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Economy of Botswana vs Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $28.3B for Guinea, ranking 135/197 and 117/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $13.6B (48.1% of GDP) in Guinea.

Botswana vs Guinea GDP by year

Botswana
Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Guinea
2025 $19,928,479,839 $28,346,024,753
2024 $19,286,251,068 $25,008,678,293
2023 $19,413,614,555 $22,407,615,556
2022 $20,321,150,599 $19,910,452,542
2021 $18,750,182,236 $17,069,115,738
2020 $14,960,251,608 $14,088,693,743
2019 $16,725,908,149 $13,442,861,496
2018 $17,031,943,186 $11,857,030,367
2017 $16,105,155,857 $10,324,668,271
2016 $15,082,637,184 $8,595,955,222
2015 $13,530,748,845 $8,794,201,743
2014 $15,470,088,501 $8,778,473,373
2013 $14,271,738,933 $8,376,613,539
2012 $13,907,464,500 $7,638,044,557
2011 $15,110,643,612 $6,785,137,203
2010 $12,637,273,429 $6,853,467,146
2009 $10,118,459,242 $6,716,905,340
2008 $10,730,829,116 $6,964,179,983
2007 $10,567,270,656 $6,281,918,226
2006 $9,919,158,482 $4,220,019,845
2005 $9,918,907,108 $4,282,468,637
2004 $8,957,467,707 $5,300,767,961
2003 $7,511,582,173 $5,025,167,975
2002 $5,438,863,983 $4,301,608,753
2001 $5,489,608,300 $4,125,527,603
2000 $5,788,329,609 $4,367,458,867
1999 $5,484,263,347 $5,046,806,783
1998 $4,790,481,509 $5,232,118,046
1997 $5,020,265,627 $5,516,916,163
1996 $4,847,757,218 $5,641,243,100
1995 $4,730,599,122 $5,385,704,166
1994 $4,259,259,604 $4,932,800,407
1993 $4,160,129,175 $4,781,166,117
1992 $4,146,464,587 $4,789,220,417
1991 $3,942,876,703 $4,396,178,694
1990 $3,790,636,324 $3,888,320,666
1989 $3,083,822,112 $3,546,079,263
1988 $2,644,554,159 $3,476,480,303
1987 $1,965,226,890 $2,976,714,019
1986 $1,392,602,164 $2,909,130,355
1985 $1,114,783,343 $22,787,644,566
1984 $1,240,822,167 $18,421,497,251
1983 $1,172,230,397 $15,129,893,722
1982 $1,014,945,696 $11,926,032,493
1981 $1,073,812,830 $9,646,440,667
1980 $1,060,889,704 $9,746,524,915
1979 $819,870,259 $8,877,094,497
1978 $590,407,374 $8,087,305,999
1977 $451,624,780 $6,914,381,291
1976 $372,025,093 $6,762,781,871
1975 $355,168,572 $6,102,769,605
1974 $306,044,208 $5,691,417,541
1973 $244,124,164 $5,152,080,388
1972 $164,460,915 $4,203,069,035
1971 $127,448,614 $3,594,302,908
1970 $96,243,234 $3,220,224,608
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Guinea by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $1,877 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $1,695 $4,565
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $1,555 $4,334
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $1,417 $4,062
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $1,245 $3,739
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $1,054 $3,332
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $1,031 $3,106
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $933 $2,844
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $834 $2,687
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $712 $2,255
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $747 $1,930
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $765 $1,873
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $748 $1,842
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $699 $1,790
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $637 $1,705
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $659 $1,622
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $662 $1,567
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $704 $1,614
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $650 $1,558
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $447 $1,453
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $463 $1,422
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $585 $1,366
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $566 $1,328
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $496 $1,315
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $483 $1,251
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $518 $1,196
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $611 $1,163
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $647 $1,130
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $696 $1,099
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $726 $1,048
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $713 $1,014
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $672 $976
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $671 $947
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $693 $908
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $656 $887
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $604 $871
1989 $2,428 - $570 -
1988 $2,141 - $574 -
1987 $1,639 - $505 -
1986 $1,200 - $506 -
1985 $994 - $4,062 -
1984 $1,145 - $3,362 -
1983 $1,121 - $2,823 -
1982 $1,006 - $2,273 -
1981 $1,107 - $1,876 -
1980 $1,132 - $1,931 -
1979 $909 - $1,790 -
1978 $695 - $1,658 -
1977 $565 - $1,440 -
1976 $490 - $1,431 -
1975 $493 - $1,311 -
1974 $446 - $1,243 -
1973 $374 - $1,143 -
1972 $264.2 - $948 -
1971 $212.2 - $825 -
1970 $163 - $753 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $1,877 in Guinea, ranking 161/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Guinea ranks 161st at $4,565.

