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Economy of Botswana vs Nepal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $42.9B for Nepal, ranking 133/197 and 101/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $20.7B (48.3% of GDP) in Nepal.

Botswana vs Nepal GDP by year

Botswana
Nepal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Nepal
2024 $19,402,063,513 $42,914,268,287
2023 $19,411,266,967 $41,047,772,331
2022 $20,321,150,599 $41,182,939,601
2021 $18,750,182,236 $36,924,841,394
2020 $14,960,251,608 $33,433,659,301
2019 $16,725,908,149 $34,186,180,699
2018 $17,031,943,186 $33,111,525,237
2017 $16,105,155,857 $28,971,588,940
2016 $15,082,637,184 $24,524,109,484
2015 $13,530,748,845 $24,360,801,287
2014 $15,470,088,501 $22,731,612,922
2013 $14,271,738,933 $22,162,204,925
2012 $13,907,464,500 $21,703,100,877
2011 $15,110,643,612 $21,573,872,421
2010 $12,637,273,429 $16,002,656,434
2009 $10,118,459,242 $12,854,985,464
2008 $10,730,829,116 $12,545,438,605
2007 $10,567,270,656 $10,325,618,017
2006 $9,919,158,482 $9,043,715,356
2005 $9,918,907,108 $8,130,258,378
2004 $8,957,467,707 $7,273,938,315
2003 $7,511,582,173 $6,330,473,097
2002 $5,438,863,983 $6,050,875,807
2001 $5,489,608,300 $6,007,055,042
2000 $5,788,329,609 $5,494,252,208
1999 $5,484,263,347 $5,033,642,384
1998 $4,790,481,509 $4,856,255,044
1997 $5,020,265,627 $4,918,691,917
1996 $4,847,757,218 $4,521,580,381
1995 $4,730,599,122 $4,401,104,418
1994 $4,259,259,604 $4,066,775,510
1993 $4,160,129,175 $3,660,041,667
1992 $4,146,464,587 $3,401,211,581
1991 $3,942,876,703 $3,921,476,085
1990 $3,790,636,324 $3,627,560,239
1989 $3,083,822,112 $3,525,225,787
1988 $2,644,554,159 $3,487,009,748
1987 $1,965,226,890 $2,957,255,380
1986 $1,392,602,164 $2,850,782,044
1985 $1,114,783,343 $2,619,913,956
1984 $1,240,822,167 $2,581,207,388
1983 $1,172,230,397 $2,447,174,803
1982 $1,014,945,696 $2,395,423,742
1981 $1,073,812,830 $2,275,583,317
1980 $1,060,889,704 $1,945,916,583
1979 $819,870,259 $1,851,250,008
1978 $590,407,374 $1,604,162,497
1977 $451,624,780 $1,382,400,000
1976 $372,025,093 $1,452,788,985
1975 $355,168,572 $1,575,789,254
1974 $306,044,208 $1,217,953,547
1973 $244,124,164 $972,101,725
1972 $164,460,915 $1,024,098,400
1971 $127,448,614 $882,765,472
1970 $96,243,234 $865,975,309
1969 $77,361,547 $788,641,965
1968 $66,248,441 $772,231,387
1967 $58,642,354 $841,974,025
1966 $51,465,655 $906,811,944
1965 $45,788,696 $735,267,082
1964 $41,616,348 $496,098,775
1963 $38,091,843 $496,947,904
1962 $35,644,957 $574,091,101
1961 $32,902,613 $531,959,562
1960 $30,411,414 $508,334,414

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Nepal by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nepal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Nepal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $1,447 $5,737
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $1,382 $5,395
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $1,386 $5,103
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $1,253 $4,546
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $1,154 $4,236
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $1,203 $4,261
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $1,179 $3,956
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $1,034 $3,605
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $877 $2,976
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $876 $2,957
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $821 $2,901
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $803 $2,658
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $788 $2,466
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $786 $2,248
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $585 $2,139
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $473 $2,029
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $465 $1,942
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $385 $1,809
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $340 $1,718
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $309 $1,628
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $279.6 $1,542
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $246.4 $1,453
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $238.9 $1,390
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $240.8 $1,388
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $223.8 $1,317
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $208.6 $1,234
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $205.1 $1,187
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $211.8 $1,162
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $198.8 $1,110
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $197.8 $1,058
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $187.3 $1,026
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $172.8 $952
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $165 $920
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $195.7 $889
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $185.8 $830
1989 $2,428 - $185 -
1988 $2,141 - $187.1 -
1987 $1,639 - $162 -
1986 $1,200 - $159.5 -
1985 $994 - $149.9 -
1984 $1,145 - $151.1 -
1983 $1,121 - $146.6 -
1982 $1,006 - $147 -
1981 $1,107 - $142.9 -
1980 $1,132 - $125.1 -
1979 $909 - $121.9 -
1978 $695 - $108.1 -
1977 $565 - $95.3 -
1976 $490 - $102.5 -
1975 $493 - $113.6 -
1974 $446 - $89.8 -
1973 $374 - $73.2 -
1972 $264.2 - $78.8 -
1971 $212.2 - $69.5 -
1970 $163 - $69.6 -
1969 $131.8 - $64.8 -
1968 $113.4 - $64.9 -
1967 $100.9 - $72.3 -
1966 $89.1 - $79.5 -
1965 $79.7 - $65.8 -
1964 $73.5 - $45.3 -
1963 $68.9 - $46.3 -
1962 $66 - $54.6 -
1961 $62.3 - $51.6 -
1960 $58.9 - $50.2 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $1,447 in Nepal, ranking 164/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Nepal ranks 155th at $5,737.

