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Economy of Botswana vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $2.66B for Saint Lucia, ranking 135/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $2.05B (77.1% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Botswana vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Botswana
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Saint Lucia
2025 $19,928,479,839 $2,656,444,444
2024 $19,286,251,068 $2,605,148,148
2023 $19,413,614,555 $2,441,259,259
2022 $20,321,150,599 $2,319,888,889
2021 $18,750,182,236 $1,871,111,111
2020 $14,960,251,608 $1,521,740,741
2019 $16,725,908,149 $2,090,074,074
2018 $17,031,943,186 $2,060,955,556
2017 $16,105,155,857 $1,998,503,704
2016 $15,082,637,184 $1,868,544,444
2015 $13,530,748,845 $1,807,640,741
2014 $15,470,088,501 $1,749,185,185
2013 $14,271,738,933 $1,660,392,593
2012 $13,907,464,500 $1,598,207,407
2011 $15,110,643,612 $1,568,370,370
2010 $12,637,273,429 $1,482,385,185
2009 $10,118,459,242 $1,401,507,889
2008 $10,730,829,116 $1,437,731,111
2007 $10,567,270,656 $1,336,088,815
2006 $9,919,158,482 $1,268,319,185
2005 $9,918,907,108 $1,135,555,556
2004 $8,957,467,707 $1,066,666,667
2003 $7,511,582,173 $987,407,407
2002 $5,438,863,983 $900,000,000
2001 $5,489,608,300 $892,592,593
2000 $5,788,329,609 $932,592,593
1999 $5,484,263,347 $921,851,852
1998 $4,790,481,509 $877,407,407
1997 $5,020,265,627 $805,925,926
1996 $4,847,757,218 $788,888,889
1995 $4,730,599,122 $762,962,963
1994 $4,259,259,604 $713,703,704
1993 $4,160,129,175 $684,814,815
1992 $4,146,464,587 $674,074,074
1991 $3,942,876,703 $613,703,704
1990 $3,790,636,324 $579,629,630
1989 $3,083,822,112 $486,666,667
1988 $2,644,554,159 $429,629,630
1987 $1,965,226,890 $375,555,556
1986 $1,392,602,164 $340,000,000
1985 $1,114,783,343 $284,444,444
1984 $1,240,822,167 $251,481,481
1983 $1,172,230,397 $197,037,037
1982 $1,014,945,696 $183,333,333
1981 $1,073,812,830 $194,444,444
1980 $1,060,889,704 $170,370,370
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Saint Lucia by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $14,746 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $14,494 $27,567
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $13,617 $25,975
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $12,976 $24,599
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $10,481 $19,101
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $8,537 $14,912
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $11,764 $18,710
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $2,428 - $3,565 -
1988 $2,141 - $3,182 -
1987 $1,639 - $2,819 -
1986 $1,200 - $2,591 -
1985 $994 - $2,202 -
1984 $1,145 - $1,979 -
1983 $1,121 - $1,576 -
1982 $1,006 - $1,489 -
1981 $1,107 - $1,605 -
1980 $1,132 - $1,428 -
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $14,746 in Saint Lucia, ranking 72/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Botswana Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$2.66B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
173/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
-0.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$14,746
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
72/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$2.05B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
77.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$11,365
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
53/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$12,464
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
25.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
2.03%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
7.66%
2025
Population
2624853
180676

