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Economy of Botswana vs Kenya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $136B for Kenya, ranking 135/197 and 62/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $94.3B (69.3% of GDP) in Kenya.

Botswana vs Kenya GDP by year

Botswana
Kenya
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Kenya
2025 $19,928,479,839 $135,941,278,879
2024 $19,286,251,068 $120,397,537,850
2023 $19,413,614,555 $107,500,884,685
2022 $20,321,150,599 $114,448,978,153
2021 $18,750,182,236 $109,703,658,905
2020 $14,960,251,608 $100,657,505,751
2019 $16,725,908,149 $100,378,436,207
2018 $17,031,943,186 $92,202,979,985
2017 $16,105,155,857 $82,036,510,877
2016 $15,082,637,184 $74,815,144,164
2015 $13,530,748,845 $70,120,446,897
2014 $15,470,088,501 $68,285,796,514
2013 $14,271,738,933 $61,671,440,408
2012 $13,907,464,500 $56,396,704,672
2011 $15,110,643,612 $46,869,473,151
2010 $12,637,273,429 $45,405,615,064
2009 $10,118,459,242 $42,347,217,913
2008 $10,730,829,116 $35,895,153,328
2007 $10,567,270,656 $31,958,195,182
2006 $9,919,158,482 $25,825,512,284
2005 $9,918,907,108 $18,737,895,513
2004 $8,957,467,707 $16,095,337,094
2003 $7,511,582,173 $14,904,517,650
2002 $5,438,863,983 $13,147,736,899
2001 $5,489,608,300 $12,986,007,426
2000 $5,788,329,609 $12,705,350,098
1999 $5,484,263,347 $12,896,010,459
1998 $4,790,481,509 $14,093,998,844
1997 $5,020,265,627 $13,115,764,358
1996 $4,847,757,218 $12,045,865,396
1995 $4,730,599,122 $9,046,320,255
1994 $4,259,259,604 $7,148,148,564
1993 $4,160,129,175 $5,751,786,643
1992 $4,146,464,587 $8,209,120,763
1991 $3,942,876,703 $8,151,488,783
1990 $3,790,636,324 $8,572,359,038
1989 $3,083,822,112 $8,283,114,514
1988 $2,644,554,159 $8,355,380,879
1987 $1,965,226,890 $7,970,820,369
1986 $1,392,602,164 $7,239,126,568
1985 $1,114,783,343 $6,135,034,214
1984 $1,240,822,167 $6,191,437,070
1983 $1,172,230,397 $5,979,198,314
1982 $1,014,945,696 $6,431,579,357
1981 $1,073,812,830 $6,854,491,706
1980 $1,060,889,704 $7,265,315,820
1979 $819,870,259 $6,234,391,113
1978 $590,407,374 $5,303,735,111
1977 $451,624,780 $4,494,378,764
1976 $372,025,093 $3,474,542,392
1975 $355,168,572 $3,259,345,083
1974 $306,044,208 $2,969,958,812
1973 $244,124,164 $2,509,001,324
1972 $164,460,915 $2,107,279,157
1971 $127,448,614 $1,778,391,289
1970 $96,243,234 $1,603,447,359
1969 $77,361,547 $1,458,379,417
1968 $66,248,441 $1,353,295,459
1967 $58,642,354 $1,232,559,507
1966 $51,465,655 $1,164,519,674
1965 $45,788,696 $997,919,321
1964 $41,616,348 $998,759,334
1963 $38,091,843 $926,589,349
1962 $35,644,957 $868,111,401
1961 $32,902,613 $792,959,473
1960 $30,411,414 $791,265,459

