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Economy of Botswana vs North Macedonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $17B for North Macedonia, ranking 133/197 and 138/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $9.3B (54.8% of GDP) in North Macedonia.

Botswana vs North Macedonia GDP by year

Botswana
North Macedonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana North Macedonia
2024 $19,402,063,513 $16,951,682,245
2023 $19,411,266,967 $15,855,131,189
2022 $20,321,150,599 $13,932,436,550
2021 $18,750,182,236 $14,000,283,827
2020 $14,960,251,608 $12,361,036,914
2019 $16,725,908,149 $12,606,338,449
2018 $17,031,943,186 $12,683,068,114
2017 $16,105,155,857 $11,307,067,070
2016 $15,082,637,184 $10,672,467,073
2015 $13,530,748,845 $10,064,519,963
2014 $15,470,088,501 $11,362,265,253
2013 $14,271,738,933 $10,817,702,346
2012 $13,907,464,500 $9,745,261,301
2011 $15,110,643,612 $10,494,626,768
2010 $12,637,273,429 $9,407,170,321
2009 $10,118,459,242 $9,401,736,825
2008 $10,730,829,116 $9,909,552,435
2007 $10,567,270,656 $8,336,474,974
2006 $9,919,158,482 $6,861,226,972
2005 $9,918,907,108 $6,258,602,873
2004 $8,957,467,707 $5,682,784,472
2003 $7,511,582,173 $4,946,296,599
2002 $5,438,863,983 $4,018,365,747
2001 $5,489,608,300 $3,709,636,031
2000 $5,788,329,609 $3,772,859,034
1999 $5,484,263,347 $3,863,619,285
1998 $4,790,481,509 $3,765,745,023
1997 $5,020,265,627 $3,912,986,091
1996 $4,847,757,218 $4,642,021,256
1995 $4,730,599,122 $4,707,041,315
1994 $4,259,259,604 $3,559,608,640
1993 $4,160,129,175 $2,682,456,897
1992 $4,146,464,587 $2,436,849,342
1991 $3,942,876,703 $4,938,775,510
1990 $3,790,636,324 $4,699,646,643
1989 $3,083,822,112 -
1988 $2,644,554,159 -
1987 $1,965,226,890 -
1986 $1,392,602,164 -
1985 $1,114,783,343 -
1984 $1,240,822,167 -
1983 $1,172,230,397 -
1982 $1,014,945,696 -
1981 $1,073,812,830 -
1980 $1,060,889,704 -
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/north-macedonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs North Macedonia by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana North Macedonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $9,292 $26,995
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $8,674 $25,354
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $7,606 $24,212
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $7,621 $22,144
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $6,660 $19,962
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $6,719 $20,223
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $6,714 $18,460
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $5,955 $17,161
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $5,598 $16,458
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $5,263 $15,034
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $5,925 $14,485
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $5,626 $13,663
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $5,050 $12,726
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $5,417 $12,421
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $4,833 $11,992
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $4,800 $11,532
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $5,026 $10,924
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $4,204 $9,639
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $3,440 $8,888
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $3,121 $7,972
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $2,819 $7,229
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $2,445 $6,608
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $1,989 $6,395
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $1,823 $6,051
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,862 $6,154
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $1,915 $5,724
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $1,876 $5,448
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $1,960 $5,227
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $2,307 $5,026
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $2,355 $4,912
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $1,786 $4,880
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $1,337 $4,829
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $1,199 $5,033
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $2,402 $5,207
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $2,277 $5,348
1989 $2,428 - - -
1988 $2,141 - - -
1987 $1,639 - - -
1986 $1,200 - - -
1985 $994 - - -
1984 $1,145 - - -
1983 $1,121 - - -
1982 $1,006 - - -
1981 $1,107 - - -
1980 $1,132 - - -
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/north-macedonia | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $9,292 in North Macedonia, ranking 88/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995.

Economic indicators

Botswana North Macedonia
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$17B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
138/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
2.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$9,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
88/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$26,995
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
78/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
54.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$5,095
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
77/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$7,534
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
22.9%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
36.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
3.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
5.35%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
12.3%
2024
Population
2615162
1805954

