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Economy of Botswana vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $13.4B for Namibia, ranking 133/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $9.05B (67.7% of GDP) in Namibia.

Botswana vs Namibia GDP by year

Botswana
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Namibia
2024 $19,402,063,513 $13,372,354,512
2023 $19,411,266,967 $12,408,271,449
2022 $20,321,150,599 $12,569,449,123
2021 $18,750,182,236 $12,402,486,184
2020 $14,960,251,608 $10,583,748,542
2019 $16,725,908,149 $12,541,928,303
2018 $17,031,943,186 $13,682,019,076
2017 $16,105,155,857 $12,895,153,371
2016 $15,082,637,184 $10,722,018,732
2015 $13,530,748,845 $11,335,161,084
2014 $15,470,088,501 $12,435,430,970
2013 $14,271,738,933 $12,043,307,277
2012 $13,907,464,500 $13,042,053,592
2011 $15,110,643,612 $12,523,359,441
2010 $12,637,273,429 $11,431,412,421
2009 $10,118,459,242 $8,938,847,189
2008 $10,730,829,116 $8,607,431,497
2007 $10,567,270,656 $8,839,536,476
2006 $9,919,158,482 $8,001,779,551
2005 $9,918,907,108 $7,248,374,838
2004 $8,957,467,707 $6,609,205,995
2003 $7,511,582,173 $4,926,439,384
2002 $5,438,863,983 $3,349,169,826
2001 $5,489,608,300 $3,557,341,215
2000 $5,788,329,609 $3,922,232,165
1999 $5,484,263,347 $3,868,551,730
1998 $4,790,481,509 $3,873,109,866
1997 $5,020,265,627 $4,154,989,950
1996 $4,847,757,218 $3,989,163,197
1995 $4,730,599,122 $3,978,514,206
1994 $4,259,259,604 $3,666,503,530
1993 $4,160,129,175 $3,251,188,833
1992 $4,146,464,587 $3,429,521,699
1991 $3,942,876,703 $2,996,869,281
1990 $3,790,636,324 $2,789,921,854
1989 $3,083,822,112 $2,535,135,798
1988 $2,644,554,159 $2,495,094,746
1987 $1,965,226,890 $2,300,068,217
1986 $1,392,602,164 $1,809,048,527
1985 $1,114,783,343 $1,608,237,350
1984 $1,240,822,167 $1,951,260,038
1983 $1,172,230,397 $2,297,400,688
1982 $1,014,945,696 $2,118,710,248
1981 $1,073,812,830 $2,249,908,578
1980 $1,060,889,704 $2,421,990,338
1979 $819,870,259 -
1978 $590,407,374 -
1977 $451,624,780 -
1976 $372,025,093 -
1975 $355,168,572 -
1974 $306,044,208 -
1973 $244,124,164 -
1972 $164,460,915 -
1971 $127,448,614 -
1970 $96,243,234 -
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/namibia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Namibia by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $4,413 $11,687
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $4,188 $11,251
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $2,428 - $1,967 -
1988 $2,141 - $2,063 -
1987 $1,639 - $1,969 -
1986 $1,200 - $1,599 -
1985 $994 - $1,466 -
1984 $1,145 - $1,830 -
1983 $1,121 - $2,214 -
1982 $1,006 - $2,097 -
1981 $1,107 - $2,267 -
1980 $1,132 - $2,468 -
1979 $909 - - -
1978 $695 - - -
1977 $565 - - -
1976 $490 - - -
1975 $493 - - -
1974 $446 - - -
1973 $374 - - -
1972 $264.2 - - -
1971 $212.2 - - -
1970 $163 - - -
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/namibia | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $4,413 in Namibia, ranking 126/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Botswana Namibia
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
147/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
3.71%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
100/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$6,197
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$2.48B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
19.9%
2018
Population
2615162
3173089

