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Economy of Botswana vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a GDP of $19.4B compared to $41.5B for Zimbabwe, ranking 133/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Botswana has $5.82B in government debt (30% of GDP), compared to $30.3B (73% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Botswana vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Botswana
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Botswana Zimbabwe
2024 $19,402,063,513 $41,539,411,516
2023 $19,411,266,967 $35,871,779,681
2022 $20,321,150,599 $40,757,561,709
2021 $18,750,182,236 $41,287,673,690
2020 $14,960,251,608 $31,980,334,561
2019 $16,725,908,149 $33,357,695,635
2018 $17,031,943,186 $34,141,666,667
2017 $16,105,155,857 $51,035,657,371
2016 $15,082,637,184 $20,559,250,000
2015 $13,530,748,845 $19,973,250,000
2014 $15,470,088,501 $19,505,500,000
2013 $14,271,738,933 $19,100,750,000
2012 $13,907,464,500 $17,123,500,000
2011 $15,110,643,612 $14,109,000,000
2010 $12,637,273,429 $12,047,750,000
2009 $10,118,459,242 $9,670,750,000
2008 $10,730,829,116 $4,418,000,000
2007 $10,567,270,656 $5,294,750,000
2006 $9,919,158,482 $5,446,750,000
2005 $9,918,907,108 $5,758,250,000
2004 $8,957,467,707 $5,808,500,000
2003 $7,511,582,173 $5,730,500,000
2002 $5,438,863,983 $6,345,250,000
2001 $5,489,608,300 $6,780,750,000
2000 $5,788,329,609 $6,693,250,000
1999 $5,484,263,347 $6,861,500,000
1998 $4,790,481,509 $6,405,250,000
1997 $5,020,265,627 $8,534,000,000
1996 $4,847,757,218 $8,557,500,000
1995 $4,730,599,122 $7,115,000,000
1994 $4,259,259,604 $6,894,250,000
1993 $4,160,129,175 $6,567,250,000
1992 $4,146,464,587 $6,755,000,000
1991 $3,942,876,703 $8,646,000,000
1990 $3,790,636,324 $8,788,301,546
1989 $3,083,822,112 $8,290,553,535
1988 $2,644,554,159 $7,818,774,177
1987 $1,965,226,890 $6,744,657,033
1986 $1,392,602,164 $6,220,698,247
1985 $1,114,783,343 $5,640,137,575
1984 $1,240,822,167 $6,355,369,172
1983 $1,172,230,397 $7,768,031,182
1982 $1,014,945,696 $8,544,060,905
1981 $1,073,812,830 $8,015,464,252
1980 $1,060,889,704 $6,682,278,300
1979 $819,870,259 $5,180,102,910
1978 $590,407,374 $4,353,822,343
1977 $451,624,780 $4,366,610,469
1976 $372,025,093 $4,320,576,877
1975 $355,168,572 $4,373,532,601
1974 $306,044,208 $3,984,194,614
1973 $244,124,164 $3,311,043,292
1972 $164,460,915 $2,679,096,597
1971 $127,448,614 $2,179,828,710
1970 $96,243,234 $1,885,168,339
1969 $77,361,547 $1,748,891,294
1968 $66,248,441 $1,480,355,355
1967 $58,642,354 $1,397,715,282
1966 $51,465,655 $1,282,403,936
1965 $45,788,696 $1,312,105,394
1964 $41,616,348 $1,217,759,447
1963 $38,091,843 $1,160,103,724
1962 $35,644,957 $1,118,172,226
1961 $32,902,613 $1,097,206,526
1960 $30,411,414 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Botswana vs Zimbabwe by year

Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Botswana Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,696 $20,538 $2,497 $5,928
2023 $7,826 $21,012 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $8,329 $19,977 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $7,808 $17,961 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $6,323 $15,292 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $7,172 $15,960 $2,184 $4,166
2018 $7,408 $15,786 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $7,105 $15,701 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $6,749 $16,228 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $6,141 $14,144 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $7,122 $15,003 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $6,667 $13,621 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $6,596 $12,737 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $7,287 $13,635 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $6,216 $12,753 $902 $2,661
2009 $5,083 $11,686 $736 $2,233
2008 $5,503 $13,810 $341 $1,987
2007 $5,529 $13,389 $414 $2,396
2006 $5,292 $12,563 $431 $2,454
2005 $5,391 $11,458 $461 $2,496
2004 $4,957 $10,818 $470 $2,591
2003 $4,230 $10,439 $468 $2,708
2002 $3,117 $9,958 $525 $3,238
2001 $3,206 $9,420 $566 $3,533
2000 $3,451 $9,380 $563 $3,429
1999 $3,340 $9,188 $582 $3,491
1998 $2,981 $8,441 $552 $3,527
1997 $3,194 $8,497 $751 $3,457
1996 $3,156 $7,890 $767 $3,372
1995 $3,156 $7,503 $648 $3,051
1994 $2,917 $7,049 $634 $3,012
1993 $2,929 $6,847 $605 $2,703
1992 $3,005 $6,753 $631 $2,651
1991 $2,939 $6,598 $831 $2,930
1990 $2,903 $6,104 $867 $2,757
1989 $2,428 - $840 -
1988 $2,141 - $816 -
1987 $1,639 - $726 -
1986 $1,200 - $693 -
1985 $994 - $649 -
1984 $1,145 - $757 -
1983 $1,121 - $959 -
1982 $1,006 - $1,096 -
1981 $1,107 - $1,069 -
1980 $1,132 - $949 -
1979 $909 - $779 -
1978 $695 - $665 -
1977 $565 - $677 -
1976 $490 - $687 -
1975 $493 - $717 -
1974 $446 - $674 -
1973 $374 - $579 -
1972 $264.2 - $483 -
1971 $212.2 - $406 -
1970 $163 - $361 -
1969 $131.8 - $346 -
1968 $113.4 - $302 -
1967 $100.9 - $294.4 -
1966 $89.1 - $278.7 -
1965 $79.7 - $294.3 -
1964 $73.5 - $281.9 -
1963 $68.9 - $277.1 -
1962 $66 - $275.7 -
1961 $62.3 - $279.2 -
1960 $58.9 - $276.6 -

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

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

Botswana's GDP per capita is $7,696, ranking 97/197, compared to $2,497 in Zimbabwe, ranking 148/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Botswana Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$19.4B
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank
133/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP growth
-2.99%
2023-2024
1.74%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank
97/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
95/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank
114/185
2024
121/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$2,897
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
12.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.82%
2023-2024
736%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.9%
2024
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
12.1%
2024
Population
2615162
17361868

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Botswana
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Botswana Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 30% 12.9% 73%
2023 32.4% 22.5% 15.5% 76.1%
2022 29.5% 21.3% 14.4% 66.8%
2021 33% 23.4% 12.8% 39.9%
2020 38.5% 24.8% 9.27% 56.8%
2019 36.4% 21.3% 9.36% 53.9%
2018 35.9% 19.8% 13.9% 33%
2017 35% 19.8% 19.8% 49%
2016 34.2% 22.4% 16.6% 35.1%
2015 39.7% 25.7% 14.7% 34.1%
2014 36.4% 23.9% 14.1% 29.2%
2013 34.8% 24.7% 14.7% 26.4%
2012 38.3% 27.3% 14.6% 27.2%
2011 37.4% 28.1% 16.2% 30%
2010 44.7% 27.9% 12.8% 33.2%
2009 54.5% 23.5% 7.93% 39.7%
2008 48% 7.77% 2.54% 41.3%
2007 38.3% 6.12% 3.43% 30.2%
2006 34.1% 6.32% 5.72% 26.7%
2005 35% 7.74% 10.5% 22.4%
2004 42% 11.3% - -
2003 44% 7.29% - -
2002 46% 8.55% - -
2001 42.9% 7.61% - -
2000 39.8% 8.37% - -
1999 41.7% 9.68% - -
1998 44.3% 12% - -
1997 40% - - -
1996 37.2% - - -
1995 38.1% - - -
1994 39.2% - - -
1993 44.2% - - -
1992 43.4% - - -
1991 42.3% - - -
1990 40.5% - - -

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

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

In 2024, Botswana's government spending was $6.55B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $5.37B, or 12.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 30% in Botswana and 73% in Zimbabwe, ranking 158/185 and 50/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Botswana

