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Economy of Botswana vs United Kingdom compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $4T for the United Kingdom, ranking 135/197 and 5/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $4.1T (102.3% of GDP) in the United Kingdom.

Botswana vs United Kingdom GDP by year

Botswana
United Kingdom
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana United Kingdom
2025 $19,928,479,839 $4,002,587,541,846
2024 $19,286,251,068 $3,695,539,513,534
2023 $19,413,614,555 $3,420,796,653,789
2022 $20,321,150,599 $3,181,244,350,465
2021 $18,750,182,236 $3,194,559,188,926
2020 $14,960,251,608 $2,724,001,478,305
2019 $16,725,908,149 $2,875,710,080,015
2018 $17,031,943,186 $2,897,028,009,916
2017 $16,105,155,857 $2,699,118,387,873
2016 $15,082,637,184 $2,706,807,606,539
2015 $13,530,748,845 $2,945,579,890,258
2014 $15,470,088,501 $3,085,362,169,410
2013 $14,271,738,933 $2,796,908,333,283
2012 $13,907,464,500 $2,719,715,961,540
2011 $15,110,643,612 $2,675,590,034,129
2010 $12,637,273,429 $2,496,740,681,057
2009 $10,118,459,242 $2,429,358,155,476
2008 $10,730,829,116 $2,945,251,838,235
2007 $10,567,270,656 $3,104,699,879,952
2006 $9,919,158,482 $2,719,558,417,663
2005 $9,918,907,108 $2,551,361,818,182
2004 $8,957,467,707 $2,429,774,807,763
2003 $7,511,582,173 $2,061,227,755,102
2002 $5,438,863,983 $1,790,536,570,743
2001 $5,489,608,300 $1,656,171,009,069
2000 $5,788,329,609 $1,671,597,821,153
1999 $5,484,263,347 $1,693,458,987,219
1998 $4,790,481,509 $1,660,821,464,061
1997 $5,020,265,627 $1,569,317,288,802
1996 $4,847,757,218 $1,425,287,051,482
1995 $4,730,599,122 $1,349,094,208,616
1994 $4,259,259,604 $1,140,489,745,944
1993 $4,160,129,175 $1,061,388,722,256
1992 $4,146,464,587 $1,179,659,529,660
1991 $3,942,876,703 $1,142,797,178,131
1990 $3,790,636,324 $1,093,169,389,205
1989 $3,083,822,112 $926,884,816,754
1988 $2,644,554,159 $910,122,732,124
1987 $1,965,226,890 $745,162,608,269
1986 $1,392,602,164 $601,452,653,181
1985 $1,114,783,343 $489,285,164,271
1984 $1,240,822,167 $461,487,097,632
1983 $1,172,230,397 $489,618,008,186
1982 $1,014,945,696 $515,048,916,841
1981 $1,073,812,830 $540,765,675,241
1980 $1,060,889,704 $564,947,710,899
1979 $819,870,259 $438,994,070,309
1978 $590,407,374 $335,883,029,722
1977 $451,624,780 $263,066,457,352
1976 $372,025,093 $232,614,555,256
1975 $355,168,572 $241,756,637,168
1974 $306,044,208 $206,131,369,799
1973 $244,124,164 $192,537,971,583
1972 $164,460,915 $169,965,034,965
1971 $127,448,614 $148,113,896,325
1970 $96,243,234 $130,671,946,244
1969 $77,361,547 $116,464,702,803
1968 $66,248,441 $107,759,910,068
1967 $58,642,354 $113,116,888,211
1966 $51,465,655 $108,572,752,102
1965 $45,788,696 $101,824,755,079
1964 $41,616,348 $94,407,558,351
1963 $38,091,843 $86,561,961,812
1962 $35,644,957 $81,247,564,157
1961 $32,902,613 $77,741,965,703
1960 $30,411,414 $73,233,967,692

