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Economy of Botswana vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $407B for Pakistan, ranking 135/197 and 41/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $297B (72.8% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Botswana vs Pakistan GDP by year

Botswana
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Pakistan
2025 $19,928,479,839 $407,307,214,476
2024 $19,286,251,068 $371,747,087,751
2023 $19,413,614,555 $336,686,348,609
2022 $20,321,150,599 $374,890,295,667
2021 $18,750,182,236 $348,516,647,445
2020 $14,960,251,608 $300,425,609,818
2019 $16,725,908,149 $320,909,472,771
2018 $17,031,943,186 $356,128,166,705
2017 $16,105,155,857 $339,205,534,861
2016 $15,082,637,184 $313,630,000,130
2015 $13,530,748,845 $299,963,590,535
2014 $15,470,088,501 $271,390,474,858
2013 $14,271,738,933 $258,657,231,672
2012 $13,907,464,500 $250,106,966,105
2011 $15,110,643,612 $230,586,581,060
2010 $12,637,273,429 $196,709,621,850
2009 $10,118,459,242 $187,337,783,856
2008 $10,730,829,116 $202,203,748,584
2007 $10,567,270,656 $184,140,869,997
2006 $9,919,158,482 $161,871,385,506
2005 $9,918,907,108 $145,208,562,961
2004 $8,957,467,707 $132,216,048,339
2003 $7,511,582,173 $112,371,913,741
2002 $5,438,863,983 $97,923,302,809
2001 $5,489,608,300 $97,145,618,480
2000 $5,788,329,609 $99,484,802,345
1999 $5,484,263,347 $62,973,857,069
1998 $4,790,481,509 $62,191,955,814
1997 $5,020,265,627 $62,433,340,468
1996 $4,847,757,218 $63,320,170,084
1995 $4,730,599,122 $60,636,071,684
1994 $4,259,259,604 $52,293,470,813
1993 $4,160,129,175 $51,809,999,353
1992 $4,146,464,587 $48,884,671,947
1991 $3,942,876,703 $45,625,336,680
1990 $3,790,636,324 $40,010,423,970
1989 $3,083,822,112 $40,171,106,279
1988 $2,644,554,159 $38,472,742,808
1987 $1,965,226,890 $33,351,529,275
1986 $1,392,602,164 $31,899,070,056
1985 $1,114,783,343 $31,144,920,844
1984 $1,240,822,167 $31,151,825,467
1983 $1,172,230,397 $28,691,889,764
1982 $1,014,945,696 $30,725,971,564
1981 $1,073,812,830 $28,100,606,061
1980 $1,060,889,704 $23,654,444,444
1979 $819,870,259 $19,688,383,838
1978 $590,407,374 $17,811,515,152
1977 $451,624,780 $15,126,060,606
1976 $372,025,093 $13,168,080,808
1975 $355,168,572 $11,230,606,061
1974 $306,044,208 $8,899,191,919
1973 $244,124,164 $6,383,429,490
1972 $164,460,915 $9,415,016,360
1971 $127,448,614 $10,665,896,682
1970 $96,243,234 $10,027,509,450
1969 $77,361,547 $8,683,116,338
1968 $66,248,441 $8,041,999,160
1967 $58,642,354 $7,464,510,710
1966 $51,465,655 $6,561,108,778
1965 $45,788,696 $5,929,231,415
1964 $41,616,348 $5,204,955,901
1963 $38,091,843 $4,630,827,383
1962 $35,644,957 $4,310,163,797
1961 $32,902,613 $4,118,647,627
1960 $30,411,414 $3,749,265,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Pakistan by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $1,596 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $987 $3,786
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $964 $3,777
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $998 $3,672
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $901 $3,515
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $828 $3,293
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $772 $3,048
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $672 $2,822
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $600 $2,688
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $610 $2,644
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $642 $2,565
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $418 $2,475
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $424 $2,419
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $438 $2,398
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $457 $2,401
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $451 $2,315
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $400 $2,224
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $408 $2,160
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $396 $2,132