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 25.2% 77.1%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 24.4% 76.7%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 25.3% 75.2%
2022 29.1% 21% 23.8% 73.9%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 26.7% 81.9%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 33.1% 94.4%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 24.6% 62.1%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 23.2% 60.3%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 23% 59.9%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 22.6% 60.2%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 22.1% 60.6%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 22.6% 61.9%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 24.3% 61.2%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 27.1% 60.2%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 26.9% 54.9%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 25.6% 52.2%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 24.2% 50.2%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 22.3% 46.9%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 22.2% 48.2%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 24.4% 48%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 25.3% 50.4%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 22.5% 48.8%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 22.5% 44.7%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 23% 47.7%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 22% 38%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 20.9% 32.8%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 20.9% 28.8%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 18.6% 29.1%
1997 39% - 19% 26.6%
1996 36.1% - 18.8% 23.9%
1995 36.1% - 19% 22.7%
1994 37.6% - 18.7% 23.4%
1993 42% - 21.6% 22.7%
1992 42.3% - 18.3% 22.1%
1991 41.1% - 18% 19.3%
1990 38.9% - 16.5% 16.7%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $671M, or 25.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 77.1% in Saint Lucia, ranking 137/185 and 48/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Saint Lucia
2025 -7.42% -2.88%
2024 -7.26% -1.81%
2023 -4.16% -3.18%
2022 0.04% -2.48%
2021 -2.33% -5.35%
2020 -10.9% -11.5%
2019 -8.53% -2.95%
2018 -5.03% -1.22%
2017 -1.14% -2.09%
2016 0.71% -1.53%
2015 -4.82% -1.18%
2014 3.9% -2.29%
2013 5.84% -3.98%
2012 0.89% -6.93%
2011 -0.12% -5.35%
2010 -7.95% -4.11%
2009 -13.8% -2.63%
2008 -7.61% -0.72%
2007 5.73% -1.59%
2006 13.3% -5.01%
2005 10.3% -6%
2004 1.35% -2.58%
2003 -0.18% -3.17%
2002 -3.94% -3.03%
2001 -2.91% -3.07%
2000 8.73% -1.17%
1999 5.95% 1.61%
1998 - 2.22%
1997 - -1.1%
1996 - -0.57%
1995 - -0.13%
1994 - -0.02%
1993 - -0.25%
1992 - -0.66%
1991 - -0.42%
1990 - 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 - 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $76.5M, or 2.88% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.19% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Saint Lucia
2025 2.66% 2.03%
2024 2.82% -0.67%
2023 5.07% 3.82%
2022 11.7% 9.65%
2021 7.24% 2.41%
2020 1.89% -1.76%
2019 2.77% 0.54%
2018 3.24% 1.94%
2017 3.31% 0.1%
2016 2.81% -3.08%
2015 3.06% -0.98%
2014 4.4% 3.52%
2013 5.88% 1.47%
2012 7.54% 4.18%
2011 8.46% 2.77%
2010 6.95% 3.25%
2009 8.03% -0.16%
2008 12.7% 5.55%
2007 7.08% 2.82%
2006 11.6% 2.4%
2005 8.61% 3.9%
2004 6.95% 1.46%
2003 9.19% 1.03%
2002 8.03% -0.26%
2001 6.56% 5.31%
2000 8.6% 3.71%
1999 7.75% 3.5%
1998 6.66% 3.2%
1997 8.72% -0.006%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 2.13% in Saint Lucia. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 2.03% in Saint Lucia.

Balance of trade

Botswana Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$166M
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
89/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-6.26%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$834M
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$144M
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$672M
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$1.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
19%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 67.7 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 57/197
Property rights 71.7 64.3
Government integrity 59.6 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 77.3
Tax burden 87.1 77.7
Government spending 69.8 82.6
Fiscal health 72.4 80
Business freedom 61.5 71.9
Labor freedom 60.7 65.2
Monetary freedom 72 81
Trade freedom 77 60
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Saint Lucia
2026 67.7 67.5
2025 69.9 67
2024 68 62.2
2023 64.9 60.7
2022 64.8 64.3
2021 67.6 67.5
2020 69.6 68.2
2019 69.5 68.7
2018 69.9 67.6
2017 70.1 65
2016 71.1 70
2015 69.8 70.2
2014 72 70.7
2013 70.6 70.4
2012 69.6 71.3
2011 68.8 70.8
2010 70.3 70.5
2009 69.7 68.8
2008 68.2 -
2007 68.1 -
2006 68.8 -
2005 69.3 -
2004 69.9 -
2003 68.6 -
2002 66.2 -
2001 66.8 -
2000 65.8 -
1999 62.9 -
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
73.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
10.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
1.66%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$2.42B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$26,180
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$447M
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
160/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$175M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
3.35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
n/a

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/saint-lucia | 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 (1985–1989, 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.