% -1.7%
2016 0.72% -4.71%
2015 -5.06% -1.12%
2014 3.88% 5.98%
2013 6.07% -3.07%
2012 0.92% 6.2%
2011 -0.12% 1.41%
2010 -8.36% 2.7%
2009 -14.4% 6.77%
2008 -7.59% 11%
2007 5.92% 8.06%
2006 13.7% 8.67%
2005 10.7% 7.98%
2004 1.42% 6.99%
2003 -0.18% 7.75%
2002 -4.02% 3.72%
2001 -2.96% 4.07%
2000 8.95% 11.1%
1999 6.18% 1.11%
1998 - -13.1%
1997 - 1.41%
1996 - 2.12%
1995 - 2.64%
1994 - -1.53%
1993 - -5.35%
1992 - -4.9%
1991 - -2.03%
1990 - -3.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/gabon | 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 Gabon's deficit of $802M, or 3.84% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Gabon ran a deficit in 9 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.99% of GDP for Gabon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Gabon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Gabon
2024 2.82% 1.17%
2023 5.07% 3.63%
2022 11.7% 4.23%
2021 7.24% 1.09%
2020 1.89% 1.35%
2019 2.77% 2.46%
2018 3.24% 4.75%
2017 3.31% 2.65%
2016 2.81% 2.11%
2015 3.06% -0.34%
2014 4.4% 4.69%
2013 5.88% 0.51%
2012 7.54% 2.65%
2011 8.46% 1.26%
2010 6.95% 1.46%
2009 8.03% 1.89%
2008 12.7% 5.26%
2007 7.08% 5.03%
2006 11.6% -1.41%
2005 8.61% 3.71%
2004 6.95% 0.41%
2003 9.19% 2.24%
2002 8.03% 0.04%
2001 6.56% 2.14%
2000 8.6% 0.5%
1999 7.75% -1.94%
1998 6.66% 1.45%
1997 8.72% 3.97%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 2.03% in Gabon. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 1.17% in Gabon.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $69K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Gabon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $13K

Balance of trade

Botswana Gabon
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$141M
2015
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
66/190
2015
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+0.98%
2015
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$3.17B
2015
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$5.11B
2015
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$1.88B
2015
Service exports
$935M
2024
$277M
2015
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
27.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
64.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Gabon
Economic freedom 67.7 56.6
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 120/197
Property rights 71.7 30
Government integrity 59.6 22.6
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 19.9
Tax burden 87.1 76.5
Government spending 69.8 85.5
Fiscal health 72.4 87.9
Business freedom 61.5 63.6
Labor freedom 60.7 55.4
Monetary freedom 72 80.9
Trade freedom 77 57.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Gabon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Gabon
2026 67.7 56.6
2025 69.9 56.3
2024 68 56.9
2023 64.9 56.1
2022 64.8 55.8
2021 67.6 58.1
2020 69.6 56.7
2019 69.5 56.3
2018 69.9 58
2017 70.1 58.6
2016 71.1 59
2015 69.8 58.3
2014 72 57.8
2013 70.6 57.8
2012 69.6 56.4
2011 68.8 56.7
2010 70.3 55.4
2009 69.7 55
2008 68.2 54.2
2007 68.1 54.8
2006 68.8 56.1
2005 69.3 54.8
2004 69.9 57.1
2003 68.6 58.7
2002 66.2 58
2001 66.8 55
2000 65.8 58.2
1999 62.9 60.5
1998 62.8 59.2
1997 59.1 58.8
1996 61.6 55.7
1995 56.8 57.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 56.6 for Gabon, ranking 120/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Gabon
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
36.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
52.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
6.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$19.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$20,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$1.45B
2023
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
136/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$25.3M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$1.14B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
-$33.8M
2019
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
5.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
33.4%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
19.1%
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/gabon | 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 (2020–2024, 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.