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Economy of Botswana vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 133/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Botswana vs Lebanon GDP by year

Botswana
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Lebanon
2024 $19,402,063,513 -
2023 $19,411,266,967 $20,078,620,357
2022 $20,321,150,599 $20,992,421,949
2021 $18,750,182,236 $23,131,941,557
2020 $14,960,251,608 $31,712,128,254
2019 $16,725,908,149 $51,605,959,131
2018 $17,031,943,186 $54,901,519,156
2017 $16,105,155,857 $53,027,680,686
2016 $15,082,637,184 $51,147,308,774
2015 $13,530,748,845 $49,929,337,837
2014 $15,470,088,501 $48,095,213,747
2013 $14,271,738,933 $46,880,103,081
2012 $13,907,464,500 $44,016,799,516
2011 $15,110,643,612 $39,927,125,962
2010 $12,637,273,429 $38,443,907,042
2009 $10,118,459,242 $35,399,582,929
2008 $10,730,829,116 $29,118,916,105
2007 $10,567,270,656 $24,827,355,015
2006 $9,919,158,482 $22,022,709,851
2005 $9,918,907,108 $21,497,336,499
2004 $8,957,467,707 $21,159,827,992
2003 $7,511,582,173 $20,082,918,740
2002 $5,438,863,983 $19,152,238,806
2001 $5,489,608,300 $17,649,751,244
2000 $5,788,329,609 $17,260,364,842
1999 $5,484,263,347 $17,391,056,369
1998 $4,790,481,509 $17,247,179,006
1997 $5,020,265,627 $15,751,867,489
1996 $4,847,757,218 $13,690,217,334
1995 $4,730,599,122 $11,718,795,529
1994 $4,259,259,604 $9,599,127,050
1993 $4,160,129,175 $7,941,744,492
1992 $4,146,464,587 $5,843,579,161
1991 $3,942,876,703 $4,690,415,093
1990 $3,790,636,324 $2,838,485,354
1989 $3,083,822,112 $2,717,998,688
1988 $2,644,554,159 $3,313,540,068
1987 $1,965,226,890 -
1986 $1,392,602,164 -
1985 $1,114,783,343 -
1984 $1,240,822,167 -
1983 $1,172,230,397 -
1982 $1,014,945,696 -
1981 $1,073,812,830 -
1980 $1,060,889,704 -
1979 $819,870,259 -
1978 $590,407,374 -
1977 $451,624,780 -
1976 $372,025,093 -
1975 $355,168,572 -
1974 $306,044,208 -
1973 $244,124,164 -
1972 $164,460,915 -
1971 $127,448,614 -
1970 $96,243,234 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Lebanon by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 - -
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $790 $2,990
1989 $2,428 - $771 -
1988 $2,141 - $959 -
1987 $1,639 - - -
1986 $1,200 - - -
1985 $994 - - -
1984 $1,145 - - -
1983 $1,121 - - -
1982 $1,006 - - -
1981 $1,107 - - -
1980 $1,132 - - -
1979 $909 - - -
1978 $695 - - -
1977 $565 - - -
1976 $490 - - -
1975 $493 - - -
1974 $446 - - -
1973 $374 - - -
1972 $264.2 - - -
1971 $212.2 - - -
1970 $163 - - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Botswana Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
133/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
11.3%
2019
Population
2615162
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 33% 23.4% 10.9% 358%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 35% 19.8% 30.6% 150%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 48% 7.77% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 35% 7.74% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 42% 11.3% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 44% 7.29% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 46% 8.55% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 44.3% 12% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 40% - 40.5% 100.2%
1996 37.2% - 43.6% 101.2%
1995 38.1% - 31.1% 79.6%
1994 39.2% - 47.3% 71.5%
1993 44.2% - 23% 50.5%
1992 43.4% - 36.1% 51.7%
1991 42.3% - 35.6% 67.1%
1990 40.5% - 40% 99.7%

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

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 158/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Lebanon
2024 -7.82% -0.19%
2023 -4.25% -1.7%
2022 -0.006% -7.77%
2021 -2.46% -2.67%
2020 -11.5% -7.37%
2019 -8.43% -10.5%
2018 -5.07% -11.3%
2017 -1.16% -8.65%
2016 0.72% -8.88%
2015 -5.06% -7.48%
2014 3.88% -6.22%
2013 6.07% -8.82%
2012 0.92% -8.43%
2011 -0.12% -5.94%
2010 -8.36% -7.47%
2009 -14.4% -8.1%
2008 -7.59% -9.86%
2007 5.92% -10.9%
2006 13.7% -10.6%
2005 10.7% -8.57%
2004 1.42% -9.83%
2003 -0.18% -14%
2002 -4.02% -16.2%
2001 -2.96% -21%
2000 8.95% -23.9%
1999 6.18% -16.7%
1998 - -17.3%
1997 - -24.5%
1996 - -25.7%
1995 - -13.6%
1994 - -29.1%
1993 - -7.19%
1992 - -24%
1991 - -19.5%
1990 - -30.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Botswana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $825M, equivalent to 4.25% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.68% of GDP, compared to deficit of 10.1% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Lebanon
2024 2.82% 45.2%
2023 5.07% 221.3%
2022 11.7% 171.2%
2021 7.24% 154.8%
2020 1.89% 84.9%
2019 2.77% 2.9%
2018 3.24% 6.1%
2017 3.31% 4.5%
2016 2.81% -0.8%
2015 3.06% -3.8%
2014 4.4% 1.1%
2013 5.88% 5.6%
2012 7.54% 6.6%
2011 8.46% 5%
2010 6.95% 4%
2009 8.03% 1.2%
2008 12.7% 10.7%
2007 7.08% 4.1%
2006 11.6% 4.1%
2005 8.61% -1.4%
2004 6.95% 1.7%
2003 9.19% 1.3%
2002 8.03% 1.8%
2001 6.56% -0.4%
2000 8.6% -0.4%
1999 7.75% 0.2%
1998 6.66% 4.5%
1997 8.72% 7.7%

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/lebanon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $18K

Balance of trade

Botswana Lebanon
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$935M
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
30.6%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Lebanon
Economic freedom 67.7 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 183/197
Property rights 71.7 21.8
Government integrity 59.6 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 23.8
Tax burden 87.1 90.3
Government spending 69.8 93.3
Fiscal health 72.4 63.4
Business freedom 61.5 47.6
Labor freedom 60.7 48.4
Monetary freedom 72 0
Trade freedom 77 65.6
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Lebanon
2026 67.7 43.1
2025 69.9 44.1
2024 68 48.3
2023 64.9 45.6
2022 64.8 47.3
2021 67.6 51.4
2020 69.6 51.7
2019 69.5 51.1
2018 69.9 53.2
2017 70.1 53.3
2016 71.1 59.5
2015 69.8 59.3
2014 72 59.4
2013 70.6 59.5
2012 69.6 60.1
2011 68.8 60.1
2010 70.3 59.5
2009 69.7 58.1
2008 68.2 60
2007 68.1 60.4
2006 68.8 57.5
2005 69.3 57.2
2004 69.9 56.9
2003 68.6 56.7
2002 66.2 57.1
2001 66.8 61
2000 65.8 56.1
1999 62.9 59.1
1998 62.8 59
1997 59.1 63.9
1996 61.6 63.2
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 43.1 for Lebanon, ranking 183/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
1.9%
2023

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/lebanon | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.