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Economy of Botswana vs Israel compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $540B for Israel, ranking 133/197 and 29/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $366B (67.6% of GDP) in Israel.

Botswana vs Israel GDP by year

Botswana
Israel
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Israel
2024 $19,402,063,513 $540,379,921,262
2023 $19,411,266,967 $512,184,638,999
2022 $20,321,150,599 $525,181,008,026
2021 $18,750,182,236 $489,851,549,972
2020 $14,960,251,608 $410,768,352,658
2019 $16,725,908,149 $400,645,216,359
2018 $17,031,943,186 $376,299,083,108
2017 $16,105,155,857 $358,451,839,053
2016 $15,082,637,184 $321,940,971,558
2015 $13,530,748,845 $303,469,434,072
2014 $15,470,088,501 $315,017,088,117
2013 $14,271,738,933 $298,478,070,673
2012 $13,907,464,500 $263,589,172,712
2011 $15,110,643,612 $268,094,998,225
2010 $12,637,273,429 $239,679,036,634
2009 $10,118,459,242 $213,403,181,853
2008 $10,730,829,116 $221,231,658,863
2007 $10,567,270,656 $184,681,214,673
2006 $9,919,158,482 $158,900,547,825
2005 $9,918,907,108 $147,519,922,009
2004 $8,957,467,707 $140,047,984,605
2003 $7,511,582,173 $131,408,914,824
2002 $5,438,863,983 $125,332,331,884
2001 $5,489,608,300 $135,002,039,613
2000 $5,788,329,609 $136,512,300,542
1999 $5,484,263,347 $121,417,185,062
1998 $4,790,481,509 $120,547,409,279
1997 $5,020,265,627 $119,459,826,347
1996 $4,847,757,218 $115,116,595,545
1995 $4,730,599,122 $105,497,418,059
1994 $4,259,259,604 $90,740,103,829
1993 $4,160,129,175 $79,855,877,174
1992 $4,146,464,587 $79,457,685,757
1991 $3,942,876,703 $70,998,755,007
1990 $3,790,636,324 $62,016,729,541
1989 $3,083,822,112 $52,443,479,454
1988 $2,644,554,159 $52,650,948,910
1987 $1,965,226,890 $43,049,543,635
1986 $1,392,602,164 $35,834,154,874
1985 $1,114,783,343 $28,905,736,367
1984 $1,240,822,167 $30,645,607,293
1983 $1,172,230,397 $32,675,755,462
1982 $1,014,945,696 $29,255,285,401
1981 $1,073,812,830 $26,882,009,819
1980 $1,060,889,704 $25,395,256,478
1979 $819,870,259 $22,609,741,060
1978 $590,407,374 $17,701,286,907
1977 $451,624,780 $18,257,113,904
1976 $372,025,093 $15,956,349,550
1975 $355,168,572 $16,141,767,373
1974 $306,044,208 $17,172,607,138
1973 $244,124,164 $11,902,574,259
1972 $164,460,915 $9,222,557,539
1971 $127,448,614 $7,052,544,000
1970 $96,243,234 $7,406,712,876
1969 $77,361,547 $6,297,852,761
1968 $66,248,441 $5,458,427,928
1967 $58,642,354 $4,762,386,783
1966 $51,465,655 $4,703,300,098
1965 $45,788,696 $4,329,084,429
1964 $41,616,348 $4,024,344,853
1963 $38,091,843 $3,535,949,089
1962 $35,644,957 $2,966,154,031
1961 $32,902,613 $3,708,586,471
1960 $30,411,414 $3,070,585,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Israel by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Israel
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Israel
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $54,177 $57,236
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $52,004 $55,171
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $54,950 $53,619
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $52,271 $46,162
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $44,576 $40,955
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $44,251 $41,325
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $42,363 $40,190
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $41,138 $39,471
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $37,672 $38,189
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $36,213 $35,871
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $38,343 $34,816
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $37,034 $34,827
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $33,321 $32,484
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $34,523 $31,314
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $31,439 $29,456
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $28,508 $28,087
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $30,269 $28,084
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $25,721 $28,307
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $22,527 $26,385
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $21,287 $25,701
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $20,568 $26,078
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $19,643 $24,702
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $19,076 $26,101
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $20,966 $25,806
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $21,707 $25,766
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $19,823 $23,415
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $20,189 $22,927
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $20,469 $22,279
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $20,224 $21,672
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $19,026 $20,642
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $16,807 $19,478
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $15,179 $18,218
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $15,510 $17,553
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $14,346 $16,486
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $13,308 $15,721
1989 $2,428 - $11,608 -
1988 $2,141 - $11,853 -
1987 $1,639 - $9,853 -
1986 $1,200 - $8,335 -
1985 $994 - $6,829 -
1984 $1,145 - $7,369 -
1983 $1,121 - $7,960 -
1982 $1,006 - $7,258 -
1981 $1,107 - $6,795 -
1980 $1,132 - $6,549 -
1979 $909 - $5,972 -
1978 $695 - $4,797 -
1977 $565 - $5,053 -
1976 $490 - $4,516 -
1975 $493 - $4,672 -
1974 $446 - $5,085 -
1973 $374 - $3,631 -
1972 $264.2 - $2,930 -
1971 $212.2 - $2,298 -
1970 $163 - $2,490 -
1969 $131.8 - $2,189 -
1968 $113.4 - $1,947 -
1967 $100.9 - $1,735 -
1966 $89.1 - $1,789 -
1965 $79.7 - $1,689 -
1964 $73.5 - $1,626 -
1963 $68.9 - $1,486 -
1962 $66 - $1,294 -
1961 $62.3 - $1,697 -
1960 $58.9 - $1,452 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $54,177 in Israel, ranking 21/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Israel ranks 36th at $57,236.

