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Economy of Botswana vs Paraguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $44.5B for Paraguay, ranking 133/197 and 98/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $19.9B (44.8% of GDP) in Paraguay.

Botswana vs Paraguay GDP by year

Botswana
Paraguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Paraguay
2024 $19,402,063,513 $44,458,118,397
2023 $19,411,266,967 $43,118,053,175
2022 $20,321,150,599 $41,952,910,858
2021 $18,750,182,236 $39,950,899,939
2020 $14,960,251,608 $35,432,178,068
2019 $16,725,908,149 $37,925,338,329
2018 $17,031,943,186 $40,225,448,341
2017 $16,105,155,857 $38,997,129,474
2016 $15,082,637,184 $36,089,700,223
2015 $13,530,748,845 $36,211,447,840
2014 $15,470,088,501 $40,377,929,296
2013 $14,271,738,933 $38,501,122,141
2012 $13,907,464,500 $33,271,921,136
2011 $15,110,643,612 $33,756,238,766
2010 $12,637,273,429 $27,260,886,405
2009 $10,118,459,242 $22,355,151,162
2008 $10,730,829,116 $24,615,267,664
2007 $10,567,270,656 $17,856,393,235
2006 $9,919,158,482 $13,429,430,050
2005 $9,918,907,108 $10,737,500,188
2004 $8,957,467,707 $9,624,440,836
2003 $7,511,582,173 $7,691,367,471
2002 $5,438,863,983 $7,196,260,657
2001 $5,489,608,300 $8,495,806,432
2000 $5,788,329,609 $8,855,705,140
1999 $5,484,263,347 $8,837,070,236
1998 $4,790,481,509 $9,260,481,572
1997 $5,020,265,627 $9,965,225,678
1996 $4,847,757,218 $9,788,391,781
1995 $4,730,599,122 $9,062,131,475
1994 $4,259,259,604 $7,870,982,005
1993 $4,160,129,175 $7,249,533,620
1992 $4,146,464,587 $7,157,424,031
1991 $3,942,876,703 $6,984,367,763
1990 $3,790,636,324 $5,812,114,523
1989 $3,083,822,112 $4,757,732,200
1988 $2,644,554,159 $4,255,683,528
1987 $1,965,226,890 $3,971,044,724
1986 $1,392,602,164 $3,723,993,943
1985 $1,114,783,343 $3,282,449,236
1984 $1,240,822,167 $4,502,462,807
1983 $1,172,230,397 $5,673,248,726
1982 $1,014,945,696 $5,419,411,765
1981 $1,073,812,830 $5,624,515,873
1980 $1,060,889,704 $4,448,087,302
1979 $819,870,259 $3,416,777,778
1978 $590,407,374 $2,559,857,143
1977 $451,624,780 $2,092,158,730
1976 $372,025,093 $1,698,960,317
1975 $355,168,572 $1,511,420,635
1974 $306,044,208 $1,333,475,397
1973 $244,124,164 $995,531,746
1972 $164,460,915 $769,039,683
1971 $127,448,614 $664,571,429
1970 $96,243,234 $594,611,111
1969 $77,361,547 $556,293,651
1968 $66,248,441 $517,650,794
1967 $58,642,354 $492,674,603
1966 $51,465,655 $465,888,889
1965 $45,788,696 $443,587,302
1964 $41,616,348 $408,349,206
1963 $38,091,843 $383,904,762
1962 $35,644,957 $360,698,413
1961 $32,902,613 $322,053,713
1960 $30,411,414 $288,884,368

