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Economy of Botswana vs Mali compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $26.8B for Mali, ranking 133/197 and 113/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $13.9B (51.7% of GDP) in Mali.

Botswana vs Mali GDP by year

Botswana
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Mali
2024 $19,402,063,513 $26,794,747,240
2023 $19,411,266,967 $24,813,860,599
2022 $20,321,150,599 $22,539,987,719
2021 $18,750,182,236 $22,999,245,263
2020 $14,960,251,608 $20,698,560,939
2019 $16,725,908,149 $20,477,421,885
2018 $17,031,943,186 $20,368,015,381
2017 $16,105,155,857 $18,308,362,040
2016 $15,082,637,184 $16,743,796,800
2015 $13,530,748,845 $15,583,181,170
2014 $15,470,088,501 $17,081,681,993
2013 $14,271,738,933 $15,747,192,681
2012 $13,907,464,500 $14,795,114,603
2011 $15,110,643,612 $15,452,791,789
2010 $12,637,273,429 $12,710,739,159
2009 $10,118,459,242 $12,155,217,833
2008 $10,730,829,116 $11,462,490,840
2007 $10,567,270,656 $9,699,047,443
2006 $9,919,158,482 $8,212,007,554
2005 $9,918,907,108 $7,429,066,951
2004 $8,957,467,707 $6,485,774,930
2003 $7,511,582,173 $5,605,613,011
2002 $5,438,863,983 $4,647,238,257
2001 $5,489,608,300 $4,124,281,594
2000 $5,788,329,609 $3,521,570,876
1999 $5,484,263,347 $4,091,446,054
1998 $4,790,481,509 $3,894,433,432
1997 $5,020,265,627 $3,414,879,486
1996 $4,847,757,218 $3,743,103,420
1995 $4,730,599,122 $3,373,322,735
1994 $4,259,259,604 $2,655,768,636
1993 $4,160,129,175 $3,632,801,877
1992 $4,146,464,587 $3,680,775,037
1991 $3,942,876,703 $3,576,562,682
1990 $3,790,636,324 $3,248,417,791
1989 $3,083,822,112 $2,824,822,489
1988 $2,644,554,159 $2,712,207,901
1987 $1,965,226,890 $2,437,004,680
1986 $1,392,602,164 $2,132,938,007
1985 $1,114,783,343 $1,594,347,021
1984 $1,240,822,167 $1,387,809,615
1983 $1,172,230,397 $1,496,616,127
1982 $1,014,945,696 $1,680,304,773
1981 $1,073,812,830 $2,234,583,940
1980 $1,060,889,704 $2,704,362,789
1979 $819,870,259 $1,595,422,956
1978 $590,407,374 $1,222,702,573
1977 $451,624,780 $1,049,838,548
1976 $372,025,093 $939,228,017
1975 $355,168,572 $830,710,615
1974 $306,044,208 $538,747,340
1973 $244,124,164 $563,683,703
1972 $164,460,915 $486,617,280
1971 $127,448,614 $395,218,629
1970 $96,243,234 $359,772,315
1969 $77,361,547 $339,913,867
1968 $66,248,441 $343,771,973
1967 $58,642,354 $275,494,478
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/mali | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Mali by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Mali
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $1,095 $3,315
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $1,044 $3,175
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $977 $3,014
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $1,027 $2,796
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $953 $2,724
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $972 $2,820
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $996 $2,684
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $924 $2,607
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $872 $2,532
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $838 $2,330
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $948 $2,185
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $902 $2,059
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $873 $1,990
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $938 $2,046
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $797 $2,012
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $787 $1,945
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $767 $1,893
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $671 $1,852
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $587 $1,832
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $549 $1,771
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $495 $1,730
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $442 $1,715
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $378 $1,581
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $346 $1,559
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $305 $1,357
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $364 $1,376
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $357 $1,332
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $321 $1,267
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $360 $1,224
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $331 $1,154
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $266.5 $1,147
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $372 $1,087
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $385 $1,039
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $382 $1,091
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $354 $956
1989 $2,428 - $314 -
1988 $2,141 - $307 -
1987 $1,639 - $280.7 -
1986 $1,200 - $250 -
1985 $994 - $190.4 -
1984 $1,145 - $169.1 -
1983 $1,121 - $186.3 -
1982 $1,006 - $213.8 -
1981 $1,107 - $290.5 -
1980 $1,132 - $359 -
1979 $909 - $216.3 -
1978 $695 - $169.1 -
1977 $565 - $148.1 -
1976 $490 - $134.9 -
1975 $493 - $121.5 -
1974 $446 - $80.2 -
1973 $374 - $85.4 -
1972 $264.2 - $75.1 -
1971 $212.2 - $62 -
1970 $163 - $57.3 -
1969 $131.8 - $55 -
1968 $113.4 - $56.5 -
1967 $100.9 - $46 -
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/mali | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $1,095 in Mali, ranking 173/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Mali ranks 174th at $3,315.

