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Economy of Botswana vs North Macedonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $19.1B for North Macedonia, ranking 135/197 and 137/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $10B (52.5% of GDP) in North Macedonia.

Botswana vs North Macedonia GDP by year

Botswana
North Macedonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana North Macedonia
2025 $19,928,479,839 $19,101,199,817
2024 $19,286,251,068 $16,951,682,221
2023 $19,413,614,555 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $7,778 - $10,490 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $9,292 $26,995
2023 $7,827 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $10,490 in North Macedonia, ranking 86/197. 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
$19.9B
2025
$19.1B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
137/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
3.49%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$10,490
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
86/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$26,995
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
78/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$10B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
52.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$5,510
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
78/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$9,326
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
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
35%
2025
36.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
4.1%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
5.35%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
11.5%
2025
Population
2624853
1811466

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
2025 35% 38.6% 36.2% 52.5%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 36.1% 52.9%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 35.3% 50.5%
2022 29.1% 21% 35% 50.4%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 35.3% 52.7%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 36.4% 50.8%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 31.4% 40.4%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 30.3% 40.4%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 31.8% 39.4%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 31.1% 39.7%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 32.2% 38%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 31.7% 38%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 31.7% 34%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 33.3% 33.7%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 31.9% 27.7%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 32.5% 24.3%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 33.6% 23.7%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 33.8% 20.6%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 31.4% 23.5%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 31.5% 30.6%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 32.5% 36.7%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 34.1% 34.6%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 36% 36.5%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 38.2% 40.5%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 37.4% 45.2%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 32% 45.6%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 32.5% 29.8%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 32.2% 33.1%
1997 39% - 32.3% 29.3%
1996 36.1% - - -
1995 36.1% - - -
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); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while North Macedonia spent $6.91B, or 36.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 52.5% in North Macedonia, ranking 137/185 and 97/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

North Macedonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana North Macedonia
2025 -7.42% -4.01%
2024 -7.26% -4.38%
2023 -4.16% -4.59%
2022 0.04% -5.23%
2021 -2.33% -5.32%
2020 -10.9% -8.05%
2019 -8.53% -1.97%
2018 -5.03% -1.76%
2017 -1.14% -2.73%
2016 0.71% -2.7%
2015 -4.82% -3.48%
2014 3.9% -4.19%
2013 5.84% -3.84%
2012 0.89% -3.81%
2011 -0.12% -2.47%
2010 -7.95% -2.41%
2009 -13.8% -2.63%
2008 -7.61% -0.93%
2007 5.73% 0.58%
2006 13.3% -0.51%
2005 10.3% 0.21%
2004 1.35% 0.37%
2003 -0.18% -0.07%
2002 -3.94% -5.24%
2001 -2.91% -5.88%
2000 8.73% 2.37%
1999 5.95% 0.03%
1998 - -1.59%
1997 - -0.35%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/north-macedonia | 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 North Macedonia's deficit of $766M, or 4.01% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while North Macedonia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.69% of GDP for North Macedonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

North Macedonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana North Macedonia
2025 2.66% 4.1%
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% -0.2%
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% -0.8%
2008 12.7% 7.2%
2007 7.08% 2.8%
2006 11.6% 3.3%
2005 8.61% 0%
2004 6.95% -0.4%
2003 9.19% 1.1%
2002 8.03% 1.7%
2001 6.56% 5.1%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 2.66% in North Macedonia. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 4.1% 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
-$815M
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
112/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-4.27%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$11.7B
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$7.87B
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$2.4B
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$3.55B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
73.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
59.6%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
64.6%
2025
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
24.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
5.98%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$17.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$26,680
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$5.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
98/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$276M
2025
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
1.45%
2024
9.59%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
21.9%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
31.7%
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/north-macedonia | 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. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.