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Economy of Botswana vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 133/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

Botswana vs Suriname GDP by year

Botswana
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Suriname
2024 $19,402,063,513 $4,416,775,112
2023 $19,411,266,967 $3,472,693,412
2022 $20,321,150,599 $3,791,603,200
2021 $18,750,182,236 $3,107,923,198
2020 $14,960,251,608 $2,911,807,496
2019 $16,725,908,149 $4,016,040,575
2018 $17,031,943,186 $3,996,198,867
2017 $16,105,155,857 $3,591,679,431
2016 $15,082,637,184 $3,317,421,648
2015 $13,530,748,845 $5,126,237,646
2014 $15,470,088,501 $5,240,606,061
2013 $14,271,738,933 $5,145,757,576
2012 $13,907,464,500 $4,980,000,000
2011 $15,110,643,612 $4,422,276,622
2010 $12,637,273,429 $4,368,370,998
2009 $10,118,459,242 $3,875,409,836
2008 $10,730,829,116 $3,532,969,035
2007 $10,567,270,656 $2,936,612,022
2006 $9,919,158,482 $2,626,380,435
2005 $9,918,907,108 $1,793,410,397
2004 $8,957,467,707 $1,484,092,538
2003 $7,511,582,173 $1,274,190,311
2002 $5,438,863,983 $1,093,574,468
2001 $5,489,608,300 $834,279,358
2000 $5,788,329,609 $947,671,970
1999 $5,484,263,347 $886,290,698
1998 $4,790,481,509 $1,110,850,000
1997 $5,020,265,627 $926,422,500
1996 $4,847,757,218 $861,372,806
1995 $4,730,599,122 $691,590,498
1994 $4,259,259,604 $605,492,537
1993 $4,160,129,175 $428,764,706
1992 $4,146,464,587 $404,600,000
1991 $3,942,876,703 $448,100,000
1990 $3,790,636,324 $388,400,000
1989 $3,083,822,112 $542,600,000
1988 $2,644,554,159 $1,161,000,000
1987 $1,965,226,890 $980,000,000
1986 $1,392,602,164 $891,000,000
1985 $1,114,783,343 $873,000,000
1984 $1,240,822,167 $864,000,000
1983 $1,172,230,397 $883,500,000
1982 $1,014,945,696 $915,000,000
1981 $1,073,812,830 $889,000,000
1980 $1,060,889,704 $795,000,000
1979 $819,870,259 $782,500,000
1978 $590,407,374 $735,500,000
1977 $451,624,780 $641,500,000
1976 $372,025,093 $505,500,000
1975 $355,168,572 $465,500,000
1974 $306,044,208 $409,850,000
1973 $244,124,164 $339,450,000
1972 $164,460,915 $311,950,000
1971 $127,448,614 $301,000,000
1970 $96,243,234 $274,900,000
1969 $77,361,547 $259,650,000
1968 $66,248,441 $241,350,000
1967 $58,642,354 $220,700,000
1966 $51,465,655 $190,350,000
1965 $45,788,696 $154,150,000
1964 $41,616,348 $134,400,000
1963 $38,091,843 $125,950,000
1962 $35,644,957 $116,150,000
1961 $32,902,613 $107,700,000
1960 $30,411,414 $99,650,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Suriname by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $969 $6,992
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $942 $6,493
1989 $2,428 - $1,329 -
1988 $2,141 - $2,886 -
1987 $1,639 - $2,469 -
1986 $1,200 - $2,271 -
1985 $994 - $2,256 -
1984 $1,145 - $2,261 -
1983 $1,121 - $2,333 -
1982 $1,006 - $2,430 -
1981 $1,107 - $2,368 -
1980 $1,132 - $2,118 -
1979 $909 - $2,072 -
1978 $695 - $1,928 -
1977 $565 - $1,666 -
1976 $490 - $1,302 -
1975 $493 - $1,190 -
1974 $446 - $1,041 -
1973 $374 - $858 -
1972 $264.2 - $785 -
1971 $212.2 - $768 -
1970 $163 - $724 -
1969 $131.8 - $708 -
1968 $113.4 - $681 -
1967 $100.9 - $644 -
1966 $89.1 - $575 -
1965 $79.7 - $482 -
1964 $73.5 - $435 -
1963 $68.9 - $424 -
1962 $66 - $409 -
1961 $62.3 - $395 -
1960 $58.9 - $378 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Botswana Suriname
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$3,263
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
7.92%
2016
Population
2615162
646767