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Paraguay by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Paraguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Paraguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $6,416 $18,524
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $6,300 $17,564
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $6,206 $16,347
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $5,977 $15,406
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $5,365 $14,309
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $5,821 $14,150
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $6,258 $14,139
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $6,152 $13,977
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $5,775 $13,329
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $5,879 $12,679
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $6,652 $12,607
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $6,436 $12,137
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $5,642 $10,954
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $5,805 $11,442
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $4,751 $10,893
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $3,942 $9,802
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $4,385 $9,867
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $3,212 $9,179
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $2,439 $8,561
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $1,971 $8,007
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $1,786 $7,686
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $1,444 $7,276
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $1,368 $6,924
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $1,638 $6,916
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,736 $6,937
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $1,766 $7,080
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $1,890 $7,227
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $2,079 $7,299
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $2,088 $7,040
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $1,979 $6,966
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $1,760 $6,542
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $1,662 $6,234
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $1,683 $5,952
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $1,685 $5,873
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $1,440 $5,637
1989 $2,428 - $1,211 -
1988 $2,141 - $1,114 -
1987 $1,639 - $1,069 -
1986 $1,200 - $1,031 -
1985 $994 - $935 -
1984 $1,145 - $1,319 -
1983 $1,121 - $1,710 -
1982 $1,006 - $1,680 -
1981 $1,107 - $1,793 -
1980 $1,132 - $1,457 -
1979 $909 - $1,149 -
1978 $695 - $883 -
1977 $565 - $740 -
1976 $490 - $616 -
1975 $493 - $562 -
1974 $446 - $508 -
1973 $374 - $389 -
1972 $264.2 - $308 -
1971 $212.2 - $272.1 -
1970 $163 - $249 -
1969 $131.8 - $238.2 -
1968 $113.4 - $226.8 -
1967 $100.9 - $220.9 -
1966 $89.1 - $213.9 -
1965 $79.7 - $208.7 -
1964 $73.5 - $197 -
1963 $68.9 - $189.9 -
1962 $66 - $182.8 -
1961 $62.3 - $167.1 -
1960 $58.9 - $153.4 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $6,416 in Paraguay, ranking 109/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Paraguay ranks 102nd at $18,524.

Economic indicators

Botswana Paraguay
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$44.5B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
98/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
4.25%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$6,416
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$18,524
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
102/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$19.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
44.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$2,872
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
103/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$6,136
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$313M
1999
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
35%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
21%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
3.84%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
5.69%
2024
Population
2615162
7120169

