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Economy of Botswana vs Madagascar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $19.6B for Madagascar, ranking 135/197 and 136/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $9.56B (48.7% of GDP) in Madagascar.

Botswana vs Madagascar GDP by year

Botswana
Madagascar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Madagascar
2025 $19,928,479,839 $19,620,352,036
2024 $19,286,251,068 $17,592,832,696
2023 $19,413,614,555 $16,036,707,976
2022 $20,321,150,599 $15,342,178,598
2021 $18,750,182,236 $14,354,731,964
2020 $14,960,251,608 $13,051,441,204
2019 $16,725,908,149 $14,104,664,679
2018 $17,031,943,186 $13,760,033,282
2017 $16,105,155,857 $13,176,313,594
2016 $15,082,637,184 $11,848,613,858
2015 $13,530,748,845 $11,323,020,701
2014 $15,470,088,501 $12,522,957,399
2013 $14,271,738,933 $12,423,555,455
2012 $13,907,464,500 $11,578,975,062
2011 $15,110,643,612 $11,551,819,618
2010 $12,637,273,429 $9,982,711,338
2009 $10,118,459,242 $9,616,879,409
2008 $10,730,829,116 $10,725,137,724
2007 $10,567,270,656 $8,524,620,890
2006 $9,919,158,482 $6,395,712,491
2005 $9,918,907,108 $5,859,269,753
2004 $8,957,467,707 $5,064,732,626
2003 $7,511,582,173 $6,372,498,890
2002 $5,438,863,983 $5,351,701,663
2001 $5,489,608,300 $5,438,332,602
2000 $5,788,329,609 $4,629,247,204
1999 $5,484,263,347 $4,277,903,780
1998 $4,790,481,509 $4,401,967,633
1997 $5,020,265,627 $4,262,965,420
1996 $4,847,757,218 $4,931,861,039
1995 $4,730,599,122 $3,838,100,904
1994 $4,259,259,604 $3,522,227,092
1993 $4,160,129,175 $4,063,298,919
1992 $4,146,464,587 $3,714,966,678
1991 $3,942,876,703 $3,254,713,056
1990 $3,790,636,324 $3,931,334,875
1989 $3,083,822,112 $3,175,638,333
1988 $2,644,554,159 $3,189,456,965
1987 $1,965,226,890 $3,212,900,556
1986 $1,392,602,164 $4,347,989,788
1985 $1,114,783,343 $3,802,557,895
1984 $1,240,822,167 $3,905,938,481
1983 $1,172,230,397 $4,686,457,031
1982 $1,014,945,696 $4,784,977,326
1981 $1,073,812,830 $4,759,333,998
1980 $1,060,889,704 $5,201,818,348
1979 $819,870,259 $3,463,565,854
1978 $590,407,374 $2,669,755,115
1977 $451,624,780 $2,358,930,406
1976 $372,025,093 $2,181,844,179
1975 $355,168,572 $2,283,049,215
1974 $306,044,208 $1,917,508,190
1973 $244,124,164 $1,653,062,335
1972 $164,460,915 $1,341,590,690
1971 $127,448,614 $1,199,507,631
1970 $96,243,234 $1,111,859,571
1969 $77,361,547 $1,056,391,056
1968 $66,248,441 $1,031,669,637
1967 $58,642,354 $956,436,932
1966 $51,465,655 $900,264,585
1965 $45,788,696 $833,563,473
1964 $41,616,348 $802,482,184
1963 $38,091,843 $759,345,864
1962 $35,644,957 $739,286,908
1961 $32,902,613 $699,161,945
1960 $30,411,414 $673,081,725

