Skip to content

Economy of Botswana vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 133/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Botswana vs Panama GDP by year

Botswana
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Panama
2024 $19,402,063,513 $86,523,959,132
2023 $19,411,266,967 $83,812,155,244
2022 $20,321,150,599 $76,479,304,471
2021 $18,750,182,236 $67,396,392,506
2020 $14,960,251,608 $57,059,846,522
2019 $16,725,908,149 $69,778,991,193
2018 $17,031,943,186 $67,316,471,181
2017 $16,105,155,857 $64,327,688,826
2016 $15,082,637,184 $59,760,858,718
2015 $13,530,748,845 $55,767,806,073
2014 $15,470,088,501 $51,427,104,882
2013 $14,271,738,933 $46,949,496,479
2012 $13,907,464,500 $41,595,439,721
2011 $15,110,643,612 $35,687,738,252
2010 $12,637,273,429 $30,231,009,533
2009 $10,118,459,242 $27,791,215,547
2008 $10,730,829,116 $25,721,327,955
2007 $10,567,270,656 $21,717,433,808
2006 $9,919,158,482 $18,659,721,513
2005 $9,918,907,108 $16,623,906,739
2004 $8,957,467,707 $15,100,203,362
2003 $7,511,582,173 $13,603,456,003
2002 $5,438,863,983 $12,800,851,271
2001 $5,489,608,300 $12,252,906,341
2000 $5,788,329,609 $11,966,497,049
1999 $5,484,263,347 $11,660,704,777
1998 $4,790,481,509 $11,019,557,689
1997 $5,020,265,627 $10,058,854,386
1996 $4,847,757,218 $9,197,503,323
1995 $4,730,599,122 $9,573,813,700
1994 $4,259,259,604 $9,365,289,800
1993 $4,160,129,175 $8,782,585,400
1992 $4,146,464,587 $8,042,337,700
1991 $3,942,876,703 $7,074,675,500
1990 $3,790,636,324 $6,433,967,000
1989 $3,083,822,112 $5,918,469,800
1988 $2,644,554,159 $5,902,783,400
1987 $1,965,226,890 $6,827,665,300
1986 $1,392,602,164 $6,797,834,200
1985 $1,114,783,343 $6,541,517,100
1984 $1,240,822,167 $6,183,387,100
1983 $1,172,230,397 $5,923,755,900
1982 $1,014,945,696 $5,769,767,900
1981 $1,073,812,830 $5,222,421,500
1980 $1,060,889,704 $4,614,086,400
1979 $819,870,259 $3,704,551,600
1978 $590,407,374 $3,244,558,600
1977 $451,624,780 $2,738,261,900
1976 $372,025,093 $2,588,106,000
1975 $355,168,572 $2,435,304,100
1974 $306,044,208 $2,188,307,600
1973 $244,124,164 $1,913,793,400
1972 $164,460,915 $1,673,411,700
1971 $127,448,614 $1,523,917,200
1970 $96,243,234 $1,351,006,400
1969 $77,361,547 $1,221,305,700
1968 $66,248,441 $1,112,791,100
1967 $58,642,354 $1,034,376,400
1966 $51,465,655 $928,833,000
1965 $45,788,696 $852,485,300
1964 $41,616,348 $776,137,500
1963 $38,091,843 $722,784,500
1962 $35,644,957 $652,120,900
1961 $32,902,613 $599,026,300
1960 $30,411,414 $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Panama by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $2,428 - $2,462 -
1988 $2,141 - $2,509 -
1987 $1,639 - $2,966 -
1986 $1,200 - $3,019 -
1985 $994 - $2,972 -
1984 $1,145 - $2,875 -
1983 $1,121 - $2,819 -
1982 $1,006 - $2,811 -
1981 $1,107 - $2,605 -
1980 $1,132 - $2,357 -
1979 $909 - $1,938 -
1978 $695 - $1,738 -
1977 $565 - $1,503 -
1976 $490 - $1,457 -
1975 $493 - $1,406 -
1974 $446 - $1,296 -
1973 $374 - $1,164 -
1972 $264.2 - $1,046 -
1971 $212.2 - $979 -
1970 $163 - $893 -
1969 $131.8 - $830 -
1968 $113.4 - $778 -
1967 $100.9 - $745 -
1966 $89.1 - $689 -
1965 $79.7 - $651 -
1964 $73.5 - $611 -
1963 $68.9 - $587 -
1962 $66 - $546 -
1961 $62.3 - $516 -
1960 $58.9 - $477 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Botswana Panama
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$18.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
8.61%
2024
Population
2615162
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 33% 23.4% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 35% 19.8% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 23% 34.7%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 22.8% 34%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 48% 7.77% 22.7% 40%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 35% 7.74% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 42% 11.3% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 44% 7.29% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 46% 8.55% 23.5% 57%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 23% 55.1%
1998 44.3% 12% 23.4% 58.1%
1997 40% - 22.2% 60.2%
1996 37.2% - 21.5% 65%
1995 38.1% - 25.9% 76.6%
1994 39.2% - 25.2% 78.3%
1993 44.2% - 33.8% 83.6%
1992 43.4% - 27.8% 91.2%
1991 42.3% - 20.9% 103.7%
1990 40.5% - 41.5% 112.7%
1989 - - 43% 104.4%
1988 - - 41.8% 105%
1987 - - 40.1% 92.2%
1986 - - 38.6% 84%
1985 - - 39.7% 82.5%
1984 - - 44% 82.5%
1983 - - 44.6% 86.6%
1982 - - 48% 80.9%
1981 - - 30.7% 68.7%
1980 - - 30.5% 69.4%
1979 - - 35% 78.9%
1978 - - 27.6% 83.1%
1977 - - 16.9% 77.7%
1976 - - 15.9% 69.7%
1975 - - 15.3% 52.6%
1974 - - 15.3% 37.6%
1973 - - 14.4% 32.6%
1972 - - 15.6% 29.5%
1971 - - 15% 26.2%
1970 - - 22.4% 25.7%
1969 - - 20.5% 23.2%
1968 - - 14.2% 18%
1967 - - 14.9% 17.8%
1966 - - 14% 17.9%
1965 - - 13.2% 18.7%
1964 - - 14.1% 20%
1963 - - 19.1% 22.6%
1962 - - 16.4% 19.8%
1961 - - 18.9% 20.5%
1960 - - 16.6% 21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 158/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Panama
2024 -7.82% -7.42%
2023 -4.25% -3.9%
2022 -0.006% -3.98%
2021 -2.46% -6.48%
2020 -11.5% -10.2%
2019 -8.43% -2.89%
2018 -5.07% -2.88%
2017 -1.16% -1.92%
2016 0.72% -1.89%
2015 -5.06% -2.3%
2014 3.88% -3.21%
2013 6.07% -2.38%
2012 0.92% -1.31%
2011 -0.12% -1.96%
2010 -8.36% -1.68%
2009 -14.4% -0.9%
2008 -7.59% 0.37%
2007 5.92% 3.12%
2006 13.7% 0.51%
2005 10.7% -2.21%
2004 1.42% -4.33%
2003 -0.18% -2.27%
2002 -4.02% -0.96%
2001 -2.96% -0.42%
2000 8.95% 2.05%
1999 6.18% -0.65%
1998 - -1.11%
1997 - 1.24%
1996 - 2.48%
1995 - 2.3%
1994 - 2.12%
1993 - -9.4%
1992 - -2.62%
1991 - -0.6%
1990 - -3.65%
1989 - -13.6%
1988 - -13.5%
1987 - -1.7%
1986 - -1%
1985 - -2.57%
1984 - -7.56%
1983 - -7.62%
1982 - -13.3%
1981 - -6.77%
1980 - -5.17%
1979 - -12.1%
1978 - -5.21%
1977 - -1.61%
1976 - -2.65%
1975 - -0.74%
1974 - -0.6%
1973 - -0.01%
1972 - -1.17%
1971 - -0.51%
1970 - -8.02%
1969 - -7.56%
1968 - -1.5%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -1.18%
1965 - -1.17%
1964 - -2.51%
1963 - -6.71%
1962 - -3.01%
1961 - -5.45%
1960 - -3.05%
1959 - -3.79%
1958 - -1.62%
1957 - -0.89%
1956 - -3.69%
1955 - -1.33%
1954 - -0.2%
1953 - -0.55%
1952 - -3.84%
1951 - -2.54%
1950 - -3.89%
1949 - -1%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.94%
1946 - -3.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/panama | 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 Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.31% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Panama
2024 2.82% 0.69%
2023 5.07% 1.49%
2022 11.7% 2.86%
2021 7.24% 1.63%
2020 1.89% -1.55%
2019 2.77% -0.36%
2018 3.24% 0.76%
2017 3.31% 0.88%
2016 2.81% 0.74%
2015 3.06% 0.14%
2014 4.4% 2.63%
2013 5.88% 4.03%
2012 7.54% 5.7%
2011 8.46% 5.88%
2010 6.95% 3.49%
2009 8.03% 2.41%
2008 12.7% 8.76%
2007 7.08% 4.17%
2006 11.6% 2.46%
2005 8.61% 2.86%
2004 6.95% 0.47%
2003 9.19% 0.39%
2002 8.03% 1.01%
2001 6.56% 0.31%
2000 8.6% 1.5%
1999 7.75% 1.25%
1998 6.66% 0.56%
1997 8.72% 1.32%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Panama
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $38K