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Paraguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Paraguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 21% 44.8%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 21.5% 41.1%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 20.2% 40.5%
2021 33% 23.4% 20.4% 37.5%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 22.6% 36.9%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 20.1% 25.8%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 18.5% 22.3%
2017 35% 19.8% 18.1% 19.8%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 17.7% 19.4%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 18% 18.6%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 17.1% 15.6%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 17.1% 13.5%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 17.6% 12.3%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 14.7% 11.1%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 13.3% 13%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 14.3% 14.9%
2008 48% 7.77% 11.8% 16%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 13.1% 16.8%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 14.1% 21%
2005 35% 7.74% 14% 28.3%
2004 42% 11.3% 14% 36%
2003 44% 7.29% 14.6% 37.5%
2002 46% 8.55% 17.6% 50.5%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 19% 37.1%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 19.6% 33.6%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 19.2% 32%
1998 44.3% 12% 18% 22.1%
1997 40% - 18.1% 18%
1996 37.2% - 16.9% 16.8%
1995 38.1% - 15.7% 17.6%
1994 39.2% - 14.5% 18.7%
1993 44.2% - 12.9% 26.6%
1992 43.4% - 13% 34.4%
1991 42.3% - 11.4% 49.4%
1990 40.5% - 10.5% 67%
1989 - - 11.8% 52.9%
1988 - - 9.75% 58.9%
1987 - - 10.1% 68.7%
1986 - - 9.25% 57.1%
1985 - - 11.4% 54.7%
1984 - - 13% 31%
1983 - - 13% 22.6%
1982 - - 13.2% 21.3%
1981 - - 13.3% 17.4%
1980 - - 11.6% 17.4%
1979 - - 11.7% 19.7%
1978 - - 11.9% 20.9%
1977 - - 11.2% 18.8%
1976 - - 9.8% 14.1%
1975 - - 10.5% 12.6%
1974 - - 9.44% 12.5%
1973 - - 11.2% 15.4%
1972 - - 12.5% 18.2%
1971 - - 12.3% 18.9%
1970 - - 13.3% 19.2%
1969 - - 14% -
1968 - - 13.5% -
1967 - - 12.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Paraguay spent $9.33B, or 21% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 44.8% in Paraguay, ranking 158/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Paraguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Paraguay
2024 -7.82% -2.12%
2023 -4.25% -3.81%
2022 -0.006% -2.64%
2021 -2.46% -3.39%
2020 -11.5% -5.72%
2019 -8.43% -2.44%
2018 -5.07% -1.01%
2017 -1.16% -0.44%
2016 0.72% -0.37%
2015 -5.06% -0.44%
2014 3.88% -0.27%
2013 6.07% -1.16%
2012 0.92% -0.58%
2011 -0.12% 1.29%
2010 -8.36% 1.54%
2009 -14.4% 0.59%
2008 -7.59% 2.29%
2007 5.92% 1.27%
2006 13.7% 0.91%
2005 10.7% 0.74%
2004 1.42% 1.33%
2003 -0.18% -0.07%
2002 -4.02% -1.89%
2001 -2.96% 0.07%
2000 8.95% -0.55%
1999 6.18% 2.67%
1998 - 4.28%
1997 - 3%
1996 - 2.43%
1995 - 2.78%
1994 - 4.59%
1993 - 4.27%
1992 - 3.1%
1991 - 3.41%
1990 - 7.56%
1989 - 5.48%
1988 - 3.01%
1987 - 2.68%
1986 - 3.08%
1985 - 0.85%
1984 - -0.42%
1983 - 0.27%
1982 - 1.52%
1981 - 0.15%
1980 - 3.4%
1979 - 4.13%
1978 - -3.42%
1977 - -0.19%
1976 - -0.06%
1975 - -1.24%
1974 - 1.67%
1973 - -0.91%
1972 - -2.51%
1971 - -1.25%
1970 - -1.26%
1969 - -1.62%
1968 - -2.34%
1967 - -1.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/paraguay | 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 Paraguay's deficit of $942M, or 2.12% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Paraguay ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.55% of GDP for Paraguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Paraguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Paraguay
2024 2.82% 3.84%
2023 5.07% 4.63%
2022 11.7% 9.77%
2021 7.24% 4.79%
2020 1.89% 1.77%
2019 2.77% 2.76%
2018 3.24% 3.98%
2017 3.31% 3.6%
2016 2.81% 4.09%
2015 3.06% 3.13%
2014 4.4% 5.03%
2013 5.88% 2.68%
2012 7.54% 3.68%
2011 8.46% 8.25%
2010 6.95% 4.65%
2009 8.03% 2.59%
2008 12.7% 10.2%
2007 7.08% 8.13%
2006 11.6% 9.59%
2005 8.61% 6.81%
2004 6.95% 4.32%
2003 9.19% 14.2%
2002 8.03% 10.5%
2001 6.56% 7.27%
2000 8.6% 8.98%
1999 7.75% 6.75%
1998 6.66% 11.6%
1997 8.72% 6.95%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 6.23% in Paraguay. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 3.84% in Paraguay.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $19K
Paraguay
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana Paraguay
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$1.53B
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
133/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-3.44%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$15.8B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$14.9B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$2.54B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$2.65B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
39.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
37.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Paraguay
Economic freedom 67.7 66.4
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 61/197
Property rights 71.7 44.2
Government integrity 59.6 27.3
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 38.4
Tax burden 87.1 95.9
Government spending 69.8 86.9
Fiscal health 72.4 83
Business freedom 61.5 72
Labor freedom 60.7 44.1
Monetary freedom 72 76.5
Trade freedom 77 78.4
Investment freedom 50 80
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Paraguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Paraguay
2026 67.7 66.4
2025 69.9 65.2
2024 68 60.1
2023 64.9 61
2022 64.8 62.9
2021 67.6 62.6
2020 69.6 63
2019 69.5 61.8
2018 69.9 62.1
2017 70.1 62.4
2016 71.1 61.5
2015 69.8 61.1
2014 72 62
2013 70.6 61.1
2012 69.6 61.8
2011 68.8 62.3
2010 70.3 61.3
2009 69.7 61
2008 68.2 60
2007 68.1 58.3
2006 68.8 55.6
2005 69.3 53.4
2004 69.9 56.7
2003 68.6 58.2
2002 66.2 59.6
2001 66.8 60.3
2000 65.8 64
1999 62.9 63.7
1998 62.8 65.2
1997 59.1 67.3
1996 61.6 67.1
1995 56.8 65.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 66.4 for Paraguay, ranking 61/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Paraguay
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
48.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
32.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
10.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$17,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$9.89B
2023
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
76/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$335M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$166M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
4.58%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
20.1%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
22.8%
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/paraguay | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, 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 (2024, 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.