Economic indicators

Botswana Israel
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$540B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
29/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
0.87%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$54,177
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$57,236
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
36/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$366B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
67.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$36,645
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
18/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$43,003
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$331B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
179,905
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
41
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
26.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
43.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
3.07%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
4.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
2.9%
2024
Population
2615162
10290887

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Israel
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Israel
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 43.8% 67.6%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 39.3% 61.3%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 36.9% 60.3%
2021 33% 23.4% 40% 67.7%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 44.8% 71.1%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 38.7% 59.3%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 39.2% 60.1%
2017 35% 19.8% 38.3% 59.8%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 37.9% 61.7%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 37.6% 62.8%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 38.3% 64.9%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 39.7% 66%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 39.6% 66.9%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 39.3% 67.2%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 39.7% 69%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 41.4% 72.6%
2008 48% 7.77% 41.2% 70.2%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 40.2% 70.8%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 41.6% 77.7%
2005 35% 7.74% 42.3% 85.2%
2004 42% 11.3% 43% 88.3%
2003 44% 7.29% 45.4% 89.7%
2002 46% 8.55% 50% 87.2%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 46.1% 81.1%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 43.4% 77.2%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 53.6% 94.8%
1998 44.3% 12% 55% 101%
1997 40% - 52.6% 99.3%
1996 37.2% - 53.2% 100.3%
1995 38.1% - 52.8% 102.3%
1994 39.2% - 41.7% 110.2%
1993 44.2% - 42.2% 118.3%
1992 43.4% - 44.1% 119.6%
1991 42.3% - 34.4% 123.7%
1990 40.5% - 46.8% 138.3%
1989 - - 47.5% 147.4%
1988 - - 46.5% 145.4%
1987 - - 52.8% 143.2%
1986 - - 55.7% 162.5%
1985 - - 65.2% 199%
1984 - - - 284%
1983 - - - 260.5%
1982 - - 69.7% -
1981 - - 71.8% -
1980 - - 69.4% 154.3%
1979 - - 70.1% 155.5%
1978 - - 62.2% 133.6%
1977 - - 69.1% 142%
1976 - - 66.3% 97.4%
1975 - - 62% 85.1%
1974 - - - 79.8%
1973 - - - 62.1%
1972 - - - 63.9%
1971 - - - -
1970 - - 41.6% -
1969 - - 41.1% -
1968 - - 39.4% -
1967 - - 33.9% -
1966 - - 29.6% -
1965 - - 27.8% -
1964 - - 28.2% -
1963 - - 26.9% -
1962 - - 27.7% -
1961 - - 30.3% -
1960 - - 30.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Israel spent $237B, or 43.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 67.6% in Israel, ranking 158/185 and 62/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Israel
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Israel
2024 -7.82% -8.26%
2023 -4.25% -5.06%
2022 -0.006% 0.32%
2021 -2.46% -3.37%
2020 -11.5% -10.7%
2019 -8.43% -3.79%
2018 -5.07% -3.56%
2017 -1.16% -1.13%
2016 0.72% -1.79%
2015 -5.06% -1.21%
2014 3.88% -2.29%
2013 6.07% -4.06%
2012 0.92% -4.46%
2011 -0.12% -3.43%
2010 -8.36% -3.72%
2009 -14.4% -6.53%
2008 -7.59% -3.5%
2007 5.92% -0.43%
2006 13.7% -0.95%
2005 10.7% -2.74%
2004 1.42% -3.4%
2003 -0.18% -5.03%
2002 -4.02% -8.22%
2001 -2.96% -4.06%
2000 8.95% -0.8%
1999 6.18% -6.26%
1998 - -7.99%
1997 - -4.84%
1996 - -5.97%
1995 - -4.28%
1994 - -5.62%
1993 - -5.62%
1992 - -8%
1991 - -7.04%
1990 - -9.67%
1989 - -9.03%
1988 - -7.57%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - -7.51%
