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Economy of Botswana vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 133/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Botswana vs Venezuela GDP by year

Botswana
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Venezuela
2024 $19,402,063,513 $119,802,963,258
2023 $19,411,266,967 $102,376,526,556
2022 $20,321,150,599 $89,013,255,585
2021 $18,750,182,236 $56,614,976,855
2020 $14,960,251,608 $42,838,020,721
2019 $16,725,908,149 $73,014,084,091
2018 $17,031,943,186 $102,021,093,965
2017 $16,105,155,857 $115,883,275,163
2016 $15,082,637,184 $112,915,034,262
2015 $13,530,748,845 $125,449,241,571
2014 $15,470,088,501 $214,689,614,733
2013 $14,271,738,933 $258,930,655,486
2012 $13,907,464,500 $372,592,062,768
2011 $15,110,643,612 $316,482,190,800
2010 $12,637,273,429 $393,192,354,511
2009 $10,118,459,242 $329,787,628,928
2008 $10,730,829,116 $315,953,388,511
2007 $10,567,270,656 $230,364,012,576
2006 $9,919,158,482 $183,477,522,124
2005 $9,918,907,108 $145,513,489,652
2004 $8,957,467,707 $112,451,400,425
2003 $7,511,582,173 $83,620,628,582
2002 $5,438,863,983 $92,893,587,734
2001 $5,489,608,300 $122,911,036,747
2000 $5,788,329,609 $117,146,466,003
1999 $5,484,263,347 $97,972,842,462
1998 $4,790,481,509 $91,336,763,255
1997 $5,020,265,627 $85,837,678,560
1996 $4,847,757,218 $70,543,211,119
1995 $4,730,599,122 $77,389,487,770
1994 $4,259,259,604 $58,418,666,667
1993 $4,160,129,175 $60,037,460,783
1992 $4,146,464,587 $60,416,519,620
1991 $3,942,876,703 $53,453,444,787
1990 $3,790,636,324 $48,606,952,195
1989 $3,083,822,112 $43,536,709,104
1988 $2,644,554,159 $60,226,413,793
1987 $1,965,226,890 $48,029,034,483
1986 $1,392,602,164 $60,516,123,711
1985 $1,114,783,343 $61,965,466,667
1984 $1,240,822,167 $59,867,743,468
1983 $1,172,230,397 $67,556,279,070
1982 $1,014,945,696 $67,736,744,186
1981 $1,073,812,830 $66,327,441,860
1980 $1,060,889,704 $59,116,511,628
1979 $819,870,259 $48,310,930,233
1978 $590,407,374 $39,316,279,070
1977 $451,624,780 $36,210,697,674
1976 $372,025,093 $31,419,534,884
1975 $355,168,572 $27,464,651,163
1974 $306,044,208 $26,100,930,233
1973 $244,124,164 $17,035,581,395
1972 $164,460,915 $13,977,727,273
1971 $127,448,614 $12,986,590,909
1970 $96,243,234 $11,561,111,111
1969 $77,361,547 $10,285,111,111
1968 $66,248,441 $10,034,444,444
1967 $58,642,354 $9,250,000,000
1966 $51,465,655 $8,781,333,333
1965 $45,788,696 $8,427,777,778
1964 $41,616,348 $8,192,413,793
1963 $38,091,843 $9,608,717,288
1962 $35,644,957 $8,814,309,884
1961 $32,902,613 $8,067,267,031
1960 $30,411,414 $7,663,938,303

