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Economy of Botswana vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $10.9B for Mauritania, ranking 133/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $4.67B (42.8% of GDP) in Mauritania.

Botswana vs Mauritania GDP by year

Botswana
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Mauritania
2024 $19,402,063,513 $10,908,045,687
2023 $19,411,266,967 $10,726,838,461
2022 $20,321,150,599 $9,557,966,698
2021 $18,750,182,236 $9,222,536,364
2020 $14,960,251,608 $8,260,752,385
2019 $16,725,908,149 $7,894,764,886
2018 $17,031,943,186 $7,473,550,557
2017 $16,105,155,857 $6,800,135,898
2016 $15,082,637,184 $6,398,747,592
2015 $13,530,748,845 $6,166,863,897
2014 $15,470,088,501 $6,592,537,782
2013 $14,271,738,933 $7,223,071,097
2012 $13,907,464,500 $6,728,208,836
2011 $15,110,643,612 $6,764,627,746
2010 $12,637,273,429 $5,628,878,798
2009 $10,118,459,242 $4,714,595,548
2008 $10,730,829,116 $5,206,437,194
2007 $10,567,270,656 $4,346,212,355
2006 $9,919,158,482 $3,919,577,286
2005 $9,918,907,108 $2,936,019,526
2004 $8,957,467,707 $2,362,501,023
2003 $7,511,582,173 $2,051,147,607
2002 $5,438,863,983 $1,777,057,481
2001 $5,489,608,300 $1,746,063,558
2000 $5,788,329,609 $1,779,520,886
1999 $5,484,263,347 $1,985,922,776
1998 $4,790,481,509 $2,032,347,665
1997 $5,020,265,627 $2,071,996,564
1996 $4,847,757,218 $2,132,087,009
1995 $4,730,599,122 $2,091,726,101
1994 $4,259,259,604 $1,944,876,755
1993 $4,160,129,175 $1,847,353,211
1992 $4,146,464,587 $2,164,298,425
1991 $3,942,876,703 $2,133,692,697
1990 $3,790,636,324 $1,506,914,408
1989 $3,083,822,112 $1,450,647,019
1988 $2,644,554,159 $1,414,951,290
1987 $1,965,226,890 $1,344,664,725
1986 $1,392,602,164 $1,186,628,778
1985 $1,114,783,343 $1,009,723,326
1984 $1,240,822,167 $1,074,373,230
1983 $1,172,230,397 $1,165,171,263
1982 $1,014,945,696 $1,108,776,653
1981 $1,073,812,830 $1,105,494,682
1980 $1,060,889,704 $1,047,925,106
1979 $819,870,259 $951,900,945
1978 $590,407,374 $804,629,877
1977 $451,624,780 $799,030,017
1976 $372,025,093 $775,045,517
1975 $355,168,572 $703,377,837
1974 $306,044,208 $613,010,553
1973 $244,124,164 $493,237,876
1972 $164,460,915 $391,669,449
1971 $127,448,614 $335,568,907
1970 $96,243,234 $309,405,316
1969 $77,361,547 $295,062,308
1968 $66,248,441 $311,395,937
1967 $58,642,354 $282,615,310
1966 $51,465,655 $266,533,605
1965 $45,788,696 $255,340,475
1964 $41,616,348 $224,495,744
1963 $38,091,843 $168,186,297
1962 $35,644,957 $164,271,558
1961 $32,902,613 $159,213,430
1960 $30,411,414 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Mauritania by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $2,110 $7,369
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $2,136 $6,966
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $1,960 $6,485
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $1,948 $5,837
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $1,615 $5,353
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $1,566 $4,683
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $1,555 $3,978
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $1,713 $3,865
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $1,934 $3,831
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $999 $2,809
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $824 $2,570
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $732 $2,447
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $649 $2,296
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $652 $2,280
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $681 $2,304
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $781 $2,411
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $821 $2,355
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $859 $2,325
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $904 $2,436
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $905 $2,306
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $865 $2,114
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $850 $2,209
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $772 $2,070
1989 $2,428 - $762 -
1988 $2,141 - $762 -
1987 $1,639 - $746 -
1986 $1,200 - $677 -
1985 $994 - $593 -
1984 $1,145 - $650 -
1983 $1,121 - $725 -
1982 $1,006 - $710 -
1981 $1,107 - $729 -
1980 $1,132 - $711 -
1979 $909 - $664 -
1978 $695 - $578 -
1977 $565 - $590 -
1976 $490 - $589 -
1975 $493 - $551 -
1974 $446 - $494 -
1973 $374 - $410 -
1972 $264.2 - $335 -
1971 $212.2 - $296 -
1970 $163 - $281.3 -
1969 $131.8 - $276.6 -
1968 $113.4 - $301 -
1967 $100.9 - $281.5 -
1966 $89.1 - $273.6 -
1965 $79.7 - $270 -
1964 $73.5 - $244.3 -
1963 $68.9 - $188.2 -
1962 $66 - $189 -
1961 $62.3 - $188.2 -
1960 $58.9 - - -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $2,110 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

