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Economy of Botswana vs Libya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $48.5B for Libya, ranking 133/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana vs Libya GDP by year

Botswana
Libya
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Libya
2024 $19,402,063,513 $48,487,151,215
2023 $19,411,266,967 $44,027,664,915
2022 $20,321,150,599 $43,246,297,922
2021 $18,750,182,236 $35,217,995,647
2020 $14,960,251,608 $46,854,285,441
2019 $16,725,908,149 $69,254,496,472
2018 $17,031,943,186 $76,686,029,772
2017 $16,105,155,857 $67,157,452,182
2016 $15,082,637,184 $49,912,073,701
2015 $13,530,748,845 $48,717,501,321
2014 $15,470,088,501 $57,372,355,592
2013 $14,271,738,933 $75,351,107,029
2012 $13,907,464,500 $92,540,938,129
2011 $15,110,643,612 $48,169,263,294
2010 $12,637,273,429 $75,380,825,062
2009 $10,118,459,242 $60,808,562,033
2008 $10,730,829,116 $86,710,767,415
2007 $10,567,270,656 $68,032,978,391
2006 $9,919,158,482 $60,094,231,607
2005 $9,918,907,108 $47,334,691,241
2004 $8,957,467,707 $33,122,307,692
2003 $7,511,582,173 $26,265,625,000
2002 $5,438,863,983 $20,481,889,764
2001 $5,489,608,300 $34,112,093,927
2000 $5,788,329,609 $38,270,954,138
1999 $5,484,263,347 $35,975,860,857
1998 $4,790,481,509 $27,251,301,398
1997 $5,020,265,627 $30,700,897,875
1996 $4,847,757,218 $27,884,615,385
1995 $4,730,599,122 $25,541,379,187
1994 $4,259,259,604 $28,610,549,763
1993 $4,160,129,175 $30,660,051,911
1992 $4,146,464,587 $33,887,047,909
1991 $3,942,876,703 $31,991,821,265
1990 $3,790,636,324 $28,904,183,602
1989 $3,083,822,112 $25,156,707,899
1988 $2,644,554,159 $24,308,959,591
1987 $1,965,226,890 $26,697,659,335
1986 $1,392,602,164 $24,180,400,959
1985 $1,114,783,343 $31,530,566,324
1984 $1,240,822,167 $29,476,109,153
1983 $1,172,230,397 $33,200,520,140
1982 $1,014,945,696 $33,760,146,991
1981 $1,073,812,830 $36,374,353,880
1980 $1,060,889,704 $40,953,924,949
1979 $819,870,259 $30,536,429,497
1978 $590,407,374 $22,136,422,643
1977 $451,624,780 $22,428,297,108
1976 $372,025,093 $19,096,943,017
1975 $355,168,572 $14,710,912,458
1974 $306,044,208 $15,112,543,717
1973 $244,124,164 $8,625,889,430
1972 $164,460,915 $6,299,395,544
1971 $127,448,614 $5,260,185,125
1970 $96,243,234 $4,601,649,451
1969 $77,361,547 $4,380,987,481
1968 $66,248,441 $3,850,623,095
1967 $58,642,354 $2,726,986,913
1966 $51,465,655 $2,312,438,536
1965 $45,788,696 $1,804,979,680
1964 $41,616,348 $1,341,395,421
1963 $38,091,843 $892,327,911
1962 $35,644,957 $619,725,785
1961 $32,902,613 $443,905,612
1960 $30,411,414 $401,644,249

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Libya by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Libya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $6,569 $14,304
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $6,027 $13,847
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $5,987 $12,266
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $4,936 $12,642
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $6,650 $10,955
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $9,963 $16,194
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $11,197 $18,879
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $9,966 $18,026
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $7,526 $16,961
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $7,458 $17,903
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $8,926 $17,510
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $11,952 $21,151
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $14,976 $26,826
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $7,594 $15,698
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $11,601 $30,234
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $9,551 $29,027
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $13,906 $30,812
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $11,145 $30,929
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $10,049 $28,936
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $8,079 $26,903
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $5,774 $23,813
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $4,674 $22,663
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $3,718 $20,061
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $6,313 $20,332
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $7,214 $20,617
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $6,895 $19,769
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $5,301 $19,639
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $6,062 $20,439
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $5,591 $19,392
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $5,205 $18,952
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $5,933 $19,318
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $6,478 $18,904
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $7,303 $19,572
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $7,040 $20,085
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $6,502 $17,173
1989 $2,428 - $5,793 -
1988 $2,141 - $5,736 -
1987 $1,639 - $6,465 -
1986 $1,200 - $6,019 -
1985 $994 - $8,087 -
1984 $1,145 - $7,811 -
1983 $1,121 - $8,927 -
1982 $1,006 - $9,064 -
1981 $1,107 - $10,044 -
1980 $1,132 - $11,960 -
1979 $909 - $9,443 -
1978 $695 - $7,252 -
1977 $565 - $7,783 -
1976 $490 - $7,018 -
1975 $493 - $5,721 -
1974 $446 - $6,214 -
1973 $374 - $3,727 -
1972 $264.2 - $2,830 -
1971 $212.2 - $2,443 -
1970 $163 - $2,210 -
1969 $131.8 - $2,175 -
1968 $113.4 - $1,972 -
1967 $100.9 - $1,437 -
1966 $89.1 - $1,251 -
1965 $79.7 - $1,001 -
1964 $73.5 - $765 -
1963 $68.9 - $528 -
1962 $66 - $382 -
1961 $62.3 - $285.3 -
1960 $58.9 - $269 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $6,569 in Libya, ranking 107/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Libya ranks 118th at $14,304.