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 29.2% 87.3%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 29% 98.2%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 29.5% 116.9%
2021 33% 23.4% 32% 115.8%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 40.5% 84%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 35% 19.8% 28.7% 73%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 21% 18.7%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 21% 17.3%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 24% 14.6%
2008 48% 7.77% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 35% 7.74% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 42% 11.3% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 44% 7.29% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 46% 8.55% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 19.6% 32.3%
1998 44.3% 12% 30.3% 21.6%
1997 40% - 21.1% 16.8%
1996 37.2% - 21.4% 11.8%
1995 38.1% - 20.2% 16.3%
1994 39.2% - 19.8% 30.5%
1993 44.2% - 21.2% 51.1%
1992 43.4% - 24.4% 64.4%
1991 42.3% - 26.6% 75.7%
1990 40.5% - 22.7% 72.9%

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

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 158/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Suriname
2024 -7.82% -2.42%
2023 -4.25% -1.68%
2022 -0.006% -2.69%
2021 -2.46% -5.66%
2020 -11.5% -12%
2019 -8.43% -20.2%
2018 -5.07% -8.56%
2017 -1.16% -8.62%
2016 0.72% -10.2%
2015 -5.06% -8.29%
2014 3.88% -2.65%
2013 6.07% -2.64%
2012 0.92% -0.38%
2011 -0.12% 2.32%
2010 -8.36% -0.15%
2009 -14.4% 2.03%
2008 -7.59% 2.39%
2007 5.92% 5.01%
2006 13.7% 0.59%
2005 10.7% -3.39%
2004 1.42% -1.2%
2003 -0.18% -0.11%
2002 -4.02% -3.3%
2001 -2.96% 3.49%
2000 8.95% -7.76%
1999 6.18% -4.92%
1998 - -6.39%
1997 - -0.32%
1996 - 3.42%
1995 - 1.17%
1994 - -1.89%
1993 - -4.68%
1992 - -6.45%
1991 - -9.8%
1990 - -3.04%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/suriname | 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 Suriname's deficit of $107M, or 2.42% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.5% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Suriname
2024 2.82% 16.2%
2023 5.07% 51.6%
2022 11.7% 52.4%
2021 7.24% 59.1%
2020 1.89% 34.9%
2019 2.77% -
2018 3.24% -
2017 3.31% 22%
2016 2.81% 55.4%
2015 3.06% 6.89%
2014 4.4% 3.38%
2013 5.88% 1.92%
2012 7.54% 5.01%
2011 8.46% 17.7%
2010 6.95% 6.94%
2009 8.03% -0.13%
2008 12.7% 14.7%
2007 7.08% 6.43%
2006 11.6% 11.3%
2005 8.61% 9.9%
2004 6.95% 9.99%
2003 9.19% 23%
2002 8.03% 15.5%
2001 6.56% 38.6%
2000 8.6% 59.4%
1999 7.75% 98.8%
1998 6.66% 19%
1997 8.72% 7.15%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 24.9% in Suriname. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 16.2% in Suriname.

Balance of trade

Botswana Suriname
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$921M
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$211M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Suriname
Economic freedom 67.7 53
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 143/197
Property rights 71.7 40.5
Government integrity 59.6 41
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 46.5
Tax burden 87.1 69.1
Government spending 69.8 74.3
Fiscal health 72.4 76.6
Business freedom 61.5 56.9
Labor freedom 60.7 69
Monetary freedom 72 56.4
Trade freedom 77 65.2
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Suriname
2026 67.7 53
2025 69.9 50.9
2024 68 46.7
2023 64.9 46.1
2022 64.8 48.1
2021 67.6 46.4
2020 69.6 49.5
2019 69.5 48.1
2018 69.9 48.1
2017 70.1 48
2016 71.1 53.8
2015 69.8 54.2
2014 72 54.2
2013 70.6 52
2012 69.6 52.6
2011 68.8 53.1
2010 70.3 52.5
2009 69.7 54.1
2008 68.2 54.3
2007 68.1 54.8
2006 68.8 55.1
2005 69.3 51.9
2004 69.9 47.9
2003 68.6 46.9
2002 66.2 48
2001 66.8 44.3
2000 65.8 45.8
1999 62.9 40.1
1998 62.8 39.9
1997 59.1 35.9
1996 61.6 36.7
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Suriname
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
-$11.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
36.2%
2010

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/suriname | 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)
  7. 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.