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Botswana vs Gambia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a population of 2.52M (ranked 142/197), compared with 2.76M in The Gambia (ranked 140/197). Botswana's land area is 218,816 sq mi versus 3,907 sq mi for The Gambia (ranked 47th vs. 161st).

By GDP, Botswana ranks 133/197 ($19.4B) and The Gambia ranks 174/197 ($2.4B). By GDP per capita, Botswana ranks 97/197 ($7,696), while The Gambia ranks 183/197 ($871).

Main facts and rankings

Botswana Gambia
Population
2615162
2902554
Population rank 142/197 138/197
GDP
$19.4B
2024
$2.4B
2024
GDP rank 133/197 174/197
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$871
2024
GDP per capita rank 97/197 183/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$3,476
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$1.92B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
80%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$697
2024
Government debt per person rank 114/185 155/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$741
2026
Land area 218,816 sq mi 3,907 sq mi
Population density
11.9 ppl/mi²
2026
739 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.73
2023
4.01
2023
Median age
24.2 years
2024
19.4 years
2024
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
66.5 years
2026

Botswana and Gambia: Comparison Charts

Botswana and Gambia economies compared

GDP
Botswana

Gambia
1x
Year GDP
Botswana Gambia
2024 $19,402,063,513 $2,404,888,749
2023 $19,411,266,967 $2,382,262,185
2022 $20,321,150,599 $2,204,734,528
2021 $18,750,182,236 $2,014,158,842
2020 $14,960,251,608 $1,812,170,891
2019 $16,725,908,149 $1,813,609,692
2018 $17,031,943,186 $1,670,671,328
2017 $16,105,155,857 $1,504,909,463
2016 $15,082,637,184 $1,484,578,886
2015 $13,530,748,845 $1,378,176,609
2014 $15,470,088,501 $1,229,461,721
2013 $14,271,738,933 $1,375,609,453
2012 $13,907,464,500 $1,415,004,738
2011 $15,110,643,612 $1,409,693,597
2010 $12,637,273,429 $1,543,294,927
2009 $10,118,459,242 $1,450,142,509
2008 $10,730,829,116 $1,561,766,956
2007 $10,567,270,656 $1,279,703,047
2006 $9,919,158,482 $1,054,112,488
2005 $9,918,907,108 $1,027,701,068
2004 $8,957,467,707 $961,900,651
2003 $7,511,582,173 $487,038,685
2002 $5,438,863,983 $578,235,309
2001 $5,489,608,300 $687,410,645
2000 $5,788,329,609 $782,913,872
1999 $5,484,263,347 $814,724,032
1998 $4,790,481,509 $840,285,265
1997 $5,020,265,627 $803,633,342
1996 $4,847,757,218 $848,239,446
1995 $4,730,599,122 $785,999,865
1994 $4,259,259,604 $746,493,952
1993 $4,160,129,175 $755,040,974
1992 $4,146,464,587 $714,254,256
1991 $3,942,876,703 $690,311,081
1990 $3,790,636,324 $317,083,695
1989 $3,083,822,112 $284,120,329
1988 $2,644,554,159 $266,672,212
1987 $1,965,226,890 $220,626,484
1986 $1,392,602,164 $185,646,987
1985 $1,114,783,343 $225,726,359
1984 $1,240,822,167 $177,340,880
1983 $1,172,230,397 $213,448,585
1982 $1,014,945,696 $216,050,552
1981 $1,073,812,830 $218,767,743
1980 $1,060,889,704 $241,083,090
1979 $819,870,259 $207,112,628
1978 $590,407,374 $171,833,086
1977 $451,624,780 $138,093,099
1976 $372,025,093 $112,190,829
1975 $355,168,572 $115,179,719
1974 $306,044,208 $95,796,022
1973 $244,124,164 $75,187,749
1972 $164,460,915 $59,160,569
1971 $127,448,614 $55,728,663
1970 $96,243,234 $52,296,084
1969 $77,361,547 $45,168,072
1968 $66,248,441 $41,160,066
1967 $58,642,354 $46,695,007
1966 $51,465,655 $44,212,081
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/facts/botswana/gambia | CC BY

