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Economy of Botswana vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $1.28T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 135/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $405B (31.7% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Botswana vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Botswana
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Saudi Arabia
2025 $19,928,479,839 $1,276,942,933,333
2024 $19,286,251,068 $1,254,140,800,000
2023 $19,413,614,555 $1,218,584,800,000
2022 $20,321,150,599 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $18,750,182,236 $982,661,066,667
2020 $14,960,251,608 $767,951,200,000
2019 $16,725,908,149 $888,890,133,333
2018 $17,031,943,186 $886,564,800,000
2017 $16,105,155,857 $741,266,133,333
2016 $15,082,637,184 $689,279,466,667
2015 $13,530,748,845 $693,414,400,000
2014 $15,470,088,501 $787,153,066,667
2013 $14,271,738,933 $769,755,733,333
2012 $13,907,464,500 $751,921,333,333
2011 $15,110,643,612 $680,660,800,000
2010 $12,637,273,429 $528,207,466,667
2009 $10,118,459,242 $429,097,866,667
2008 $10,730,829,116 $519,796,800,000
2007 $10,567,270,656 $415,964,509,673
2006 $9,919,158,482 $376,900,133,511
2005 $9,918,907,108 $328,459,608,764
2004 $8,957,467,707 $258,742,133,333
2003 $7,511,582,173 $215,807,733,333
2002 $5,438,863,983 $189,605,866,667
2001 $5,489,608,300 $184,137,600,000
2000 $5,788,329,609 $189,514,933,333
1999 $5,484,263,347 $161,717,066,667
1998 $4,790,481,509 $146,775,466,667
1997 $5,020,265,627 $165,963,684,913
1996 $4,847,757,218 $158,662,483,311
1995 $4,730,599,122 $143,343,124,166
1994 $4,259,259,604 $135,174,899,866
1993 $4,160,129,175 $132,967,957,276
1992 $4,146,464,587 $137,087,850,467
1991 $3,942,876,703 $132,223,230,975
1990 $3,790,636,324 $117,630,173,565
1989 $3,083,822,112 $95,344,459,279
1988 $2,644,554,159 $88,256,074,766
1987 $1,965,226,890 $85,695,861,148
1986 $1,392,602,164 $86,961,922,765
1985 $1,114,783,343 $103,897,846,494
1984 $1,240,822,167 $119,624,858,116
1983 $1,172,230,397 $129,171,635,311
1982 $1,014,945,696 $153,240,313,858
1981 $1,073,812,830 $184,291,360,139
1980 $1,060,889,704 $164,539,660,725
1979 $819,870,259 $111,858,444,786
1978 $590,407,374 $80,266,516,687
1977 $451,624,780 $74,188,986,586
1976 $372,025,093 $64,005,665,722
1975 $355,168,572 $46,773,208,643
1974 $306,044,208 $45,412,957,746
1973 $244,124,164 $14,947,435,499
1972 $164,460,915 $9,664,267,087
1971 $127,448,614 $7,184,806,909
1970 $96,243,234 $5,377,333,333
1969 $77,361,547 $4,485,777,644
1968 $66,248,441 $4,187,777,711
1967 $58,642,354 $3,257,022,223
1966 $51,465,655 $2,920,555,557
1965 $45,788,696 $2,647,955,558
1964 $41,616,348 $2,371,808,713
1963 $38,091,843 $2,207,393,172
1962 $35,644,957 $2,130,606,532
1961 $32,902,613 $1,920,811,284
1960 $30,411,414 $1,748,124,064

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Saudi Arabia by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $34,537 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $35,528 $71,375
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $2,428 - $9,414 -
1988 $2,141 - $9,165 -
1987 $1,639 - $9,386 -
1986 $1,200 - $10,078 -
1985 $994 - $12,745 -
1984 $1,145 - $15,541 -
1983 $1,121 - $17,810 -
1982 $1,006 - $22,454 -
1981 $1,107 - $28,703 -
1980 $1,132 - $27,206 -
1979 $909 - $19,612 -
1978 $695 - $14,914 -
1977 $565 - $14,595 -
1976 $490 - $13,313 -
1975 $493 - $10,266 -
1974 $446 - $10,503 -
1973 $374 - $3,640 -
1972 $264.2 - $2,474 -
1971 $212.2 - $1,929 -
1970 $163 - $1,509 -
1969 $131.8 - $1,313 -
1968 $113.4 - $1,276 -
1967 $100.9 - $1,032 -
1966 $89.1 - $961 -
1965 $79.7 - $904 -
1964 $73.5 - $840 -
1963 $68.9 - $812 -
1962 $66 - $813 -
1961 $62.3 - $760 -
1960 $58.9 - $718 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $34,537 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Botswana Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$1.28T
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
4.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$34,537
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
36/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$405B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
31.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$10,956
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
57/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$22,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
$2.36T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2026
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
29%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
2.08%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
3.24%
2025
Population
2624853
37955120