Balance of trade

Botswana Panama
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Panama
Economic freedom 67.7 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 70/197
Property rights 71.7 56.7
Government integrity 59.6 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 49.6
Tax burden 87.1 86.1
Government spending 69.8 85.5
Fiscal health 72.4 51.8
Business freedom 61.5 72.6
Labor freedom 60.7 60.9
Monetary freedom 72 78.2
Trade freedom 77 80.2
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Panama
2026 67.7 64.9
2025 69.9 65.5
2024 68 64.1
2023 64.9 63.8
2022 64.8 65.4
2021 67.6 66.2
2020 69.6 67.2
2019 69.5 67.2
2018 69.9 67
2017 70.1 66.3
2016 71.1 64.8
2015 69.8 64.1
2014 72 63.4
2013 70.6 62.5
2012 69.6 65.2
2011 68.8 64.9
2010 70.3 64.8
2009 69.7 64.7
2008 68.2 64.7
2007 68.1 64.6
2006 68.8 65.6
2005 69.3 64.3
2004 69.9 65.3
2003 68.6 68.4
2002 66.2 68.5
2001 66.8 70.6
2000 65.8 71.6
1999 62.9 72.6
1998 62.8 72.6
1997 59.1 72.4
1996 61.6 71.8
1995 56.8 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 64.9 for Panama, ranking 70/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Panama
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$865M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
33.5%
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/panama | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.