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Economy of Botswana vs Russia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $2.17T for Russia, ranking 133/197 and 11/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $440B (20.3% of GDP) in Russia.

Botswana vs Russia GDP by year

Botswana
Russia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Russia
2024 $19,402,063,513 $2,173,835,806,672
2023 $19,411,266,967 $2,071,505,725,031
2022 $20,321,150,599 $2,291,612,121,335
2021 $18,750,182,236 $1,829,186,719,575
2020 $14,960,251,608 $1,493,075,894,362
2019 $16,725,908,149 $1,693,115,002,708
2018 $17,031,943,186 $1,657,328,773,461
2017 $16,105,155,857 $1,574,199,360,089
2016 $15,082,637,184 $1,276,786,350,881
2015 $13,530,748,845 $1,363,482,182,198
2014 $15,470,088,501 $2,059,241,589,895
2013 $14,271,738,933 $2,292,470,078,346
2012 $13,907,464,500 $2,208,293,553,878
2011 $15,110,643,612 $2,045,922,753,398
2010 $12,637,273,429 $1,524,916,715,224
2009 $10,118,459,242 $1,222,645,900,056
2008 $10,730,829,116 $1,660,848,058,303
2007 $10,567,270,656 $1,299,703,478,482
2006 $9,919,158,482 $989,932,071,353
2005 $9,918,907,108 $764,015,973,481
2004 $8,957,467,707 $591,016,690,732
2003 $7,511,582,173 $430,347,420,185
2002 $5,438,863,983 $345,470,494,418
2001 $5,489,608,300 $306,602,070,621
2000 $5,788,329,609 $259,710,142,197
1999 $5,484,263,347 $195,907,128,351
1998 $4,790,481,509 $270,955,486,862
1997 $5,020,265,627 $404,928,954,192
1996 $4,847,757,218 $391,724,890,744
1995 $4,730,599,122 $395,537,185,735
1994 $4,259,259,604 $395,077,301,248
1993 $4,160,129,175 $435,083,713,851
1992 $4,146,464,587 $460,290,556,901
1991 $3,942,876,703 $517,962,962,963
1990 $3,790,636,324 $517,014,446,228
1989 $3,083,822,112 $506,631,299,735
1988 $2,644,554,159 $554,828,660,436
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Russia by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Russia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Russia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $15,145 $47,405
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $14,403 $44,269
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $15,888 $40,939
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $12,637 $38,638
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $10,280 $31,491
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $11,640 $30,964
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $11,399 $28,629
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $10,835 $25,778
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $8,804 $24,012
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $9,427 $23,994
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $14,277 $25,688
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $15,941 $26,020
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $15,402 $24,274
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $14,305 $22,790
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $10,675 $20,490
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $8,563 $19,390
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $11,635 $20,164
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $9,101 $16,648
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $6,920 $14,912
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $5,323 $11,822
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $4,102 $10,227
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $2,975 $9,255
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $2,378 $8,037
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $2,100 $7,361
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,772 $6,825
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $1,331 $5,914
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $1,835 $5,465
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $2,738 $5,700
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $2,644 $5,518
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $2,666 $5,613
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $2,662 $5,734
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $2,931 $6,420
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $3,099 $6,862
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $3,490 $7,858
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $3,494 $8,028
1989 $2,428 - $3,430 -
1988 $2,141 - $3,778 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $15,145 in Russia, ranking 68/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Russia ranks 50th at $47,405.

Economic indicators

Botswana Russia
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$2.17T
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
4.34%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$15,145
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
68/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$47,405
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
50/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$440B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
20.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$3,067
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
98/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$10,464
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$650B
2023
Number of millionaires n/a
426,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
140
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
25.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
36.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
8.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
16%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
2.43%
2024
Population
2615162
141906741

