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Economy of Botswana vs Tuvalu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $62.3M for Tuvalu, ranking 133/197 and 196/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $4.15M (6.96% of GDP) in Tuvalu.

Botswana vs Tuvalu GDP by year

Botswana
Tuvalu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Tuvalu
2024 $19,402,063,513 -
2023 $19,411,266,967 $62,280,312
2022 $20,321,150,599 $59,065,982
2021 $18,750,182,236 $60,196,406
2020 $14,960,251,608 $51,746,594
2019 $16,725,908,149 $54,123,199
2018 $17,031,943,186 $48,015,260
2017 $16,105,155,857 $45,276,595
2016 $15,082,637,184 $41,629,064
2015 $13,530,748,845 $36,811,936
2014 $15,470,088,501 $38,760,983
2013 $14,271,738,933 $38,615,891
2012 $13,907,464,500 $39,345,579
2011 $15,110,643,612 $39,196,957
2010 $12,637,273,429 $32,105,408
2009 $10,118,459,242 $28,076,984
2008 $10,730,829,116 $31,874,435
2007 $10,567,270,656 $28,450,169
2006 $9,919,158,482 $24,096,875
2005 $9,918,907,108 $22,909,980
2004 $8,957,467,707 $22,798,275
2003 $7,511,582,173 $19,456,338
2002 $5,438,863,983 $16,842,673
2001 $5,489,608,300 $13,964,732
2000 $5,788,329,609 $15,073,976
1999 $5,484,263,347 $14,800,503
1998 $4,790,481,509 $13,795,146
1997 $5,020,265,627 $13,734,210
1996 $4,847,757,218 $13,338,597
1995 $4,730,599,122 $11,922,614
1994 $4,259,259,604 $11,772,611
1993 $4,160,129,175 $10,414,400
1992 $4,146,464,587 $10,535,028
1991 $3,942,876,703 $10,127,314
1990 $3,790,636,324 $9,542,901
1989 $3,083,822,112 $8,454,523
1988 $2,644,554,159 $7,011,059
1987 $1,965,226,890 $5,020,513
1986 $1,392,602,164 $4,574,706
1985 $1,114,783,343 $3,862,852
1984 $1,240,822,167 $4,481,978
1983 $1,172,230,397 $4,152,550
1982 $1,014,945,696 $4,118,945
1981 $1,073,812,830 $4,773,018
1980 $1,060,889,704 $4,206,128
1979 $819,870,259 $4,065,659
1978 $590,407,374 $3,798,782
1977 $451,624,780 $3,669,420
1976 $372,025,093 $3,919,072
1975 $355,168,572 $4,014,748
1974 $306,044,208 $4,122,329
1973 $244,124,164 $3,411,915
1972 $164,460,915 $2,968,458
1971 $127,448,614 $2,716,990
1970 $96,243,234 $2,585,956
1969 $77,361,547 -
1968 $66,248,441 -
1967 $58,642,354 -
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/tuvalu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Tuvalu by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tuvalu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Tuvalu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 - -
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $6,345 $6,151
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $5,911 $5,661
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $5,905 $5,353
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $4,976 $5,122
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $5,115 $5,210
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $4,466 $4,432
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $4,166 $4,227
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $3,809 $4,031
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $3,358 $3,776
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $3,529 $3,419
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $3,510 $3,277
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $3,598 $3,170
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $3,636 $3,176
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $3,025 $2,945
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $2,684 $3,082
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $3,088 $3,291
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $2,794 $3,034
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $2,396 $2,787
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $2,305 $2,728
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $2,323 $2,765
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $2,007 $2,770
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $1,750 $2,915
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $1,457 $2,596
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,579 $2,597
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $1,559 $2,543
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $1,460 $2,560
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $1,461 $2,204
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $1,428 $1,982
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $1,285 $2,083
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $1,279 $2,165
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $1,141 $1,939
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $1,166 $1,837
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $1,134 $1,769
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $1,085 $1,676
1989 $2,428 - $976 -
1988 $2,141 - $823 -
1987 $1,639 - $600 -
1986 $1,200 - $557 -
1985 $994 - $480 -
1984 $1,145 - $567 -
1983 $1,121 - $533 -
1982 $1,006 - $537 -
1981 $1,107 - $634 -
1980 $1,132 - $571 -
1979 $909 - $566 -
1978 $695 - $546 -
1977 $565 - $549 -
1976 $490 - $612 -
1975 $493 - $656 -
1974 $446 - $708 -
1973 $374 - $601 -
1972 $264.2 - $522 -
1971 $212.2 - $478 -
1970 $163 - $457 -
1969 $131.8 - - -
1968 $113.4 - - -
1967 $100.9 - - -
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/tuvalu | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $6,345 in Tuvalu, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Tuvalu ranks 152nd at $6,151.