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/united-kingdom | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs United Kingdom by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Kingdom
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana United Kingdom
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $57,602 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $53,341 $62,009
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $49,920 $59,911
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $47,035 $59,022
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $47,696 $51,004
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $40,815 $48,230
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $43,161 $50,065
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $43,704 $47,212
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $40,918 $46,113
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $41,259 $44,085
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $45,256 $42,515
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $47,747 $41,267
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $43,608 $39,948
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $42,688 $38,337
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $42,296 $37,224
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $39,778 $36,484
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $39,009 $35,042
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $47,652 $36,745
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $50,629 $35,522
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $44,695 $34,727
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $42,240 $32,726
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $40,504 $32,051
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $34,557 $30,314
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $30,159 $29,089
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $28,014 $27,913
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $28,384 $26,536
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $28,858 $24,494
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $28,396 $23,689
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $26,910 $23,071
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $24,503 $21,947
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $23,253 $20,595
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $19,709 $19,605
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $18,389 $18,336
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $20,487 $17,349
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $19,901 $16,791
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $19,095 $16,505
1989 $2,428 - $16,239 -
1988 $2,141 - $15,987 -
1987 $1,639 - $13,119 -
1986 $1,200 - $10,611 -
1985 $994 - $8,652 -
1984 $1,145 - $8,179 -
1983 $1,121 - $8,692 -
1982 $1,006 - $9,146 -
1981 $1,107 - $9,599 -
1980 $1,132 - $10,032 -
1979 $909 - $7,805 -
1978 $695 - $5,977 -
1977 $565 - $4,681 -
1976 $490 - $4,138 -
1975 $493 - $4,300 -
1974 $446 - $3,666 -
1973 $374 - $3,426 -
1972 $264.2 - $3,030 -
1971 $212.2 - $2,650 -
1970 $163 - $2,348 -
1969 $131.8 - $2,101 -
1968 $113.4 - $1,952 -
1967 $100.9 - $2,059 -
1966 $89.1 - $1,987 -
1965 $79.7 - $1,874 -
1964 $73.5 - $1,748 -
1963 $68.9 - $1,613 -
1962 $66 - $1,526 -
1961 $62.3 - $1,472 -
1960 $58.9 - $1,398 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/united-kingdom | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $57,602 in the United Kingdom, ranking 21/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while the United Kingdom ranks 32nd at $62,009.

Economic indicators

Botswana United Kingdom
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$4T
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
5/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
1.39%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$57,602
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
21/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$62,009
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
32/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$4.1T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
102.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$58,936
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
7/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$43,539
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
$3.1T
2022
Number of millionaires n/a
2,428,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
56
2026
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
43.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
3.88%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
4.9%
2025
Population
2624853
70071289

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
United Kingdom
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana United Kingdom
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 43.6% 102.3%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 43.7% 99.9%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 44.2% 98.9%
2022 29.1% 21% 43.2% 97.5%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 44.9% 103.4%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 49.3% 104.8%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 38.3% 84.9%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 38.5% 85.6%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 38.8% 86.1%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 39.3% 87.3%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 40.1% 87.3%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 40.8% 86.5%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 41.6% 84.9%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 43.3% 84.1%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 43.3% 81.1%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 44.5% 75.5%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 44.2% 64.5%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 40.6% 50.6%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 38.4% 43%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 38.2% 41.9%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 38.3% 40.9%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 37.9% 39.7%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 37% 36.6%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 35.8% 35.3%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 34.5% 34.8%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 33.8% 37.5%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 33.7% 40.3%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 34.3% 41.8%
1997 39% - 34.7% 43.9%
1996 36.1% - 35.6% 43.5%
1995 36.1% - 37.5% 43.5%
1994 37.6% - 37.4% 40.6%
1993 42% - 37.6% 37.8%
1992 42.3% - 37.7% 33.1%
1991 41.1% - 35.7% 28.4%
1990 38.9% - 34.9% 28.4%
1989 - - 39.7% 31.4%
1988 - - 40.3% 36.6%
1987 - - 42.7% 41.8%
1986 - - 44.6% 42.9%
1985 - - 48.7% 42.9%
1984 - - 50.3% 44.1%
1983 - - 50.4% 44.2%
1982 - - 50.8% 44.7%
1981 - - 51.2% 41.1%
1980 - - 47.6% 43.7%
1979 - - 45.1% 44.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 47.3%
1977 - - 46.8% 53.7%
1976 - - 49.2% 47.7%
1975 - - 49.1% 49.6%
1974 - - 47.8% 56.2%
1973 - - 43.5% 58.5%
1972 - - 42.3% 65%
1971 - - 41.2% 67.9%
1970 - - 42% 73.4%
1969 - - 39.2% 82.8%
1968 - - 40.3% 88.5%
1967 - - 40.1% 89.1%
1966 - - 35.7% 91.9%
1965 - - 34.6% 94.6%
1964 - - 32.8% 101.1%
1963 - - 37.4% 108.6%
1962 - - 33.8% 110.5%
1961 - - 31.5% 113.8%
1960 - - 33.1% 117.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/united-kingdom | CC BY

