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Economy of Botswana vs Marshall Islands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $290M for the Marshall Islands, ranking 133/197 and 193/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $38.4M (13.2% of GDP) in the Marshall Islands.

Botswana vs Marshall Islands GDP by year

Botswana
Marshall Islands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Marshall Islands
2024 $19,402,063,513 $290,108,490
2023 $19,411,266,967 $263,761,322
2022 $20,321,150,599 $258,723,511
2021 $18,750,182,236 $261,245,544
2020 $14,960,251,608 $241,800,000
2019 $16,725,908,149 $232,900,000
2018 $17,031,943,186 $220,000,000
2017 $16,105,155,857 $213,700,000
2016 $15,082,637,184 $201,800,000
2015 $13,530,748,845 $183,700,000
2014 $15,470,088,501 $186,000,000
2013 $14,271,738,933 $186,400,000
2012 $13,907,464,500 $180,700,000
2011 $15,110,643,612 $172,300,000
2010 $12,637,273,429 $161,100,000
2009 $10,118,459,242 $151,200,000
2008 $10,730,829,116 $146,600,000
2007 $10,567,270,656 $150,500,000
2006 $9,919,158,482 $143,200,000
2005 $9,918,907,108 $138,000,000
2004 $8,957,467,707 $132,900,000
2003 $7,511,582,173 $131,128,500
2002 $5,438,863,983 $131,960,000
2001 $5,489,608,300 $122,406,100
2000 $5,788,329,609 $114,838,500
1999 $5,484,263,347 $113,352,100
1998 $4,790,481,509 $112,070,100
1997 $5,020,265,627 $109,884,700
1996 $4,847,757,218 $110,858,000
1995 $4,730,599,122 $120,230,000
1994 $4,259,259,604 $108,071,000
1993 $4,160,129,175 $99,461,000
1992 $4,146,464,587 $91,063,000
1991 $3,942,876,703 $82,507,000
1990 $3,790,636,324 $78,476,000
1989 $3,083,822,112 $72,798,000
1988 $2,644,554,159 $70,688,000
1987 $1,965,226,890 $62,983,000
1986 $1,392,602,164 $55,989,000
1985 $1,114,783,343 $43,879,000
1984 $1,240,822,167 $45,144,000
1983 $1,172,230,397 $41,749,000
1982 $1,014,945,696 $34,918,000
1981 $1,073,812,830 $31,020,000
1980 $1,060,889,704 $26,710,653
1979 $819,870,259 $25,545,346
1978 $590,407,374 $22,209,370
1977 $451,624,780 $20,210,069
1976 $372,025,093 $18,153,647
1975 $355,168,572 $16,691,301
1974 $306,044,208 $15,217,532
1973 $244,124,164 $11,607,366
1972 $164,460,915 $9,973,652
1971 $127,448,614 $9,116,810
1970 $96,243,234 $8,408,486
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/marshall-islands | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Marshall Islands by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Marshall Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Marshall Islands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $7,726 $8,195
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $6,793 $7,549
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $6,456 $7,431
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $6,315 $6,768
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $5,662 $6,137
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $5,292 $6,045
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $4,858 $5,232
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $4,593 $4,719
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $4,230 $4,366
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $3,764 $4,125
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $3,735 $3,931
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $3,678 $3,845
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $3,514 $3,590
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $3,319 $3,537
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $3,095 $3,473
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $2,907 $3,253
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $2,818 $3,118
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $2,892 $3,309
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $2,754 $3,110
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $2,659 $3,017
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $2,566 $2,880
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $2,539 $2,824
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $2,566 $2,825
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $2,394 $2,700
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $2,265 $2,490
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $2,258 $2,400
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $2,254 $2,422
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $2,231 $2,434
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $2,273 $2,583
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $2,491 $2,858
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $2,265 $2,617
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $2,112 $2,452
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $1,963 $2,293
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $1,811 $2,131
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $1,758 $2,102
1989 $2,428 - $1,670 -
1988 $2,141 - $1,670 -
1987 $1,639 - $1,543 -
1986 $1,200 - $1,425 -
1985 $994 - $1,162 -
1984 $1,145 - $1,245 -
1983 $1,121 - $1,199 -
1982 $1,006 - $1,046 -
1981 $1,107 - $969 -
1980 $1,132 - $868 -
1979 $909 - $859 -
1978 $695 - $771 -
1977 $565 - $724 -
1976 $490 - $672 -
1975 $493 - $638 -
1974 $446 - $602 -
1973 $374 - $472 -
1972 $264.2 - $416 -
1971 $212.2 - $390 -
1970 $163 - $373 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/marshall-islands | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $7,726 in the Marshall Islands, ranking 96/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while the Marshall Islands ranks 139th at $8,195.

