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Economy of Botswana vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 133/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Botswana vs Sudan GDP by year

Botswana
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Sudan
2024 $19,402,063,513 $49,672,435,513
2023 $19,411,266,967 $39,898,289,821
2022 $20,321,150,599 $51,666,875,363
2021 $18,750,182,236 $34,229,513,775
2020 $14,960,251,608 $27,034,593,750
2019 $16,725,908,149 $32,338,079,165
2018 $17,031,943,186 $32,333,780,383
2017 $16,105,155,857 $41,283,617,976
2016 $15,082,637,184 $42,630,376,000
2015 $13,530,748,845 $51,726,758,677
2014 $15,470,088,501 $49,516,748,618
2013 $14,271,738,933 $43,024,018,082
2012 $13,907,464,500 $37,632,919,967
2011 $15,110,643,612 $55,018,567,211
2010 $12,637,273,429 $58,962,978,034
2009 $10,118,459,242 $51,621,044,077
2008 $10,730,829,116 $64,833,083,257
2007 $10,567,270,656 $59,440,139,775
2006 $9,919,158,482 $45,263,831,634
2005 $9,918,907,108 $35,182,711,988
2004 $8,957,467,707 $26,646,007,251
2003 $7,511,582,173 $21,355,298,460
2002 $5,438,863,983 $18,137,128,388
2001 $5,489,608,300 $15,716,361,792
2000 $5,788,329,609 $12,257,299,147
1999 $5,484,263,347 $10,682,028,340
1998 $4,790,481,509 $11,250,221,537
1997 $5,020,265,627 $11,681,175,864
1996 $4,847,757,218 $9,018,300,725
1995 $4,730,599,122 $13,830,363,900
1994 $4,259,259,604 $12,793,794,737
1993 $4,160,129,175 $8,881,005,436
1992 $4,146,464,587 $7,031,933,492
1991 $3,942,876,703 $44,171,194,366
1990 $3,790,636,324 $33,641,222,222
1989 $3,083,822,112 $21,408,111,111
1988 $2,644,554,159 $14,372,555,556
1987 $1,965,226,890 $12,093,333,333
1986 $1,392,602,164 $10,092,200,000
1985 $1,114,783,343 $8,075,259,600
1984 $1,240,822,167 $10,447,615,385
1983 $1,172,230,397 $8,230,153,846
1982 $1,014,945,696 $8,732,542,274
1981 $1,073,812,830 $10,753,888,154
1980 $1,060,889,704 $8,951,800,000
1979 $819,870,259 $8,418,407,787
1978 $590,407,374 $8,128,719,315
1977 $451,624,780 $7,499,005,639
1976 $372,025,093 $6,013,210,816
1975 $355,168,572 $4,823,090,192
1974 $306,044,208 $3,958,931,660
1973 $244,124,164 $3,077,254,460
1972 $164,460,915 $2,483,055,722
1971 $127,448,614 $2,288,340,041
1970 $96,243,234 $2,100,229,759
1969 $77,361,547 $1,847,501,441
1968 $66,248,441 $1,677,771,401
1967 $58,642,354 $1,607,409,539
1966 $51,465,655 $1,484,491,676
1965 $45,788,696 $1,446,869,619
1964 $41,616,348 $1,388,282,600
1963 $38,091,843 $1,351,234,926
1962 $35,644,957 $1,328,259,625
1961 $32,902,613 $1,222,860,429
1960 $30,411,414 $1,126,364,162

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Sudan by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $985 $2,116
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $797 $2,421
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $712 $3,249
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $578 $3,349
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $710 $3,914
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $731 $4,199
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $967 $4,252
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $872 $3,215
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $714 $3,058
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $621 $2,898
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $551 $2,769
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $441 $2,616
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $394 $2,475
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $425 $2,428
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $453 $2,358
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $357 $2,006
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $561 $1,902
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $532 $1,805
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $379 $1,794
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $307 $1,710
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $2,428 - $992 -
1988 $2,141 - $680 -
1987 $1,639 - $584 -
1986 $1,200 - $497 -
1985 $994 - $406 -
1984 $1,145 - $534 -
1983 $1,121 - $431 -
1982 $1,006 - $472 -
1981 $1,107 - $605 -
1980 $1,132 - $525 -
1979 $909 - $515 -
