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Economy of Botswana vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 135/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Botswana vs Syria GDP by year

Botswana
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Syria
2025 $19,928,479,839 -
2024 $19,286,251,068 -
2023 $19,413,614,555 $19,993,439,950
2022 $20,321,150,599 $23,737,634,644
2021 $18,750,182,236 $14,892,885,528
2020 $14,960,251,608 $12,501,503,673
2019 $16,725,908,149 $22,583,046,645
2018 $17,031,943,186 $21,497,779,248
2017 $16,105,155,857 $16,369,842,725
2016 $15,082,637,184 $12,597,854,088
2015 $13,530,748,845 $16,466,861,435
2014 $15,470,088,501 $21,502,061,466
2013 $14,271,738,933 $21,361,254,635
2012 $13,907,464,500 $43,190,318,033
2011 $15,110,643,612 $67,539,433,544
2010 $12,637,273,429 $61,390,833,273
2009 $10,118,459,242 $54,111,721,044
2008 $10,730,829,116 $52,557,913,397
2007 $10,567,270,656 $40,465,331,020
2006 $9,919,158,482 $33,751,812,959
2005 $9,918,907,108 $28,858,937,499
2004 $8,957,467,707 $25,086,910,448
2003 $7,511,582,173 $21,828,144,686
2002 $5,438,863,983 $20,786,986,580
2001 $5,489,608,300 $20,078,599,626
2000 $5,788,329,609 $18,937,031,610
1999 $5,484,263,347 $15,873,875,969
1998 $4,790,481,509 $15,200,846,154
1997 $5,020,265,627 $14,505,233,463
1996 $4,847,757,218 $13,789,560,878
1995 $4,730,599,122 $11,396,706,587
1994 $4,259,259,604 $10,122,020,000
1993 $4,160,129,175 $13,695,962,055
1992 $4,146,464,587 $13,253,565,861
1991 $3,942,876,703 $12,981,833,333
1990 $3,790,636,324 $12,308,624,418
1989 $3,083,822,112 $9,853,395,762
1988 $2,644,554,159 $10,577,041,645
1987 $1,965,226,890 $11,356,215,543
1986 $1,392,602,164 $13,293,205,278
1985 $1,114,783,343 $16,403,539,893
1984 $1,240,822,167 $17,503,078,174
1983 $1,172,230,397 $17,589,277,143
1982 $1,014,945,696 $16,298,929,011
1981 $1,073,812,830 $15,518,201,335
1980 $1,060,889,704 $13,062,420,382
1979 $819,870,259 $9,929,681,529
1978 $590,407,374 $9,275,200,458
1977 $451,624,780 $7,696,011,396
1976 $372,025,093 $7,633,528,867
1975 $355,168,572 $6,826,980,444
1974 $306,044,208 $5,159,557,148
1973 $244,124,164 $3,239,487,516
1972 $164,460,915 $3,059,681,698
1971 $127,448,614 $2,589,851,325
1970 $96,243,234 $2,140,384,010
1969 $77,361,547 $2,245,011,515
1968 $66,248,441 $1,753,746,430
1967 $58,642,354 $1,580,229,799
1966 $51,465,655 $1,342,287,553
1965 $45,788,696 $1,472,036,540
1964 $41,616,348 $1,339,494,267
1963 $38,091,843 $1,200,447,408
1962 $35,644,957 $1,110,565,881
1961 $32,902,613 $945,244,972
1960 $30,411,414 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Syria by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - - -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 - -
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $847 $4,650
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $689 $4,593
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $594 $3,738
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $852 $3,265
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $656 -
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $848 -
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $1,061 -
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $986 -
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $1,898 -
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $2,952 -
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $2,731 -
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $2,462 -
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $2,429 -
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $1,938 -
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $1,719 -
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $1,534 -
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $1,368 -
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $1,220 -
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $1,190 -
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $1,178 -
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,138 -
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $978 -
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $961 -
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $941 -
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $918 -
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $780 -
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $712 -
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $993 -
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $990 -
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $1,000 -
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $978 -
1989 $2,428 - $809 -
1988 $2,141 - $898 -
1987 $1,639 - $997 -
1986 $1,200 - $1,208 -
1985 $994 - $1,544 -
1984 $1,145 - $1,706 -
1983 $1,121 - $1,776 -
1982 $1,006 - $1,703 -
1981 $1,107 - $1,676 -
1980 $1,132 - $1,458 -
1979 $909 - $1,146 -
1978 $695 - $1,108 -
1977 $565 - $951 -
1976 $490 - $976 -
1975 $493 - $904 -
1974 $446 - $707 -
1973 $374 - $459 -
1972 $264.2 - $448 -
1971 $212.2 - $393 -
1970 $163 - $335 -
1969 $131.8 - $364 -
1968 $113.4 - $293.3 -
1967 $100.9 - $272.9 -
1966 $89.1 - $239.3 -
1965 $79.7 - $270.8 -
1964 $73.5 - $254.2 -
1963 $68.9 - $234.9 -
1962 $66 - $223.9 -
1961 $62.3 - $196.3 -
1960 $58.9 - $183.5 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Botswana Syria
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
135/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$693
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
14.9%
2011
Population
2624853
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% - -
2024 33.7% 33.2% - -
2023 32.4% 22.5% - -
2022 29.1% 21% - -
2021 31.4% 22.3% - -
2020 36.5% 23.5% - -
2019 36.9% 21.5% - -
2018 35.6% 19.6% - -
2017 34.7% 19.6% - -
2016 34.1% 22.3% - -
2015 37.8% 24.5% - -
2014 36.5% 23.9% - -
2013 33.5% 23.8% - -
2012 37.1% 26.4% - -
2011 37.2% 27.9% - -
2010 42.6% 26.5% 28.6% 30%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 26.3% 45%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 31.3% 113%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 28% 144.5%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 28% 147.7%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 39% - 29% 147.6%
1996 36.1% - 27.7% 141.5%
1995 36.1% - 29.8% 152.6%
1994 37.6% - 30.3% 163%
1993 42% - 29.4% 171.9%
1992 42.3% - 34.2% 173.6%
1991 41.1% - 34.3% 182.4%
1990 38.9% - 28.3% 189.8%

