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Economy of Botswana vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 133/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Botswana vs Yemen GDP by year

Botswana
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Yemen
2024 $19,402,063,513 -
2023 $19,411,266,967 -
2022 $20,321,150,599 -
2021 $18,750,182,236 -
2020 $14,960,251,608 -
2019 $16,725,908,149 -
2018 $17,031,943,186 $21,606,160,663
2017 $16,105,155,857 $26,842,229,045
2016 $15,082,637,184 $31,317,825,274
2015 $13,530,748,845 $42,444,490,074
2014 $15,470,088,501 $43,228,585,321
2013 $14,271,738,933 $40,415,233,436
2012 $13,907,464,500 $35,401,331,610
2011 $15,110,643,612 $32,726,417,878
2010 $12,637,273,429 $30,906,749,533
2009 $10,118,459,242 $25,130,278,213
2008 $10,730,829,116 $26,910,855,807
2007 $10,567,270,656 $21,650,528,674
2006 $9,919,158,482 $19,063,143,370
2005 $9,918,907,108 $16,731,566,717
2004 $8,957,467,707 $13,867,634,371
2003 $7,511,582,173 $11,777,532,662
2002 $5,438,863,983 $10,693,430,511
2001 $5,489,608,300 $9,852,990,693
2000 $5,788,329,609 $9,679,316,770
1999 $5,484,263,347 $7,639,325,296
1998 $4,790,481,509 $6,322,175,566
1997 $5,020,265,627 $6,838,298,531
1996 $4,847,757,218 $6,496,163,616
1995 $4,730,599,122 $12,796,345,679
1994 $4,259,259,604 $28,019,483,764
1993 $4,160,129,175 $21,736,802,664
1992 $4,146,464,587 $17,959,367,194
1991 $3,942,876,703 $14,665,445,462
1990 $3,790,636,324 $12,643,821,569
1989 $3,083,822,112 -
1988 $2,644,554,159 -
1987 $1,965,226,890 -
1986 $1,392,602,164 -
1985 $1,114,783,343 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Yemen by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 - -
2023 $7,826 $21,012 - -
2022 $8,329 $19,977 - -
2021 $7,808 $17,961 - -
2020 $6,323 $15,292 - -
2019 $7,172 $15,960 - -
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $634 -
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $811 -
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $975 -
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $1,362 -
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $1,430 -
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $969 $3,411
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $890 $3,294
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $810 $3,205
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $734 $3,113
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $628 $2,949
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $549 $2,844
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $513 $2,768
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $487 $2,702
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $493 $2,624
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $401 $2,492
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $343 $2,442
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $383 $2,351
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $375 $2,268
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $764 $2,201
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $910 $1,742
1989 $2,428 - - -
1988 $2,141 - - -
1987 $1,639 - - -
1986 $1,200 - - -
1985 $994 - - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Botswana Yemen
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
133/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$1,127
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
13.5%
2014
Population
2615162
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 33% 23.4% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 10.6% 87%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 35% 19.8% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 48% 7.77% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 35% 7.74% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 42% 11.3% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 44% 7.29% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 46% 8.55% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 42.9% 7.61% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 39.8% 8.37% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 41.7% 9.68% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 44.3% 12% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 40% - 34.2% 74.2%
1996 37.2% - 30.7% 114.9%
1995 38.1% - 24.1% 84.1%
1994 39.2% - 25.2% 73.3%
1993 44.2% - 25.8% 76.7%
1992 43.4% - 24.6% 78%
1991 42.3% - 24.7% 82.7%
1990 40.5% - 26.6% 91.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 158/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Yemen
2024 -7.82% -2.48%
2023 -4.25% -5.63%
2022 -0.006% -2.15%
2021 -2.46% -0.89%
2020 -11.5% -4.3%
2019 -8.43% -5.89%
2018 -5.07% -7.85%
2017 -1.16% -4.9%
2016 0.72% -8.51%
2015 -5.06% -8.75%
2014 3.88% -4.14%
2013 6.07% -6.9%
2012 0.92% -6.32%
2011 -0.12% -4.51%
2010 -8.36% -4.06%
2009 -14.4% -10.2%
2008 -7.59% -4.53%
2007 5.92% -7.18%
2006 13.7% 1.19%
2005 10.7% -1.82%
2004 1.42% -2.15%
2003 -0.18% -4.2%
2002 -4.02% -0.56%
2001 -2.96% 2.79%
2000 8.95% 6.09%
1999 6.18% 0.06%
1998 - -7.77%
1997 - -1.5%
1996 - -0.92%
1995 - -5.74%
1994 - -14%
1993 - -12.8%
1992 - -10.9%
1991 - -5.76%
1990 - -10.3%

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

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

In 2018, Botswana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $864M, equivalent to 5.07% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 10 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual surplus equal to 0.48% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.82% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Yemen
2024 2.82% 33.9%
2023 5.07% 0.9%
2022 11.7% 29.5%
2021 7.24% 31.5%
2020 1.89% 21.7%
2019 2.77% 15.7%
2018 3.24% 33.6%
2017 3.31% 30.4%
2016 2.81% 21.3%
2015 3.06% 22%
2014 4.4% 8.2%
2013 5.88% 11%
2012 7.54% 9.9%
2011 8.46% 19.5%
2010 6.95% 11.2%
2009 8.03% 3.7%
2008 12.7% 19%
2007 7.08% 7.9%
2006 11.6% 10.8%
2005 8.61% 9.9%
2004 6.95% 12.5%
2003 9.19% 10.8%
2002 8.03% 12.2%
2001 6.56% 11.9%
2000 8.6% 11%
1999 7.75% 7.9%
1998 6.66% 11.5%
1997 8.72% 4.6%

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/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 33.9% in Yemen.

Balance of trade

Botswana Yemen
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$935M
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Yemen
Economic freedom 67.7 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 138/197
Property rights 71.7 3.5
Government integrity 59.6 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 9.9
Tax burden 87.1 93.7
Government spending 69.8 0
Fiscal health 72.4 71.2
Business freedom 61.5 31.3
Labor freedom 60.7 31.2
Monetary freedom 72 48.1
Trade freedom 77 67.4
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Yemen
2026 67.7 -
2025 69.9 -
2024 68 -
2023 64.9 -
2022 64.8 -
2021 67.6 -
2020 69.6 -
2019 69.5 -
2018 69.9 -
2017 70.1 -
2016 71.1 -
2015 69.8 53.7
2014 72 55.5
2013 70.6 55.9
2012 69.6 55.3
2011 68.8 54.2
2010 70.3 54.4
2009 69.7 56.9
2008 68.2 53.8
2007 68.1 54.1
2006 68.8 52.6
2005 69.3 53.8
2004 69.9 50.5
2003 68.6 50.3
2002 66.2 48.6
2001 66.8 44.3
2000 65.8 44.5
1999 62.9 43.3
1998 62.8 46.1
1997 59.1 48.4
1996 61.6 49.6
1995 56.8 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Yemen
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.