1978 $695 - $518 -
1977 $565 - $497 -
1976 $490 - $413 -
1975 $493 - $343 -
1974 $446 - $291.5 -
1973 $374 - $235.8 -
1972 $264.2 - $198.2 -
1971 $212.2 - $189 -
1970 $163 - $179.6 -
1969 $131.8 - $163.5 -
1968 $113.4 - $153.7 -
1967 $100.9 - $152.4 -
1966 $89.1 - $145.6 -
1965 $79.7 - $146.8 -
1964 $73.5 - $145.7 -
1963 $68.9 - $146.6 -
1962 $66 - $148.9 -
1961 $62.3 - $141.6 -
1960 $58.9 - $134.7 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/sudan | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Botswana Sudan
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$1,704
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
7.53%
2022
Population
2615162
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 33% 23.4% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 35% 19.8% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 18.8% 71%
2008 48% 7.77% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 35% 7.74% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 42% 11.3% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 44% 7.29% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 46% 8.55% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 44.3% 12% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 40% - 7.38% 167.7%
1996 37.2% - 9.31% 220.9%
1995 38.1% - 12.9% 239%
1994 39.2% - 19.6% 386%
1993 44.2% - 23.7% 285.9%
1992 43.4% - 50.4% 495%
1991 42.3% - 45.7% -
1990 40.5% - 31% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 158/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Sudan
2024 -7.82% -3.46%
2023 -4.25% -3.7%
2022 -0.006% -2.15%
2021 -2.46% -0.29%
2020 -11.5% -6.03%
2019 -8.43% -10.8%
2018 -5.07% -7.92%
2017 -1.16% -6.07%
2016 0.72% -3.92%
2015 -5.06% -3.87%
2014 3.88% -4.72%
2013 6.07% -5.76%
2012 0.92% -7.37%
2011 -0.12% -2.33%
2010 -8.36% 0.11%
2009 -14.4% -3.8%
2008 -7.59% 0.49%
2007 5.92% -2.84%
2006 13.7% -1.32%
2005 10.7% -1.88%
2004 1.42% 0.16%
2003 -0.18% 0.77%
2002 -4.02% -0.69%
2001 -2.96% -0.77%
2000 8.95% -0.7%
1999 6.18% -0.8%
1998 - -0.56%
1997 - -0.59%
1996 - -2.61%
1995 - -3.48%
1994 - -3.03%
1993 - -8.04%
1992 - -24.5%
1991 - -26.5%
1990 - -16.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Sudan
2024 2.82% -
2023 5.07% -
2022 11.7% 138.8%
2021 7.24% 359%
2020 1.89% 163.3%
2019 2.77% 51%
2018 3.24% 63.3%
2017 3.31% 32.4%
2016 2.81% 17.8%
2015 3.06% 16.9%
2014 4.4% 36.9%
2013 5.88% 36.5%
2012 7.54% 35.6%
2011 8.46% 18.1%
2010 6.95% 13%
2009 8.03% 11.3%
2008 12.7% 14.3%
2007 7.08% 14.8%
2006 11.6% 7.2%
2005 8.61% 8.51%
2004 6.95% 9.66%
2003 9.19% 6.49%
2002 8.03% 22.2%
2001 6.56% 1.94%
2000 8.6% 7.12%
1999 7.75% 17.2%
1998 6.66% 24.6%
1997 8.72% 47.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/sudan | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.91%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4K
Miscellaneous $1K
Sudan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana Sudan
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$935M
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Sudan
Economic freedom 67.7 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 191/197
Property rights 71.7 6.5
Government integrity 59.6 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 2.4
Tax burden 87.1 84.7
Government spending 69.8 96.5
Fiscal health 72.4 64.6
Business freedom 61.5 27.3
Labor freedom 60.7 33.6
Monetary freedom 72 6.2
Trade freedom 77 29.6
Investment freedom 50 5
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Sudan
2026 67.7 32.5
2025 69.9 35.3
2024 68 33.9
2023 64.9 32.8
2022 64.8 32
2021 67.6 39.1
2020 69.6 45
2019 69.5 47.7
2018 69.9 49.4
2017 70.1 48.8
2016 71.1 -
2015 69.8 -
2014 72 -
2013 70.6 -
2012 69.6 -
2011 68.8 -
2010 70.3 -
2009 69.7 -
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 47.2
1999 62.9 39.6
1998 62.8 38.3
1997 59.1 39.9
1996 61.6 39.2
1995 56.8 39.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/sudan | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Sudan
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
2.89%
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/sudan | 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 (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.