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Economy of Botswana vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Botswana has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $515B for Vietnam, ranking 135/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $7.7B in government debt (38.6% of GDP), compared to $156B (30.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Botswana vs Vietnam GDP by year

Botswana
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Vietnam
2025 $19,928,479,839 $514,697,215,165
2024 $19,286,251,068 $476,324,572,784
2023 $19,413,614,555 $433,805,036,898
2022 $20,321,150,599 $413,445,230,669
2021 $18,750,182,236 $366,474,752,771
2020 $14,960,251,608 $346,615,738,538
2019 $16,725,908,149 $334,365,270,497
2018 $17,031,943,186 $310,106,478,395
2017 $16,105,155,857 $281,353,605,987
2016 $15,082,637,184 $257,096,001,178
2015 $13,530,748,845 $239,258,328,382
2014 $15,470,088,501 $233,451,469,643
2013 $14,271,738,933 $213,708,811,665
2012 $13,907,464,500 $195,590,661,129
2011 $15,110,643,612 $172,595,049,184
2010 $12,637,273,429 $147,201,173,197
2009 $10,118,459,242 $106,014,659,565
2008 $10,730,829,116 $99,130,304,099
2007 $10,567,270,656 $77,414,425,532
2006 $9,919,158,482 $66,371,664,817
2005 $9,918,907,108 $57,633,255,738
2004 $8,957,467,707 $45,427,854,693
2003 $7,511,582,173 $39,552,513,232
2002 $5,438,863,983 $35,064,105,501
2001 $5,489,608,300 $32,685,198,809
2000 $5,788,329,609 $31,172,518,403
1999 $5,484,263,347 $28,683,659,007
1998 $4,790,481,509 $27,209,602,050
1997 $5,020,265,627 $26,843,700,442
1996 $4,847,757,218 $24,657,470,575
1995 $4,730,599,122 $20,736,164,459
1994 $4,259,259,604 $16,286,433,533
1993 $4,160,129,175 $13,180,953,598
1992 $4,146,464,587 $9,866,990,236
1991 $3,942,876,703 $9,613,369,520
1990 $3,790,636,324 $6,471,740,806
1989 $3,083,822,112 $6,293,304,975
1988 $2,644,554,159 $25,423,812,649
1987 $1,965,226,890 $36,658,108,850
1986 $1,392,602,164 $26,336,616,250
1985 $1,114,783,343 $14,094,687,821
1984 $1,240,822,167 -
1983 $1,172,230,397 -
1982 $1,014,945,696 -
1981 $1,073,812,830 -
1980 $1,060,889,704 -
1979 $819,870,259 -
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/vietnam | CC BY

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Vietnam by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,778 - $5,066 -
2024 $7,650 $20,538 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $7,827 $21,012 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $926 $4,581
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $808 $4,237
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $711 $3,894
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $565 $3,543
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $497 $3,240
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $445 $3,002
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $419 $2,809
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $404 $2,614
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $376 $2,421
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $361 $2,308
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $362 $2,189
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $337 $2,019
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $2,428 - $98.1 -
1988 $2,141 - $405 -
1987 $1,639 - $595 -
1986 $1,200 - $436 -
1985 $994 - $238.6 -
1984 $1,145 - - -
1983 $1,121 - - -
1982 $1,006 - - -
1981 $1,107 - - -
1980 $1,132 - - -
1979 $909 - - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,778, ranking 100/197, compared to $5,066 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Botswana Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2025
$515B
2025
GDP rank
135/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP growth
-0.73%
2024-2025
8.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,778
2025
$5,066
2025
GDP per capita rank
100/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$7.7B
2025
$156B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.6%
2025
30.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,005
2025
$1,537
2025
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2025
130/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,441
2026
$5,133
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.28B
2025
$316B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35%
2025
22.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.66%
2024-2025
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2026
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
1.53%
2024
Population
2624853
102486146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35% 38.6% 22.1% 30.3%
2024 33.7% 33.2% 19.1% 31.2%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 29.1% 21% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 31.4% 22.3% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 36.5% 23.5% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 36.9% 21.5% 19.8% 41%
2018 35.6% 19.6% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 34.7% 19.6% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 34.1% 22.3% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 37.8% 24.5% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 36.5% 23.9% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 33.5% 23.8% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 37.1% 26.4% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 37.2% 27.9% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 42.6% 26.5% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 52.1% 22.4% 25% 36.2%
2008 48.1% 7.79% 21.4% 31%
2007 37.1% 5.93% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 33.1% 6.14% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 33.8% 7.46% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 39.8% 10.7% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 42.7% 7.08% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 45.1% 8.37% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 42.1% 7.48% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 38.8% 8.16% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 40.1% 9.31% 16.7% -
1998 41.8% 11.3% 16% -
1997 39% - - -
1996 36.1% - - -
1995 36.1% - - -
1994 37.6% - - -
1993 42% - - -
1992 42.3% - - -
1991 41.1% - - -
1990 38.9% - - -