Botswana and Gambia economies compared

GDP per capita
Botswana

Gambia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Botswana Gambia
2024 $7,696 $871
2023 $7,826 $883
2022 $8,329 $836
2021 $7,808 $782
2020 $6,323 $720
2019 $7,172 $738
2018 $7,408 $696
2017 $7,105 $643
2016 $6,749 $650
2015 $6,141 $620
2014 $7,122 $568
2013 $6,667 $654
2012 $6,596 $693
2011 $7,287 $711
2010 $6,216 $801
2009 $5,083 $775
2008 $5,503 $859
2007 $5,529 $725
2006 $5,292 $615
2005 $5,391 $616
2004 $4,957 $593
2003 $4,230 $309
2002 $3,117 $377
2001 $3,206 $460
2000 $3,451 $538
1999 $3,340 $575
1998 $2,981 $610
1997 $3,194 $600
1996 $3,156 $652
1995 $3,156 $622
1994 $2,917 $608
1993 $2,929 $635
1992 $3,005 $623
1991 $2,939 $628
1990 $2,903 $301
1989 $2,428 $280.9
1988 $2,141 $274.9
1987 $1,639 $237
1986 $1,200 $207.7
1985 $994 $262.8
1984 $1,145 $214.8
1983 $1,121 $268.6
1982 $1,006 $282.1
1981 $1,107 $296
1980 $1,132 $338
1979 $909 $300
1978 $695 $257.6
1977 $565 $213.8
1976 $490 $179.3
1975 $493 $189.8
1974 $446 $162.6
1973 $374 $131.4
1972 $264.2 $106.5
1971 $212.2 $103.3
1970 $163 $99.8
1969 $131.8 $88.7
1968 $113.4 $83.1
1967 $100.9 $97
1966 $89.1 $94.4
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/facts/botswana/gambia | CC BY

Botswana vs. Gambia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Botswana

Gambia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Botswana Gambia
2026 69.6 66.5
2025 69.4 66.3
2024 69.3 66.1
2023 69.2 65.9
2022 68.7 64.9
2021 63.3 63.8
2020 67.6 64.4
2019 67.2 64.4
2018 66.4 64
2017 65.4 63.7
2016 64.3 63.4
2015 63.2 63
2014 62.2 62.6
2013 61.2 62.3
2012 60.4 61.9
2011 59.7 61.6
2010 59.1 61.2
2009 58.3 60.7
2008 57.7 60.5
2007 56.7 60
2006 55.1 59.7
2005 54.4 59.1
2004 53.6 58.7
2003 52.9 58.2
2002 52.4 57.7
2001 52.2 57.3
2000 52.3 56.9
1999 52.5 56.5
1998 53 56
1997 53.6 55.2
1996 54.3 54.8
1995 54.7 54.3
1994 56 53.8
1993 57.3 53.2
1992 58.2 52.5
1991 58.9 51.9
1990 60.1 51.3
1989 61.2 50.7
1988 61.7 50.1
1987 62.8 49.4
1986 63.4 48.8
1985 63.6 48.2
1984 63.7 47.5
1983 63.6 46.9
1982 63.4 46.3
1981 63 44.5
1980 62.5 45
1979 62 44.5
1978 61.5 43.6
1977 60.9 43.4
1976 60.2 42.9
1975 59.5 42.2
1974 58.9 41.7
1973 58.3 41.1
1972 57.7 40.5
1971 57.1 40
1970 56.4 39.5
1969 55.9 39
1968 55.4 38.5
1967 54.9 38.1
1966 54.4 37.6
1965 53.9 37.1
1964 53.4 36.6
1963 52.8 36.1
1962 52.3 35.6
1961 51.8 35.1
1960 51.2 34.6
1959 50.7 34.1
1958 50.1 33.6
1957 49.5 33.1
1956 49 32.8
1955 48.5 32.4
1954 48 32.2
1953 47.5 31.9
1952 47 31.7
1951 46.6 31.5
1950 46.2 31.2

