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Economy of Botswana vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 135/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.

Botswana vs Qatar GDP by year

Botswana
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Qatar
2025 $19,928,479,839 $215,559,615,385
2024 $19,286,251,068 $216,294,505,495
2023 $19,413,614,555 $213,002,809,341
2022 $20,321,150,599 $235,709,325,714
2021 $18,750,182,236 $179,732,009,560
2020 $14,960,251,608 $144,411,363,352
2019 $16,725,908,149 $176,371,267,692
2018 $17,031,943,186 $183,334,953,819
2017 $16,105,155,857 $161,099,122,225
2016 $15,082,637,184 $151,732,181,868
2015 $13,530,748,845 $161,739,955,577
2014 $15,470,088,501 $206,224,598,571
2013 $14,271,738,933 $198,727,642,967
2012 $13,907,464,500 $186,833,502,363
2011 $15,110,643,612 $167,775,274,725
2010 $12,637,273,429 $125,122,252,747
2009 $10,118,459,242 $97,798,351,648
2008 $10,730,829,116 $115,269,780,220
2007 $10,567,270,656 $79,711,813,187
2006 $9,919,158,482 $60,882,142,857
2005 $9,918,907,108 $44,530,494,505
2004 $8,957,467,707 $31,734,065,934
2003 $7,511,582,173 $23,533,791,209
2002 $5,438,863,983 $19,363,736,264
2001 $5,489,608,300 $17,538,461,538
2000 $5,788,329,609 $17,759,890,110
1999 $5,484,263,347 $12,393,131,868
1998 $4,790,481,509 $10,255,494,505
1997 $5,020,265,627 $11,297,802,198
1996 $4,847,757,218 $9,059,340,659
1995 $4,730,599,122 $8,137,912,088
1994 $4,259,259,604 $7,374,450,549
1993 $4,160,129,175 $7,156,593,407
1992 $4,146,464,587 $7,646,153,846
1991 $3,942,876,703 $6,883,516,484
1990 $3,790,636,324 $7,360,439,560
1989 $3,083,822,112 $6,487,912,088
1988 $2,644,554,159 $6,038,186,813
1987 $1,965,226,890 $5,446,428,571
1986 $1,392,602,164 $5,053,021,978
1985 $1,114,783,343 $6,153,296,703
1984 $1,240,822,167 $6,870,329,670
1983 $1,172,230,397 $6,484,890,110
1982 $1,014,945,696 $7,611,263,736
1981 $1,073,812,830 $8,672,527,473
1980 $1,060,889,704 $7,837,915,956
1979 $819,870,259 $5,632,962,997
1978 $590,407,374 $4,052,000,413
1977 $451,624,780 $3,617,564,638
1976 $372,025,093 $3,284,273,987
1975 $355,168,572 $2,512,773,166
1974 $306,044,208 $2,401,403,227
1973 $244,124,164 $793,885,560
1972 $164,460,915 $510,262,500
1971 $127,448,614 $387,703,106
1970 $96,243,234 $301,791,302
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/qatar | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Qatar by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $72,525 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $75,685 $126,046
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $80,196 $129,368
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $77,387 $151,646
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $2,428 - $15,243 -
1988 $2,141 - $14,682 -
1987 $1,639 - $13,719 -
1986 $1,200 - $13,213 -
1985 $994 - $16,815 -
1984 $1,145 - $19,749 -
1983 $1,121 - $19,669 -
1982 $1,006 - $24,431 -
1981 $1,107 - $29,543 -
1980 $1,132 - $28,407 -
1979 $909 - $21,777 -
1978 $695 - $16,757 -
1977 $565 - $16,058 -
1976 $490 - $15,710 -
1975 $493 - $13,014 -
1974 $446 - $13,540 -
1973 $374 - $4,905 -
1972 $264.2 - $3,483 -
1971 $212.2 - $2,952 -
1970 $163 - $2,594 -
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/qatar | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Botswana Qatar
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$216B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
56/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
2.9%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$72,525
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$89.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
41.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$30,009
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
24/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$37,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
$177B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
30,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
0.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
0.1%
2024
Population
2624853
3058826