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while the United Kingdom spent $1.75T, or 43.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 102.3% in the United Kingdom, ranking 137/185 and 22/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

United Kingdom
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana United Kingdom
2025 -7.42% -5.38%
2024 -7.26% -6.06%
2023 -4.16% -6.05%
2022 0.04% -4.6%
2021 -2.33% -7.54%
2020 -10.9% -12.9%
2019 -8.53% -2.38%
2018 -5.03% -2.23%
2017 -1.14% -2.48%
2016 0.71% -3.28%
2015 -4.82% -4.53%
2014 3.9% -5.47%
2013 5.84% -5.29%
2012 0.89% -7.96%
2011 -0.12% -7.42%
2010 -7.95% -9.25%
2009 -13.8% -9.97%
2008 -7.61% -5.05%
2007 5.73% -2.63%
2006 13.3% -2.74%
2005 10.3% -3.13%
2004 1.35% -3.14%
2003 -0.18% -3.19%
2002 -3.94% -1.95%
2001 -2.91% 0.34%
2000 8.73% 1.4%
1999 5.95% 0.76%
1998 - -0.21%
1997 - -2%
1996 - -3.63%
1995 - -4.97%
1994 - -5.72%
1993 - -6.6%
1992 - -5.39%
1991 - -2.76%
1990 - -1.53%
1989 - 0.77%
1988 - 0.46%
1987 - -1.79%
1986 - -2.56%
1985 - -5.57%
1984 - -6.39%
1983 - -6.26%
1982 - -5.66%
1981 - -7.03%
1980 - -5.65%
1979 - -5.79%
1978 - -6.63%
1977 - -4.41%
1976 - -5.61%
1975 - -5.08%
1974 - -4.06%
1973 - -4.29%
1972 - -1.66%
1971 - 1.48%
1970 - 2.61%
1969 - 1.03%
1968 - -2.3%
1967 - -4.57%
1966 - -1.59%
1965 - -2.06%
1964 - -1.76%
1963 - -5.47%
1962 - -0.49%
1961 - 0.56%
1960 - -2.75%
1959 - -0.58%
1958 - -1.73%
1957 - -1.04%
1956 - 0.55%
1955 - -0.39%
1954 - -1.65%
1953 - -2.84%
1952 - -1.26%
1951 - 2.03%
1950 - 0.34%
1949 - 3.01%
1948 - -0.39%
1947 - -15.8%
1946 - -22.5%
1945 - -30.9%
1944 - -29.7%
1943 - -33.3%
1942 - -31.6%
1941 - -32%
1940 - -12.1%
1939 - -2.99%
1938 - 0%
1937 - 0.82%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 0.37%
1934 - 0.48%
1933 - 0.99%
1932 - -0.15%
1931 - 0.8%
1930 - 1.01%
1929 - 0.75%
1928 - 1.75%
1927 - 1.62%
1926 - 0.6%
1925 - 0.84%
1924 - 1.19%
1923 - 2.23%
1922 - 2.45%
1921 - 1.15%
1920 - 4.2%
1919 - -6.28%
1918 - -34.4%
1917 - -48.8%
1916 - -50.6%
1915 - -30%
1914 - -14.6%
1913 - 0.25%
1912 - 0.22%
1911 - 0.51%
1910 - 1.75%
1909 - -1.25%
1908 - 0.34%
1907 - 0.66%
1906 - 0.58%
1905 - 0.36%
1904 - 0.2%
1903 - -0.22%
1902 - -1.77%
1901 - -2.74%
1900 - -2.96%
1899 - -0.79%
1898 - 0.01%
1897 - 0.25%
1896 - 0.17%
1895 - 0.3%
1894 - 0.06%
1893 - -0.007%
1892 - 0.14%
1891 - 0.19%
1890 - 0.23%
1889 - 0.3%
1888 - 0.27%
1887 - 0.25%
1886 - 0.07%
1885 - -0.21%
1884 - -0.04%
1883 - 0.06%
1882 - 0.02%
1881 - 0.06%
1880 - 0.1%
1879 - -0.86%
1878 - -0.18%
1877 - -0.18%
1876 - 0.09%
1875 - 0%
1874 - 0.09%
1873 - 0%
1872 - 0.55%
1871 - 0.29%
1870 - 0%
1869 - 0.77%
1868 - -0.45%
1867 - -0.45%
1866 - 0.11%
1865 - 0%
1864 - 0.24%
1863 - 0%
1862 - -0.13%
1861 - -0.4%
1860 - -0.43%
1859 - 0%
1858 - -0.15%
1857 - -0.15%
1856 - -0.6%
1855 - -3.57%
1854 - -3.39%
1853 - 0.5%
1852 - 0.35%
1851 - 0.35%
1850 - 0.37%
1849 - 0.34%
1848 - -0.17%
1847 - -6.13%
1846 - 0.52%
1845 - 0.56%
1844 - 0.59%
1843 - 0.44%
1842 - -0.87%
1841 - -0.42%
1840 - -0.2%
1839 - -0.18%
1838 - -0.19%
1837 - -0.21%
1836 - 0.59%
1835 - 0.42%
1834 - 0.23%
1833 - 0.24%
1832 - 0%
1831 - 0%
1830 - 0.45%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1830–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/united-kingdom | CC BY

