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Economy of Botswana vs Guyana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $24.7B for Guyana, ranking 133/197 and 120/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $5.99B (24.3% of GDP) in Guyana.

Botswana vs Guyana GDP by year

Botswana
Guyana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Guyana
2024 $19,402,063,513 $24,662,709,832
2023 $19,411,266,967 $16,918,503,597
2022 $20,321,150,599 $14,718,388,489
2021 $18,750,182,236 $8,041,362,110
2020 $14,960,251,608 $5,471,256,595
2019 $16,725,908,149 $5,173,760,192
2018 $17,031,943,186 $4,787,636,998
2017 $16,105,155,857 $4,748,174,334
2016 $15,082,637,184 $4,482,697,337
2015 $13,530,748,845 $4,279,840,194
2014 $15,470,088,501 $4,127,660,152
2013 $14,271,738,933 $4,167,800,929
2012 $13,907,464,500 $4,063,088,536
2011 $15,110,643,612 $3,691,384,318
2010 $12,637,273,429 $3,432,912,517
2009 $10,118,459,242 $3,165,663,153
2008 $10,730,829,116 $3,025,187,433
2007 $10,567,270,656 $2,730,971,595
2006 $9,919,158,482 $2,379,817,991
2005 $9,918,907,108 $824,880,550
2004 $8,957,467,707 $787,814,379
2003 $7,511,582,173 $743,063,950
2002 $5,438,863,983 $726,131,435
2001 $5,489,608,300 $712,167,450
2000 $5,788,329,609 $712,667,897
1999 $5,484,263,347 $694,754,988
1998 $4,790,481,509 $717,530,683
1997 $5,020,265,627 $749,138,010
1996 $4,847,757,218 $705,406,001
1995 $4,730,599,122 $621,626,786
1994 $4,259,259,604 $540,874,934
1993 $4,160,129,175 $454,101,382
1992 $4,146,464,587 $373,573,141
1991 $3,942,876,703 $348,533,095
1990 $3,790,636,324 $396,582,263
1989 $3,083,822,112 $379,779,390
1988 $2,644,554,159 $413,799,990
1987 $1,965,226,890 $354,591,847
1986 $1,392,602,164 $504,651,140
1985 $1,114,783,343 $453,488,372
1984 $1,240,822,167 $437,631,605
1983 $1,172,230,397 $489,333,333
1982 $1,014,945,696 $482,000,000
1981 $1,073,812,830 $570,357,107
1980 $1,060,889,704 $603,200,000
1979 $819,870,259 $530,440,000
1978 $590,407,374 $507,080,000
1977 $451,624,780 $449,880,000
1976 $372,025,093 $454,440,000
1975 $355,168,572 $494,791,667
1974 $306,044,208 $433,954,545
1973 $244,124,164 $307,047,619
1972 $164,460,915 $285,380,952
1971 $127,448,614 $282,050,000
1970 $96,243,234 $267,800,000
1969 $77,361,547 $249,300,000
1968 $66,248,441 $229,750,000
1967 $58,642,354 $250,176,471
1966 $51,465,655 $228,705,882
1965 $45,788,696 $213,235,294
1964 $41,616,348 $194,774,513
1963 $38,091,843 $175,757,894
1962 $35,644,957 $194,949,513
1961 $32,902,613 $185,849,535
1960 $30,411,414 $170,216,241

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Guyana by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Guyana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Guyana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $29,675 $80,155
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $20,474 $54,729
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $17,913 $39,711
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $9,861 $22,866
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $6,776 $16,819
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $6,406 $13,241
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $6,048 $12,443
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $6,179 $12,243
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $5,871 $11,516
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $5,640 $11,408
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $5,473 $11,145
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $5,557 $11,200
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $5,444 $10,627
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $4,947 $10,066
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $4,582 $9,337
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $4,209 $8,824
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $4,009 $8,437
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $3,608 $8,110
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $3,136 $7,346
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $1,084 $6,761
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $1,033 $6,673
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $974 $6,392
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $951 $6,304
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $932 $6,131
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $932 $5,860
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $909 $5,812
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $940 $5,573
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $983 $5,615
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $928 $5,210
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $820 $4,753
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $716 $4,447
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $603 $4,027
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $498 $3,651
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $466 $3,322
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $529 $3,022
1989 $2,428 - $503 -
1988 $2,141 - $545 -
1987 $1,639 - $464 -
1986 $1,200 - $657 -
1985 $994 - $588 -
1984 $1,145 - $565 -
1983 $1,121 - $631 -
1982 $1,006 - $621 -
1981 $1,107 - $735 -
1980 $1,132 - $779 -
1979 $909 - $689 -
1978 $695 - $663 -
1977 $565 - $593 -
1976 $490 - $604 -
1975 $493 - $664 -
1974 $446 - $588 -
1973 $374 - $421 -
1972 $264.2 - $395 -
1971 $212.2 - $396 -
1970 $163 - $381 -
1969 $131.8 - $361 -
1968 $113.4 - $340 -
1967 $100.9 - $378 -
1966 $89.1 - $353 -
1965 $79.7 - $336 -
1964 $73.5 - $313 -
1963 $68.9 - $288.8 -
1962 $66 - $327 -
1961 $62.3 - $319 -
1960 $58.9 - $299.1 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $29,675 in Guyana, ranking 41/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Guyana ranks 15th at $80,155.

