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Economy of Botswana vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 133/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Botswana vs Nigeria GDP by year

Botswana
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Nigeria
2024 $19,402,063,513 $252,261,880,141
2023 $19,411,266,967 $487,387,801,881
2022 $20,321,150,599 $646,950,257,578
2021 $18,750,182,236 $609,147,716,973
2020 $14,960,251,608 $598,586,817,819
2019 $16,725,908,149 $668,219,992,691
2018 $17,031,943,186 $421,739,251,509
2017 $16,105,155,857 $375,745,731,053
2016 $15,082,637,184 $404,649,125,252
2015 $13,530,748,845 $493,026,682,801
2014 $15,470,088,501 $574,183,763,412
2013 $14,271,738,933 $520,117,180,314
2012 $13,907,464,500 $463,971,018,239
2011 $15,110,643,612 $414,466,676,831
2010 $12,637,273,429 $366,990,417,129
2009 $10,118,459,242 $295,008,835,381
2008 $10,730,829,116 $339,476,276,258
2007 $10,567,270,656 $278,260,846,800
2006 $9,919,158,482 $238,454,997,161
2005 $9,918,907,108 $175,670,569,969
2004 $8,957,467,707 $135,764,731,646
2003 $7,511,582,173 $104,738,954,264
2002 $5,438,863,983 $95,054,059,303
2001 $5,489,608,300 $73,557,840,064
2000 $5,788,329,609 $69,171,451,627
1999 $5,484,263,347 $59,145,077,039
1998 $4,790,481,509 $218,416,200,673
1997 $5,020,265,627 $200,850,397,618
1996 $4,847,757,218 $185,730,236,700
1995 $4,730,599,122 $140,919,776,986
1994 $4,259,259,604 $80,399,613,064
1993 $4,160,129,175 $56,721,051,402
1992 $4,146,464,587 $52,058,181,854
1991 $3,942,876,703 $59,526,833,412
1990 $3,790,636,324 $54,035,795,388
1989 $3,083,822,112 $44,003,061,108
1988 $2,644,554,159 $49,648,470,440
1987 $1,965,226,890 $52,676,041,931
1986 $1,392,602,164 $54,805,852,581
1985 $1,114,783,343 $73,745,821,158
1984 $1,240,822,167 $73,484,359,521
1983 $1,172,230,397 $97,094,911,792
1982 $1,014,945,696 $142,769,363,314
1981 $1,073,812,830 $164,475,209,516
1980 $1,060,889,704 $64,201,788,123
1979 $819,870,259 $47,259,911,894
1978 $590,407,374 $36,527,862,209
1977 $451,624,780 $36,035,407,725
1976 $372,025,093 $36,308,883,249
1975 $355,168,572 $27,778,934,625
1974 $306,044,208 $24,846,641,318
1973 $244,124,164 $15,162,871,287
1972 $164,460,915 $12,274,416,018
1971 $127,448,614 $9,181,769,912
1970 $96,243,234 $12,546,094,982
1969 $77,361,547 $6,634,317,346
1968 $66,248,441 $5,200,997,920
1967 $58,642,354 $5,203,237,919
1966 $51,465,655 $6,366,917,453
1965 $45,788,696 $5,874,537,650
1964 $41,616,348 $5,552,931,319
1963 $38,091,843 $5,165,590,254
1962 $35,644,957 $4,909,399,176
1961 $32,902,613 $4,467,287,893
1960 $30,411,414 $4,196,174,502

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Nigeria by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $962 $4,381
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $763 $4,015
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $712 $3,770
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $566 $3,309
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $547 $3,139
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $481 $3,002
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $745 $2,853
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $540 $2,921
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $509 $2,991
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $597 $2,870
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $556 $2,840
1989 $2,428 - $465 -
1988 $2,141 - $540 -
1987 $1,639 - $588 -
1986 $1,200 - $628 -
1985 $994 - $869 -
1984 $1,145 - $890 -
1983 $1,121 - $1,207 -
1982 $1,006 - $1,822 -
1981 $1,107 - $2,162 -
1980 $1,132 - $870 -
1979 $909 - $661 -
1978 $695 - $527 -
1977 $565 - $536 -
1976 $490 - $556 -
1975 $493 - $438 -
1974 $446 - $403 -
1973 $374 - $252.4 -
1972 $264.2 - $209.5 -
1971 $212.2 - $160.5 -
1970 $163 - $224.5 -
1969 $131.8 - $121.4 -
1968 $113.4 - $97.3 -
1967 $100.9 - $99.5 -
1966 $89.1 - $124.4 -
1965 $79.7 - $117.3 -
1964 $73.5 - $113.3 -
1963 $68.9 - $107.7 -
1962 $66 - $104.5 -
1961 $62.3 - $97.1 -
1960 $58.9 - $93.1 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Botswana Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$1,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$54.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
3.45%
2024
Population
2615162
243824469

