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Economy of Botswana vs Solomon Islands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $1.58B for the Solomon Islands, ranking 133/197 and 182/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $350M (22.1% of GDP) in the Solomon Islands.

Botswana vs Solomon Islands GDP by year

Botswana
Solomon Islands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Solomon Islands
2024 $19,402,063,513 $1,583,964,704
2023 $19,411,266,967 $1,506,124,566
2022 $20,321,150,599 $1,466,670,930
2021 $18,750,182,236 $1,558,312,104
2020 $14,960,251,608 $1,536,143,428
2019 $16,725,908,149 $1,619,150,564
2018 $17,031,943,186 $1,615,473,250
2017 $16,105,155,857 $1,469,790,526
2016 $15,082,637,184 $1,379,486,291
2015 $13,530,748,845 $1,307,908,814
2014 $15,470,088,501 $1,335,576,763
2013 $14,271,738,933 $1,285,905,958
2012 $13,907,464,500 $1,185,217,634
2011 $15,110,643,612 $1,063,898,227
2010 $12,637,273,429 $898,128,551
2009 $10,118,459,242 $805,557,289
2008 $10,730,829,116 $776,335,523
2007 $10,567,270,656 $695,291,218
2006 $9,919,158,482 $617,257,458
2005 $9,918,907,108 $552,881,357
2004 $8,957,467,707 $468,000,121
2003 $7,511,582,173 $417,666,639
2002 $5,438,863,983 $346,406,739
2001 $5,489,608,300 $409,508,553
2000 $5,788,329,609 $419,842,674
1999 $5,484,263,347 $488,024,514
1998 $4,790,481,509 $457,579,840
1997 $5,020,265,627 $526,554,006
1996 $4,847,757,218 $510,586,430
1995 $4,730,599,122 $469,443,202
1994 $4,259,259,604 $402,837,005
1993 $4,160,129,175 $300,746,361
1992 $4,146,464,587 $269,034,596
1991 $3,942,876,703 $227,540,473
1990 $3,790,636,324 $214,877,667
1989 $3,083,822,112 $172,882,411
1988 $2,644,554,159 $176,494,394
1987 $1,965,226,890 $155,128,542
1986 $1,392,602,164 $147,620,048
1985 $1,114,783,343 $165,524,943
1984 $1,240,822,167 $181,570,474
1983 $1,172,230,397 $181,220,399
1982 $1,014,945,696 $192,902,019
1981 $1,073,812,830 $193,750,541
1980 $1,060,889,704 $182,852,107
1979 $819,870,259 $151,276,496
1978 $590,407,374 $111,027,427
1977 $451,624,780 $93,145,283
1976 $372,025,093 $83,100,834
1975 $355,168,572 $74,620,320
1974 $306,044,208 $84,539,332
1973 $244,124,164 $55,272,109
1972 $164,460,915 $40,606,712
1971 $127,448,614 $50,056,883
1970 $96,243,234 -
1969 $77,361,547 $28,606,411
1968 $66,248,441 $28,084,253
1967 $58,642,354 $25,203,524
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/solomon-islands | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Solomon Islands by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Solomon Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Solomon Islands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $1,934 $2,675
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $1,883 $2,597
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $1,878 $2,496
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $2,043 $2,450
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $2,063 $2,405
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $2,224 $2,512
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $2,278 $2,494
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $2,144 $2,454
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $2,083 $2,421
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $2,045 $2,354
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $2,165 $2,377
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $2,161 $2,394
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $2,066 $2,320
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $1,924 $2,306
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $1,685 $2,182
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $1,555 $2,021
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $1,526 $1,989
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $1,390 $1,869
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $1,256 $1,786
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $1,144 $1,693
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $986 $1,556
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $896 $1,433
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $757 $1,344
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $912 $1,387
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $953 $1,503
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $1,134 $1,754
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $1,092 $1,785
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $1,292 $1,793
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $1,289 $1,830
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $1,220 $1,820
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $1,078 $1,668
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $829 $1,556
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $764 $1,505
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $666 $1,346
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $648 $1,266
1989 $2,428 - $538 -
1988 $2,141 - $567 -
1987 $1,639 - $515 -
1986 $1,200 - $506 -
1985 $994 - $586 -
1984 $1,145 - $665 -
1983 $1,121 - $686 -
1982 $1,006 - $756 -
1981 $1,107 - $786 -
1980 $1,132 - $768 -
1979 $909 - $658 -
1978 $695 - $500 -
1977 $565 - $434 -
1976 $490 - $401 -
1975 $493 - $372 -
1974 $446 - $433 -
1973 $374 - $291.3 -
1972 $264.2 - $219.5 -
1971 $212.2 - $277.1 -
1970 $163 - - -
1969 $131.8 - $165.9 -
1968 $113.4 - $166.9 -
1967 $100.9 - $153.5 -
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/solomon-islands | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $1,934 in the Solomon Islands, ranking 157/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while the Solomon Islands ranks 183rd at $2,675.

