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Economy of Botswana vs Niger compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $21.6B for Niger, ranking 135/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $9.82B (45.4% of GDP) in Niger.

Botswana vs Niger GDP by year

Botswana
Niger
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Niger
2025 $19,928,479,839 $21,646,191,388
2024 $19,286,251,068 $19,729,786,047
2023 $19,413,614,555 $16,949,765,464
2022 $20,321,150,599 $15,531,799,641
2021 $18,750,182,236 $14,936,154,253
2020 $14,960,251,608 $13,648,332,190
2019 $16,725,908,149 $12,420,836,507
2018 $17,031,943,186 $12,800,907,986
2017 $16,105,155,857 $11,359,273,443
2016 $15,082,637,184 $10,341,025,540
2015 $13,530,748,845 $9,683,867,926
2014 $15,470,088,501 $10,862,943,544
2013 $14,271,738,933 $10,224,897,438
2012 $13,907,464,500 $9,426,912,648
2011 $15,110,643,612 $8,772,950,778
2010 $12,637,273,429 $7,851,192,502
2009 $10,118,459,242 $7,352,131,310
2008 $10,730,829,116 $7,297,600,226
2007 $10,567,270,656 $5,731,485,052
2006 $9,919,158,482 $4,756,361,252
2005 $9,918,907,108 $4,383,315,965
2004 $8,957,467,707 $3,760,443,738
2003 $7,511,582,173 $3,394,084,732
2002 $5,438,863,983 $2,782,192,879
2001 $5,489,608,300 $2,448,714,704
2000 $5,788,329,609 $2,241,753,193
1999 $5,484,263,347 $2,537,789,821
1998 $4,790,481,509 $2,643,363,519
1997 $5,020,265,627 $2,290,318,910
1996 $4,847,757,218 $2,405,686,940
1995 $4,730,599,122 $2,302,537,562
1994 $4,259,259,604 $1,938,058,175
1993 $4,160,129,175 $3,052,673,849
1992 $4,146,464,587 $3,386,232,579
1991 $3,942,876,703 $3,285,796,875
1990 $3,790,636,324 $3,512,356,508
1989 $3,083,822,112 $2,179,567,114
1988 $2,644,554,159 $2,280,356,193
1987 $1,965,226,890 $2,233,006,105
1986 $1,392,602,164 $1,904,096,998
1985 $1,114,783,343 $1,440,581,652
1984 $1,240,822,167 $1,461,243,326
1983 $1,172,230,397 $1,803,099,561
1982 $1,014,945,696 $2,017,612,216
1981 $1,073,812,830 $2,170,893,414
1980 $1,060,889,704 $2,508,524,721
1979 $819,870,259 $2,109,277,666
1978 $590,407,374 $1,774,365,590
1977 $451,624,780 $1,291,458,041
1976 $372,025,093 $1,064,517,601
1975 $355,168,572 $1,048,690,933
1974 $306,044,208 $1,026,137,111
1973 $244,124,164 $946,385,105
1972 $164,460,915 $742,779,661
1971 $127,448,614 $693,573,704
1970 $96,243,234 $649,916,621
1969 $77,361,547 $625,867,985
1968 $66,248,441 $641,214,226
1967 $58,642,354 $665,586,872
1966 $51,465,655 $702,296,079
1965 $45,788,696 $673,383,511
1964 $41,616,348 $582,816,396
1963 $38,091,843 $586,294,879
1962 $35,644,957 $531,736,599
1961 $32,902,613 $485,785,231
1960 $30,411,414 $449,526,873

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Niger by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Niger
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Niger
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $775 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $730 $2,050
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $648 $1,875
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $614 $1,840
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $610 $1,586
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $575 $1,497
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $541 $1,419
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $577 $1,276
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $530 $1,208
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $500 $1,189
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $486 $1,172
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $565 $1,161
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $552 $1,138
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $529 $1,162
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $511 $1,064
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $474 $1,058
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $461 $999
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $475 $1,010
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $387 $955
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $333 $935
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $319 $888
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $283.5 $832
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $265.2 $837
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $225.3 $832
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $205.4 $809
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $194.8 $764
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $228.3 $783
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $246.1 $801
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $220.6 $745
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $239.5 $746
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $237 $757
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $206.2 $748
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $335 $742
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $384 $746
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $384 $738
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $424 $739
1989 $2,428 - $271.3 -
1988 $2,141 - $292.6 -
1987 $1,639 - $295.3 -
1986 $1,200 - $259.6 -
1985 $994 - $202.4 -
1984 $1,145 - $211.5 -
1983 $1,121 - $268.8 -
1982 $1,006 - $310 -
1981 $1,107 - $343 -
1980 $1,132 - $409 -
1979 $909 - $354 -
1978 $695 - $307 -
1977 $565 - $229.8 -
1976 $490 - $194.8 -
1975 $493 - $197.2 -
1974 $446 - $198.3 -
1973 $374 - $187.9 -
1972 $264.2 - $151.4 -
1971 $212.2 - $145.2 -
1970 $163 - $139.8 -
1969 $131.8 - $138.3 -
1968 $113.4 - $145.6 -
1967 $100.9 - $155.4 -
1966 $89.1 - $168.6 -
1965 $79.7 - $166.3 -
1964 $73.5 - $148.1 -
1963 $68.9 - $153.3 -
1962 $66 - $143.2 -
1961 $62.3 - $134.6 -
1960 $58.9 - $128.3 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $775 in Niger, ranking 188/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Niger ranks 186th at $2,050.