Economic indicators

Botswana Tuvalu
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$62.3M
2023
GDP rank
133/197
2024
196/197
2023
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
3.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$6,345
2023
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
110/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$6,151
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
152/197
2023
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$4.15M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
6.96%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$423
2023
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
171/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$4,233
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
30.8%
2010
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.7%
2010
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
118.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
1.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
7.32%
2022
Population
2615162
9341

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Tuvalu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Tuvalu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 118.4% 6.96%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 138.8% 6.67%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 115.3% 6.33%
2021 33% 23.4% 113.8% 11.3%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 119.5% 12.1%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 113.6% 11.6%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 125.6% 11.8%
2017 35% 19.8% 106.4% 12%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 119.6% 11.5%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 116.9% 14.4%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 96.8% 16.4%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 80.2% 17.8%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 76.8% 19.3%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 77.2% 19.1%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 93.9% 21.1%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 100% 20.6%
2008 48% 7.77% 85.8% 19.8%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 88.6% 32.4%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 98.5% 37.5%
2005 35% 7.74% 82.1% 37.4%
2004 42% 11.3% 74.1% -
2003 44% 7.29% - -
2002 46% 8.55% - -
2001 42.9% 7.61% - -
2000 39.8% 8.37% - -
1999 41.7% 9.68% - -
1998 44.3% 12% - -
1997 40% - - -
1996 37.2% - - -
1995 38.1% - - -
1994 39.2% - - -
1993 44.2% - - -
1992 43.4% - - -
1991 42.3% - - -
1990 40.5% - - -

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

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Tuvalu spent $86.4M, or 118.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 6.96% in Tuvalu, ranking 158/185 and 182/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Tuvalu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Tuvalu
2024 -7.82% -8.23%
2023 -4.25% 15.3%
2022 -0.006% -14.6%
2021 -2.46% -13.3%
2020 -11.5% 13.7%
2019 -8.43% -1.07%
2018 -5.07% 30.3%
2017 -1.16% 2.09%
2016 0.72% 27.5%
2015 -5.06% 14.7%
2014 3.88% 3.26%
2013 6.07% 26%
2012 0.92% 9.58%
2011 -0.12% -8.8%
2010 -8.36% -23.4%
2009 -14.4% -13.5%
2008 -7.59% -17.2%
2007 5.92% -18.6%
2006 13.7% -36.8%
2005 10.7% -12.8%
2004 1.42% -3.6%
2003 -0.18% -
2002 -4.02% -
2001 -2.96% -
2000 8.95% -
1999 6.18% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Botswana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $825M, equivalent to 4.25% of GDP. This compares to Tuvalu's surplus of $9.55M, or 15.3% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Tuvalu ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.25% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.06% of GDP for Tuvalu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Tuvalu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Tuvalu
2024 2.82% 1.2%
2023 5.07% 7.2%
2022 11.7% 12.2%
2021 7.24% 6.7%
2020 1.89% 1.6%
2019 2.77% 3.5%
2018 3.24% 2.2%
2017 3.31% 4.1%
2016 2.81% 3.5%
2015 3.06% 3.1%
2014 4.4% 1.1%
2013 5.88% 2%
2012 7.54% 1.4%
2011 8.46% 0.5%
2010 6.95% -1.9%
2009 8.03% -0.3%
2008 12.7% 10.4%
2007 7.08% 2.3%
2006 11.6% 4.2%
2005 8.61% 3.2%
2004 6.95% 2.4%
2003 9.19% 2.9%
2002 8.03% 5.1%
2001 6.56% 1.5%
2000 8.6% -
1999 7.75% -
1998 6.66% -
1997 8.72% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 24 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.49%, compared with 3.34% in Tuvalu. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 1.2% in Tuvalu.

Balance of trade

Botswana Tuvalu
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$2.71M
2022
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
77/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+4.59%
2022
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$24.2M
2022
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$184K
2022
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$33.1M
2022
Service exports
$935M
2024
$2.05M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
8.22%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Tuvalu
Economic freedom 67.7 60
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 99/197
Property rights 71.7 n/a
Government integrity 59.6 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 n/a
Tax burden 87.1 n/a
Government spending 69.8 n/a
Fiscal health 72.4 n/a
Business freedom 61.5 n/a
Labor freedom 60.7 n/a
Monetary freedom 72 n/a
Trade freedom 77 n/a
Investment freedom 50 n/a
Financial freedom 60 n/a

Other economic metrics

Botswana Tuvalu
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
7.02%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
15.9%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$86M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$8,320
2023
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
$0
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$258K
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
26.3%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
n/a

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/tuvalu | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  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.