Economic indicators

Botswana Nepal
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$42.9B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
101/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
3.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$1,447
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$5,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
155/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$20.7B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
48.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$700
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
154/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$2,170
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
24.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
22.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
4.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
10.7%
2017
Population
2615162
29596762

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Nepal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Nepal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 22.1% 48.3%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 25.1% 47%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 26.1% 42.7%
2021 33% 23.4% 27.2% 43.3%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 28.5% 43.3%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 27.1% 34%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 28% 31.1%
2017 35% 19.8% 23.6% 25%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 19% 25%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 17.7% 25.7%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 16.6% 27.6%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 15.5% 31.9%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 16.8% 34.5%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 16.3% 32.4%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 16.5% 35.4%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 17% 39.5%
2008 48% 7.77% 13.4% 36.8%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 13.1% 37.9%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 11.2% 42.9%
2005 35% 7.74% 12% 45.1%
2004 42% 11.3% 11.8% 51.3%
2003 44% 7.29% 12% 53%
2002 46% 8.55% 13% 51.8%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 12.9% 50.8%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 11.4% 50.8%
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/nepal | CC BY

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Nepal spent $9.5B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 48.3% in Nepal, ranking 158/185 and 112/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Nepal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Nepal
2024 -7.82% -2.76%
2023 -4.25% -5.81%
2022 -0.006% -3.12%
2021 -2.46% -3.98%
2020 -11.5% -7.47%
2019 -8.43% -4.27%
2018 -5.07% -5.83%
2017 -1.16% -2.69%
2016 0.72% 1.2%
2015 -5.06% 0.46%
2014 3.88% 1.36%
2013 6.07% 1.57%
2012 0.92% -1.18%
2011 -0.12% -0.72%
2010 -8.36% -0.67%
2009 -14.4% -2.24%
2008 -7.59% -0.29%
2007 5.92% -0.67%
2006 13.7% 0.24%
2005 10.7% 0.24%
2004 1.42% -0.14%
2003 -0.18% -0.34%
2002 -4.02% -2.46%
2001 -2.96% -2.35%
2000 8.95% -1.48%
1999 6.18% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/nepal | 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 Nepal's deficit of $1.19B, or 2.76% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Nepal ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.24% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.74% of GDP for Nepal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Nepal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Nepal
2024 2.82% 4.69%
2023 5.07% 7.12%
2022 11.7% 7.67%
2021 7.24% 4.13%
2020 1.89% 5.06%
2019 2.77% 5.57%
2018 3.24% 4.41%
2017 3.31% 2.78%
2016 2.81% 8.79%
2015 3.06% 7.87%
2014 4.4% 8.36%
2013 5.88% 9.04%
2012 7.54% 9.46%
2011 8.46% 9.23%
2010 6.95% 9.33%
2009 8.03% 11.1%
2008 12.7% 9.91%
2007 7.08% 2.27%
2006 11.6% 6.92%
2005 8.61% 6.84%
2004 6.95% 2.84%
2003 9.19% 5.71%
2002 8.03% 3.03%
2001 6.56% 2.69%
2000 8.6% 2.48%
1999 7.75% 7.45%
1998 6.66% 11.2%
1997 8.72% 4.01%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 6.43% in Nepal. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 4.69% in Nepal.

Balance of trade

Botswana Nepal
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$1.68B
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
50/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+3.91%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$12.1B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$1.54B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$2.27B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$1.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
32.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
7.62%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Nepal
Economic freedom 67.7 52.9
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 144/197
Property rights 71.7 38.8
Government integrity 59.6 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 42.9
Tax burden 87.1 84.3
Government spending 69.8 82.1
Fiscal health 72.4 71
Business freedom 61.5 60.8
Labor freedom 60.7 48.2
Monetary freedom 72 69.4
Trade freedom 77 58.6
Investment freedom 50 10
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Nepal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Nepal
2026 67.7 52.9
2025 69.9 52.5
2024 68 52.1
2023 64.9 51.4
2022 64.8 49.7
2021 67.6 50.7
2020 69.6 54.2
2019 69.5 53.8
2018 69.9 54.1
2017 70.1 55.1
2016 71.1 50.9
2015 69.8 51.3
2014 72 50.1
2013 70.6 50.4
2012 69.6 50.2
2011 68.8 50.1
2010 70.3 52.7
2009 69.7 53.2
2008 68.2 54.1
2007 68.1 54.4
2006 68.8 53.7
2005 69.3 51.4
2004 69.9 51.2
2003 68.6 51.5
2002 66.2 52.3
2001 66.8 51.6
2000 65.8 51.3
1999 62.9 53.1
1998 62.8 53.5
1997 59.1 53.6
1996 61.6 50.3
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 52.9 for Nepal, ranking 144/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Nepal
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
55.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
11.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
21.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$5,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$12.5B
2023
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
74/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$56.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$56.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
1.23%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
20.3%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
30.4%
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/nepal | 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. 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.