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $380 $1,992
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $344 $1,895
1989 $2,428 - $358 -
1988 $2,141 - $354 -
1987 $1,639 - $317 -
1986 $1,200 - $314 -
1985 $994 - $317 -
1984 $1,145 - $327 -
1983 $1,121 - $311 -
1982 $1,006 - $345 -
1981 $1,107 - $328 -
1980 $1,132 - $287.4 -
1979 $909 - $249.2 -
1978 $695 - $233.4 -
1977 $565 - $204.7 -
1976 $490 - $183.9 -
1975 $493 - $161.7 -
1974 $446 - $132 -
1973 $374 - $97.5 -
1972 $264.2 - $148.1 -
1971 $212.2 - $172.5 -
1970 $163 - $166.7 -
1969 $131.8 - $148.5 -
1968 $113.4 - $141.6 -
1967 $100.9 - $135.2 -
1966 $89.1 - $122.2 -
1965 $79.7 - $113.6 -
1964 $73.5 - $102.5 -
1963 $68.9 - $93.7 -
1962 $66 - $89.5 -
1961 $62.3 - $87.8 -
1960 $58.9 - $82 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $1,596 in Pakistan, ranking 164/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

Botswana Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$407B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
41/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
3.7%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$1,596
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
164/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$297B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
72.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$1,162
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
138/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$1,775
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
$70.3B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
27.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.4%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
21.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
3.55%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
11.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
6.96%
2025
Population
2624853
261421997

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 21.2% 72.8%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 19.4% 70.2%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 29.1% 21% 20% 77.3%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 18% 49.5%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 13% 47.9%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 13.8% 61.7%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 13.2% 60.7%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 14.1% 53.8%
1997 39% - 13.7% 52.8%
1996 36.1% - 15% 52.5%
1995 36.1% - 14% 52.3%
1994 37.6% - 14.5% 58.5%
1993 42% - 17% 57.9%
1992 42.3% - 22.6% 53.3%
1991 41.1% - 21.4% 55.8%
1990 38.9% - 23.9% 48.3%
1989 - - 26.1% 46.6%
1988 - - 27.9% 45%
1987 - - 29.5% 44.4%
1986 - - 27.6% 43.1%
1985 - - 28.3% 37%
1984 - - 25.4% 33.4%
1983 - - 24.8% 33.6%
1982 - - 24.5% 33.8%
1981 - - 21.6% 29.7%
1980 - - 22% 33.3%
1979 - - 25.3% 36.8%
1978 - - 25.5% 36.1%
1977 - - 20.4% 36.4%
1976 - - 21% 35.8%
1975 - - 20.4% 32.1%
1974 - - 15.3% 38%
1973 - - 13.9% 43.4%
1972 - - 13.5% 88.7%
1971 - - 22.1% 33.2%
1970 - - 23.6% 31.6%
1969 - - 15.6% 29.1%
1968 - - 13.7% 27.5%
1967 - - 12.9% 25.9%
1966 - - 12.2% 25.1%
1965 - - 11.2% 22.7%
1964 - - 12.1% 21.3%
1963 - - 14.7% 19.2%
1962 - - 11.8% 16.6%
1961 - - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 - - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $86.4B, or 21.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 72.8% in Pakistan, ranking 137/185 and 53/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Pakistan
2025 -7.42% -5.37%
2024 -7.26% -6.79%
2023 -4.16% -7.76%
2022 0.04% -7.84%
2021 -2.33% -6.04%
2020 -10.9% -7.03%
2019 -8.53% -7.79%
2018 -5.03% -5.67%
2017 -1.14% -5.17%
2016 0.71% -3.92%
2015 -4.82% -4.74%
2014 3.9% -4.37%
2013 5.84% -7.48%
2012 0.89% -7.74%
2011 -0.12% -6.23%
2010 -7.95% -5.42%
2009 -13.8% -4.53%
2008 -7.61% -5.94%
2007 5.73% -4.23%
2006 13.3% -2.79%
2005 10.3% -2.29%
2004 1.35% -1.29%
2003 -0.18% -0.12%
2002 -3.94% -2.64%
2001 -2.91% -2.45%
2000 8.73% -3.21%
1999 5.95% -3.07%
1998 - -4.46%
1997 - -3.87%
1996 - -4.33%
1995 - -3.9%