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 29% 31.7%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 29.2% 25.9%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 28.3% 23%
2022 29.1% 21% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 33% 8.43%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 37.1% 14%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 30.3% 103%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 39% - 35.6% 76.7%
1996 36.1% - 33.3% 75.2%
1995 36.1% - 32.4% 74.2%
1994 37.6% - 33.8% 67.9%
1993 42% - 37.7% 58.6%
1992 42.3% - 41.2% 47.8%
1991 41.1% - 34.9% 39.4%
1990 38.9% - 39.3% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $370B, or 29% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 31.7% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 137/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Saudi Arabia
2025 -7.42% -5.77%
2024 -7.26% -2.46%
2023 -4.16% -1.77%
2022 0.04% 2.24%
2021 -2.33% -1.99%
2020 -10.9% -10.2%
2019 -8.53% -3.96%
2018 -5.03% -5.21%
2017 -1.14% -8.57%
2016 0.71% -13.2%
2015 -4.82% -14.9%
2014 3.9% -3.4%
2013 5.84% 5.47%
2012 0.89% 11.7%
2011 -0.12% 11.4%
2010 -7.95% 4.39%
2009 -13.8% -5.38%
2008 -7.61% 29.8%
2007 5.73% 11.8%
2006 13.3% 20.8%
2005 10.3% 18%
2004 1.35% 9.72%
2003 -0.18% 1.2%
2002 -3.94% -5.91%
2001 -2.91% -3.91%
2000 8.73% 3.18%
1999 5.95% -5.99%
1998 - -8.88%
1997 - -2.51%
1996 - -3.25%
1995 - -5.12%
1994 - -8.31%
1993 - -9.33%
1992 - -8.12%
1991 - -3.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $73.7B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.37% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Saudi Arabia
2025 2.66% 2.08%
2024 2.82% 1.69%
2023 5.07% 2.33%
2022 11.7% 2.47%
2021 7.24% 3.06%
2020 1.89% 3.37%
2019 2.77% -1.19%
2018 3.24% 2.47%
2017 3.31% -0.83%
2016 2.81% 2.05%
2015 3.06% 1.22%
2014 4.4% 2.24%
2013 5.88% 3.51%
2012 7.54% 2.87%
2011 8.46% 5.83%
2010 6.95% 5.34%
2009 8.03% 5.06%
2008 12.7% 9.87%
2007 7.08% 4.17%
2006 11.6% 2.21%
2005 8.61% 0.48%
2004 6.95% 0.52%
2003 9.19% 0.61%
2002 8.03% 0.25%
2001 6.56% -1.12%
2000 8.6% -1.12%
1999 7.75% -1.33%
1998 6.66% -0.37%
1997 8.72% 0.06%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 2.08% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $14K
Machinery & equipment $6K
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $60K
Machinery & equipment $42K
Miscellaneous $4K
Animal & marine products $1K

Balance of trade

Botswana Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$32.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
185/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-2.56%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$230B
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$311B
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$129B
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$69.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
29.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 67.7 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 65/197
Property rights 71.7 51.4
Government integrity 59.6 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 38.2
Tax burden 87.1 99.2
Government spending 69.8 77
Fiscal health 72.4 97.9
Business freedom 61.5 71.2
Labor freedom 60.7 41.8
Monetary freedom 72 81.2
Trade freedom 77 73.8
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Saudi Arabia
2026 67.7 65.4
2025 69.9 64.4
2024 68 61.9
2023 64.9 58.3
2022 64.8 55.5
2021 67.6 66
2020 69.6 62.4
2019 69.5 60.7
2018 69.9 59.6
2017 70.1 64.4
2016 71.1 62.1
2015 69.8 62.1
2014 72 62.2
2013 70.6 60.6
2012 69.6 62.5
2011 68.8 66.2
2010 70.3 64.1
2009 69.7 64.3
2008 68.2 62.5
2007 68.1 60.9
2006 68.8 63
2005 69.3 63
2004 69.9 60.4
2003 68.6 63.2
2002 66.2 65.3
2001 66.8 62.2
2000 65.8 66.5
1999 62.9 65.5
1998 62.8 69.3
1997 59.1 68.7
1996 61.6 68.3
1995 56.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
48.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
43%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
2.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$74,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$505B
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
8/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$5.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$27.6B
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
31.6%
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/saudi-arabia | 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 (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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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.