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Economy of Botswana vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $7.46B for Sierra Leone, ranking 135/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $3.38B (45.2% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Botswana vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Botswana
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Sierra Leone
2025 $19,928,479,839 $7,464,157,904
2024 $19,286,251,068 $6,971,127,234
2023 $19,413,614,555 $6,415,852,766
2022 $20,321,150,599 $7,121,125,277
2021 $18,750,182,236 $7,166,931,483
2020 $14,960,251,608 $6,688,307,706
2019 $16,725,908,149 $6,523,577,590
2018 $17,031,943,186 $6,390,514,689
2017 $16,105,155,857 $5,749,846,528
2016 $15,082,637,184 $6,084,297,211
2015 $13,530,748,845 $6,788,352,975
2014 $15,470,088,501 $7,686,138,791
2013 $14,271,738,933 $7,502,762,863
2012 $13,907,464,500 $6,141,666,509
2011 $15,110,643,612 $4,861,632,885
2010 $12,637,273,429 $4,262,805,967
2009 $10,118,459,242 $3,953,403,098
2008 $10,730,829,116 $4,157,895,298
2007 $10,567,270,656 $3,632,957,611
2006 $9,919,158,482 $3,263,697,467
2005 $9,918,907,108 $2,545,275,313
2004 $8,957,467,707 $2,237,350,687
2003 $7,511,582,173 $2,142,618,046
2002 $5,438,863,983 $1,933,863,911
2001 $5,489,608,300 $1,681,473,894
2000 $5,788,329,609 $635,866,404
1999 $5,484,263,347 $669,386,624
1998 $4,790,481,509 $672,368,187
1997 $5,020,265,627 $850,232,760
1996 $4,847,757,218 $941,709,423
1995 $4,730,599,122 $870,740,292
1994 $4,259,259,604 $911,853,802
1993 $4,160,129,175 $768,867,883
1992 $4,146,464,587 $679,940,814
1991 $3,942,876,703 $779,981,987
1990 $3,790,636,324 $649,644,098
1989 $3,083,822,112 $932,974,420
1988 $2,644,554,159 $1,055,083,933
1987 $1,965,226,890 $660,106,336
1986 $1,392,602,164 $490,181,457
1985 $1,114,783,343 $856,890,459
1984 $1,240,822,167 $1,087,471,862
1983 $1,172,230,397 $995,104,305
1982 $1,014,945,696 $1,295,361,886
1981 $1,073,812,830 $1,114,830,472
1980 $1,060,889,704 $1,100,685,845
1979 $819,870,259 $1,109,374,911
1978 $590,407,374 $960,728,339
1977 $451,624,780 $691,777,584
1976 $372,025,093 $594,895,942
1975 $355,168,572 $679,336,344
1974 $306,044,208 $648,590,643
1973 $244,124,164 $575,230,724
1972 $164,460,915 $465,381,340
1971 $127,448,614 $419,549,305
1970 $96,243,234 $434,410,974
1969 $77,361,547 $408,690,163
1968 $66,248,441 $329,859,732
1967 $58,642,354 $348,795,303
1966 $51,465,655 $375,479,850
1965 $45,788,696 $359,379,856
1964 $41,616,348 $371,847,461
1963 $38,091,843 $348,547,279
1962 $35,644,957 $342,721,416
1961 $32,902,613 $327,834,191
1960 $30,411,414 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Sierra Leone by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $846 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $807 $3,522
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $758 $3,368
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $860 $3,144
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $885 $2,849
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $845 $2,719
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $844 $2,704
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $846 $2,640
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $779 $2,501
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $844 $2,635
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $965 $2,560
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $938 $2,317
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $761 $2,043
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $685 $1,900
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $653 $1,814
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $705 $1,824
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $632 $1,770
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $580 $1,698
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $463 $1,615
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $418 $1,541
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $414 $1,458
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $389 $1,360
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $358 $1,121
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $155 $1,167
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $185 $1,269
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $2,428 - $231.3 -
1988 $2,141 - $268.2 -
1987 $1,639 - $172.4 -
1986 $1,200 - $131.5 -
1985 $994 - $235.5 -
1984 $1,145 - $306 -
1983 $1,121 - $285.8 -
1982 $1,006 - $380 -
1981 $1,107 - $334 -
1980 $1,132 - $336 -
1979 $909 - $346 -
1978 $695 - $305 -
1977 $565 - $224.2 -
1976 $490 - $196.4 -
1975 $493 - $228.4 -
1974 $446 - $222.1 -
1973 $374 - $200.6 -
1972 $264.2 - $165.4 -
1971 $212.2 - $151.8 -
1970 $163 - $160.2 -
1969 $131.8 - $153.6 -
1968 $113.4 - $126.3 -
1967 $100.9 - $136.1 -
1966 $89.1 - $149.3 -
1965 $79.7 - $145.6 -
1964 $73.5 - $153.4 -
1963 $68.9 - $146.3 -
1962 $66 - $146.3 -
1961 $62.3 - $142.3 -