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 12.3% 39.3%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 33% 23.4% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 35% 19.8% 8.51% 18%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 9.49% 12.9%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 10% 13%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 11% 6.12%
2008 48% 7.77% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 35% 7.74% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 42% 11.3% 13% 25.2%
2003 44% 7.29% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 46% 8.55% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 44.3% 12% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 40% - 9.68% 17.1%
1996 37.2% - 7.87% 17.9%
1995 38.1% - 8.87% 24.2%
1994 39.2% - 12.1% 39.7%
1993 44.2% - 20% 50.4%
1992 43.4% - 15.9% 49.8%
1991 42.3% - 13.6% 53.2%
1990 40.5% - 14.2% 50.9%

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

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 158/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Nigeria
2024 -7.82% -1.57%
2023 -4.25% -3.12%
2022 -0.006% -4%
2021 -2.46% -3.97%
2020 -11.5% -4.03%
2019 -8.43% -3.31%
2018 -5.07% -3.06%
2017 -1.16% -3.85%
2016 0.72% -3.3%
2015 -5.06% -2.7%
2014 3.88% -1.72%
2013 6.07% -1.89%
2012 0.92% -0.09%
2011 -0.12% 0.31%
2010 -8.36% -2.96%
2009 -14.4% -3.78%
2008 -7.59% 4.05%
2007 5.92% -0.79%
2006 13.7% 6.22%
2005 10.7% 3.49%
2004 1.42% 3.9%
2003 -0.18% -1.56%
2002 -4.02% 0.95%
2001 -2.96% -2.29%
2000 8.95% 2.89%
1999 6.18% -1.39%
1998 - -3.47%
1997 - 1.14%
1996 - 3.37%
1995 - 2.52%
1994 - -2.96%
1993 - -6.07%
1992 - 0.94%
1991 - -1.18%
1990 - -0.48%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/nigeria | 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 Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.06% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Nigeria
2024 2.82% 33.2%
2023 5.07% 24.7%
2022 11.7% 18.8%
2021 7.24% 17%
2020 1.89% 13.2%
2019 2.77% 11.4%
2018 3.24% 12.1%
2017 3.31% 16.5%
2016 2.81% 15.7%
2015 3.06% 9.01%
2014 4.4% 8.05%
2013 5.88% 8.5%
2012 7.54% 12.2%
2011 8.46% 10.8%
2010 6.95% 13.7%
2009 8.03% 12.5%
2008 12.7% 11.6%
2007 7.08% 5.39%
2006 11.6% 8.23%
2005 8.61% 17.9%
2004 6.95% 15%
2003 9.19% 14%
2002 8.03% 12.9%
2001 6.56% 18.9%
2000 8.6% 6.93%
1999 7.75% 6.62%
1998 6.66% 10%
1997 8.72% 8.53%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 13.3% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 33.2% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.06M
Textiles & consumer goods $62K
Animal & marine products $61K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8K
Miscellaneous $7K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Metals $2K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Nigeria
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana Nigeria
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$53B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Nigeria
Economic freedom 67.7 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 132/197
Property rights 71.7 29.7
Government integrity 59.6 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 34.4
Tax burden 87.1 84.6
Government spending 69.8 96.3
Fiscal health 72.4 83.5
Business freedom 61.5 50.3
Labor freedom 60.7 75.4
Monetary freedom 72 56.1
Trade freedom 77 64.4
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Nigeria
2026 67.7 54.8
2025 69.9 53.4
2024 68 53.1
2023 64.9 53.9
2022 64.8 54.4
2021 67.6 58.7
2020 69.6 57.2
2019 69.5 57.3
2018 69.9 58.5
2017 70.1 57.1
2016 71.1 57.5
2015 69.8 55.6
2014 72 54.3
2013 70.6 55.1
2012 69.6 56.3
2011 68.8 56.7
2010 70.3 56.8
2009 69.7 55.1
2008 68.2 55.1
2007 68.1 55.6
2006 68.8 48.7
2005 69.3 48.4
2004 69.9 49.2
2003 68.6 49.5
2002 66.2 50.9
2001 66.8 49.6
2000 65.8 53.1
1999 62.9 55.7
1998 62.8 52.3
1997 59.1 52.8
1996 61.6 47.4
1995 56.8 47.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
n/a

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/nigeria | 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 (2022–2024, 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.