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

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

In 2025, Botswana's government spending was $6.98B, accounting for 35% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $114B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.6% in Botswana and 30.3% in Vietnam, ranking 137/185 and 153/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Vietnam
2025 -7.42% -2.2%
2024 -7.26% -1.54%
2023 -4.16% -1.72%
2022 0.04% 0.67%
2021 -2.33% -1.43%
2020 -10.9% -2.86%
2019 -8.53% -0.4%
2018 -5.03% -1.02%
2017 -1.14% -1.96%
2016 0.71% -3.16%
2015 -4.82% -4.98%
2014 3.9% -5.02%
2013 5.84% -5.96%
2012 0.89% -5.46%
2011 -0.12% -0.9%
2010 -7.95% -2.25%
2009 -13.8% -4.82%
2008 -7.61% -0.45%
2007 5.73% -1.74%
2006 13.3% 0.2%
2005 10.3% -0.95%
2004 1.35% -0.15%
2003 -0.18% -2.56%
2002 -3.94% -1.85%
2001 -2.91% -2.19%
2000 8.73% -1.61%
1999 5.95% -1.25%
1998 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $11.3B, or 2.2% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.13% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Vietnam
2025 2.66% 3.3%
2024 2.82% 3.6%
2023 5.07% 3.3%
2022 11.7% 3.2%
2021 7.24% 1.8%
2020 1.89% 3.2%
2019 2.77% 2.8%
2018 3.24% 3.5%
2017 3.31% 3.5%
2016 2.81% 2.7%
2015 3.06% 0.6%
2014 4.4% 4.1%
2013 5.88% 6.6%
2012 7.54% 9.1%
2011 8.46% 18.7%
2010 6.95% 10.5%
2009 8.03% 6.7%
2008 12.7% 23.1%
2007 7.08% 8.3%
2006 11.6% 7.5%
2005 8.61% 8.4%
2004 6.95% 7.9%
2003 9.19% 3.3%
2002 8.03% 4.1%
2001 6.56% -0.3%
2000 8.6% -1.8%
1999 7.75% 4.1%
1998 6.66% 7.2%
1997 8.72% 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.56%, compared with 5.59% in Vietnam. In 2025, inflation was 2.66% in Botswana and 3.3% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $11.4M
Animal & marine products $50K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Botswana Vietnam
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$30.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
113/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.26%
2024
+6.33%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$363B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$407B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$35.6B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2025
92.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32%
2025
98.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Vietnam
Economic freedom 67.7 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 73/197
Property rights 71.7 47.3
Government integrity 59.6 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 31.3
Tax burden 87.1 80.9
Government spending 69.8 89.5
Fiscal health 72.4 96.9
Business freedom 61.5 70
Labor freedom 60.7 54.7
Monetary freedom 72 73.2
Trade freedom 77 79.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Vietnam
2026 67.7 64.4
2025 69.9 65.2
2024 68 62.8
2023 64.9 61.8
2022 64.8 60.6
2021 67.6 61.7
2020 69.6 58.8
2019 69.5 55.3
2018 69.9 53.1
2017 70.1 52.4
2016 71.1 54
2015 69.8 51.7
2014 72 50.8
2013 70.6 51
2012 69.6 51.3
2011 68.8 51.6
2010 70.3 49.8
2009 69.7 51
2008 68.2 50.4
2007 68.1 49.8
2006 68.8 50.5
2005 69.3 48.1
2004 69.9 46.1
2003 68.6 46.2
2002 66.2 45.6
2001 66.8 44.3
2000 65.8 43.7
1999 62.9 42.7
1998 62.8 40.4
1997 59.1 38.6
1996 61.6 40.2
1995 56.8 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
64.6%
2025
42.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
37.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.78%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$18.9B
2025
$505B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,960
2025
$17,580
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$85.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
117/177
2024
33/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.45%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
30.8%
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/vietnam | 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.