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Economy of Botswana vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 133/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Botswana vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Botswana
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Vanuatu
2024 $19,402,063,513 $1,117,972,034
2023 $19,411,266,967 $1,115,861,056
2022 $20,321,150,599 $1,055,031,361
2021 $18,750,182,236 $950,394,007
2020 $14,960,251,608 $909,421,044
2019 $16,725,908,149 $936,526,268
2018 $17,031,943,186 $914,727,908
2017 $16,105,155,857 $880,043,284
2016 $15,082,637,184 $804,323,577
2015 $13,530,748,845 $759,690,181
2014 $15,470,088,501 $773,717,011
2013 $14,271,738,933 $758,304,466
2012 $13,907,464,500 $747,839,698
2011 $15,110,643,612 $770,153,588
2010 $12,637,273,429 $670,712,980
2009 $10,118,459,242 $592,622,319
2008 $10,730,829,116 $590,748,429
2007 $10,567,270,656 $516,392,923
2006 $9,919,158,482 $439,358,587
2005 $9,918,907,108 $394,962,433
2004 $8,957,467,707 $364,996,869
2003 $7,511,582,173 $314,471,413
2002 $5,438,863,983 $262,596,536
2001 $5,489,608,300 $257,926,882
2000 $5,788,329,609 $272,014,628
1999 $5,484,263,347 $268,006,973
1998 $4,790,481,509 $262,293,411
1997 $5,020,265,627 $272,771,209
1996 $4,847,757,218 $261,370,044
1995 $4,730,599,122 $249,333,250
1994 $4,259,259,604 $233,701,301
1993 $4,160,129,175 $200,491,853
1992 $4,146,464,587 $209,088,825
1991 $3,942,876,703 $201,334,169
1990 $3,790,636,324 $168,879,207
1989 $3,083,822,112 $154,013,202
1988 $2,644,554,159 $158,351,368
1987 $1,965,226,890 $139,464,174
1986 $1,392,602,164 $126,498,935
1985 $1,114,783,343 $131,856,421
1984 $1,240,822,167 $144,482,515
1983 $1,172,230,397 $117,389,554
1982 $1,014,945,696 $114,501,913
1981 $1,073,812,830 $113,781,796
1980 $1,060,889,704 $121,185,498
1979 $819,870,259 $119,258,835
1978 $590,407,374 -
1977 $451,624,780 -
1976 $372,025,093 -
1975 $355,168,572 -
1974 $306,044,208 -
1973 $244,124,164 -
1972 $164,460,915 -
1971 $127,448,614 -
1970 $96,243,234 -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Vanuatu by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $2,428 - $1,067 -
1988 $2,141 - $1,125 -
1987 $1,639 - $1,017 -
1986 $1,200 - $946 -
1985 $994 - $1,012 -
1984 $1,145 - $1,137 -
1983 $1,121 - $947 -
1982 $1,006 - $946 -
1981 $1,107 - $962 -
1980 $1,132 - $1,048 -
1979 $909 - $1,055 -
1978 $695 - - -
1977 $565 - - -
1976 $490 - - -
1975 $493 - - -
1974 $446 - - -
1973 $374 - - -
1972 $264.2 - - -
1971 $212.2 - - -
1970 $163 - - -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Botswana Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$3,164
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
4.05%
2020
Population
2615162
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 42% 42.8%
2021 33% 23.4% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 43.4% 48%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 35% 19.8% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 48% 7.77% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 35% 7.74% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 42% 11.3% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 44% 7.29% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 46% 8.55% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 22.3% 37%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 44.3% 12% 27.9% 28%
1997 40% - 22.2% 22.9%
1996 37.2% - 24.5% 23.1%
1995 38.1% - 28% 24.1%
1994 39.2% - 24.4% 21.6%
1993 44.2% - 26.2% 20.3%
1992 43.4% - 31.8% 21%
1991 42.3% - 33.2% 15.9%
1990 40.5% - - -

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

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 158/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Vanuatu
2024 -7.82% -2.34%
2023 -4.25% -0.95%
2022 -0.006% -6.5%
2021 -2.46% 2.38%
2020 -11.5% -1.95%
2019 -8.43% 2.81%
2018 -5.07% 6.26%
2017 -1.16% -1.2%
2016 0.72% -0.72%
2015 -5.06% -8.66%
2014 3.88% 1.44%
2013 6.07% -0.25%
2012 0.92% -1.7%
2011 -0.12% -2.19%
2010 -8.36% -2.63%
2009 -14.4% -0.85%
2008 -7.59% -0.04%
2007 5.92% 0.28%
2006 13.7% 0.49%
2005 10.7% 1.86%
2004 1.42% 0.8%
2003 -0.18% -1.35%
2002 -4.02% -3.63%
2001 -2.96% -3.33%
2000 8.95% -6.28%
1999 6.18% -0.55%
1998 - -6.65%
1997 - -0.51%
1996 - -1.78%
1995 - -2.59%
1994 - -1.49%
1993 - -3.67%
1992 - -2.32%
1991 - -2.81%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.11% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Vanuatu
2024 2.82% -
2023 5.07% 11.2%
2022 11.7% 6.68%
2021 7.24% 2.34%
2020 1.89% 5.33%
2019 2.77% 2.76%
2018 3.24% 2.33%
2017 3.31% 3.08%
2016 2.81% 0.84%
2015 3.06% 2.48%
2014 4.4% 0.8%
2013 5.88% 1.46%
2012 7.54% 1.35%
2011 8.46% 0.87%
2010 6.95% 2.76%
2009 8.03% 4.3%
2008 12.7% 4.84%
2007 7.08% 3.94%
2006 11.6% 2.04%
2005 8.61% 1.2%
2004 6.95% 1.42%
2003 9.19% 3.02%
2002 8.03% 1.96%
2001 6.56% 3.58%
2000 8.6% 2.54%
1999 7.75% 2%
1998 6.66% 3.28%
1997 8.72% 2.83%

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

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

Over the past 27 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.84%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Botswana Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$935M
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Vanuatu
Economic freedom 67.7 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 92/197
Property rights 71.7 62.1
Government integrity 59.6 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 67.9
Tax burden 87.1 96.9
Government spending 69.8 48.1
Fiscal health 72.4 78.8
Business freedom 61.5 50.3
Labor freedom 60.7 41
Monetary freedom 72 72.1
Trade freedom 77 62
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Vanuatu
2026 67.7 61.1
2025 69.9 61.8
2024 68 62.2
2023 64.9 62.1
2022 64.8 62.9
2021 67.6 60.5
2020 69.6 60.7
2019 69.5 56.4
2018 69.9 69.5
2017 70.1 67.4
2016 71.1 60.8
2015 69.8 61.1
2014 72 59.5
2013 70.6 56.6
2012 69.6 56.6
2011 68.8 56.7
2010 70.3 56.4
2009 69.7 58.4
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 -
1999 62.9 -
1998 62.8 -
1997 59.1 -
1996 61.6 -
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | 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)

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.