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Economy of Botswana vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 135/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Botswana vs Malta GDP by year

Botswana
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Malta
2025 $19,928,479,839 $27,771,821,561
2024 $19,286,251,068 $25,042,712,191
2023 $19,413,614,555 $22,625,329,776
2022 $20,321,150,599 $18,938,869,147
2021 $18,750,182,236 $19,730,119,031
2020 $14,960,251,608 $16,404,655,808
2019 $16,725,908,149 $16,337,788,881
2018 $17,031,943,186 $16,153,785,817
2017 $16,105,155,857 $14,161,374,599
2016 $15,082,637,184 $12,025,777,078
2015 $13,530,748,845 $11,340,789,706
2014 $15,470,088,501 $11,888,029,752
2013 $14,271,738,933 $10,796,780,874
2012 $13,907,464,500 $9,609,530,619
2011 $15,110,643,612 $9,789,363,086
2010 $12,637,273,429 $9,097,044,301
2009 $10,118,459,242 $8,769,897,418
2008 $10,730,829,116 $9,172,399,573
2007 $10,567,270,656 $7,908,412,374
2006 $9,919,158,482 $6,749,838,862
2005 $9,918,907,108 $6,393,234,965
2004 $8,957,467,707 $6,104,141,501
2003 $7,511,582,173 $5,418,315,225
2002 $5,438,863,983 $4,455,127,398
2001 $5,489,608,300 $4,070,867,153
2000 $5,788,329,609 $4,036,809,767
1999 $5,484,263,347 $4,111,857,836
1998 $4,790,481,509 $4,010,111,652
1997 $5,020,265,627 $3,787,023,655
1996 $4,847,757,218 $3,822,547,151
1995 $4,730,599,122 $3,709,396,089
1994 $4,259,259,604 $2,998,505,428
1993 $4,160,129,175 $2,709,193,538
1992 $4,146,464,587 $3,021,942,759
1991 $3,942,876,703 $2,750,216,747
1990 $3,790,636,324 $2,547,328,748
1989 $3,083,822,112 $2,118,655,677
1988 $2,644,554,159 $2,019,503,068
1987 $1,965,226,890 $1,751,293,461
1986 $1,392,602,164 $1,435,038,441
1985 $1,114,783,343 $1,117,797,439
1984 $1,240,822,167 $1,101,807,023
1983 $1,172,230,397 $1,165,729,707
1982 $1,014,945,696 $1,234,474,404
1981 $1,073,812,830 $1,243,509,394
1980 $1,060,889,704 $1,250,198,601
1979 $819,870,259 $1,001,288,847
1978 $590,407,374 $793,673,402
1977 $451,624,780 $625,563,171
1976 $372,025,093 $527,936,989
1975 $355,168,572 $474,618,321
1974 $306,044,208 $376,081,124
1973 $244,124,164 $345,616,106
1972 $164,460,915 $295,106,628
1971 $127,448,614 $264,578,485
1970 $96,243,234 $250,728,796
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Malta by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $47,907 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $2,428 - $6,041 -
1988 $2,141 - $5,814 -
1987 $1,639 - $5,084 -
1986 $1,200 - $4,195 -
1985 $994 - $3,322 -
1984 $1,145 - $3,333 -
1983 $1,121 - $3,527 -
1982 $1,006 - $3,788 -
1981 $1,107 - $3,898 -
1980 $1,132 - $3,948 -
1979 $909 - $3,196 -
1978 $695 - $2,559 -
1977 $565 - $2,038 -
1976 $490 - $1,727 -
1975 $493 - $1,560 -
1974 $446 - $1,245 -
1973 $374 - $1,144 -
1972 $264.2 - $976 -
1971 $212.2 - $874 -
1970 $163 - $828 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Botswana Malta
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
$5.35B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
3.1%
2025
Population
2624853
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 37% 46.8%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 37.4% 46%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 29.1% 21% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 37.8% 55%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 40.1% 65%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 41.1% 66%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 41.2% 62%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 42% 70.4%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 44.4% 70%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 40.1% 9.31% - 69.8%
1998 41.8% 11.3% - 66.4%
1997 39% - - 60.8%
1996 36.1% - - 51.5%
1995 36.1% - - 45.3%
1994 37.6% - - -
1993 42% - - -
1992 42.3% - - -
1991 41.1% - - -
1990 38.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 137/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Malta
2025 -7.42% -3.1%
2024 -7.26% -3.51%
2023 -4.16% -4.43%
2022 0.04% -5.33%
2021 -2.33% -6.96%
2020 -10.9% -8.71%
2019 -8.53% 0.72%
2018 -5.03% 1.86%
2017 -1.14% 3.4%
2016 0.71% 1.1%
2015 -4.82% -0.84%
2014 3.9% -1.49%
2013 5.84% -2.19%
2012 0.89% -3.31%
2011 -0.12% -2.99%
2010 -7.95% -2.22%
2009 -13.8% -3.11%
2008 -7.61% -4.06%
2007 5.73% -2.05%
2006 13.3% -2.46%
2005 10.3% -2.83%
2004 1.35% -4.28%
2003 -0.18% -9.04%
2002 -3.94% -5.62%
2001 -2.91% -6.5%
2000 8.73% -5.83%
1999 5.95% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/malta | 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 Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.43% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Malta
2025 2.66% 2.36%
2024 2.82% 1.65%
2023 5.07% 5.09%
2022 11.7% 6.15%
2021 7.24% 1.5%
2020 1.89% 0.64%
2019 2.77% 1.64%
2018 3.24% 1.16%
2017 3.31% 1.36%
2016 2.81% 0.64%
2015 3.06% 1.1%
2014 4.4% 0.31%
2013 5.88% 1.18%
2012 7.54% 2.38%
2011 8.46% 2.96%
2010 6.95% 1.52%
2009 8.03% 2.08%
2008 12.7% 4.26%
2007 7.08% 1.25%
2006 11.6% 2.77%
2005 8.61% 3.01%
2004 6.95% 2.79%
2003 9.19% 1.3%
2002 8.03% 2.19%
2001 6.56% 2.93%
2000 8.6% 2.37%
1999 7.75% 2.13%
1998 6.66% 2.39%
1997 8.72% 3.11%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 2.22% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $370K
Malta
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $213K
Machinery & equipment $51K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $32K
Chemicals & pharma $11K

