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Economy of Botswana vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $422B for Malaysia, ranking 133/197 and 38/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $296B (70.1% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Botswana vs Malaysia GDP by year

Botswana
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Malaysia
2024 $19,402,063,513 $422,227,005,429
2023 $19,411,266,967 $399,949,418,753
2022 $20,321,150,599 $407,830,525,990
2021 $18,750,182,236 $373,784,553,030
2020 $14,960,251,608 $337,456,163,961
2019 $16,725,908,149 $365,177,721,022
2018 $17,031,943,186 $358,788,845,713
2017 $16,105,155,857 $319,109,094,160
2016 $15,082,637,184 $301,256,033,870
2015 $13,530,748,845 $301,355,266,965
2014 $15,470,088,501 $338,066,095,097
2013 $14,271,738,933 $323,276,235,524
2012 $13,907,464,500 $314,443,047,642
2011 $15,110,643,612 $297,951,668,675
2010 $12,637,273,429 $255,017,638,456
2009 $10,118,459,242 $202,257,453,037
2008 $10,730,829,116 $230,811,614,370
2007 $10,567,270,656 $193,549,569,478
2006 $9,919,158,482 $162,692,258,307
2005 $9,918,907,108 $143,534,405,819
2004 $8,957,467,707 $124,749,473,684
2003 $7,511,582,173 $110,202,368,421
2002 $5,438,863,983 $100,845,526,316
2001 $5,489,608,300 $92,783,947,368
2000 $5,788,329,609 $93,789,736,842
1999 $5,484,263,347 $79,148,421,053
1998 $4,790,481,509 $72,167,498,981
1997 $5,020,265,627 $100,005,323,302
1996 $4,847,757,218 $100,855,393,910
1995 $4,730,599,122 $88,705,342,903
1994 $4,259,259,604 $74,478,356,958
1993 $4,160,129,175 $66,894,966,969
1992 $4,146,464,587 $59,167,550,163
1991 $3,942,876,703 $49,143,148,094
1990 $3,790,636,324 $44,024,585,240
1989 $3,083,822,112 $38,847,965,293
1988 $2,644,554,159 $35,272,109,220
1987 $1,965,226,890 $32,181,210,158
1986 $1,392,602,164 $27,734,111,400
1985 $1,114,783,343 $31,199,633,353
1984 $1,240,822,167 $33,942,897,422
1983 $1,172,230,397 $30,347,442,111
1982 $1,014,945,696 $26,804,493,635
1981 $1,073,812,830 $25,004,285,792
1980 $1,060,889,704 $24,488,224,677
1979 $819,870,259 $21,213,264,962
1978 $590,407,374 $16,358,079,862
1977 $451,624,780 $13,139,488,633
1976 $372,025,093 $11,050,234,599
1975 $355,168,572 $9,298,800,799
1974 $306,044,208 $9,496,204,302
1973 $244,124,164 $7,662,902,678
1972 $164,460,915 $5,043,347,250
1971 $127,448,614 $4,244,395,956
1970 $96,243,234 $3,864,145,667
1969 $77,361,547 $3,664,552,041
1968 $66,248,441 $3,330,371,551
1967 $58,642,354 $3,188,924,677
1966 $51,465,655 $3,143,517,944
1965 $45,788,696 $2,956,337,669
1964 $41,616,348 $2,674,423,922
1963 $38,091,843 $2,510,110,348
1962 $35,644,957 $2,001,489,602
1961 $32,902,613 $1,901,856,123
1960 $30,411,414 $1,916,229,477

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Malaysia by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $2,428 - $2,244 -
1988 $2,141 - $2,100 -
1987 $1,639 - $1,977 -
1986 $1,200 - $1,760 -
1985 $994 - $2,046 -
1984 $1,145 - $2,300 -
1983 $1,121 - $2,124 -
1982 $1,006 - $1,938 -
1981 $1,107 - $1,866 -
1980 $1,132 - $1,886 -
1979 $909 - $1,680 -
1978 $695 - $1,327 -
1977 $565 - $1,092 -
1976 $490 - $940 -
1975 $493 - $811 -
1974 $446 - $848 -
1973 $374 - $701 -
1972 $264.2 - $472 -
1971 $212.2 - $407 -
1970 $163 - $380 -
1969 $131.8 - $368 -
1968 $113.4 - $342 -
1967 $100.9 - $335 -
1966 $89.1 - $339 -
1965 $79.7 - $326 -
1964 $73.5 - $303 -
1963 $68.9 - $291.8 -
1962 $66 - $238.8 -
1961 $62.3 - $232.9 -
1960 $58.9 - $240.8 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $11,874 in Malaysia, ranking 79/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Botswana Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$422B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
38/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
5.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$11,874
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
79/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$296B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
70.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$8,322
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
62/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$11,005
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$449B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
19
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
23.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
1.83%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
3.93%
2022
Population
2615162
36512221

