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Economy of Botswana vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $1.35B for Vanuatu, ranking 135/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $554M (40.9% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Botswana vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Botswana
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Vanuatu
2025 $19,928,479,839 $1,353,658,841
2024 $19,286,251,068 $1,297,956,615
2023 $19,413,614,555 $1,188,137,265
2022 $20,321,150,599 $1,151,863,790
2021 $18,750,182,236 $1,093,826,089
2020 $14,960,251,608 $1,017,403,363
2019 $16,725,908,149 $1,061,547,513
2018 $17,031,943,186 $1,034,402,941
2017 $16,105,155,857 $998,536,155
2016 $15,082,637,184 $908,725,513
2015 $13,530,748,845 $855,360,240
2014 $15,470,088,501 $879,185,478
2013 $14,271,738,933 $863,347,172
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $7,778 - $4,039 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $3,960 $3,606
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $3,708 $3,568
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $3,680 $3,453
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $3,576 $3,136
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $3,404 $3,118
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $3,636 $3,315
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $3,626 $3,233
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $3,585 $3,146
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $3,340 $3,030
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $3,214 $2,966
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $3,378 $2,890
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $3,393 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $4,039 in Vanuatu, ranking 133/197. 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
$19.9B
2025
$1.35B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
185/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
3.05%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$4,039
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
133/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$554M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
40.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$1,654
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
125/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$2,801
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
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
35%
2025
35.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
0.66%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
1.41%
2025
Population
2624853
346488

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
2025 35% 38.6% 35.5% 40.9%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 33.1% 39.1%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 38.9% 39.2%
2022 29.1% 21% 38.5% 39.2%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 38.6% 42.2%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 38.8% 42.9%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 35.1% 39.8%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 29.4% 40%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 32.7% 46.4%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 31.2% 37.6%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 38.1% 32.2%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 20.5% 17.8%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 20.1% 16.4%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 22.1% 17.4%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 22.7% 19.3%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 25.6% 18.3%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 24.9% 19.1%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 25.1% 19.2%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 20.3% 17.6%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 18.2% 20%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 16.5% 23.8%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 16.7% 27.5%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 17% 34.6%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 20.2% 35.1%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 20.2% 33.5%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 23% 32.6%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 21.6% 27.7%
1998 41.8% 11.3% 25.2% 25.4%
1997 39% - 20.1% 20.7%
1996 36.1% - 22.1% 20.8%
1995 36.1% - 25.3% 21.8%
1994 37.6% - 22% 19.5%
1993 42% - 23.7% 18.3%
1992 42.3% - 28.8% 19%
1991 41.1% - 30% 14.4%
1990 38.9% - - -

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

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $480M, or 35.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 40.9% in Vanuatu, ranking 137/185 and 131/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Vanuatu
2025 -7.42% -3.88%
2024 -7.26% -2.46%
2023 -4.16% -0.78%
2022 0.04% -5.96%
2021 -2.33% 2.07%
2020 -10.9% -1.74%
2019 -8.53% 2.48%
2018 -5.03% 5.53%
2017 -1.14% -1.06%
2016 0.71% -0.64%
2015 -4.82% -8.13%
2014 3.9% 1.26%
2013 5.84% -0.22%
2012 0.89% -1.54%
2011 -0.12% -1.98%
2010 -7.95% -2.38%
2009 -13.8% -0.76%
2008 -7.61% -0.04%
2007 5.73% 0.25%
2006 13.3% 0.44%
2005 10.3% 1.68%
2004 1.35% 0.72%
2003 -0.18% -1.22%
2002 -3.94% -3.29%
2001 -2.91% -3.01%
2000 8.73% -5.67%
1999 5.95% -0.5%
1998 - -6.01%
1997 - -0.46%
1996 - -1.61%
1995 - -2.34%
1994 - -1.35%
1993 - -3.32%
1992 - -2.1%
1991 - -2.54%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $52.6M, or 3.88% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.14% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Vanuatu
2025 2.66% 0.66%
2024 2.82% 1.14%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 2.86% in Vanuatu. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 0.66% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Botswana Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
83/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
-11.1%
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
37.5%
2025
48%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
25.3%
2024

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 2026-07-08).

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
64.6%
2025
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
10.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
26.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$1.48B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$4,970
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
117/177
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
1.45%
2024
1.88%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
26.1%
2024

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/vanuatu | 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.