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Venezuela by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $4,218 -
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $3,617 -
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $3,155 -
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $2,005 -
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $1,506 -
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $2,523 -
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $3,423 -
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $3,791 -
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $3,670 -
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $4,103 -
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $7,096 -
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $8,656 -
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $12,607 -
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $2,428 - $2,250 -
1988 $2,141 - $3,191 -
1987 $1,639 - $2,611 -
1986 $1,200 - $3,376 -
1985 $994 - $3,549 -
1984 $1,145 - $3,520 -
1983 $1,121 - $4,079 -
1982 $1,006 - $4,202 -
1981 $1,107 - $4,228 -
1980 $1,132 - $3,874 -
1979 $909 - $3,257 -
1978 $695 - $2,727 -
1977 $565 - $2,585 -
1976 $490 - $2,309 -
1975 $493 - $2,078 -
1974 $446 - $2,034 -
1973 $374 - $1,367 -
1972 $264.2 - $1,155 -
1971 $212.2 - $1,106 -
1970 $163 - $1,015 -
1969 $131.8 - $932 -
1968 $113.4 - $938 -
1967 $100.9 - $893 -
1966 $89.1 - $876 -
1965 $79.7 - $869 -
1964 $73.5 - $874 -
1963 $68.9 - $1,060 -
1962 $66 - $1,007 -
1961 $62.3 - $954 -
1960 $58.9 - $939 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Botswana Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
7.53%
2020
Population
2615162
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 33% 23.4% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 11.2% 337%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 21% 206%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 35% 19.8% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 38% 58.4%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 48% 7.77% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 35% 7.74% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 42% 11.3% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 44% 7.29% 32.2% 56%
2002 46% 8.55% 31% 48.2%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 44.3% 12% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 40% - 31% 34.8%
1996 37.2% - 27.7% 45.9%
1995 38.1% - 32.9% 45.9%
1994 39.2% - 42.2% 63.9%
1993 44.2% - 27.7% 57.7%
1992 43.4% - 30.6% 54.8%
1991 42.3% - 33.9% 62.2%
1990 40.5% - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 158/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Venezuela
2024 -7.82% -3.6%
2023 -4.25% -1.25%
2022 -0.006% -5.29%
2021 -2.46% -5.85%
2020 -11.5% -6.63%
2019 -8.43% -10.9%
2018 -5.07% -31%
2017 -1.16% -13.3%
2016 0.72% -8.46%
2015 -5.06% -8.06%
2014 3.88% -9.81%
2013 6.07% -10.4%
2012 0.92% -9.86%
2011 -0.12% -8.24%
2010 -8.36% -4.74%
2009 -14.4% -8.69%
2008 -7.59% -3.46%
2007 5.92% -2.82%
2006 13.7% -1.6%
2005 10.7% 4.09%
2004 1.42% 2.47%
2003 -0.18% 0.17%
2002 -4.02% -1.48%
2001 -2.96% -4.59%
2000 8.95% 4.45%
1999 6.18% 0.74%
1998 - -4.49%
1997 - 2.58%
1996 - 7.94%
1995 - -5.86%
1994 - -11.2%
1993 - -2.92%
1992 - -6.37%
1991 - -2.28%
1990 - 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.69% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Venezuela
2024 2.82% 49%
2023 5.07% 338%
2022 11.7% 186.5%
2021 7.24% 1,589%
2020 1.89% 2,355%
2019 2.77% 19,906%
2018 3.24% 65,374%
2017 3.31% 438%
2016 2.81% 254.9%
2015 3.06% 121.7%
2014 4.4% 62.2%
2013 5.88% 40.6%
2012 7.54% 21.1%
2011 8.46% 26.1%
2010 6.95% 28.2%
2009 8.03% 26%
2008 12.7% 31.4%
2007 7.08% 18.7%
2006 11.6% 13.7%
2005 8.61% 16%
2004 6.95% 21.7%
2003 9.19% 31.1%
2002 8.03% 22.4%
2001 6.56% 12.5%
2000 8.6% 16.2%
1999 7.75% 23.6%
1998 6.66% 35.8%
1997 8.72% 50%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 49% in Venezuela.

Balance of trade

Botswana Venezuela
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$935M
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Venezuela
Economic freedom 67.7 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 194/197
Property rights 71.7 0
Government integrity 59.6 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 5.1
Tax burden 87.1 73.4
Government spending 69.8 93
Fiscal health 72.4 29.1
Business freedom 61.5 31.1
Labor freedom 60.7 35.5
Monetary freedom 72 0
Trade freedom 77 43.2
Investment freedom 50 0
Financial freedom 60 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Venezuela
2026 67.7 27.3
2025 69.9 27.6
2024 68 28.1
2023 64.9 25.8
2022 64.8 24.8
2021 67.6 24.7
2020 69.6 25.2
2019 69.5 25.9
2018 69.9 25.2
2017 70.1 27
2016 71.1 33.7
2015 69.8 34.3
2014 72 36.3
2013 70.6 36.1
2012 69.6 38.1
2011 68.8 37.6
2010 70.3 37.1
2009 69.7 39.9
2008 68.2 44.7
2007 68.1 47.9
2006 68.8 44.6
2005 69.3 45.2
2004 69.9 46.7
2003 68.6 54.8
2002 66.2 54.7
2001 66.8 54.6
2000 65.8 57.4
1999 62.9 56.1
1998 62.8 54
1997 59.1 52.8
1996 61.6 54.5
1995 56.8 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
4.9%
2024

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/venezuela | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.