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Economy of Botswana vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $1.04T for Poland, ranking 135/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $609B (58.8% of GDP) in Poland.

Botswana vs Poland GDP by year

Botswana
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Poland
2025 $19,928,479,839 $1,035,491,784,197
2024 $19,286,251,068 $917,767,106,147
2023 $19,413,614,555 $812,451,193,396
2022 $20,321,150,599 $695,607,470,875
2021 $18,750,182,236 $689,170,230,665
2020 $14,960,251,608 $605,914,237,904
2019 $16,725,908,149 $602,683,770,145
2018 $17,031,943,186 $594,616,632,477
2017 $16,105,155,857 $528,356,723,263
2016 $15,082,637,184 $473,259,623,976
2015 $13,530,748,845 $480,054,118,583
2014 $15,470,088,501 $542,134,167,179
2013 $14,271,738,933 $518,179,836,405
2012 $13,907,464,500 $498,148,649,703
2011 $15,110,643,612 $527,848,543,023
2010 $12,637,273,429 $478,111,630,684
2009 $10,118,459,242 $440,891,472,247
2008 $10,730,829,116 $535,612,030,672
2007 $10,567,270,656 $429,715,132,138
2006 $9,919,158,482 $345,897,630,736
2005 $9,918,907,108 $306,999,913,151
2004 $8,957,467,707 $256,268,656,145
2003 $7,511,582,173 $218,561,225,998
2002 $5,438,863,983 $199,694,463,256
2001 $5,489,608,300 $191,823,200,371
2000 $5,788,329,609 $172,953,527,033
1999 $5,484,263,347 $170,704,452,715
1998 $4,790,481,509 $175,282,269,667
1997 $5,020,265,627 $159,893,964,917
1996 $4,847,757,218 $160,813,026,223
1995 $4,730,599,122 $142,838,527,115
1994 $4,259,259,604 $110,803,635,288
1993 $4,160,129,175 $96,043,157,273
1992 $4,146,464,587 $94,337,050,693
1991 $3,942,876,703 $85,500,935,935
1990 $3,790,636,324 $65,977,748,211
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/poland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Poland by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $28,420 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $1,731 $6,185
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/poland | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $28,420 in Poland, ranking 47/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

Botswana Poland
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$1.04T
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
21/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
3.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$28,420
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
47/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$609B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
58.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$16,712
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
39/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$20,616
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
$316B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
101,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
10
2026
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
50%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
3.81%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
3.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
3.02%
2025
Population
2624853
36007074