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 27.1% 41.4%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 26% 41.3%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 26.7% 42.8%
2022 29.1% 21% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 31% 32.1%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 32% 30.4%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 36.4% 36%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 29% 19.1%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 39% - 47.6% 54.4%
1996 36.1% - 55.2% 57.8%
1995 36.1% - 52.2% 50.2%
1994 37.6% - 59.8% 54.8%
1993 42% - 62.8% 46.3%
1992 42.3% - 54.2% 19.9%
1991 41.1% - 57.5% 21.8%
1990 38.9% - 50% 12.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 137/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Qatar
2025 -7.42% -1%
2024 -7.26% 0.71%
2023 -4.16% 5.51%
2022 0.04% 10.4%
2021 -2.33% 0.24%
2020 -10.9% -2.13%
2019 -8.53% 1%
2018 -5.03% 2.26%
2017 -1.14% -6.82%
2016 0.71% -9.2%
2015 -4.82% 18.4%
2014 3.9% 13.4%
2013 5.84% 19.3%
2012 0.89% 8.55%
2011 -0.12% 5.24%
2010 -7.95% 4.6%
2009 -13.8% 14.1%
2008 -7.61% 9.49%
2007 5.73% 10.3%
2006 13.3% 8.39%
2005 10.3% 9.8%
2004 1.35% 17.7%
2003 -0.18% 6.71%
2002 -3.94% 7.89%
2001 -2.91% 4.48%
2000 8.73% 4.62%
1999 5.95% -4.35%
1998 - -7%
1997 - -9.4%
1996 - -8.73%
1995 - -5.78%
1994 - -11.8%
1993 - -9.53%
1992 - -2.74%
1991 - -2.57%
1990 - 3.23%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/qatar | 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 Qatar's deficit of $2.16B, or 1% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to surplus of 5.91% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Qatar
2025 2.66% 0.6%
2024 2.82% 1.2%
2023 5.07% 3.1%
2022 11.7% 5%
2021 7.24% 2.3%
2020 1.89% -2.5%
2019 2.77% -0.9%
2018 3.24% 0.1%
2017 3.31% 0.6%
2016 2.81% 2.7%
2015 3.06% 0.9%
2014 4.4% 4.2%
2013 5.88% 3.1%
2012 7.54% 1.8%
2011 8.46% 2%
2010 6.95% -2.4%
2009 8.03% -4.9%
2008 12.7% 15.1%
2007 7.08% 13.7%
2006 11.6% 11.7%
2005 8.61% 9%
2004 6.95% 6.8%
2003 9.19% 2.3%
2002 8.03% 0.2%
2001 6.56% 1.7%
2000 8.6% 1.6%
1999 7.75% 2.2%
1998 6.66% 2.9%
1997 8.72% 2.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 2.99% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 0.6% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6K
Miscellaneous $1K
Qatar
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana Qatar
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$31.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
17/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
+14.8%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$34.3B
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$90B
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$31.3B
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$24.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Qatar
Economic freedom 67.7 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 37/197
Property rights 71.7 66.2
Government integrity 59.6 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 41.5
Tax burden 87.1 99.9
Government spending 69.8 79.9
Fiscal health 72.4 96.6
Business freedom 61.5 68
Labor freedom 60.7 58.5
Monetary freedom 72 76
Trade freedom 77 81.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Qatar
2026 67.7 70.2
2025 69.9 70.2
2024 68 68.8
2023 64.9 68.6
2022 64.8 67.7
2021 67.6 72
2020 69.6 72.3
2019 69.5 72.6
2018 69.9 72.6
2017 70.1 73.1
2016 71.1 70.7
2015 69.8 70.8
2014 72 71.2
2013 70.6 71.3
2012 69.6 71.3
2011 68.8 70.5
2010 70.3 69
2009 69.7 65.8
2008 68.2 62.2
2007 68.1 62.9
2006 68.8 62.4
2005 69.3 63.5
2004 69.9 66.5
2003 68.6 65.9
2002 66.2 61.9
2001 66.8 60
2000 65.8 62
1999 62.9 62
1998 62.8 -
1997 59.1 -
1996 61.6 -
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Qatar
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
47%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
57%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
0.31%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$221B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$126,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$55.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
45/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
$311M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$1.56B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | 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. TradeMap (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.