In 2025, Botswana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.48B, equivalent to 7.42% of GDP. This compares to the United Kingdom's deficit of $215B, or 5.38% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while the United Kingdom ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.52% of GDP for the United Kingdom.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

United Kingdom
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana United Kingdom
2025 2.66% 3.88%
2024 2.82% 3.27%
2023 5.07% 6.79%
2022 11.7% 7.92%
2021 7.24% 2.52%
2020 1.89% 0.99%
2019 2.77% 1.74%
2018 3.24% 2.29%
2017 3.31% 2.56%
2016 2.81% 1.01%
2015 3.06% 0.37%
2014 4.4% 1.45%
2013 5.88% 2.29%
2012 7.54% 2.57%
2011 8.46% 3.86%
2010 6.95% 2.49%
2009 8.03% 1.96%
2008 12.7% 3.52%
2007 7.08% 2.39%
2006 11.6% 2.46%
2005 8.61% 2.09%
2004 6.95% 1.39%
2003 9.19% 1.38%
2002 8.03% 1.52%
2001 6.56% 1.53%
2000 8.6% 1.18%
1999 7.75% 1.75%
1998 6.66% 1.82%
1997 8.72% 2.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/united-kingdom | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 2.46% in the United Kingdom. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 3.88% in the United Kingdom.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $15.4M
Raw materials & minerals $1.12M
Metals $263K
Machinery & equipment $161K
Miscellaneous $95K
Animal & marine products $74K
Wood & paper products $22K
Textiles & consumer goods $15K
Chemicals & pharma $10K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4K
United Kingdom
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $12.3M
Machinery & equipment $5.74M
Chemicals & pharma $1.6M
Wood & paper products $1.15M
Metals $726K
Textiles & consumer goods $193K
Raw materials & minerals $189K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $161K
Miscellaneous $92K
Weapons & explosives $54K

Balance of trade

Botswana United Kingdom
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$97.1B
2025
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
189/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-2.43%
2025
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$827B
2025
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$506B
2025
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$450B
2025
Service exports
$935M
2024
$720B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
31.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
30.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana United Kingdom
Economic freedom 67.7 70.4
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 35/197
Property rights 71.7 93.6
Government integrity 59.6 83
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 83.1
Tax burden 87.1 61.7
Government spending 69.8 41.1
Fiscal health 72.4 32.4
Business freedom 61.5 83.6
Labor freedom 60.7 61.2
Monetary freedom 72 71.9
Trade freedom 77 82.8
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
United Kingdom
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana United Kingdom
2026 67.7 70.4
2025 69.9 69.3
2024 68 68.6
2023 64.9 69.9
2022 64.8 72.7
2021 67.6 78.4
2020 69.6 79.3
2019 69.5 78.9
2018 69.9 78
2017 70.1 76.4
2016 71.1 76.4
2015 69.8 75.8
2014 72 74.9
2013 70.6 74.8
2012 69.6 74.1
2011 68.8 74.5
2010 70.3 76.5
2009 69.7 79
2008 68.2 79.4
2007 68.1 79.9
2006 68.8 80.4
2005 69.3 79.2
2004 69.9 77.7
2003 68.6 77.5
2002 66.2 78.5
2001 66.8 77.6
2000 65.8 77.3
1999 62.9 76.2
1998 62.8 76.5
1997 59.1 76.4
1996 61.6 76.4
1995 56.8 77.9

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

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/united-kingdom | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 70.4 for the United Kingdom, ranking 35/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana United Kingdom
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
73.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
16.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
0.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$3.79T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$214B
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
19/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
$10.3B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
-$13B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
-$72.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
18.6%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
19.7%
2025

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/united-kingdom | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1830–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.