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 50% 58.8%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 49.4% 55.1%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 29.1% 21% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 43.6% 53%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 41% 48.2%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 46% 53.7%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 44% 46.6%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 43.4% 45%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 45.3% 46.2%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 44.9% 41.4%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 44.6% 37%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 42.9% 36.3%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 42.4% 39.2%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 43.9% 38.6%
1997 39% - 46% 42.6%
1996 36.1% - 50.6% 43%
1995 36.1% - 47.3% 48.6%
1994 37.6% - - 64.3%
1993 42% - - 83.9%
1992 42.3% - - 81.9%
1991 41.1% - - 76.9%
1990 38.9% - - 89.7%
1989 - - - -
1988 - - - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 - - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - 35.6% -
1978 - - 35.8% -
1977 - - 35.6% -
1976 - - 34.8% -
1975 - - 34.1% -
1974 - - 28.6% -
1973 - - 24.5% -
1972 - - 24.1% -
1971 - - 24.1% -
1970 - - 25.8% -
1969 - - 26.3% -
1968 - - 27.3% -
1967 - - 29.6% -
1966 - - 31.7% -
1965 - - 31.8% -
1964 - - 33.5% -
1963 - - 33.3% -
1962 - - 43% -
1961 - - 42.8% -
1960 - - 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Poland spent $517B, or 50% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 58.8% in Poland, ranking 137/185 and 81/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Poland
2025 -7.42% -7.01%
2024 -7.26% -6.48%
2023 -4.16% -5.2%
2022 0.04% -3.37%
2021 -2.33% -1.68%
2020 -10.9% -6.85%
2019 -8.53% -0.73%
2018 -5.03% -0.24%
2017 -1.14% -1.49%
2016 0.71% -2.38%
2015 -4.82% -2.59%
2014 3.9% -3.66%
2013 5.84% -4.25%
2012 0.89% -3.8%
2011 -0.12% -4.97%
2010 -7.95% -7.43%
2009 -13.8% -7.24%
2008 -7.61% -3.6%
2007 5.73% -1.88%
2006 13.3% -3.53%
2005 10.3% -3.93%
2004 1.35% -5%
2003 -0.18% -6%
2002 -3.94% -4.79%
2001 -2.91% -4.71%
2000 8.73% -3.98%
1999 5.95% -2.29%
1998 - -4.24%
1997 - -4.59%
1996 - -4.82%
1995 - -4.38%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/poland | 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 Poland's deficit of $72.6B, or 7.01% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.04% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Poland
2025 2.66% 3.81%
2024 2.82% 3.79%
2023 5.07% 11.5%
2022 11.7% 14.4%
2021 7.24% 5.06%
2020 1.89% 3.37%
2019 2.77% 2.23%
2018 3.24% 1.81%
2017 3.31% 2.08%
2016 2.81% -0.66%
2015 3.06% -0.87%
2014 4.4% 0.05%
2013 5.88% 0.99%
2012 7.54% 3.56%
2011 8.46% 4.24%
2010 6.95% 2.58%
2009 8.03% 3.8%
2008 12.7% 4.16%
2007 7.08% 2.46%
2006 11.6% 1.28%
2005 8.61% 2.18%
2004 6.95% 3.38%
2003 9.19% 0.68%
2002 8.03% 1.91%
2001 6.56% 5.41%
2000 8.6% 9.9%
1999 7.75% 7.15%
1998 6.66% 11.6%
1997 8.72% 14.9%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 4.37% in Poland. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 3.81% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $9K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Poland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $382K
Textiles & consumer goods $133K
Chemicals & pharma $58K
Raw materials & minerals $49K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $46K
Raw agricultural goods $11K
Miscellaneous $5K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Wood & paper products $3K
Metals $2K

Balance of trade

Botswana Poland
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$9.05B
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
172/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-0.87%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$406B
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$390B
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$86.5B
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$131B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
47.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
50%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Poland
Economic freedom 67.7 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 46/197
Property rights 71.7 71.8
Government integrity 59.6 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 62.5
Tax burden 87.1 72.7
Government spending 69.8 35.1
Fiscal health 72.4 74.8
Business freedom 61.5 77.5
Labor freedom 60.7 53.7
Monetary freedom 72 73.8
Trade freedom 77 79.4
Investment freedom 50 80
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Poland
2026 67.7 68.5
2025 69.9 67.1
2024 68 66
2023 64.9 67.7
2022 64.8 68.7
2021 67.6 69.7
2020 69.6 69.1
2019 69.5 67.8
2018 69.9 68.5
2017 70.1 68.3
2016 71.1 69.3
2015 69.8 68.6
2014 72 67
2013 70.6 66
2012 69.6 64.2
2011 68.8 64.1
2010 70.3 63.2
2009 69.7 60.3
2008 68.2 60.3
2007 68.1 58.1
2006 68.8 59.3
2005 69.3 59.6
2004 69.9 58.7
2003 68.6 61.8
2002 66.2 65
2001 66.8 61.8
2000 65.8 60
1999 62.9 59.6
1998 62.8 59.2
1997 59.1 56.8
1996 61.6 57.8
1995 56.8 50.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Poland
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
59.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
25.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
2.45%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$930B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$52,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$272B
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
16/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$11.7B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$10B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
17.9%
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/poland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, 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.