1960 $58.9 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/sierra-leone | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $846 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Botswana Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$7.46B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
160/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
4.61%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$846
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$3.38B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
45.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$383
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
173/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$1,418
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
16.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
7.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
16.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
1.65%
2018
Population
2624853
9090531

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 16.5% 45.2%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 17.6% 46.7%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 15.4% 49.4%
2022 29.1% 21% 16.7% 54%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 15% 44.2%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 12% 113.5%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 10.3% -
1999 40.1% 9.31% - -
1998 41.8% 11.3% - -
1997 39% - - -
1996 36.1% - - -
1995 36.1% - - -
1994 37.6% - - -
1993 42% - - -
1992 42.3% - - -
1991 41.1% - - -
1990 38.9% - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.23B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 45.2% in Sierra Leone, ranking 137/185 and 115/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Sierra Leone
2025 -7.42% -4.2%
2024 -7.26% -5.16%
2023 -4.16% -4.99%
2022 0.04% -5.93%
2021 -2.33% -4.35%
2020 -10.9% -3.5%
2019 -8.53% -1.95%
2018 -5.03% -3.57%
2017 -1.14% -5.61%
2016 0.71% -5.41%
2015 -4.82% -2.86%
2014 3.9% -2.77%
2013 5.84% -1.74%
2012 0.89% -3.41%
2011 -0.12% -2.78%
2010 -7.95% -3.09%
2009 -13.8% -1.51%
2008 -7.61% -2.22%
2007 5.73% 12.6%
2006 13.3% -0.93%
2005 10.3% -1.17%
2004 1.35% -1.46%
2003 -0.18% -2.78%
2002 -3.94% -3.03%
2001 -2.91% -3.22%
2000 8.73% -1.94%
1999 5.95% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $313M, or 4.2% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.43% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.58% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Sierra Leone
2025 2.66% 7.6%
2024 2.82% 28.4%
2023 5.07% 47.7%
2022 11.7% 27.2%
2021 7.24% 11.9%
2020 1.89% 13.4%
2019 2.77% 14.8%
2018 3.24% 16%
2017 3.31% 18.2%
2016 2.81% 10.9%
2015 3.06% 6.7%
2014 4.4% 4.6%
2013 5.88% 5.5%
2012 7.54% 6.6%
2011 8.46% 6.8%
2010 6.95% 7.2%
2009 8.03% 7.5%
2008 12.7% 8.2%
2007 7.08% 17%
2006 11.6% 10.5%
2005 8.61% 13.7%
2004 6.95% 12.9%
2003 9.19% 4%
2002 8.03% 0.1%
2001 6.56% 2.6%
2000 8.6% -0.9%
1999 7.75% 34.1%
1998 6.66% 36%
1997 8.72% 14.6%

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/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 13.6% in Sierra Leone. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 7.6% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $228K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$984M
2024
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-14.1%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$2.4B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$1.55B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$514M
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$49.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
20.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 67.7 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 165/197
Property rights 71.7 32.9
Government integrity 59.6 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 42
Tax burden 87.1 88.2
Government spending 69.8 92.4
Fiscal health 72.4 54.1
Business freedom 61.5 44.8
Labor freedom 60.7 38.2
Monetary freedom 72 53.6
Trade freedom 77 63.6
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Sierra Leone
2026 67.7 49.6
2025 69.9 48
2024 68 44.6
2023 64.9 50.2
2022 64.8 52
2021 67.6 51.7
2020 69.6 48
2019 69.5 47.5
2018 69.9 51.8
2017 70.1 52.6
2016 71.1 52.3
2015 69.8 51.7
2014 72 50.5
2013 70.6 48.3
2012 69.6 49.1
2011 68.8 49.6
2010 70.3 47.9
2009 69.7 47.8
2008 68.2 48.3
2007 68.1 47
2006 68.8 45.2
2005 69.3 44.8
2004 69.9 43.6
2003 68.6 42.2
2002 66.2 -
2001 66.8 -
2000 65.8 44.2
1999 62.9 47.2
1998 62.8 47.7
1997 59.1 45
1996 61.6 52.3
1995 56.8 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
41.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
25.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
29.5%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$7.34B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$3,690
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
161/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$122M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
23.2%
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/sierra-leone | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. TradeMap (2024, 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.