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 23.9% 70.1%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 24.9% 69.7%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 33% 23.4% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 25% 67.7%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 35% 19.8% 22% 54.4%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 24.7% 57%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 26% 55.4%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 48% 7.77% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 35% 7.74% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 42% 11.3% 25.9% 42%
2003 44% 7.29% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 46% 8.55% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 44.3% 12% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 40% - 21.2% 29.6%
1996 37.2% - 22.4% 32.8%
1995 38.1% - 22.6% 38.2%
1994 39.2% - 23.3% 43.7%
1993 44.2% - 24.6% 51.1%
1992 43.4% - 28.2% 59.1%
1991 42.3% - 27.4% 67.3%
1990 40.5% - 30.5% 74.1%

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

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $101B, or 23.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 70.1% in Malaysia, ranking 158/185 and 58/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Malaysia
2024 -7.82% -3.95%
2023 -4.25% -3.97%
2022 -0.006% -4.56%
2021 -2.46% -6.03%
2020 -11.5% -4.9%
2019 -8.43% -2.01%
2018 -5.07% -2.64%
2017 -1.16% -2.41%
2016 0.72% -2.6%
2015 -5.06% -2.55%
2014 3.88% -2.63%
2013 6.07% -3.48%
2012 0.92% -3.1%
2011 -0.12% -3.57%
2010 -8.36% -4.32%
2009 -14.4% -5.88%
2008 -7.59% -3.4%
2007 5.92% -2.57%
2006 13.7% -2.6%
2005 10.7% -2.83%
2004 1.42% -3.35%
2003 -0.18% -4.6%
2002 -4.02% -3.96%
2001 -2.96% -4.36%
2000 8.95% -6.05%
1999 6.18% -3%
1998 - -0.63%
1997 - 4.84%
1996 - 3.27%
1995 - 3.1%
1994 - 5.45%
1993 - 3.44%
1992 - 1.81%
1991 - 1.6%
1990 - 0.15%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/malaysia | 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 Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.95% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.67% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Malaysia
2024 2.82% 1.83%
2023 5.07% 2.49%
2022 11.7% 3.38%
2021 7.24% 2.48%
2020 1.89% -1.14%
2019 2.77% 0.66%
2018 3.24% 0.88%
2017 3.31% 3.87%
2016 2.81% 2.09%
2015 3.06% 2.1%
2014 4.4% 3.14%
2013 5.88% 2.11%
2012 7.54% 1.66%
2011 8.46% 3.17%
2010 6.95% 1.62%
2009 8.03% 0.58%
2008 12.7% 5.44%
2007 7.08% 2.03%
2006 11.6% 3.61%
2005 8.61% 2.98%
2004 6.95% 1.42%
2003 9.19% 1.09%
2002 8.03% 1.81%
2001 6.56% 1.42%
2000 8.6% 1.53%
1999 7.75% 2.74%
1998 6.66% 5.27%
1997 8.72% 2.66%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 2.25% in Malaysia. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 1.83% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $891K
Textiles & consumer goods $425K
Metals $338K
Raw materials & minerals $325K
Machinery & equipment $236K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $126K
Wood & paper products $22K
Miscellaneous $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Raw agricultural goods $1K

Balance of trade

Botswana Malaysia
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
26/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$248B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
66%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
71.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Malaysia
Economic freedom 67.7 68
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 51/197
Property rights 71.7 62.7
Government integrity 59.6 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 63.4
Tax burden 87.1 83.5
Government spending 69.8 82
Fiscal health 72.4 62.5
Business freedom 61.5 79.6
Labor freedom 60.7 55.4
Monetary freedom 72 80.8
Trade freedom 77 83
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Malaysia
2026 67.7 68
2025 69.9 67.1
2024 68 65.7
2023 64.9 67.3
2022 64.8 68.1
2021 67.6 74.4
2020 69.6 74.7
2019 69.5 74
2018 69.9 74.5
2017 70.1 73.8
2016 71.1 71.5
2015 69.8 70.8
2014 72 69.6
2013 70.6 66.1
2012 69.6 66.4
2011 68.8 66.3
2010 70.3 64.8
2009 69.7 64.6
2008 68.2 63.9
2007 68.1 63.8
2006 68.8 61.6
2005 69.3 61.9
2004 69.9 59.9
2003 68.6 61.1
2002 66.2 60.1
2001 66.8 60.2
2000 65.8 66
1999 62.9 68.9
1998 62.8 68.2
1997 59.1 66.8
1996 61.6 69.9
1995 56.8 71.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
8.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$414B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$37,450
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$116B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
24/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
5.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
22%
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/malaysia | 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. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.