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Kenya by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Kenya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $2,363 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $2,133 $6,644
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $1,943 $6,317
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $2,110 $5,883
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $2,061 $5,339
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $1,928 $4,793
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $1,960 $4,687
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $1,836 $4,412
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $1,667 $4,177
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $1,554 $3,917
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $1,489 $3,678
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $1,483 $3,359
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $1,371 $3,106
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $1,285 $2,847
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $1,096 $2,750
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $1,092 $2,635
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $1,048 $2,480
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $916 $2,459
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $840 $2,481
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $700 $2,330
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $523 $2,189
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $464 $2,066
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $443 $1,975
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $403 $1,940
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $411 $1,961
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $415 $1,907
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $434 $1,910
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $488 $1,895
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $467 $1,865
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $441 $1,875
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $340 $1,818
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $276.4 $1,754
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $229 $1,723
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $337 $1,728
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $345 $1,756
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $374 $1,729
1989 $2,428 - $374 -
1988 $2,141 - $391 -
1987 $1,639 - $387 -
1986 $1,200 - $364 -
1985 $994 - $320 -
1984 $1,145 - $334 -
1983 $1,121 - $335 -
1982 $1,006 - $374 -
1981 $1,107 - $413 -
1980 $1,132 - $454 -
1979 $909 - $403 -
1978 $695 - $355 -
1977 $565 - $311 -
1976 $490 - $248.9 -
1975 $493 - $241.2 -
1974 $446 - $227.2 -
1973 $374 - $198.6 -
1972 $264.2 - $172.6 -
1971 $212.2 - $150.9 -
1970 $163 - $141 -
1969 $131.8 - $133.3 -
1968 $113.4 - $128.7 -
1967 $100.9 - $121.9 -
1966 $89.1 - $119.8 -
1965 $79.7 - $106.9 -
1964 $73.5 - $111.3 -
1963 $68.9 - $107.4 -
1962 $66 - $104.6 -
1961 $62.3 - $99.3 -
1960 $58.9 - $102.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $2,363 in Kenya, ranking 154/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644.

Economic indicators

Botswana Kenya
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$136B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
62/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
4.63%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$2,363
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
154/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$6,644
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
149/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$94.3B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
69.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$1,638
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
126/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$2,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
$22.8B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
30.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
4.07%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
8.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
5.44%
2022
Population
2624853
59218766