Economic indicators

Botswana Mali
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$26.8B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
4.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$1,095
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
174/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$13.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
51.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$566
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
161/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$1,463
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
28.3%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
3.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
5.45%
2023
Population
2615162
26143152

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Mali
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Mali
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 24.7% 51.7%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 24.8% 51.9%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 24.4% 50.3%
2021 33% 23.4% 26.9% 51.6%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 26.1% 47.3%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 23.1% 40.7%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 20.3% 37.5%
2017 35% 19.8% 22.9% 38.2%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 22.3% 37.2%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 20.9% 30.7%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 20% 26.9%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 19.8% 26.4%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 15.5% 25.4%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 20.6% 24%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 20.3% 25.3%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 22.8% 21.9%
2008 48% 7.77% 18.8% 20.1%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 21.5% 18.5%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 22.1% 18.1%
2005 35% 7.74% 21.6% 46.6%
2004 42% 11.3% 21.8% 42.4%
2003 44% 7.29% 20.8% 44.1%
2002 46% 8.55% 19.9% 42.6%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 18.3% 77.5%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 19.4% 90.5%
1999 41.7% 9.68% - -
1998 44.3% 12% - -
1997 40% - - -
1996 37.2% - - -
1995 38.1% - - -
1994 39.2% - - -
1993 44.2% - - -
1992 43.4% - - -
1991 42.3% - - -
1990 40.5% - - -

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

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.61B, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 51.7% in Mali, ranking 158/185 and 102/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Mali
2024 -7.82% -2.57%
2023 -4.25% -3.57%
2022 -0.006% -4.75%
2021 -2.46% -4.91%
2020 -11.5% -5.42%
2019 -8.43% -1.68%
2018 -5.07% -4.74%
2017 -1.16% -2.86%
2016 0.72% -3.95%
2015 -5.06% -1.82%
2014 3.88% -2.89%
2013 6.07% -2.37%
2012 0.92% -0.96%
2011 -0.12% -3.42%
2010 -8.36% -2.57%
2009 -14.4% -3.71%
2008 -7.59% -1.97%
2007 5.92% -2.78%
2006 13.7% 27.8%
2005 10.7% -2.76%
2004 1.42% -2.36%
2003 -0.18% -1.19%
2002 -4.02% -3.09%
2001 -2.96% -2.8%
2000 8.95% -2.64%
1999 6.18% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/mali | 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 Mali's deficit of $687M, or 2.57% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.24% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.76% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Mali
2024 2.82% 3.2%
2023 5.07% 2.1%
2022 11.7% 9.7%
2021 7.24% 3.8%
2020 1.89% 0.5%
2019 2.77% -3%
2018 3.24% 1.9%
2017 3.31% 2.4%
2016 2.81% -1.8%
2015 3.06% 1.4%
2014 4.4% 0.9%
2013 5.88% -0.6%
2012 7.54% 5.3%
2011 8.46% 3%
2010 6.95% 1.2%
2009 8.03% 2.4%
2008 12.7% 9.2%
2007 7.08% 1.4%
2006 11.6% 1.6%
2005 8.61% 6.4%
2004 6.95% -3.1%
2003 9.19% -1.3%
2002 8.03% 5%
2001 6.56% 5.2%
2000 8.6% -0.8%
1999 7.75% -1.2%
1998 6.66% 4.1%
1997 8.72% -0.7%

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/mali | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 2.08% in Mali. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 3.2% in Mali.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $157K
Metals $42K
Miscellaneous $6K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Mali
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1K

Balance of trade

Botswana Mali
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$1.61B
2023
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
136/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-6.49%
2023
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$5.73B
2023
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$5.65B
2023
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$2.34B
2023
Service exports
$935M
2024
$475M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
27.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
22.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Mali
Economic freedom 67.7 52.1
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 150/197
Property rights 71.7 13.8
Government integrity 59.6 23.2
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 23.3
Tax burden 87.1 67.9
Government spending 69.8 81.8
Fiscal health 72.4 73.6
Business freedom 61.5 40.8
Labor freedom 60.7 54.1
Monetary freedom 72 78.2
Trade freedom 77 64
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Mali
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Mali
2026 67.7 52.1
2025 69.9 52.6
2024 68 52.5
2023 64.9 54.5
2022 64.8 55.9
2021 67.6 55.6
2020 69.6 55.9
2019 69.5 58.1
2018 69.9 57.6
2017 70.1 58.6
2016 71.1 56.5
2015 69.8 56.4
2014 72 55.5
2013 70.6 56.4
2012 69.6 55.8
2011 68.8 56.3
2010 70.3 55.6
2009 69.7 55.6
2008 68.2 55.6
2007 68.1 54.7
2006 68.8 54.1
2005 69.3 57.3
2004 69.9 56.6
2003 68.6 58.6
2002 66.2 61.1
2001 66.8 60.1
2000 65.8 60.3
1999 62.9 58.4
1998 62.8 57.3
1997 59.1 56.4
1996 61.6 57
1995 56.8 52.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 52.1 for Mali, ranking 150/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Mali
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
36.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
23.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
33.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$25.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$3,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$673M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$921M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$78.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
1.41%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
19.5%
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/mali | 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 (2020–2024, 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.