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 39.9% 67.7%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 37% 67.2%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 36.6% 69.4%
2021 33% 23.4% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 35% 19.8% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 35% 24.6%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 32% 15.9%
2008 48% 7.77% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 35% 7.74% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 42% 11.3% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 44% 7.29% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 46% 8.55% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 44.3% 12% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 40% - 30.9% 17.7%
1996 37.2% - 30.4% 18.7%
1995 38.1% - 29.6% 18%
1994 39.2% - 28.7% 16.4%
1993 44.2% - 32.4% 17.2%
1992 43.4% - 32.8% 14.1%
1991 42.3% - 33% 11.8%
1990 40.5% - 30.2% 12.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.34B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 67.7% in Namibia, ranking 158/185 and 61/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Namibia
2024 -7.82% -3.59%
2023 -4.25% -3.14%
2022 -0.006% -6.33%
2021 -2.46% -8.68%
2020 -11.5% -8.07%
2019 -8.43% -5.49%
2018 -5.07% -5.09%
2017 -1.16% -4.99%
2016 0.72% -9.3%
2015 -5.06% -8.3%
2014 3.88% -6.44%
2013 6.07% -4.69%
2012 0.92% -3.1%
2011 -0.12% -7.09%
2010 -8.36% -4.98%
2009 -14.4% -0.4%
2008 -7.59% 3.48%
2007 5.92% 6.01%
2006 13.7% 3.41%
2005 10.7% -0.31%
2004 1.42% -2.67%
2003 -0.18% -4.47%
2002 -4.02% -1.38%
2001 -2.96% -2.01%
2000 8.95% -0.79%
1999 6.18% -1.88%
1998 - -2.76%
1997 - -2.38%
1996 - -3.7%
1995 - -1.74%
1994 - -0.57%
1993 - -2.73%
1992 - -2.55%
1991 - -1.59%
1990 - 1.08%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $480M, or 3.59% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.47% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Namibia
2024 2.82% 4.2%
2023 5.07% 5.9%
2022 11.7% 6.1%
2021 7.24% 3.6%
2020 1.89% 2.2%
2019 2.77% 3.7%
2018 3.24% 4.3%
2017 3.31% 6.1%
2016 2.81% 6.7%
2015 3.06% 3.4%
2014 4.4% 5.3%
2013 5.88% 5.6%
2012 7.54% 6.7%
2011 8.46% 5%
2010 6.95% 4.9%
2009 8.03% 9.5%
2008 12.7% 9.1%
2007 7.08% 6.5%
2006 11.6% 5%
2005 8.61% 2.3%
2004 6.95% 4.1%
2003 9.19% 7.2%
2002 8.03% 12.7%
2001 6.56% 10.2%
2000 8.6% 10.2%
1999 7.75% 9.4%
1998 6.66% 6.6%
1997 8.72% 9.7%

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/namibia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 6.29% in Namibia. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 4.2% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $85.2M
Machinery & equipment $14.5M
Chemicals & pharma $13.4M
Raw materials & minerals $7.76M
Metals $3.28M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.35M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.56M
Animal & marine products $1.1M
Raw agricultural goods $358K
Wood & paper products $306K
Namibia
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $708M
Raw materials & minerals $230M
Machinery & equipment $18.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13.6M
Animal & marine products $6.2M
Chemicals & pharma $2.49M
Metals $961K
Wood & paper products $460K
Textiles & consumer goods $453K
Raw agricultural goods $218K

Balance of trade

Botswana Namibia
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$1.89M
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-0.01%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
68%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
41.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Namibia
Economic freedom 67.7 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 95/197
Property rights 71.7 63.1
Government integrity 59.6 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 67.2
Tax burden 87.1 66.4
Government spending 69.8 57.1
Fiscal health 72.4 60.5
Business freedom 61.5 58
Labor freedom 60.7 62.7
Monetary freedom 72 76.1
Trade freedom 77 69.8
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Namibia
2026 67.7 60.2
2025 69.9 58.7
2024 68 57.5
2023 64.9 57.7
2022 64.8 59.2
2021 67.6 62.6
2020 69.6 60.9
2019 69.5 58.7
2018 69.9 58.5
2017 70.1 62.5
2016 71.1 61.9
2015 69.8 59.6
2014 72 59.4
2013 70.6 60.3
2012 69.6 61.9
2011 68.8 62.7
2010 70.3 62.2
2009 69.7 62.4
2008 68.2 61.4
2007 68.1 63.5
2006 68.8 60.7
2005 69.3 61.4
2004 69.9 62.4
2003 68.6 67.3
2002 66.2 65.1
2001 66.8 64.8
2000 65.8 66.7
1999 62.9 66.1
1998 62.8 66.1
1997 59.1 61.6
1996 61.6 -
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Namibia
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$11,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$3.36B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
115/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$1.93M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$1.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$44.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
25.6%
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/namibia | 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 (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.