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Economy of Botswana vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $475B for Iran, ranking 133/197 and 34/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $162B (34% of GDP) in Iran.

Botswana vs Iran GDP by year

Botswana
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Iran
2024 $19,402,063,513 $475,252,089,215
2023 $19,411,266,967 $457,510,482,317
2022 $20,321,150,599 $422,662,261,526
2021 $18,750,182,236 $407,350,685,583
2020 $14,960,251,608 $280,934,329,280
2019 $16,725,908,149 $347,988,400,958
2018 $17,031,943,186 $411,903,303,606
2017 $16,105,155,857 $510,239,893,418
2016 $15,082,637,184 $478,618,064,871
2015 $13,530,748,845 $409,191,686,497
2014 $15,470,088,501 $462,284,793,281
2013 $14,271,738,933 $500,399,839,840
2012 $13,907,464,500 $644,019,315,004
2011 $15,110,643,612 $629,082,257,472
2010 $12,637,273,429 $487,069,570,464
2009 $10,118,459,242 $414,059,094,949
2008 $10,730,829,116 $406,070,949,554
2007 $10,567,270,656 $349,736,591,832
2006 $9,919,158,482 $265,602,187,404
2005 $9,918,907,108 $224,970,371,325
2004 $8,957,467,707 $187,754,571,248
2003 $7,511,582,173 $151,911,222,119
2002 $5,438,863,983 $128,626,917,504
2001 $5,489,608,300 $126,878,750,296
2000 $5,788,329,609 $109,591,707,802
1999 $5,484,263,347 $113,848,450,088
1998 $4,790,481,509 $110,276,913,363
1997 $5,020,265,627 $113,919,163,421
1996 $4,847,757,218 $120,403,931,885
1995 $4,730,599,122 $96,419,225,744
1994 $4,259,259,604 $71,841,461,173
1993 $4,160,129,175 $63,743,623,232
1992 $4,146,464,587 $119,768,691,217
1991 $3,942,876,703 $131,637,664,958
1990 $3,790,636,324 $124,813,263,926
1989 $3,083,822,112 $120,496,362,916
1988 $2,644,554,159 $123,057,861,334
1987 $1,965,226,890 $134,009,995,923
1986 $1,392,602,164 $209,094,561,833
1985 $1,114,783,343 $180,183,629,600
1984 $1,240,822,167 $162,276,728,620
1983 $1,172,230,397 $156,365,156,618
1982 $1,014,945,696 $125,948,756,439
1981 $1,073,812,830 $100,499,312,750
1980 $1,060,889,704 $94,362,275,580
1979 $819,870,259 $90,391,877,326
1978 $590,407,374 $77,994,316,621
1977 $451,624,780 $80,600,122,702
1976 $372,025,093 $68,055,295,081
1975 $355,168,572 $51,776,222,350
1974 $306,044,208 $46,209,092,072
1973 $244,124,164 $27,081,698,250
1972 $164,460,915 $17,153,463,263
1971 $127,448,614 $13,731,802,833
1970 $96,243,234 $10,976,245,154
1969 $77,361,547 $9,743,089,607
1968 $66,248,441 $8,623,172,960
1967 $58,642,354 $7,555,383,690
1966 $51,465,655 $6,789,938,672
1965 $45,788,696 $6,197,319,929
1964 $41,616,348 $5,379,845,648
1963 $38,091,843 $4,928,628,018
1962 $35,644,957 $4,693,566,416
1961 $32,902,613 $4,426,949,095
1960 $30,411,414 $4,199,134,390

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Iran by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $5,190 $19,874
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $1,957 $8,888
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $2,194 $8,580
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $2,138 $7,566
1989 $2,428 - $2,125 -
1988 $2,141 - $2,234 -
1987 $1,639 - $2,513 -
1986 $1,200 - $4,064 -
1985 $994 - $3,634 -
1984 $1,145 - $3,395 -
1983 $1,121 - $3,397 -
1982 $1,006 - $2,845 -
1981 $1,107 - $2,393 -
1980 $1,132 - $2,368 -
1979 $909 - $2,352 -
1978 $695 - $2,101 -
1977 $565 - $2,243 -
1976 $490 - $1,954 -
1975 $493 - $1,532 -
1974 $446 - $1,409 -
1973 $374 - $851 -
1972 $264.2 - $555 -
1971 $212.2 - $457 -
1970 $163 - $377 -
1969 $131.8 - $345 -
1968 $113.4 - $314 -
1967 $100.9 - $283.7 -
1966 $89.1 - $262.9 -
1965 $79.7 - $247.5 -
1964 $73.5 - $221.7 -
1963 $68.9 - $209.6 -
1962 $66 - $205.8 -
1961 $62.3 - $200.1 -
1960 $58.9 - $195.6 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $5,190 in Iran, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Botswana Iran
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$475B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
34/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
3.66%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$5,190
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
97/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$162B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
34%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$1,764
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
122/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$2,964
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$172B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
14.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
32.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
7.63%
2024
Population
2615162
93468444