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Kenya
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Kenya
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 24% 69.3%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 23.2% 67.3%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 22.6% 73.4%
2022 29.1% 21% 23.1% 67.8%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 24% 68.2%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 24.8% 68%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 24.4% 59.1%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 24.5% 56.4%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 25.2% 53.9%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 25.3% 50.4%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 23.8% 45.8%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 23.4% 41.3%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 23.2% 39.8%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 22.1% 37.6%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 20.1% 35.7%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 21.5% 36.7%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 20.3% 36%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 18.9% 34.3%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 18.1% 34.2%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 17.3% 37.1%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 16.2% 37.4%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 15.4% 40.8%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 16% 43.8%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 15.7% 42%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 14.9% 41.3%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 14.1% 43.1%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 13.7% 38.4%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 15.3% 38.5%
1997 39% - 15.6% 36%
1996 36.1% - 15.2% 40.5%
1995 36.1% - 17.3% 52.1%
1994 37.6% - 18.8% 57%
1993 42% - 18.9% 61.6%
1992 42.3% - 17.6% 41.2%
1991 41.1% - 16.4% 43%
1990 38.9% - 17.2% 37.6%
1989 - - 16.3% 33.4%
1988 - - 15.9% 33.9%
1987 - - 15.5% 36.3%
1986 - - 15.3% 31.3%
1985 - - 15.6% 28.8%
1984 - - 14.9% 25.6%
1983 - - 14.6% 26.1%
1982 - - 16.2% 26.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Kenya spent $32.6B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 69.3% in Kenya, ranking 137/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Kenya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Kenya
2025 -7.42% -6.41%
2024 -7.26% -5.74%
2023 -4.16% -5.61%
2022 0.04% -6.01%
2021 -2.33% -7.2%
2020 -10.9% -8.13%
2019 -8.53% -7.4%
2018 -5.03% -6.91%
2017 -1.14% -7.37%
2016 0.71% -7.45%
2015 -4.82% -6.68%
2014 3.9% -5.75%
2013 5.84% -5.25%
2012 0.89% -5.29%
2011 -0.12% -3.64%
2010 -7.95% -3.67%
2009 -13.8% -3.12%
2008 -7.61% -1.95%
2007 5.73% -0.95%
2006 13.3% -0.43%
2005 10.3% -0.19%
2004 1.35% 0.5%
2003 -0.18% -0.73%
2002 -3.94% -1.29%
2001 -2.91% -0.53%
2000 8.73% 0.38%
1999 5.95% 0.84%
1998 - -0.03%
1997 - -0.91%
1996 - -0.49%
1995 - -0.23%
1994 - -4.14%
1993 - -8.57%
1992 - -8.28%
1991 - -6.56%
1990 - -3.28%
1989 - -2.39%
1988 - -1.97%
1987 - -2.27%
1986 - -2.98%
1985 - -3.05%
1984 - -2.55%
1983 - -2.17%
1982 - -3.07%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/kenya | 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 Kenya's deficit of $8.72B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Kenya ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.93% of GDP for Kenya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Kenya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Kenya
2025 2.66% 4.07%
2024 2.82% 4.49%
2023 5.07% 7.67%
2022 11.7% 7.66%
2021 7.24% 6.11%
2020 1.89% 5.41%
2019 2.77% 5.24%
2018 3.24% 4.69%
2017 3.31% 8.01%
2016 2.81% 6.3%
2015 3.06% 6.58%
2014 4.4% 6.88%
2013 5.88% 5.72%
2012 7.54% 9.38%
2011 8.46% 14%
2010 6.95% 3.96%
2009 8.03% 9.23%
2008 12.7% 26.2%
2007 7.08% 9.76%
2006 11.6% 14.5%
2005 8.61% 10.3%
2004 6.95% 11.6%
2003 9.19% 9.82%
2002 8.03% 1.96%
2001 6.56% 5.74%
2000 8.6% 9.98%
1999 7.75% 5.74%
1998 6.66% 6.72%
1997 8.72% 11.4%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 8.25% in Kenya. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 4.07% in Kenya.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $186K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $184K
Textiles & consumer goods $20K
Wood & paper products $19K
Metals $18K
Chemicals & pharma $17K
Raw materials & minerals $16K
Miscellaneous $15K
Kenya
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $493K
Machinery & equipment $268K
Textiles & consumer goods $161K
Raw agricultural goods $35K
Metals $16K
Raw materials & minerals $12K
Animal & marine products $4K
Wood & paper products $4K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K

Balance of trade

Botswana Kenya
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$1.55B
2024
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
130/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-1.29%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$22.2B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$12.5B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$5.64B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$8.04B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
21.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
15.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Kenya
Economic freedom 67.7 55.5
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 128/197
Property rights 71.7 40.2
Government integrity 59.6 32.7
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 47
Tax burden 87.1 76.3
Government spending 69.8 84.1
Fiscal health 72.4 36.2
Business freedom 61.5 61.5
Labor freedom 60.7 56.5
Monetary freedom 72 75.1
Trade freedom 77 52
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Kenya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Kenya
2026 67.7 55.5
2025 69.9 54.8
2024 68 53.6
2023 64.9 52.5
2022 64.8 52.6
2021 67.6 54.9
2020 69.6 55.3
2019 69.5 55.1
2018 69.9 54.7
2017 70.1 53.5
2016 71.1 57.5
2015 69.8 55.6
2014 72 57.1
2013 70.6 55.9
2012 69.6 57.5
2011 68.8 57.4
2010 70.3 57.5
2009 69.7 58.7
2008 68.2 59.3
2007 68.1 59.6
2006 68.8 59.7
2005 69.3 57.9
2004 69.9 57.7
2003 68.6 58.6
2002 66.2 58.2
2001 66.8 57.6
2000 65.8 59.7
1999 62.9 58.2
1998 62.8 58.4
1997 59.1 60.1
1996 61.6 56.4
1995 56.8 54.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 55.5 for Kenya, ranking 128/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Kenya
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
55.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
16.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
23.2%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$127B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$6,910
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$12.4B
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
76/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$45.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$463M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$418M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
4.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
39.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
17%
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/kenya | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.