Economic indicators

Botswana Niger
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$21.6B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
129/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
7.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$775
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
188/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$2,050
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
186/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$9.82B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
45.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$352
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
175/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$1,418
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
27.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.8%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
14.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
-4.45%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
0.4%
2022
Population
2624853
29294628

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Niger
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Niger
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 14.8% 45.4%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 13.4% 47.7%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 15.8% 51.8%
2022 29.1% 21% 21.6% 50.7%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 24.3% 51.3%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 22.4% 45%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 21.6% 39.8%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 21.2% 37%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 19.5% 36.5%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 19.4% 32.8%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 24.2% 29.9%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 23.6% 22.1%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 20.4% 19.6%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 16.6% 18.1%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 15.3% 14.7%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 14.3% 15.1%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 17.7% 15.9%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 16.9% 14.2%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 17.4% 17.8%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 15.2% 18.3%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 15.6% 49.5%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 16.1% 55%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 14% 60.6%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 14.4% 69%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 13.7% 74%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 13.5% 82.1%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 15% 63.3%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 13.6% 61.3%
1997 39% - 12.9% 69.1%
1996 36.1% - 10.9% 63.5%
1995 36.1% - 12.5% 69.4%
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/niger | CC BY

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Niger spent $3.2B, or 14.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 45.4% in Niger, ranking 137/185 and 114/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Niger
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Niger
2025 -7.42% -3.28%
2024 -7.26% -4.27%
2023 -4.16% -5.37%
2022 0.04% -6.77%
2021 -2.33% -6.1%
2020 -10.9% -4.82%
2019 -8.53% -3.56%
2018 -5.03% -3.01%
2017 -1.14% -4.12%
2016 0.71% -4.46%
2015 -4.82% -6.75%
2014 3.9% -6.12%
2013 5.84% -1.93%
2012 0.89% -0.83%
2011 -0.12% -2.19%
2010 -7.95% -0.99%
2009 -13.8% -3.93%
2008 -7.61% 1.11%
2007 5.73% -0.75%
2006 13.3% 31%
2005 10.3% -1.53%
2004 1.35% -2.76%
2003 -0.18% -2.17%
2002 -3.94% -2.21%
2001 -2.91% -2.59%
2000 8.73% -2.83%
1999 5.95% -4.27%
1998 - -2.23%
1997 - -2.39%
1996 - -0.36%
1995 - -3.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/niger | 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 Niger's deficit of $711M, or 3.28% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Niger ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Niger.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Niger
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Niger
2025 2.66% -4.45%
2024 2.82% 9.07%
2023 5.07% 3.7%
2022 11.7% 4.23%
2021 7.24% 3.84%
2020 1.89% 2.9%
2019 2.77% -2.49%
2018 3.24% 2.97%
2017 3.31% 2.8%
2016 2.81% 1.65%
2015 3.06% -0.58%
2014 4.4% -0.93%
2013 5.88% 2.3%
2012 7.54% 0.46%
2011 8.46% 2.94%
2010 6.95% 0.8%
2009 8.03% 0.58%
2008 12.7% 11.3%
2007 7.08% 0.05%
2006 11.6% 0.04%
2005 8.61% 7.8%
2004 6.95% 0.26%
2003 9.19% -1.61%
2002 8.03% 2.63%
2001 6.56% 4.01%
2000 8.6% 2.9%
1999 7.75% -2.3%
1998 6.66% 4.55%
1997 8.72% 2.93%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 2.15% in Niger. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and -4.45% in Niger.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $3K
Niger
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana Niger
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$1.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
123/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-6.09%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$2B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$1.52B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$1.03B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$248M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
18.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
15.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Niger
Economic freedom 67.7 51
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 156/197
Property rights 71.7 16.6
Government integrity 59.6 33.9
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 28
Tax burden 87.1 78.2
Government spending 69.8 91.4
Fiscal health 72.4 47.6
Business freedom 61.5 32.4
Labor freedom 60.7 54.7
Monetary freedom 72 67.9
Trade freedom 77 65.8
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Niger
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Niger
2026 67.7 51
2025 69.9 51.5
2024 68 52.3
2023 64.9 53.7
2022 64.8 54.9
2021 67.6 57.3
2020 69.6 54.7
2019 69.5 51.6
2018 69.9 49.5
2017 70.1 50.8
2016 71.1 54.3
2015 69.8 54.6
2014 72 55.1
2013 70.6 53.9
2012 69.6 54.3
2011 68.8 54.3
2010 70.3 52.9
2009 69.7 53.8
2008 68.2 52.9
2007 68.1 53.2
2006 68.8 52.5
2005 69.3 54.1
2004 69.9 54.6
2003 68.6 54.2
2002 66.2 48.2
2001 66.8 48.9
2000 65.8 45.9
1999 62.9 48.6
1998 62.8 47.5
1997 59.1 46.6
1996 61.6 45.8
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 51 for Niger, ranking 156/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Niger
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
31.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
18.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
47.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$20.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$2,150
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$337M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$358M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$20.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
1.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
41.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
22%
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/niger | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. TradeMap (2023, 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.