Economic indicators

Botswana Solomon Islands
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$1.58B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
182/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$1,934
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
157/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$2,675
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
183/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$350M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
22.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$427
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
169/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$1,776
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
29.2%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.8%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
35.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
0.69%
2013
Population
2615162
863951

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Solomon Islands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Solomon Islands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 35.8% 22.1%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 40.1% 20.3%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 40.8% 15.5%
2021 33% 23.4% 37.8% 15.9%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 40.4% 12.8%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 35.6% 7.82%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 34.8% 7.95%
2017 35% 19.8% 40.4% 8.77%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 39.6% 7.54%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 41.5% 7.88%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 39.8% 10.1%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 41.8% 11.6%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 29.4% 13.3%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 27% 18.3%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 23.9% 22.9%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 24.8% 18.9%
2008 48% 7.77% 27% 28.9%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 23.7% 33%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 19.9% 42.3%
2005 35% 7.74% 17% 44.7%
2004 42% 11.3% 14.7% 58.2%
2003 44% 7.29% 14.9% 61.3%
2002 46% 8.55% 16.7% 65.7%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 18.1% 52.8%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 18.7% 44.3%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 18.7% 42%
1998 44.3% 12% 15.5% 39.5%
1997 40% - 19.3% 25.9%
1996 37.2% - 24.2% -
1995 38.1% - 24.7% -
1994 39.2% - 30.2% -
1993 44.2% - 33.2% -
1992 43.4% - 35.1% -
1991 42.3% - 39.4% -
1990 40.5% - 30% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/solomon-islands | CC BY

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while the Solomon Islands spent $567M, or 35.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 22.1% in the Solomon Islands, ranking 158/185 and 173/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Solomon Islands
2024 -7.82% -3.08%
2023 -4.25% -3.81%
2022 -0.006% -2.51%
2021 -2.46% -1.86%
2020 -11.5% -2.44%
2019 -8.43% -1.52%
2018 -5.07% 1.49%
2017 -1.16% -2.27%
2016 0.72% -3.56%
2015 -5.06% 0.81%
2014 3.88% 2.13%
2013 6.07% 3.57%
2012 0.92% 4.63%
2011 -0.12% 6.22%
2010 -8.36% 6.02%
2009 -14.4% 2.35%
2008 -7.59% 1.94%
2007 5.92% 15.3%
2006 13.7% 13%
2005 10.7% 13.4%
2004 1.42% 17%
2003 -0.18% 10.6%
2002 -4.02% -4.35%
2001 -2.96% -2.4%
2000 8.95% -2.93%
1999 6.18% -0.32%
1998 - 5.04%
1997 - 2.14%
1996 - 3.73%
1995 - 3.19%
1994 - 4.33%
1993 - 2.45%
1992 - 4.13%
1991 - 0.14%
1990 - 0.58%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/solomon-islands | 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 the Solomon Islands' deficit of $48.8M, or 3.08% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while the Solomon Islands ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.59% of GDP for the Solomon Islands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Solomon Islands
2024 2.82% 4.32%
2023 5.07% 5.89%
2022 11.7% 5.52%
2021 7.24% -0.12%
2020 1.89% 2.96%
2019 2.77% 1.63%
2018 3.24% 3.46%
2017 3.31% 0.49%
2016 2.81% 0.51%
2015 3.06% -0.57%
2014 4.4% 5.17%
2013 5.88% 5.39%
2012 7.54% 5.91%
2011 8.46% 7.34%
2010 6.95% 1.05%
2009 8.03% 7.09%
2008 12.7% 17.3%
2007 7.08% 7.67%
2006 11.6% 11.2%
2005 8.61% 7.33%
2004 6.95% 6.99%
2003 9.19% 8.27%
2002 8.03% 10.9%
2001 6.56% 6.93%
2000 8.6% 7.89%
1999 7.75% 8.02%
1998 6.66% 12.4%
1997 8.72% 8.08%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/solomon-islands | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 6.04% in the Solomon Islands. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 4.32% in the Solomon Islands.

Balance of trade

Botswana Solomon Islands
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$66.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
87/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-4.18%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$609M
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$510M
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$248M
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$133M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
70.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
40.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Solomon Islands
Economic freedom 67.7 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 137/197
Property rights 71.7 55.8
Government integrity 59.6 42.7
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 59.1
Tax burden 87.1 71.3
Government spending 69.8 54.6
Fiscal health 72.4 83.3
Business freedom 61.5 52.3
Labor freedom 60.7 60.4
Monetary freedom 72 76.5
Trade freedom 77 43.6
Investment freedom 50 15
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Solomon Islands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Solomon Islands
2026 67.7 53.7
2025 69.9 56.3
2024 68 55
2023 64.9 56.9
2022 64.8 56.5
2021 67.6 56.5
2020 69.6 52.9
2019 69.5 54.6
2018 69.9 57.5
2017 70.1 55
2016 71.1 47
2015 69.8 47
2014 72 46.2
2013 70.6 45
2012 69.6 46.2
2011 68.8 45.9
2010 70.3 42.9
2009 69.7 46
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 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/solomon-islands | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 53.7 for the Solomon Islands, ranking 137/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Solomon Islands
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
46.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
23.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
29.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$1.57B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$2,680
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$688M
2023
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
149/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
$19.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$33M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$52.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
1.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
12.7%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
19.5%
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/solomon-islands | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.