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

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 30% in Syria, ranking 137/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Syria
2025 -7.42% -
2024 -7.26% -
2023 -4.16% -
2022 0.04% -
2021 -2.33% -
2020 -10.9% -
2019 -8.53% -
2018 -5.03% -
2017 -1.14% -
2016 0.71% -
2015 -4.82% -
2014 3.9% -
2013 5.84% -
2012 0.89% -
2011 -0.12% -
2010 -7.95% -7.79%
2009 -13.8% -2.89%
2008 -7.61% -2.86%
2007 5.73% -2.99%
2006 13.3% -1.12%
2005 10.3% -4.41%
2004 1.35% -4.18%
2003 -0.18% -2.7%
2002 -3.94% -2.02%
2001 -2.91% 2.3%
2000 8.73% -1.36%
1999 5.95% -1.47%
1998 - -2.81%
1997 - -1.78%
1996 - -2.83%
1995 - -3.81%
1994 - -6%
1993 - -4.96%
1992 - -7.26%
1991 - -6.57%
1990 - -3.92%

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

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

In 2010, Botswana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1B, equivalent to 7.95% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 12 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 6 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual surplus equal to 0.75% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.63% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Syria
2025 2.66% -
2024 2.82% -
2023 5.07% -
2022 11.7% -
2021 7.24% -
2020 1.89% -
2019 2.77% 13.4%
2018 3.24% 0.94%
2017 3.31% 18.1%
2016 2.81% 47.7%
2015 3.06% 38.5%
2014 4.4% 10.9%
2013 5.88% 40%
2012 7.54% 36.7%
2011 8.46% 4.75%
2010 6.95% 4.4%
2009 8.03% 2.92%
2008 12.7% 15.7%
2007 7.08% 3.91%
2006 11.6% 10%
2005 8.61% 7.24%
2004 6.95% 4.43%
2003 9.19% 5.8%
2002 8.03% -0.13%
2001 6.56% 3%
2000 8.6% -3.85%
1999 7.75% -3.7%
1998 6.66% -0.8%
1997 8.72% 1.89%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.91%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 13.4% in Syria.

Balance of trade

Botswana Syria
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$935M
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Syria
Economic freedom 67.7 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 155/197
Property rights 71.7 4
Government integrity 59.6 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 3.7
Tax burden 87.1 87.3
Government spending 69.8 78.5
Fiscal health 72.4 13.8
Business freedom 61.5 33.8
Labor freedom 60.7 37.2
Monetary freedom 72 80
Trade freedom 77 47
Investment freedom 50 0
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Syria
2026 67.7 -
2025 69.9 -
2024 68 -
2023 64.9 -
2022 64.8 -
2021 67.6 -
2020 69.6 -
2019 69.5 -
2018 69.9 -
2017 70.1 -
2016 71.1 -
2015 69.8 -
2014 72 -
2013 70.6 -
2012 69.6 51.2
2011 68.8 51.3
2010 70.3 49.4
2009 69.7 51.3
2008 68.2 47.2
2007 68.1 48.3
2006 68.8 51.2
2005 69.3 46.3
2004 69.9 40.6
2003 68.6 41.3
2002 66.2 36.3
2001 66.8 36.6
2000 65.8 37.2
1999 62.9 39
1998 62.8 42.2
1997 59.1 43
1996 61.6 42.3
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Syria
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
16%
1969

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/syria | 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)

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.