Balance of trade

Botswana Malta
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
119.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Malta
Economic freedom 67.7 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 49/197
Property rights 71.7 85.5
Government integrity 59.6 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 80.2
Tax burden 87.1 68.5
Government spending 69.8 58.4
Fiscal health 72.4 63.2
Business freedom 61.5 83.2
Labor freedom 60.7 62.6
Monetary freedom 72 73.1
Trade freedom 77 79.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Malta
2026 67.7 68.2
2025 69.9 66.8
2024 68 64.5
2023 64.9 67.5
2022 64.8 71.5
2021 67.6 70.2
2020 69.6 69.5
2019 69.5 68.6
2018 69.9 68.5
2017 70.1 67.7
2016 71.1 66.7
2015 69.8 66.5
2014 72 66.4
2013 70.6 67.5
2012 69.6 67
2011 68.8 65.7
2010 70.3 67.2
2009 69.7 66.1
2008 68.2 66
2007 68.1 66.1
2006 68.8 67.3
2005 69.3 68.9
2004 69.9 63.3
2003 68.6 61.1
2002 66.2 62.2
2001 66.8 62.9
2000 65.8 58.3
1999 62.9 59.3
1998 62.8 61.2
1997 59.1 57.9
1996 61.6 55.8
1995 56.8 56.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 68.2 for Malta, ranking 49/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Malta
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
18.7%
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/malta | 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. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.