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana North Macedonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 36.7% 54.8%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 35.5% 50.8%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 35% 50.4%
2021 33% 23.4% 35.3% 52.7%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 36.4% 50.8%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 31.4% 40.4%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 30.3% 40.4%
2017 35% 19.8% 31.8% 39.4%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 31.1% 39.7%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 32.2% 38%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 31.7% 38%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 31.7% 34%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 33.3% 33.7%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 31.9% 27.7%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 32.5% 24.3%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 33.6% 23.7%
2008 48% 7.77% 33.8% 20.6%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 31.4% 23.5%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 31.5% 30.6%
2005 35% 7.74% 32.5% 36.7%
2004 42% 11.3% 34.1% 34.6%
2003 44% 7.29% 36% 36.5%
2002 46% 8.55% 38.2% 40.5%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 37.4% 45.2%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 32% 45.6%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 33.2% 30.4%
1998 44.3% 12% 32.8% 33.1%
1997 40% - 32.9% 29.3%
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); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/north-macedonia | CC BY

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while North Macedonia spent $6.23B, or 36.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 54.8% in North Macedonia, ranking 158/185 and 96/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

North Macedonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana North Macedonia
2024 -7.82% -4.45%
2023 -4.25% -4.61%
2022 -0.006% -5.23%
2021 -2.46% -5.32%
2020 -11.5% -8.05%
2019 -8.43% -1.97%
2018 -5.07% -1.76%
2017 -1.16% -2.73%
2016 0.72% -2.7%
2015 -5.06% -3.48%
2014 3.88% -4.19%
2013 6.07% -3.84%
2012 0.92% -3.81%
2011 -0.12% -2.47%
2010 -8.36% -2.41%
2009 -14.4% -2.63%
2008 -7.59% -0.93%
2007 5.92% 0.58%
2006 13.7% -0.51%
2005 10.7% 0.21%
2004 1.42% 0.37%
2003 -0.18% -0.07%
2002 -4.02% -5.24%
2001 -2.96% -5.88%
2000 8.95% 2.37%
1999 6.18% 0.03%
1998 - -1.63%
1997 - -0.36%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/north-macedonia | 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 North Macedonia's deficit of $754M, or 4.45% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while North Macedonia ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.64% of GDP for North Macedonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

North Macedonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana North Macedonia
2024 2.82% 3.5%
2023 5.07% 9.4%
2022 11.7% 14.2%
2021 7.24% 3.2%
2020 1.89% 1.2%
2019 2.77% 0.8%
2018 3.24% 1.5%
2017 3.31% 1.4%
2016 2.81% -0.2%
2015 3.06% -0.3%
2014 4.4% -0.3%
2013 5.88% 2.8%
2012 7.54% 3.3%
2011 8.46% 3.9%
2010 6.95% 1.5%
2009 8.03% -0.7%
2008 12.7% 8.3%
2007 7.08% 2.3%
2006 11.6% 3.2%
2005 8.61% 0.5%
2004 6.95% -0.4%
2003 9.19% 0.9%
2002 8.03% 1.1%
2001 6.56% 5.2%
2000 8.6% 6.6%
1999 7.75% -1.3%
1998 6.66% 0.5%
1997 8.72% 1.3%

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/north-macedonia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 2.62% in North Macedonia. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 3.5% in North Macedonia.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $13K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
North Macedonia
Export category Export value
Metals $6K
Machinery & equipment $2K

Balance of trade

Botswana North Macedonia
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$356M
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
102/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-2.1%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$10.6B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$7.3B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$2.01B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$3.16B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
74.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
61.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana North Macedonia
Economic freedom 67.7 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 81/197
Property rights 71.7 56.2
Government integrity 59.6 43.2
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 49.5
Tax burden 87.1 94.9
Government spending 69.8 61.7
Fiscal health 72.4 57.7
Business freedom 61.5 72.2
Labor freedom 60.7 51.4
Monetary freedom 72 69.6
Trade freedom 77 77.8
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
North Macedonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana North Macedonia
2026 67.7 63.3
2025 69.9 63.2
2024 68 61.4
2023 64.9 63.7
2022 64.8 65.7
2021 67.6 68.6
2020 69.6 69.5
2019 69.5 71.1
2018 69.9 71.3
2017 70.1 70.7
2016 71.1 67.5
2015 69.8 67.1
2014 72 68.6
2013 70.6 68.2
2012 69.6 68.5
2011 68.8 66
2010 70.3 65.7
2009 69.7 61.2
2008 68.2 61.1
2007 68.1 60.6
2006 68.8 59.2
2005 69.3 56.1
2004 69.9 56.8
2003 68.6 60.1
2002 66.2 58
2001 66.8 -
2000 65.8 -
1999 62.9 -
1998 62.8 -
1997 59.1 -
1996 61.6 -
1995 56.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/north-macedonia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 63.3 for North Macedonia, ranking 81/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana North Macedonia
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
56.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
24.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
6.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$15.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$25,610
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$5.25B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
97/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$1.12B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$1.06B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
-$64.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
9.59%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
22.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
30.6%
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/north-macedonia | 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 (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, 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.