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Economy of Botswana vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $1.24T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 133/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $324B (26.2% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Botswana vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Botswana
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Saudi Arabia
2024 $19,402,063,513 $1,239,804,533,333
2023 $19,411,266,967 $1,218,584,533,333
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $35,122 $71,375
2023 $7,826 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $35,122 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 33/197. 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
$19.4B
2024
$1.24T
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
18/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$35,122
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$324B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
26.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$9,185
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
58/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$23,076
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$2.73T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
351,855
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
29.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
1.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
3.52%
2024
Population
2615162
36734925

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
2024 33.8% 30% 29.6% 26.2%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 28.3% 23%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 33% 23.4% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 35% 19.8% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 33% 8.43%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 37.1% 14%
2008 48% 7.77% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 35% 7.74% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 42% 11.3% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 44% 7.29% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 46% 8.55% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 30.3% 103%
1998 44.3% 12% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 40% - 35.6% 76.7%
1996 37.2% - 33.3% 75.2%
1995 38.1% - 32.4% 74.2%
1994 39.2% - 33.8% 67.9%
1993 44.2% - 37.7% 58.6%
1992 43.4% - 41.2% 47.8%
1991 42.3% - 34.9% 39.4%
1990 40.5% - 39.3% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $367B, or 29.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 26.2% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 158/185 and 163/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Saudi Arabia
2024 -7.82% -2.49%
2023 -4.25% -1.77%
2022 -0.006% 2.24%
2021 -2.46% -1.99%
2020 -11.5% -10.2%
2019 -8.43% -3.96%
2018 -5.07% -5.21%
2017 -1.16% -8.57%
2016 0.72% -13.2%
2015 -5.06% -14.9%
2014 3.88% -3.4%
2013 6.07% 5.47%
2012 0.92% 11.7%
2011 -0.12% 11.4%
2010 -8.36% 4.39%
2009 -14.4% -5.38%
2008 -7.59% 29.8%
2007 5.92% 11.8%
2006 13.7% 20.8%
2005 10.7% 18%
2004 1.42% 9.72%
2003 -0.18% 1.2%
2002 -4.02% -5.91%
2001 -2.96% -3.91%
2000 8.95% 3.18%
1999 6.18% -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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $30.9B, or 2.49% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.64% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Saudi Arabia
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 1.69% 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
Machinery & equipment $42K
Miscellaneous $4K
Animal & marine products $1K

Balance of trade

Botswana Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$16.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
180/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$214B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$306B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$125B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$62.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
25.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
29.1%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
63.5%
2024
47.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
44.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$1.26T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$71,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$464B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
7/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
$6.27B
2024
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
1.42%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
30.2%
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/saudi-arabia | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.