Economic indicators

Botswana Libya
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$48.5B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
95/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
1.9%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$6,569
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
107/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$14,304
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
118/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
n/a
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
n/a
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
n/a
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
n/a
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$3,172
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
94.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
2.13%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
30%
2004
Population
2615162
7559873

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Libya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Libya
2024 -7.82% -25.1%
2023 -4.25% 8.22%
2022 -0.006% 23.6%
2021 -2.46% 14.8%
2020 -11.5% -22.3%
2019 -8.43% 11.9%
2018 -5.07% 9.39%
2017 -1.16% -11.1%
2016 0.72% -29.3%
2015 -5.06% -28.5%
2014 3.88% -30.5%
2013 6.07% -16.3%
2012 0.92% 24.6%
2011 -0.12% -11.5%
2010 -8.36% 11.5%
2009 -14.4% -5.46%
2008 -7.59% 27.7%
2007 5.92% 28.4%
2006 13.7% 29.1%
2005 10.7% 30.4%
2004 1.42% 11.3%
2003 -0.18% 6.17%
2002 -4.02% 6.99%
2001 -2.96% 0.07%
2000 8.95% 13.6%
1999 6.18% 5.69%
1998 - -2.36%
1997 - -2.1%
1996 - 11.3%
1995 - 3.8%
1994 - -2.67%
1993 - -5.77%
1992 - 0.11%
1991 - 8.41%
1990 - 3.36%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/libya | 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 Libya's deficit of $12.1B, or 25.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Libya ran a deficit in 9 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.21% of GDP for Libya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Libya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Libya
2024 2.82% 2.13%
2023 5.07% 2.37%
2022 11.7% 4.51%
2021 7.24% 2.87%
2020 1.89% 1.45%
2019 2.77% -2.16%
2018 3.24% 13.2%
2017 3.31% 25.8%
2016 2.81% 25.9%
2015 3.06% 10.4%
2014 4.4% 2.43%
2013 5.88% 2.61%
2012 7.54% 6.06%
2011 8.46% 15.5%
2010 6.95% 2.8%
2009 8.03% 2.46%
2008 12.7% 10.4%
2007 7.08% 6.25%
2006 11.6% 1.46%
2005 8.61% 2.65%
2004 6.95% -2.2%
2003 9.19% -2.19%
2002 8.03% -9.8%
2001 6.56% -8.81%
2000 8.6% -2.9%
1999 7.75% 2.65%
1998 6.66% 3.71%
1997 8.72% 3.55%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 4.39% in Libya. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 2.13% in Libya.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $40K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Libya
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana Libya
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$1.86B
2023
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
46/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+4.24%
2023
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$23.2B
2023
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$37.1B
2023
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$10.1B
2023
Service exports
$935M
2024
$642M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
56.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Libya
Economic freedom 67.7 35.9
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 189/197
Property rights 71.7 6.3
Government integrity 59.6 10.3
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 4.9
Tax burden 87.1 95
Government spending 69.8 0
Fiscal health 72.4 19.9
Business freedom 61.5 32.4
Labor freedom 60.7 48.2
Monetary freedom 72 75.2
Trade freedom 77 80
Investment freedom 50 5
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Libya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Libya
2026 67.7 -
2025 69.9 -
2024 68 -
2023 64.9 -
2022 64.8 -
2021 67.6 -
2020 69.6 -
2019 69.5 -
2018 69.9 -
2017 70.1 -
2016 71.1 -
2015 69.8 -
2014 72 -
2013 70.6 -
2012 69.6 35.9
2011 68.8 38.6
2010 70.3 40.2
2009 69.7 43.5
2008 68.2 38.7
2007 68.1 37
2006 68.8 33.2
2005 69.3 32.8
2004 69.9 31.5
2003 68.6 34.6
2002 66.2 35.4
2001 66.8 34
2000 65.8 34.7
1999 62.9 32.3
1998 62.8 32
1997 59.1 28.9
1996 61.6 31.7
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 35.9 for Libya, ranking 189/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Libya
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
28.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
73.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
2.39%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$50.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$15,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$92.9B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
29/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$795M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
-$56.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
7.4%
2005
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
14.3%
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/libya | 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2004–2005, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022, 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.