1994 - -3.63%
1993 - -5.53%
1992 - -11.3%
1991 - -10.8%
1990 - -11.9%
1989 - -7.01%
1988 - -9.35%
1987 - -11.7%
1986 - -9.79%
1985 - -10.6%
1984 - -8.9%
1983 - -7.55%
1982 - -8.24%
1981 - -5.83%
1980 - -5.32%
1979 - -11.6%
1978 - -12.4%
1977 - -8.74%
1976 - -9.05%
1975 - -8.97%
1974 - -4.45%
1973 - -3.99%
1972 - -3.16%
1971 - -7.45%
1970 - -10.8%
1969 - -7.08%
1968 - -5.56%
1967 - -4.27%
1966 - -4.48%
1965 - -3.28%
1964 - -4.89%
1963 - -6.55%
1962 - -3.39%
1961 - -4.6%
1960 - -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/pakistan | 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 Pakistan's deficit of $21.9B, or 5.37% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.89% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Pakistan
2025 2.66% 3.55%
2024 2.82% 12.6%
2023 5.07% 30.8%
2022 11.7% 19.9%
2021 7.24% 9.5%
2020 1.89% 9.74%
2019 2.77% 10.6%
2018 3.24% 5.08%
2017 3.31% 4.09%
2016 2.81% 3.77%
2015 3.06% 2.53%
2014 4.4% 7.19%
2013 5.88% 7.69%
2012 7.54% 9.68%
2011 8.46% 11.9%
2010 6.95% 12.9%
2009 8.03% 13.6%
2008 12.7% 20.3%
2007 7.08% 7.6%
2006 11.6% 7.92%
2005 8.61% 9.06%
2004 6.95% 7.44%
2003 9.19% 2.91%
2002 8.03% 3.29%
2001 6.56% 3.15%
2000 8.6% 4.37%
1999 7.75% 4.14%
1998 6.66% 6.23%
1997 8.72% 11.4%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 9.07% in Pakistan. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 3.55% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $1.84M
Metals $204K
Textiles & consumer goods $21K
Miscellaneous $1K
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.84M
Textiles & consumer goods $340K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $51K
Raw agricultural goods $51K
Metals $32K
Chemicals & pharma $21K
Miscellaneous $19K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Wood & paper products $3K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Botswana Pakistan
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$448M
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
102/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-0.11%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$62.6B
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$31.5B
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$12B
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$9.09B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
17.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
9.99%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Pakistan
Economic freedom 67.7 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 168/197
Property rights 71.7 25.7
Government integrity 59.6 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 27.6
Tax burden 87.1 78.2
Government spending 69.8 88.5
Fiscal health 72.4 10.1
Business freedom 61.5 54.4
Labor freedom 60.7 51.7
Monetary freedom 72 54.1
Trade freedom 77 70.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Pakistan
2026 67.7 48.9
2025 69.9 49.1
2024 68 49.5
2023 64.9 49.4
2022 64.8 48.8
2021 67.6 51.7
2020 69.6 54.8
2019 69.5 55
2018 69.9 54.4
2017 70.1 52.8
2016 71.1 55.9
2015 69.8 55.6
2014 72 55.2
2013 70.6 55.1
2012 69.6 54.7
2011 68.8 55.1
2010 70.3 55.2
2009 69.7 57
2008 68.2 55.6
2007 68.1 57.2
2006 68.8 57.9
2005 69.3 53.3
2004 69.9 54.9
2003 68.6 55
2002 66.2 55.8
2001 66.8 56
2000 65.8 56.4
1999 62.9 53
1998 62.8 53.2
1997 59.1 56
1996 61.6 58.4
1995 56.8 57.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
50.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
20.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
23%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$382B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$6,430
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$26.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
62/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$1.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
14.3%
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/pakistan | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, 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.