Economic indicators

Botswana Marshall Islands
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$290M
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
193/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
2.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$7,726
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
96/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$8,195
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
139/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$38.4M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
13.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$1,022
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
142/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$5,044
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
27.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.8%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
71.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
5.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
9.82%
2021
Population
2615162
35058

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Marshall Islands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Marshall Islands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 71.6% 13.2%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 68.4% 18.2%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 67.7% 19.8%
2021 33% 23.4% 69.8% 20.1%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 67.8% 21.7%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 65.5% 25.1%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 60.5% 24.7%
2017 35% 19.8% 63.7% 26.5%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 56.8% 29.2%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 56.3% 33.9%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 49.2% 34.9%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 55% 33.4%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 53.2% 37.6%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 55.9% 35.9%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 59.2% 38.8%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 63.1% 41.2%
2008 48% 7.77% 64.3% 44.1%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 67.2% 42.2%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 61.2% 44.4%
2005 35% 7.74% 85.3% 45.8%
2004 42% 11.3% 54.5% 46.8%
2003 44% 7.29% 52.9% 43.7%
2002 46% 8.55% 55.2% 37.2%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 58.8% 32.7%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 56.5% 27.3%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 48.7% 26.1%
1998 44.3% 12% 50.5% 18.1%
1997 40% - 55% 8.73%
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/marshall-islands | CC BY

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while the Marshall Islands spent $208M, or 71.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 13.2% in the Marshall Islands, ranking 158/185 and 179/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Marshall Islands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Marshall Islands
2024 -7.82% 3.61%
2023 -4.25% 1.14%
2022 -0.006% 0.68%
2021 -2.46% 0.18%
2020 -11.5% 2.54%
2019 -8.43% -1.8%
2018 -5.07% 2.55%
2017 -1.16% 4.38%
2016 0.72% 3.88%
2015 -5.06% 2.81%
2014 3.88% 3.2%
2013 6.07% -0.23%
2012 0.92% -0.76%
2011 -0.12% 2.13%
2010 -8.36% 3.51%
2009 -14.4% 1.51%
2008 -7.59% 3.68%
2007 5.92% 0.27%
2006 13.7% 0.24%
2005 10.7% -22.3%
2004 1.42% -1.6%
2003 -0.18% 10.5%
2002 -4.02% 5.12%
2001 -2.96% 7.83%
2000 8.95% 7.84%
1999 6.18% 9.01%
1998 - 13.5%
1997 - 7.91%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/marshall-islands | 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 the Marshall Islands' surplus of $10.5M, or 3.61% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while the Marshall Islands ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.92% of GDP for the Marshall Islands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Marshall Islands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Marshall Islands
2024 2.82% 5.2%
2023 5.07% 7.4%
2022 11.7% 2.8%
2021 7.24% 2.2%
2020 1.89% -0.7%
2019 2.77% -0.1%
2018 3.24% 0.8%
2017 3.31% 0.1%
2016 2.81% -1.5%
2015 3.06% -2.2%
2014 4.4% 1.1%
2013 5.88% 1.9%
2012 7.54% 4.3%
2011 8.46% 5.4%
2010 6.95% 1.8%
2009 8.03% 0.5%
2008 12.7% 14.7%
2007 7.08% 2.6%
2006 11.6% 5.3%
2005 8.61% 3.5%
2004 6.95% 2%
2003 9.19% -
2002 8.03% -
2001 6.56% -
2000 8.6% -
1999 7.75% -
1998 6.66% -
1997 8.72% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2004–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/marshall-islands | CC BY

Over the past 21 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.29%, compared with 2.72% in the Marshall Islands. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 5.2% in the Marshall Islands.

Balance of trade

Botswana Marshall Islands
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$76.3M
2021
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
70/190
2021
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+29.2%
2021
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$133M
2021
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$121M
2021
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$73.1M
2021
Service exports
$935M
2024
$9.44M
2021
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
81.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
42.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Marshall Islands
Economic freedom 67.7 58
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 113/197
Property rights 71.7 n/a
Government integrity 59.6 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 n/a
Tax burden 87.1 n/a
Government spending 69.8 n/a
Fiscal health 72.4 n/a
Business freedom 61.5 n/a
Labor freedom 60.7 n/a
Monetary freedom 72 n/a
Trade freedom 77 n/a
Investment freedom 50 n/a
Financial freedom 60 n/a

Other economic metrics

Botswana Marshall Islands
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
67%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
13.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
19.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$319M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$9,680
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$499K
2021
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$1.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
7.2%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
20.7%
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/marshall-islands | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.