Economic indicators

Botswana Guinea
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$28.3B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
117/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
7.45%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$1,877
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
161/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$4,565
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
161/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$13.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
48.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$902
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
146/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$1,966
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
23.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.5%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
25.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
3.1%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
5.02%
2019
Population
2624853
15624314

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 25.2% 48.1%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 20.6% 48.3%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 18.3% 39.8%
2022 29.1% 21% 15.7% 37.2%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 15.1% 40.6%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 17.1% 45.3%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 14.9% 37.3%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 15.9% 37.5%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 17.3% 39.9%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 16.1% 40.6%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 21.7% 41.5%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 20.1% 32.1%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 18.6% 30.5%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 19.6% 26.9%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 16% 53.8%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 20.5% 71.1%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 16.2% 61.3%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 10.1% 58.5%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 8.66% 60.8%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 13.2% 95.2%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 11% 97.9%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 13% 86.9%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 14.7% 81.6%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 14.4% 82.6%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 14.9% 90.4%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 12.6% 91.5%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 11.6% 92.3%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 10.3% 75.9%
1997 39% - 12.6% 67.9%
1996 36.1% - 12% 67.7%
1995 36.1% - 12.7% 66.5%
1994 37.6% - 12.6% 71.3%
1993 42% - 13.3% 68.9%
1992 42.3% - 13.8% 62%
1991 41.1% - 16.3% 70.9%
1990 38.9% - 18.7% 71.6%

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

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Guinea spent $7.13B, or 25.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 48.1% in Guinea, ranking 137/185 and 111/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Guinea
2025 -7.42% -7%
2024 -7.26% -4.99%
2023 -4.16% -3.86%
2022 0.04% -1.88%
2021 -2.33% -1.7%
2020 -10.9% -3.08%
2019 -8.53% -0.17%
2018 -5.03% -0.97%
2017 -1.14% -1.98%
2016 0.71% -0.08%
2015 -4.82% -6.53%
2014 3.9% -3.01%
2013 5.84% -3.86%
2012 0.89% 23.7%
2011 -0.12% -0.92%
2010 -7.95% -9.66%
2009 -13.8% -4.87%
2008 -7.61% 0.38%
2007 5.73% 1.28%
2006 13.3% -2.13%
2005 10.3% -1.06%
2004 1.35% -3.85%
2003 -0.18% -4.65%
2002 -3.94% -3.37%
2001 -2.91% -3.23%
2000 8.73% -2.42%
1999 5.95% -1.3%
1998 - 2.46%
1997 - 0.07%
1996 - -2.2%
1995 - -1.07%
1994 - -2.59%
1993 - -2.33%
1992 - -0.89%
1991 - -3.25%
1990 - -3.76%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/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 Guinea's deficit of $1.98B, or 7% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Guinea ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.9% of GDP for Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Guinea
2025 2.66% 3.1%
2024 2.82% 4.5%
2023 5.07% 5.4%
2022 11.7% 10.5%
2021 7.24% 12.6%
2020 1.89% 10.6%
2019 2.77% 9.5%
2018 3.24% 9.8%
2017 3.31% 8.9%
2016 2.81% 8.2%
2015 3.06% 8.2%
2014 4.4% 9.7%
2013 5.88% 11.9%
2012 7.54% 15.2%
2011 8.46% 21.4%
2010 6.95% 15.5%
2009 8.03% 4.7%
2008 12.7% 18.4%
2007 7.08% 22.9%
2006 11.6% 34.7%
2005 8.61% 31.4%
2004 6.95% 17.5%
2003 9.19% 11%
2002 8.03% 3%
2001 6.56% 5.4%
2000 8.6% 6.8%
1999 7.75% 4.6%
1998 6.66% 5.1%
1997 8.72% 1.9%

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/guinea | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 11.5% in Guinea. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 3.1% in Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1K
Guinea
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana Guinea
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$392M
2024
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
101/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-1.57%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$7.08B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$11.6B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$3.15B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$71.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
62.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
41.4%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Guinea
Economic freedom 67.7 53.1
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 141/197
Property rights 71.7 21.3
Government integrity 59.6 26.7
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 26
Tax burden 87.1 70.1
Government spending 69.8 90.1
Fiscal health 72.4 74.8
Business freedom 61.5 44.8
Labor freedom 60.7 56.4
Monetary freedom 72 75.3
Trade freedom 77 61.8
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Guinea
2026 67.7 53.1
2025 69.9 54.6
2024 68 53.3
2023 64.9 53.2
2022 64.8 54.2
2021 67.6 56.5
2020 69.6 56.5
2019 69.5 55.7
2018 69.9 52.2
2017 70.1 47.6
2016 71.1 53.3
2015 69.8 52.1
2014 72 53.5
2013 70.6 51.2
2012 69.6 50.8
2011 68.8 51.7
2010 70.3 51.8
2009 69.7 51
2008 68.2 52.8
2007 68.1 54.5
2006 68.8 52.8
2005 69.3 57.4
2004 69.9 56.1
2003 68.6 54.6
2002 66.2 52.9
2001 66.8 58.4
2000 65.8 58.2
1999 62.9 59.4
1998 62.8 61
1997 59.1 52.9
1996 61.6 58.5
1995 56.8 59.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 53.1 for Guinea, ranking 141/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Guinea
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
35.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
25.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
31.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$26.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$4,730
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$1.35B
2024
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
137/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$1.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$1.4B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$30K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
47%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
37%
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/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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2024, 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.