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Madagascar by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Madagascar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Madagascar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $599 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $550 $1,884
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $514 $1,808
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $504 $1,717
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $483 $1,577
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $451 $1,490
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $500 $1,612
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $500 $1,547
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $492 $1,547
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $454 $1,562
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $445 $1,497
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $506 $1,499
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $515 $1,473
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $494 $1,464
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $506 $1,475
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $450 $1,464
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $446 $1,480
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $513 $1,577
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $420 $1,493
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $324 $1,416
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $306 $1,343
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $272.2 $1,280
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $353 $1,219
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $305 $1,121
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $319 $1,299
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $280.3 $1,236
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $267.4 $1,194
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $284.2 $1,162
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $284.4 $1,142
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $340 $1,119
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $273.1 $1,111
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $258.7 $1,104
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $308 $1,116
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $290.2 $1,101
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $262 $1,096
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $326 $1,166
1989 $2,428 - $271.3 -
1988 $2,141 - $280.5 -
1987 $1,639 - $290.8 -
1986 $1,200 - $405 -
1985 $994 - $364 -
1984 $1,145 - $385 -
1983 $1,121 - $476 -
1982 $1,006 - $501 -
1981 $1,107 - $513 -
1980 $1,132 - $578 -
1979 $909 - $396 -
1978 $695 - $315 -
1977 $565 - $286.9 -
1976 $490 - $273.5 -
1975 $493 - $295 -
1974 $446 - $255.3 -
1973 $374 - $226.8 -
1972 $264.2 - $189.6 -
1971 $212.2 - $174.6 -
1970 $163 - $166.6 -
1969 $131.8 - $162.9 -
1968 $113.4 - $163.6 -
1967 $100.9 - $155.9 -
1966 $89.1 - $150.7 -
1965 $79.7 - $143.2 -
1964 $73.5 - $141.5 -
1963 $68.9 - $137.4 -
1962 $66 - $137.3 -
1961 $62.3 - $133.3 -
1960 $58.9 - $131.7 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $599 in Madagascar, ranking 194/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Madagascar ranks 187th at $1,884.

Economic indicators

Botswana Madagascar
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$19.6B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
136/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
3%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$599
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
194/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$1,884
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
187/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$9.56B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
48.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$292
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
179/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$1,285
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
13.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
8.05%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
3.19%
2022
Population
2624853
33936132