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 14.2% 34%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 33% 23.4% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 35% 19.8% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 48% 7.77% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 35% 7.74% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 42% 11.3% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 44% 7.29% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 46% 8.55% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 13.6% 21%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 13.3% 18.2%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 15.7% 22.2%
1998 44.3% 12% 16.9% 29.6%
1997 40% - 17.4% 30.9%
1996 37.2% - 17.3% 29.3%
1995 38.1% - 21% 31.2%
1994 39.2% - 23% 41.7%
1993 44.2% - 27.2% 25.6%
1992 43.4% - 14.4% 25.2%
1991 42.3% - 14% 29.3%
1990 40.5% - 16.4% 37%
1989 - - 20% 48.8%
1988 - - 23.6% 53.2%
1987 - - 18.6% 48.6%
1986 - - 19% 47.4%
1985 - - 21.6% 8.73%
1984 - - 23.7% 10%
1983 - - 27.5% 35.7%
1982 - - 29.7% 47.7%
1981 - - 33.7% 47.6%
1980 - - 35.8% 35.5%
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - - - 9.23%
1976 - - - 6.92%
1975 - - - 8.81%
1974 - - - 6.68%
1973 - - - 12.8%
1972 - - - 12.7%
1971 - - - 14.2%
1970 - - - 14.1%
1969 - - - -
1968 - - 23.6% -
1967 - - 22.3% -
1966 - - 20.5% -
1965 - - 16.3% 14.9%
1964 - - 15.4% 15.2%
1963 - - 14.8% 12.4%
1962 - - 15.6% 13.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Iran spent $67.5B, or 14.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 34% in Iran, ranking 158/185 and 147/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Iran
2024 -7.82% -3.83%
2023 -4.25% -2.54%
2022 -0.006% -2.64%
2021 -2.46% -3.01%
2020 -11.5% -4.87%
2019 -8.43% -4.3%
2018 -5.07% -1.59%
2017 -1.16% -1.55%
2016 0.72% -1.7%
2015 -5.06% -1.3%
2014 3.88% -0.91%
2013 6.07% -0.72%
2012 0.92% -0.5%
2011 -0.12% -0.66%
2010 -8.36% -0.84%
2009 -14.4% -3.3%
2008 -7.59% -4.39%
2007 5.92% -2.41%
2006 13.7% -4.91%
2005 10.7% -2.44%
2004 1.42% -2.45%
2003 -0.18% -2.76%
2002 -4.02% -2.88%
2001 -2.96% 0.02%
2000 8.95% 5.42%
1999 6.18% -0.51%
1998 - -5.03%
1997 - -1.81%
1996 - -0.75%
1995 - -2.63%
1994 - -3.36%
1993 - -5.15%
1992 - -0.86%
1991 - -1.64%
1990 - -1.73%
1989 - -4.45%
1988 - -10.3%
1987 - -6.84%
1986 - -7.84%
1985 - -3.74%
1984 - -4.02%
1983 - -6.15%
1982 - -5.55%
1981 - -10.7%
1980 - -14.2%
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -4.57%
1967 - -4%
1966 - -2.63%
1965 - -1.23%
1964 - -0.04%
1963 - 0.26%
1962 - -1.39%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/iran | 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 Iran's deficit of $18.2B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.98% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Iran
2024 2.82% 32.5%
2023 5.07% 44.6%
2022 11.7% 43.5%
2021 7.24% 43.4%
2020 1.89% 30.6%
2019 2.77% 39.9%
2018 3.24% 18%
2017 3.31% 8.04%
2016 2.81% 7.25%
2015 3.06% 12.5%
2014 4.4% 16.6%
2013 5.88% 36.6%
2012 7.54% 27.3%
2011 8.46% 26.3%
2010 6.95% 10.1%
2009 8.03% 13.6%
2008 12.7% 25.4%
2007 7.08% 17.3%
2006 11.6% 10%
2005 8.61% 13.4%
2004 6.95% 14.8%
2003 9.19% 16.5%
2002 8.03% 14.3%
2001 6.56% 11.3%
2000 8.6% 14.5%
1999 7.75% 20.1%
1998 6.66% 17.9%
1997 8.72% 17.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 21.6% in Iran. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 32.5% in Iran.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Iran
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $12K

Balance of trade

Botswana Iran
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$935M
2024
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
28.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
23.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Iran
Economic freedom 67.7 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 185/197
Property rights 71.7 20.2
Government integrity 59.6 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 18.7
Tax burden 87.1 81.3
Government spending 69.8 94.7
Fiscal health 72.4 83.3
Business freedom 61.5 37.4
Labor freedom 60.7 41.8
Monetary freedom 72 42.2
Trade freedom 77 55.8
Investment freedom 50 5
Financial freedom 60 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Iran
2026 67.7 41.8
2025 69.9 42.5
2024 68 41.2
2023 64.9 42.2
2022 64.8 42.4
2021 67.6 47.2
2020 69.6 49.2
2019 69.5 51.1
2018 69.9 50.9
2017 70.1 50.5
2016 71.1 43.5
2015 69.8 41.8
2014 72 40.3
2013 70.6 43.2
2012 69.6 42.3
2011 68.8 42.1
2010 70.3 43.4
2009 69.7 44.6
2008 68.2 45
2007 68.1 45
2006 68.8 45
2005 69.3 50.5
2004 69.9 42.8
2003 68.6 43.2
2002 66.2 36.4
2001 66.8 35.9
2000 65.8 36.1
1999 62.9 36.8
1998 62.8 36
1997 59.1 34.5
1996 61.6 36.1
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 41.8 for Iran, ranking 185/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Iran
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
49.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
36.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
10.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$469B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$19,820
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
85/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
44.3%
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/iran | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  9. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.