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/gambia | CC BY

Botswana and Gambia population clocks and comparison

Population
Botswana

Gambia
1x
Year Population
Botswana Gambia
2024 2,521,139 2,759,988
2023 2,480,244 2,697,845
2022 2,439,892 2,636,470
2021 2,401,441 2,576,010
2020 2,365,894 2,515,733
2019 2,332,083 2,456,844
2018 2,299,141 2,399,632
2017 2,266,747 2,342,189
2016 2,234,776 2,283,769
2015 2,203,273 2,224,529
2014 2,172,044 2,164,528
2013 2,140,682 2,103,820
2012 2,108,617 2,043,094
2011 2,073,535 1,983,784
2010 2,033,111 1,926,630
2009 1,990,673 1,871,422
2008 1,949,970 1,817,852
2007 1,911,201 1,765,774
2006 1,874,516 1,715,275
2005 1,839,877 1,667,037
2004 1,807,146 1,621,312
2003 1,775,736 1,577,611
2002 1,744,763 1,535,691
2001 1,712,254 1,495,011
2000 1,677,382 1,455,084
1999 1,641,997 1,415,779
1998 1,606,899 1,376,987
1997 1,571,691 1,338,889
1996 1,535,914 1,301,410
1995 1,498,836 1,264,313
1994 1,460,023 1,227,226
1993 1,420,115 1,188,365
1992 1,380,033 1,145,582
1991 1,341,756 1,099,959
1990 1,305,696 1,054,696
1989 1,270,274 1,011,357
1988 1,235,476 970,160
1987 1,199,167 931,091
1986 1,160,650 894,019
1985 1,121,945 858,874
1984 1,083,660 825,631
1983 1,046,137 794,525
1982 1,009,269 765,753
1981 969,996 739,125
1980 937,485 713,913
1979 901,742 689,781
1978 849,239 667,103
1977 799,574 645,770
1976 758,508 625,667
1975 720,380 606,821
1974 685,448 589,085
1973 652,408 571,991
1972 622,407 555,370
1971 600,481 539,388
1970 590,334 524,105
1969 587,066 509,440
1968 583,966 495,269
1967 580,933 481,588
1966 577,866 468,516
1965 574,664 455,952
1964 566,266 443,687
1963 552,966 431,757
1962 540,186 420,163
1961 527,942 408,930
1960 516,165 398,060

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

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/gambia | CC BY

Fertility rates in Botswana and Gambia

Fertility rate
Botswana

Gambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Botswana Gambia
2023 2.73 4.01
2022 2.79 4.08
2021 2.83 4.17
2020 2.86 4.25
2019 2.91 4.33
2018 2.94 4.42
2017 2.97 4.61
2016 2.99 4.81
2015 3.01 5
2014 3.03 5.2
2013 3.05 5.39
2012 3.07 5.52
2011 3.1 5.54
2010 3.14 5.56
2009 3.13 5.57
2008 3.13 5.63
2007 3.13 5.69
2006 3.11 5.74
2005 3.08 5.71
2004 3.06 5.68
2003 3.11 5.66
2002 3.18 5.66
2001 3.25 5.67
2000 3.29 5.72
1999 3.31 5.77
1998 3.36 5.82
1997 3.43 5.85
1996 3.57 5.93
1995 3.79 5.99
1994 4.02 6.04
1993 4.15 6.03
1992 4.26 6.11
1991 4.37 6.19
1990 4.51 6.25
1989 4.67 6.25
1988 4.88 6.26
1987 5.1 6.3
1986 5.33 6.34
1985 5.48 6.36
1984 5.63 6.39
1983 5.79 6.39
1982 5.97 6.4
1981 6.16 6.4
1980 6.29 6.41
1979 6.4 6.41
1978 6.48 6.42
1977 6.54 6.43
1976 6.6 6.43
1975 6.61 6.43
1974 6.61 6.42
1973 6.59 6.41
1972 6.56 6.37
1971 6.54 6.33
1970 6.55 6.26
1969 6.56 6.25
1968 6.58 6.22
1967 6.6 6.21
1966 6.61 6.18
1965 6.6 6.19
1964 6.61 6.2
1963 6.58 6.2
1962 6.54 6.21
1961 6.56 6.23
1960 6.6 6.25