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Botswana Zimbabwe
2024 -7.82% -1.06%
2023 -4.25% -3.9%
2022 -0.006% -3.3%
2021 -2.46% -2.24%
2020 -11.5% -0.34%
2019 -8.43% -1.72%
2018 -5.07% -3.81%
2017 -1.16% -7.37%
2016 0.72% -4.63%
2015 -5.06% -1.45%
2014 3.88% -0.71%
2013 6.07% -0.69%
2012 0.92% -0.13%
2011 -0.12% -1.72%
2010 -8.36% -0.11%
2009 -14.4% -1.39%
2008 -7.59% -1.2%
2007 5.92% -1.67%
2006 13.7% -1.4%
2005 10.7% -3.46%
2004 1.42% -
2003 -0.18% -
2002 -4.02% -
2001 -2.96% -
2000 8.95% -
1999 6.18% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/botswana/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's deficit of $438M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Botswana recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Botswana posted an annual deficit equal to 1.71% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.11% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Botswana

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Botswana Zimbabwe
2024 2.82% 736%
2023 5.07% 667%
2022 11.7% 193.4%
2021 7.24% 98.5%
2020 1.89% 557%
2019 2.77% 255.3%
2018 3.24% 10.6%
2017 3.31% 0.9%
2016 2.81% -1.6%
2015 3.06% -2.4%
2014 4.4% -0.2%
2013 5.88% 1.6%
2012 7.54% 3.7%
2011 8.46% 3.5%
2010 6.95% 3%
2009 8.03% 6.2%
2008 12.7% 157%
2007 7.08% -72.7%
2006 11.6% 33%
2005 8.61% -31.5%
2004 6.95% 113.6%
2003 9.19% -8.6%
2002 8.03% -34.4%
2001 6.56% -37.2%
2000 8.6% 4.5%
1999 7.75% -13.4%
1998 6.66% -28%
1997 8.72% -1%

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/zimbabwe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Botswana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.7%, compared with 93.4% in Zimbabwe. In 2024, inflation was 2.82% in Botswana and 736% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Botswana
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $32.3M
Machinery & equipment $29.2M
Raw materials & minerals $13.3M
Chemicals & pharma $7.86M
Metals $3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.98M
Wood & paper products $1.13M
Miscellaneous $856K
Animal & marine products $212K
Weapons & explosives $36K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17.6M
Machinery & equipment $3.87M
Raw materials & minerals $3.75M
Animal & marine products $3.58M
Chemicals & pharma $3.3M
Wood & paper products $3.16M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.85M
Raw agricultural goods $1.6M
Metals $783K
Precious metals & jewellery $50K

Balance of trade

Botswana Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$821M
2024
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
118/190
2024
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.23%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$6.86B
2024
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$4.66B
2024
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$1.29B
2024
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$935M
2024
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.7%
2024
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.4%
2024
18%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Botswana Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 67.7 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 53/197 190/197
Property rights 71.7 19.4
Government integrity 59.6 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 70.2 16.8
Tax burden 87.1 73.6
Government spending 69.8 93.9
Fiscal health 72.4 52.4
Business freedom 61.5 42
Labor freedom 60.7 33.3
Monetary freedom 72 0
Trade freedom 77 50.4
Investment freedom 50 10
Financial freedom 60 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Botswana
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Botswana Zimbabwe
2026 67.7 35.2
2025 69.9 35.1
2024 68 38.2
2023 64.9 39
2022 64.8 33.1
2021 67.6 39.5
2020 69.6 43.1
2019 69.5 40.4
2018 69.9 44
2017 70.1 44
2016 71.1 38.2
2015 69.8 37.6
2014 72 35.5
2013 70.6 28.6
2012 69.6 26.3
2011 68.8 22.1
2010 70.3 21.4
2009 69.7 22.7
2008 68.2 29.5
2007 68.1 32
2006 68.8 33.5
2005 69.3 35.2
2004 69.9 34.4
2003 68.6 36.7
2002 66.2 36.7
2001 66.8 38.8
2000 65.8 48.7
1999 62.9 47.2
1998 62.8 44.6
1997 59.1 48
1996 61.6 46.7
1995 56.8 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Botswana is 67.7, ranking 53/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Botswana Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
35%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.71%
2024
8.69%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$39.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,570
2024
$5,870
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
157/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2024
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$467M
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.02M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.42%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2015
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
36%
2024
8.85%
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/zimbabwe | 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. TradeMap (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.