Botswana Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$10.9B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
6.31%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$2,110
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
156/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$904
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
145/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$2,078
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
23.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
2.49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
10.4%
2019
Population
2615162
5505206

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Mauritania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Mauritania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 23.6% 42.8%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 24.8% 47.1%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 28.7% 50.5%
2021 33% 23.4% 20.8% 54.5%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 18.5% 56.5%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 17.8% 57.7%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 19% 59.2%
2017 35% 19.8% 20.3% 55.7%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 20.8% 57.6%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 25.7% 59.9%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 23.9% 49.5%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 20.1% 40.7%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 21.5% 39.3%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 17% 38.8%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 17.3% 43.9%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 19.6% 54.3%
2008 48% 7.77% 19.8% 57.2%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 19.7% 61.5%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 19% 38%
2005 35% 7.74% 21.3% 71.1%
2004 42% 11.3% 23.9% 22%
2003 44% 7.29% - 22.9%
2002 46% 8.55% - 59.5%
2001 42.9% 7.61% - 63.5%
2000 39.8% 8.37% - 55.5%
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/mauritania | CC BY

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Mauritania spent $2.57B, or 23.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 42.8% in Mauritania, ranking 158/185 and 126/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Mauritania
2024 -7.82% -1.35%
2023 -4.25% -2.45%
2022 -0.006% -3.09%
2021 -2.46% 2.6%
2020 -11.5% 2.78%
2019 -8.43% 2.65%
2018 -5.07% 3.23%
2017 -1.16% 0.53%
2016 0.72% 0.13%
2015 -5.06% -2.44%
2014 3.88% -2.64%
2013 6.07% -0.66%
2012 0.92% 1.67%
2011 -0.12% 0.07%
2010 -8.36% -0.45%
2009 -14.4% -3.59%
2008 -7.59% -3.32%
2007 5.92% -1.38%
2006 13.7% 2.05%
2005 10.7% -3.16%
2004 1.42% -3.06%
2003 -0.18% -
2002 -4.02% -
2001 -2.96% -
2000 8.95% -
1999 6.18% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/mauritania | 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 Mauritania's deficit of $148M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.56% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Mauritania
2024 2.82% 2.49%
2023 5.07% 4.95%
2022 11.7% 9.53%
2021 7.24% 3.57%
2020 1.89% 2.39%
2019 2.77% 2.3%
2018 3.24% 3.07%
2017 3.31% 2.25%
2016 2.81% 1.47%
2015 3.06% 3.25%
2014 4.4% 3.53%
2013 5.88% 4.13%
2012 7.54% 4.9%
2011 8.46% 5.69%
2010 6.95% 6.28%
2009 8.03% 2.22%
2008 12.7% 7.35%
2007 7.08% 7.25%
2006 11.6% 6.24%
2005 8.61% 12.1%
2004 6.95% 10.4%
2003 9.19% 5.15%
2002 8.03% 3.9%
2001 6.56% 4.71%
2000 8.6% 3.25%
1999 7.75% 4.07%
1998 6.66% 8.03%
1997 8.72% 4.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 4.97% in Mauritania. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 2.49% in Mauritania.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $300K
Mauritania
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $3K

Balance of trade

Botswana Mauritania
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
124/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-9.53%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
52.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Mauritania
Economic freedom 67.7 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 136/197
Property rights 71.7 32.6
Government integrity 59.6 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 26.4
Tax burden 87.1 75.5
Government spending 69.8 80.2
Fiscal health 72.4 87.9
Business freedom 61.5 38.7
Labor freedom 60.7 53.6
Monetary freedom 72 77.8
Trade freedom 77 59.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Mauritania
2026 67.7 53.9
2025 69.9 54.9
2024 68 55.3
2023 64.9 55.3
2022 64.8 55.3
2021 67.6 56.1
2020 69.6 55.3
2019 69.5 55.7
2018 69.9 54
2017 70.1 54.4
2016 71.1 54.8
2015 69.8 53.3
2014 72 53.2
2013 70.6 52.3
2012 69.6 53
2011 68.8 52.1
2010 70.3 52
2009 69.7 53.9
2008 68.2 55.2
2007 68.1 53.6
2006 68.8 55.7
2005 69.3 59.4
2004 69.9 61.8
2003 68.6 59
2002 66.2 52.5
2001 66.8 48.5
2000 65.8 46
1999 62.9 42.8
1998 62.8 43.7
1997 59.1 47
1996 61.6 45.5
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
30.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
19.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$7,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
126/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
3.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
43.1%
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/mauritania | 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 (2021–2024, 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.