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/gambia | CC BY

Botswana and Gambia demographics compared

Median age
Botswana

Gambia
1x
Year Median age, years
Botswana Gambia
2024 24.2 19.4
2023 23.9 19.2
2022 23.6 19.1
2021 23.4 18.9
2020 23.3 18.7
2019 23.1 18.5
2018 22.9 18.4
2017 22.8 18.2
2016 22.7 18.1
2015 22.7 17.9
2014 22.7 17.8
2013 22.7 17.7
2012 22.8 17.6
2011 22.7 17.5
2010 22.5 17.4
2009 22.2 17.3
2008 22 17.2
2007 21.7 17.1
2006 21.5 17
2005 21.2 16.9
2004 20.9 16.8
2003 20.6 16.7
2002 20.3 16.6
2001 20 16.6
2000 19.7 16.5
1999 19.4 16.5
1998 19.1 16.5
1997 18.8 16.6
1996 18.6 16.7
1995 18.3 16.8
1994 18 16.9
1993 17.8 17
1992 17.6 17.1
1991 17.4 17.1
1990 17.3 17.2
1989 17.1 17.2
1988 17 17.3
1987 16.9 17.4
1986 16.9 17.4
1985 16.8 17.5
1984 16.8 17.6
1983 16.8 17.8
1982 16.8 17.9
1981 16.8 18.1
1980 16.8 18.2
1979 16.9 18.4
1978 16.6 18.5
1977 16.4 18.6
1976 16.2 18.8
1975 16 18.9
1974 15.8 19.1
1973 15.6 19.2
1972 15.4 19.3
1971 15.3 19.4
1970 15.4 19.5
1969 15.6 19.6
1968 15.7 19.7
1967 15.9 19.8
1966 16.2 19.7
1965 16.4 19.7
1964 16.6 19.6
1963 16.8 19.6
1962 17.1 19.5
1961 17.4 19.4
1960 17.7 19.4

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

GeoRank.org/facts/botswana/gambia | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Botswana Gambia
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$2.43B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
25.8%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
8.06%
2020
2.81%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.83%
2024
0.57%
2024
Armed forces personnel
9,000
2020
4,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-7.82%
2024
-4.08%
2024
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
6.48%
2023
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
15.3%
2024
Economic freedom index
67.7
2026
56.3
2026
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
30.5%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
2.6%
2020
Listed domestic companies
23
2023
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$629M
2024
Personal remittances received
$128M
2024
$529M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,830,000
2018
246,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
4.56%
2020
30.2%
2020
Banked people share
61.4%
2024
38.2%
2024

Energy

Botswana Gambia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,165 kg
2022
75.3 kg
2007
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$17.1
2022
$26.4
2007
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
6.9 megatons
2024
0.49 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
2.74 tons
2024
0.18 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
66.7%
2022
0%
2007
Renewable energy use share
27.4%
2021
47.7%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.08%
2022
n/a
Net energy imports use share
23.7%
2022
n/a
Electric power consumption per capita
1,522 kWh
2022
n/a
Renewable electricity output share
0.25%
2021
1.6%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
76%
2023
66.9%
2023

Society

Botswana Gambia
% of world population
0.03%
2024
0.03%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,665
2025
-2,984
2025
Urban population
67.5%
2024
64.3%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.8:50.2
2024
49.8:50.2
2024
Average male height
5.68 ft
2025
5.52 ft
2025
Average female height
5.32 ft
2025
5.31 ft
2025
Quality of life index
50.1
2026
21.9
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
58
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
52
2026
35
2026
Homicides per 100K people
10.5
2021
9.13
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
26.4
2019
29.6
2019
Visa free countries
83
2025
73
2025
Adult literacy rate
86.8%
2013
58.7%
2022
English speaking
38.4%
2023
2.34%
2023
People using the Internet
81.4%
2023
45.9%
2023

Health

Botswana Gambia
Government health expenditure per capita
$490
2023
$25.7
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$20.9
2023
$8.7
2023
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
66.5 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
6.53%
2023
17.4%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.38
2023
0.09
2023
Age at first childbirth
19 years
2017
20.7 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
155
2023
354
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
39.6
2023
44.1
2023
Obesity rate
18.6%
2022
15.3%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
4.6%
2024
5.5%
2024
Air quality index
39
2026
9
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
18.7%
2022
10.5%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
7.27 liters
2020
0.61 liters
2020

Territory

Botswana Gambia
% of world land
0.38%
2026
0.007%
2026
Land area per capita
86,792 sq mi
2024
1,416 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
99,854 sq mi
2026
2,448 sq mi
2026
Forest area
57,528 sq mi
2026
871 sq mi
2026
Roads length
19,727 mi
2017
1,850 mi
2011

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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