1985 - -14.2%
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -13.8%
1981 - -23.5%
1980 - -19.6%
1979 - -16.7%
1978 - -14.7%
1977 - -20.3%
1976 - -19.4%
1975 - -19.6%
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -16%
1969 - -15.3%
1968 - -11.7%
1967 - -7.68%
1966 - -4.35%
1965 - -2.72%
1964 - -3.65%
1963 - -4.41%
1962 - -4.09%
1961 - -5.86%
1960 - -6.62%
1959 - -7.23%
1958 - -8.31%
1957 - -7.17%
1956 - -9.3%
1955 - -4.3%
1954 - -7.84%
1953 - -8.32%
1952 - -7.19%
1951 - -8.13%
1950 - -10.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/israel | 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 Israel's deficit of $44.6B, or 8.26% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Israel ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.79% of GDP for Israel.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Israel
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Israel
2024 2.82% 3.07%
2023 5.07% 4.23%
2022 11.7% 4.41%
2021 7.24% 1.48%
2020 1.89% -0.58%
2019 2.77% 0.82%
2018 3.24% 0.81%
2017 3.31% 0.25%
2016 2.81% -0.54%
2015 3.06% -0.62%
2014 4.4% 0.47%
2013 5.88% 1.59%
2012 7.54% 1.68%
2011 8.46% 3.49%
2010 6.95% 2.7%
2009 8.03% 3.37%
2008 12.7% 4.53%
2007 7.08% 0.47%
2006 11.6% 2.05%
2005 8.61% 1.34%
2004 6.95% -0.42%
2003 9.19% 0.71%
2002 8.03% 5.8%
2001 6.56% 1.12%
2000 8.6% 1.03%
1999 7.75% 5.19%
1998 6.66% 5.49%
1997 8.72% 8.95%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 2.25% in Israel. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 3.07% in Israel.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $134M
Machinery & equipment $694K
Miscellaneous $5K
Metals $2K
Weapons & explosives $2K
Israel
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.1M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.15M
Textiles & consumer goods $132K
Raw agricultural goods $63K
Metals $45K
Chemicals & pharma $26K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Miscellaneous $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Botswana Israel
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$15.5B
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
21/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+2.86%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$96.3B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$70B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$44.4B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$83.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
26%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
28.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Israel
Economic freedom 67.7 68.4
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 47/197
Property rights 71.7 73.1
Government integrity 59.6 66.2
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 68.1
Tax burden 87.1 60.2
Government spending 69.8 52
Fiscal health 72.4 60.8
Business freedom 61.5 72.4
Labor freedom 60.7 56.8
Monetary freedom 72 78.2
Trade freedom 77 82.8
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Israel
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Israel
2026 67.7 68.4
2025 69.9 69.9
2024 68 70.1
2023 64.9 68.9
2022 64.8 68
2021 67.6 73.8
2020 69.6 74
2019 69.5 72.8
2018 69.9 72.2
2017 70.1 69.7
2016 71.1 70.7
2015 69.8 70.5
2014 72 68.4
2013 70.6 66.9
2012 69.6 67.8
2011 68.8 68.5
2010 70.3 67.7
2009 69.7 67.6
2008 68.2 66.3
2007 68.1 64.8
2006 68.8 64.4
2005 69.3 62.6
2004 69.9 61.4
2003 68.6 62.7
2002 66.2 66.9
2001 66.8 66.1
2000 65.8 65.5
1999 62.9 68.3
1998 62.8 68
1997 59.1 62.7
1996 61.6 62
1995 56.8 61.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 68.4 for Israel, ranking 47/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Israel
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
72.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
1.28%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$528B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$56,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$215B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
18/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$4.86B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$14.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$9.92B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
23.4%
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/israel | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. 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.