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Economy of Botswana vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $429B for Romania, ranking 135/197 and 39/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $260B (60.6% of GDP) in Romania.

Botswana vs Romania GDP by year

Botswana
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Romania
2025 $19,928,479,839 $428,677,977,855
2024 $19,286,251,068 $382,564,217,989
2023 $19,413,614,555 $347,757,995,759
2022 $20,321,150,599 $295,317,862,856
2021 $18,750,182,236 $285,072,444,957
2020 $14,960,251,608 $250,624,575,872
2019 $16,725,908,149 $250,080,428,512
2018 $17,031,943,186 $241,791,427,224
2017 $16,105,155,857 $210,147,385,855
2016 $15,082,637,184 $185,290,759,249
2015 $13,530,748,845 $177,885,131,240
2014 $15,470,088,501 $199,722,319,676
2013 $14,271,738,933 $189,798,603,751
2012 $13,907,464,500 $179,117,323,107
2011 $15,110,643,612 $192,623,977,894
2010 $12,637,273,429 $170,064,350,672
2009 $10,118,459,242 $174,110,532,659
2008 $10,730,829,116 $214,315,932,061
2007 $10,567,270,656 $174,588,782,939
2006 $9,919,158,482 $122,023,735,993
2005 $9,918,907,108 $98,454,380,120
2004 $8,957,467,707 $74,973,656,852
2003 $7,511,582,173 $57,806,384,143
2002 $5,438,863,983 $46,065,502,703
2001 $5,489,608,300 $40,395,116,581
2000 $5,788,329,609 $37,253,739,511
1999 $5,484,263,347 $35,953,156,754
1998 $4,790,481,509 $41,696,091,974
1997 $5,020,265,627 $35,575,214,078
1996 $4,847,757,218 $36,937,074,278
1995 $4,730,599,122 $37,430,162,103
1994 $4,259,259,604 $30,072,805,104
1993 $4,160,129,175 $26,361,160,450
1992 $4,146,464,587 $25,121,666,667
1991 $3,942,876,703 $28,850,634,900
1990 $3,790,636,324 $38,247,882,300
1989 $3,083,822,112 $41,450,777,202
1988 $2,644,554,159 $40,424,528,302
1987 $1,965,226,890 $38,067,567,568
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/romania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Romania by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $22,538 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $15,503 $41,979
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $2,428 - $1,790 -
1988 $2,141 - $1,753 -
1987 $1,639 - $1,659 -
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/romania | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $22,538 in Romania, ranking 57/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Botswana Romania
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$429B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
39/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
0.68%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$22,538
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
57/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$260B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
60.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$13,650
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
48/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$13,510
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
$70.9B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
40.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
7.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
6.1%
2025
Population
2624853
18912567

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 40.5% 60.6%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 40% 57.5%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 37% 52.6%
2022 29.1% 21% 37.5% 51.9%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 37.2% 51.8%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 38.3% 49.5%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 33.4% 36.8%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 31.9% 36.4%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 31% 37.1%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 35% 32.6%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 35.3% 13%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 35% 29.6%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 39% - 33.5% 15%
1996 36.1% - 33.5% 11%
1995 36.1% - 34.4% 6.91%
1994 37.6% - 33.1% -
1993 42% - 33.5% -
1992 42.3% - 41.5% -
1991 41.1% - 38.3% -
1990 38.9% - 38.4% -
1989 - - 40.1% -
1988 - - 36.6% -
1987 - - 40.7% -
1986 - - 42.5% -
1985 - - 41.6% -
1984 - - 28.6% -
1983 - - 25.8% -
1982 - - 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Romania spent $173B, or 40.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 60.6% in Romania, ranking 137/185 and 76/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Romania
2025 -7.42% -7.64%
2024 -7.26% -8.68%
2023 -4.16% -5.66%
2022 0.04% -5.85%
2021 -2.33% -6.74%
2020 -10.9% -9.6%
2019 -8.53% -4.58%
2018 -5.03% -2.76%
2017 -1.14% -2.86%
2016 0.71% -2.5%
2015 -4.82% -1.35%
2014 3.9% -1.76%
2013 5.84% -2.44%
2012 0.89% -2.39%
2011 -0.12% -4.14%
2010 -7.95% -6.22%
2009 -13.8% -6.86%
2008 -7.61% -4.6%
2007 5.73% -3.05%
2006 13.3% -1.36%
2005 10.3% -0.69%
2004 1.35% -3.39%
2003 -0.18% -2.29%
2002 -3.94% -2.59%
2001 -2.91% -3.2%
2000 8.73% -3.99%
1999 5.95% -3.58%
1998 - -5.33%
1997 - -5.19%
1996 - -4.74%
1995 - -3.32%
1994 - -2.2%
1993 - -0.35%
1992 - -4.55%
1991 - 3.23%
1990 - 1.03%
1989 - -2.87%
1988 - 8.4%
1987 - 2.37%
1986 - 5.72%
1985 - 6.36%
1984 - 15.2%
1983 - 9.35%
1982 - 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $32.8B, or 7.64% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.1% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Romania
2025 2.66% 7.3%
2024 2.82% 5.6%
2023 5.07% 10.4%
2022 11.7% 13.8%
2021 7.24% 5%
2020 1.89% 2.6%
2019 2.77% 3.8%
2018 3.24% 4.6%
2017 3.31% 1.3%
2016 2.81% -1.6%
2015 3.06% -0.6%
2014 4.4% 1.1%
2013 5.88% 4%
2012 7.54% 3.3%
2011 8.46% 5.8%
2010 6.95% 6.1%
2009 8.03% 5.6%
2008 12.7% 7.8%
2007 7.08% 4.8%
2006 11.6% 6.6%
2005 8.61% 9%
2004 6.95% 11.9%
2003 9.19% 15.4%
2002 8.03% 22.5%
2001 6.56% 34.5%
2000 8.6% 45.7%
1999 7.75% 45.8%
1998 6.66% 59.1%
1997 8.72% 154.8%

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/romania | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 17.1% in Romania. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 7.3% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $86K
Chemicals & pharma $17K

Balance of trade

Botswana Romania
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$33.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
186/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-7.9%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$139B
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$102B
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$35.9B
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$50.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
40.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
35.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Romania
Economic freedom 67.7 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 64/197
Property rights 71.7 81
Government integrity 59.6 50
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 67
Tax burden 87.1 89.1
Government spending 69.8 56.7
Fiscal health 72.4 21.4
Business freedom 61.5 74.4
Labor freedom 60.7 63.6
Monetary freedom 72 72.7
Trade freedom 77 79.4
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Romania
2026 67.7 65.4
2025 69.9 66.5
2024 68 64.4
2023 64.9 64.5
2022 64.8 67.1
2021 67.6 69.5
2020 69.6 69.7
2019 69.5 68.6
2018 69.9 69.4
2017 70.1 69.7
2016 71.1 65.6
2015 69.8 66.6
2014 72 65.5
2013 70.6 65.1
2012 69.6 64.4
2011 68.8 64.7
2010 70.3 64.2
2009 69.7 63.2
2008 68.2 61.7
2007 68.1 61.2
2006 68.8 58.2
2005 69.3 52.1
2004 69.9 50
2003 68.6 50.6
2002 66.2 48.7
2001 66.8 50
2000 65.8 52.1
1999 62.9 50.1
1998 62.8 54.4
1997 59.1 50.8
1996 61.6 46.2
1995 56.8 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Romania
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
61.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
25.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$384B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$49,550
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$90.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
31/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$8.57B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
25.9%
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/romania | 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 (1962–1999, 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. TradeMap (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.