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Economy of Botswana vs Paraguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $49.3B for Paraguay, ranking 135/197 and 97/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (38.1% of GDP) in Paraguay.

Botswana vs Paraguay GDP by year

Botswana
Paraguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Paraguay
2025 $19,928,479,839 $49,278,227,554
2024 $19,286,251,068 $44,738,819,362
2023 $19,413,614,555 $43,140,465,596
2022 $20,321,150,599 $41,841,201,627
2021 $18,750,182,236 $39,937,357,256
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 $33,756,238,767
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $7,778 - $7,027 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $6,457 $18,524
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $6,303 $17,564
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $6,189 $16,347
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $5,975 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $7,027 in Paraguay, ranking 105/197. 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
$19.9B
2025
$49.3B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
97/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
6.64%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$7,027
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
105/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$18,524
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
102/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$18.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
38.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$2,679
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
111/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$6,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
$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
35%
2025
19.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
4.04%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
5.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
4.63%
2025
Population
2624853
7138671

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
2025 35% 38.6% 19.6% 38.1%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 20.9% 44.6%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 21.5% 41%
2022 29.1% 21% 20.2% 40.6%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 20.5% 37.5%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 22.6% 36.9%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 20.1% 25.8%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 18.5% 22.3%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 18.1% 19.8%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 17.7% 19.4%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 18% 18.6%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 17.1% 15.6%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 17.1% 13.5%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 17.6% 12.3%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 14.7% 11.1%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 13.3% 13%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 14.3% 14.9%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 11.8% 16%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 13.1% 16.8%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 14.1% 21%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 14% 28.3%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 14% 36%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 14.6% 37.5%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 17.6% 50.5%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 19% 37.1%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 19.6% 33.6%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 19.2% 32%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 18% 22.1%
1997 39% - 18.1% 18%
1996 36.1% - 16.9% 16.8%
1995 36.1% - 15.7% 17.6%
1994 37.6% - 14.5% 18.7%
1993 42% - 12.9% 26.6%
1992 42.3% - 13% 34.4%
1991 41.1% - 11.4% 49.4%
1990 38.9% - 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Paraguay spent $9.66B, or 19.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 38.1% in Paraguay, ranking 137/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Paraguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Paraguay
2025 -7.42% -1.69%
2024 -7.26% -2.1%
2023 -4.16% -3.81%
2022 0.04% -2.65%
2021 -2.33% -3.39%
2020 -10.9% -5.72%
2019 -8.53% -2.44%
2018 -5.03% -1.01%
2017 -1.14% -0.44%
2016 0.71% -0.37%
2015 -4.82% -0.44%
2014 3.9% -0.27%
2013 5.84% -1.16%
2012 0.89% -0.58%
2011 -0.12% 1.29%
2010 -7.95% 1.54%
2009 -13.8% 0.59%
2008 -7.61% 2.29%
2007 5.73% 1.27%
2006 13.3% 0.91%
2005 10.3% 0.74%
2004 1.35% 1.33%
2003 -0.18% -0.07%
2002 -3.94% -1.89%
2001 -2.91% 0.07%
2000 8.73% -0.55%
1999 5.95% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/paraguay | 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 Paraguay's deficit of $832M, or 1.69% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Paraguay ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.59% of GDP for Paraguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Paraguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Paraguay
2025 2.66% 4.04%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 6.16% in Paraguay. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 4.04% 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
-$1.57B
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
131/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-3.18%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$17.5B
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$15.4B
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$2.75B
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$3.72B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
39.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
37.2%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
64.6%
2025
48.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
32.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$47.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$19,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$9.57B
2024
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
82/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$945M
2025
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
1.45%
2024
4.58%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
20.1%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
25.3%
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/paraguay | 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 (1967–1989, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2024, 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.