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Madagascar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Madagascar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 13.5% 48.7%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 16.1% 49.8%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 17.7% 52.1%
2022 29.1% 21% 16.2% 49.8%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 13.9% 49.4%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 16.4% 52.9%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 15.4% 41.3%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 14.4% 42.9%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 14.9% 40.1%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 13.5% 40.3%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 13% 44.1%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 12.6% 37.8%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 12.7% 36.2%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 11.5% 30.4%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 12% 29.9%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 12.3% 32.3%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 12.5% 34.9%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 15.7% 31%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 16.1% 28.2%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 18.5% 32.2%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 18.4% 74.4%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 21.7% 81.9%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 16.6% 85.9%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 12.4% 86.7%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 15.3% 82.1%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 15.3% 90.2%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 15.5% 104.1%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 16.9% 108.5%
1997 39% - 14.5% 89.7%
1996 36.1% - 14.4% 98.7%
1995 36.1% - 14.5% 95.8%
1994 37.6% - 16.7% 96%
1993 42% - 17.1% 105.2%
1992 42.3% - 16.2% 110.9%
1991 41.1% - 13.5% 113.8%
1990 38.9% - 13.3% 92.7%
1989 - - 15.5% 122%
1988 - - 11.4% 126.6%
1987 - - 10.4% 127.5%
1986 - - 11.1% 84.9%
1985 - - 11.8% 82.7%
1984 - - 13.9% 70.9%
1983 - - 13.4% 57.5%
1982 - - 14.3% 56.1%
1981 - - 18.2% 51.5%
1980 - - 22.7% 37.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Madagascar spent $2.65B, or 13.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 48.7% in Madagascar, ranking 137/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Madagascar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Madagascar
2025 -7.42% -2.21%
2024 -7.26% -2.49%
2023 -4.16% -4.15%
2022 0.04% -5.45%
2021 -2.33% -2.83%
2020 -10.9% -3.96%
2019 -8.53% -1.42%
2018 -5.03% -1.34%
2017 -1.14% -2.1%
2016 0.71% -1.11%
2015 -4.82% -2.85%
2014 3.9% -1.96%
2013 5.84% -3.4%
2012 0.89% -2.24%
2011 -0.12% -2.04%
2010 -7.95% -0.76%
2009 -13.8% -2.26%
2008 -7.61% -1.72%
2007 5.73% -2.31%
2006 13.3% -5.71%
2005 10.3% -2.47%
2004 1.35% -4.23%
2003 -0.18% -3.32%
2002 -3.94% -4.09%
2001 -2.91% -3.61%
2000 8.73% -2.35%
1999 5.95% -2.42%
1998 - -5.31%
1997 - -2%
1996 - -3.97%
1995 - -5.09%
1994 - -7.23%
1993 - -6.34%
1992 - -5%
1991 - -4.4%
1990 - -0.49%
1989 - -3.35%
1988 - -0.57%
1987 - -2.12%
1986 - -2.24%
1985 - -2.39%
1984 - -6.09%
1983 - -6.04%
1982 - -6.97%
1981 - -9.97%
1980 - -11%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/madagascar | 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 Madagascar's deficit of $433M, or 2.21% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Madagascar ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.77% of GDP for Madagascar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Madagascar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Madagascar
2025 2.66% 8.05%
2024 2.82% 7.61%
2023 5.07% 9.87%
2022 11.7% 8.16%
2021 7.24% 5.81%
2020 1.89% 4.2%
2019 2.77% 5.61%
2018 3.24% 8.59%
2017 3.31% 8.61%
2016 2.81% 6.04%
2015 3.06% 7.4%
2014 4.4% 6.08%
2013 5.88% 5.83%
2012 7.54% 5.71%
2011 8.46% 9.48%
2010 6.95% 9.25%
2009 8.03% 8.95%
2008 12.7% 9.3%
2007 7.08% 10.3%
2006 11.6% 10.8%
2005 8.61% 18.4%
2004 6.95% 14%
2003 9.19% -1.7%
2002 8.03% 16.5%
2001 6.56% 7.92%
2000 8.6% 11.9%
1999 7.75% 9.93%
1998 6.66% 6.21%
1997 8.72% 4.49%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 8.38% in Madagascar. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 8.05% in Madagascar.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $12K
Miscellaneous $1K
Madagascar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $10K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Botswana Madagascar
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$749M
2024
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
110/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-4.26%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$4.16B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$1.53B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
32.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
21.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Madagascar
Economic freedom 67.7 57
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 119/197
Property rights 71.7 39.8
Government integrity 59.6 26.8
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 33.7
Tax burden 87.1 90.5
Government spending 69.8 91.5
Fiscal health 72.4 68.8
Business freedom 61.5 37.3
Labor freedom 60.7 56.1
Monetary freedom 72 71.8
Trade freedom 77 67.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Madagascar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Madagascar
2026 67.7 57
2025 69.9 57
2024 68 57.3
2023 64.9 58.9
2022 64.8 58.9
2021 67.6 57.7
2020 69.6 60.5
2019 69.5 56.6
2018 69.9 56.8
2017 70.1 57.4
2016 71.1 61.1
2015 69.8 61.7
2014 72 61.7
2013 70.6 62
2012 69.6 62.4
2011 68.8 61.2
2010 70.3 63.2
2009 69.7 62.2
2008 68.2 62.4
2007 68.1 61.1
2006 68.8 61
2005 69.3 63.1
2004 69.9 60.9
2003 68.6 62.8
2002 66.2 56.8
2001 66.8 53.9
2000 65.8 54.4
1999 62.9 52.8
1998 62.8 51.8
1997 59.1 53.8
1996 61.6 52.2
1995 56.8 51.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 57 for Madagascar, ranking 119/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Madagascar
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
48.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
23.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
21.7%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$18.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$1,910
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$2.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
122/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$472M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$606M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$134M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
1.71%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
75.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
24.1%
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/madagascar | CC BY

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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 (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, 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.