Economic indicators

Botswana Guyana
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$24.7B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
120/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
43.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$29,675
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
41/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$80,155
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
15/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$5.99B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
24.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$7,213
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
66/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$13,212
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
34.4%
1998
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
1.1%
1998
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
23.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
2.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
13.2%
2019
Population
2615162
842249

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Guyana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Guyana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 23.2% 24.3%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 23.7% 26.7%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 20.3% 24.8%
2021 33% 23.4% 24.8% 45.7%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 30.5% 59.5%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 28.1% 54%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 27.6% 47.9%
2017 35% 19.8% 26.3% 46.1%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 25.2% 44%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 21.7% 42.2%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 23.1% 38.7%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 21.4% 41.4%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 21.8% 44.7%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 23.5% 51.7%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 23.9% 53.1%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 25.4% 52.3%
2008 48% 7.77% 24.1% 48.2%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 25.5% 47.7%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 29% 74.5%
2005 35% 7.74% 28.4% 90.7%
2004 42% 11.3% 23.7% 91.8%
2003 44% 7.29% 23.5% 95.6%
2002 46% 8.55% 23.1% 105.1%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 24% 104.6%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 22.9% 97.2%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 17.6% 97.1%
1998 44.3% 12% 19.7% 108%
1997 40% - 20.9% 101.3%
1996 37.2% - - -
1995 38.1% - - -
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/guyana | CC BY

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Guyana spent $5.72B, or 23.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 24.3% in Guyana, ranking 158/185 and 168/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Guyana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Guyana
2024 -7.82% -7.31%
2023 -4.25% -5.78%
2022 -0.006% -5.11%
2021 -2.46% -6.94%
2020 -11.5% -7.78%
2019 -8.43% -2.52%
2018 -5.07% -2.52%
2017 -1.16% -3.14%
2016 0.72% -3.21%
2015 -5.06% -0.75%
2014 3.88% -3.88%
2013 6.07% -2.16%
2012 0.92% -3.11%
2011 -0.12% -2.13%
2010 -8.36% -1.88%
2009 -14.4% -2.5%
2008 -7.59% -2.78%
2007 5.92% -3.35%
2006 13.7% -6.16%
2005 10.7% -6.54%
2004 1.42% -2.88%
2003 -0.18% -4.81%
2002 -4.02% -2.42%
2001 -2.96% -3.71%
2000 8.95% -2.27%
1999 6.18% -0.47%
1998 - -2.67%
1997 - -1.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/guyana | 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 Guyana's deficit of $1.8B, or 7.31% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Guyana ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.7% of GDP for Guyana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Guyana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Guyana
2024 2.82% 2.5%
2023 5.07% 4.5%
2022 11.7% 6.5%
2021 7.24% 3.3%
2020 1.89% 1.2%
2019 2.77% 2.1%
2018 3.24% 1.3%
2017 3.31% 1.9%
2016 2.81% 0.8%
2015 3.06% -0.9%
2014 4.4% 0.7%
2013 5.88% 1.9%
2012 7.54% 2.4%
2011 8.46% 4.4%
2010 6.95% 4.3%
2009 8.03% 3%
2008 12.7% 8.1%
2007 7.08% 12.2%
2006 11.6% 6.7%
2005 8.61% 6.9%
2004 6.95% 4.7%
2003 9.19% 6%
2002 8.03% 5.4%
2001 6.56% 2.6%
2000 8.6% 6.1%
1999 7.75% 7.5%
1998 6.66% 4.6%
1997 8.72% 3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 4.08% in Guyana. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 2.5% in Guyana.

Balance of trade

Botswana Guyana
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$2.35B
2023
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
43/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+13.9%
2023
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$6B
2023
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$13.2B
2023
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$4.95B
2023
Service exports
$935M
2024
$529M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
109.7%
2005
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
84.6%
2005

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Guyana
Economic freedom 67.7 58.7
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 109/197
Property rights 71.7 46.7
Government integrity 59.6 38.8
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 48.6
Tax burden 87.1 76.4
Government spending 69.8 85
Fiscal health 72.4 39.9
Business freedom 61.5 70.9
Labor freedom 60.7 76
Monetary freedom 72 78.5
Trade freedom 77 59.2
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Guyana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Guyana
2026 67.7 58.7
2025 69.9 58.2
2024 68 57.3
2023 64.9 56.9
2022 64.8 59.5
2021 67.6 57.4
2020 69.6 56.2
2019 69.5 56.8
2018 69.9 58.7
2017 70.1 58.5
2016 71.1 55.4
2015 69.8 55.5
2014 72 55.7
2013 70.6 53.8
2012 69.6 51.3
2011 68.8 49.4
2010 70.3 48.4
2009 69.7 48.4
2008 68.2 48.8
2007 68.1 53.7
2006 68.8 56.6
2005 69.3 56.5
2004 69.9 53
2003 68.6 50.3
2002 66.2 54.3
2001 66.8 53.3
2000 65.8 52.4
1999 62.9 53.3
1998 62.8 52.7
1997 59.1 53.2
1996 61.6 50.1
1995 56.8 45.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 58.7 for Guyana, ranking 109/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Guyana
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
14.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
76%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
7.62%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$16.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$52,290
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
141/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
$1.14B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$8.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$5.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
3.73%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
35%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
32.3%
2005

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/guyana | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.