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Russia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Russia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 36.9% 20.3%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 35.7% 19.5%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 35.2% 18.5%
2021 33% 23.4% 34.9% 16.5%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 39.2% 19.2%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 33.8% 13.7%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 32.6% 13.6%
2017 35% 19.8% 34.8% 14.3%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 36.6% 14.8%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 35.3% 15.3%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 34.9% 15.1%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 34.7% 12.3%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 34% 11.2%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 33.3% 10.3%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 35.5% 10.1%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 38.6% 9.92%
2008 48% 7.77% 32% 7.45%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 31.9% 8.03%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 29% 9.8%
2005 35% 7.74% 29.5% 14.9%
2004 42% 11.3% 29.6% 20.8%
2003 44% 7.29% 32.6% 28.3%
2002 46% 8.55% 33.8% 37.6%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 31.5% 44.4%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 30.7% 55.9%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 34.3% 92.4%
1998 44.3% 12% 39.7% 135.2%
1997 40% - - 51.5%
1996 37.2% - - 51.9%
1995 38.1% - - 53.7%
1994 39.2% - - 63.5%
1993 44.2% - - 92.4%
1992 43.4% - - 116%
1991 42.3% - - -
1990 40.5% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Russia spent $802B, or 36.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 20.3% in Russia, ranking 158/185 and 175/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Russia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Russia
2024 -7.82% -1.6%
2023 -4.25% -2.22%
2022 -0.006% -1.34%
2021 -2.46% 0.78%
2020 -11.5% -3.99%
2019 -8.43% 1.93%
2018 -5.07% 2.92%
2017 -1.16% -1.47%
2016 0.72% -3.67%
2015 -5.06% -3.39%
2014 3.88% -1.07%
2013 6.07% -1.16%
2012 0.92% 0.38%
2011 -0.12% 1.43%
2010 -8.36% -3.19%
2009 -14.4% -5.89%
2008 -7.59% 4.55%
2007 5.92% 5.59%
2006 13.7% 7.8%
2005 10.7% 7.6%
2004 1.42% 4.57%
2003 -0.18% 1.35%
2002 -4.02% 0.67%
2001 -2.96% 2.99%
2000 8.95% 3.11%
1999 6.18% -3.59%
1998 - -7.42%
1997 - -
1996 - -
1995 - -
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - 0.15%
1939 - 0.12%
1938 - 0.16%
1937 - 0.12%
1936 - 0.1%
1935 - 0.07%
1934 - 0.25%
1933 - 0.58%
1932 - 0.06%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - -1.62%
1929 - -0.4%
1928 - -0.4%
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -
1912 - 0.69%
1911 - 1.26%
1910 - 1.52%
1909 - -0.15%
1908 - -0.83%
1907 - -0.86%
1906 - -3.19%
1905 - -7.72%
1904 - -5.13%
1903 - 1.04%
1902 - -1.57%
1901 - 0.14%
1900 - -0.36%
1899 - 0.66%
1898 - 0.03%
1897 - 0.34%
1896 - 1.3%
1895 - 0.7%
1894 - 1.43%
1893 - 0.63%
1892 - -1.16%
1891 - -0.97%
1890 - 0.01%
1889 - 1.34%
1888 - 0.88%
1887 - 0.14%
1886 - -0.84%
1885 - -0.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1940, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/russia | 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 Russia's deficit of $34.9B, or 1.6% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Russia ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.5% of GDP for Russia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Russia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Russia
2024 2.82% 8.4%
2023 5.07% 5.9%
2022 11.7% 13.7%
2021 7.24% 6.7%
2020 1.89% 3.4%
2019 2.77% 4.5%
2018 3.24% 2.9%
2017 3.31% 3.7%
2016 2.81% 7%
2015 3.06% 15.5%
2014 4.4% 7.8%
2013 5.88% 6.8%
2012 7.54% 5.1%
2011 8.46% 8.4%
2010 6.95% 6.8%
2009 8.03% 11.6%
2008 12.7% 14.1%
2007 7.08% 9%
2006 11.6% 9.7%
2005 8.61% 12.7%
2004 6.95% 10.9%
2003 9.19% 13.7%
2002 8.03% 15.8%
2001 6.56% 21.5%
2000 8.6% 20.8%
1999 7.75% 85.7%
1998 6.66% 27.7%
1997 8.72% 14.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 13.4% in Russia. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 8.4% in Russia.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $1K
Russia
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $48.8M
Machinery & equipment $136K
Business & finance services $20K
Chemicals & pharma $15K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K
Transport & tourism services $2K
IT & IP services $2K

Balance of trade

Botswana Russia
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$63.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
12/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+2.91%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$302B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$434B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$81.5B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$43.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
17.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
21.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Russia
Economic freedom 67.7 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 161/197
Property rights 71.7 18.6
Government integrity 59.6 22.8
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 22.8
Tax burden 87.1 81.9
Government spending 69.8 61.3
Fiscal health 72.4 94.4
Business freedom 61.5 51.4
Labor freedom 60.7 59.1
Monetary freedom 72 61.8
Trade freedom 77 69.4
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Russia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Russia
2026 67.7 50.3
2025 69.9 51.6
2024 68 52
2023 64.9 53.8
2022 64.8 56.1
2021 67.6 61.5
2020 69.6 61
2019 69.5 58.9
2018 69.9 58.2
2017 70.1 57.1
2016 71.1 50.6
2015 69.8 52.1
2014 72 51.9
2013 70.6 51.1
2012 69.6 50.5
2011 68.8 50.5
2010 70.3 50.3
2009 69.7 50.8
2008 68.2 49.8
2007 68.1 52.2
2006 68.8 52.4
2005 69.3 51.3
2004 69.9 52.8
2003 68.6 50.8
2002 66.2 48.7
2001 66.8 49.8
2000 65.8 51.8
1999 62.9 54.5
1998 62.8 52.8
1997 59.1 48.6
1996 61.6 51.6
1995 56.8 51.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 50.3 for Russia, ranking 161/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Russia
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
30.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
2.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$2.24T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$46,780
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$597B
2023
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
6/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
$9.37B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
-$9.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
-$170M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
2.65%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
12.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
26.3%
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/russia | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.