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Botswana vs Laos statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a population of 2.52M (ranked 142/197), compared with 7.77M in Laos (ranked 103/197). Botswana's land area is 218,816 sq mi versus 89,112 sq mi for Laos (ranked 47th vs. 79th).

By GDP, Botswana ranks 133/197 ($19.4B) and Laos ranks 139/197 ($16.5B). By GDP per capita, Botswana ranks 97/197 ($7,696), while Laos ranks 155/197 ($2,124).

Main facts and rankings

Botswana Laos
Population
2615162
8004838
Population rank 142/197 103/197
GDP
$19.4B
2024
$16.5B
2024
GDP rank 133/197 139/197
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$2,124
2024
GDP per capita rank 97/197 155/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$9,776
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
100.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$2,134
2024
Government debt per person rank 114/185 119/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$2,096
2026
Land area 218,816 sq mi 89,112 sq mi
Population density
11.9 ppl/mi²
2026
89.5 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.73
2023
2.42
2023
Median age
24.2 years
2024
25.6 years
2024
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
69.7 years
2026

Botswana and Laos: Comparison Charts

Botswana and Laos economies compared

GDP
Botswana

Laos
1x
Year GDP
Botswana Laos
2024 $19,402,063,513 $16,502,933,121
2023 $19,411,266,967 $15,843,155,731
2022 $20,321,150,599 $15,468,785,204
2021 $18,750,182,236 $18,827,148,531
2020 $14,960,251,608 $18,981,805,250
2019 $16,725,908,149 $18,740,561,513
2018 $17,031,943,186 $18,141,641,090
2017 $16,105,155,857 $17,071,155,481
2016 $15,082,637,184 $15,912,501,723
2015 $13,530,748,845 $14,426,380,126
2014 $15,470,088,501 $13,279,245,886
2013 $14,271,738,933 $11,983,252,627
2012 $13,907,464,500 $10,192,846,339
2011 $15,110,643,612 $8,750,104,617
2010 $12,637,273,429 $7,131,771,015
2009 $10,118,459,242 $5,836,137,330
2008 $10,730,829,116 $5,446,433,157
2007 $10,567,270,656 $4,223,152,739
2006 $9,919,158,482 $3,455,030,061
2005 $9,918,907,108 $2,735,558,735
2004 $8,957,467,707 $2,366,398,120
2003 $7,511,582,173 $2,023,324,407
2002 $5,438,863,983 $1,758,176,653
2001 $5,489,608,300 $1,768,619,058
2000 $5,788,329,609 $1,731,198,022
1999 $5,484,263,347 $1,454,430,642
1998 $4,790,481,509 $1,280,177,839
1997 $5,020,265,627 $1,747,011,857
1996 $4,847,757,218 $1,873,671,550
1995 $4,730,599,122 $1,763,536,305
1994 $4,259,259,604 $1,543,606,345
1993 $4,160,129,175 $1,327,748,690
1992 $4,146,464,587 $1,127,806,945
1991 $3,942,876,703 $1,028,087,972
1990 $3,790,636,324 $865,559,879
1989 $3,083,822,112 $714,046,821
1988 $2,644,554,159 $598,961,269
1987 $1,965,226,890 $1,087,273,104
1986 $1,392,602,164 $1,776,842,097
1985 $1,114,783,343 $2,366,666,616
1984 $1,240,822,167 $1,757,142,856
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/facts/botswana/laos | CC BY

Botswana and Laos economies compared

GDP per capita
Botswana

Laos
1x
Year GDP per capita
Botswana Laos
2024 $7,696 $2,124
2023 $7,826 $2,067
2022 $8,329 $2,046
2021 $7,808 $2,526
2020 $6,323 $2,584
2019 $7,172 $2,589
2018 $7,408 $2,545
2017 $7,105 $2,432
2016 $6,749 $2,303
2015 $6,141 $2,121
2014 $7,122 $1,981
2013 $6,667 $1,813
2012 $6,596 $1,564
2011 $7,287 $1,362
2010 $6,216 $1,126
2009 $5,083 $935
2008 $5,503 $886
2007 $5,529 $697
2006 $5,292 $579
2005 $5,391 $466
2004 $4,957 $409
2003 $4,230 $355
2002 $3,117 $313
2001 $3,206 $320
2000 $3,451 $319
1999 $3,340 $272.3
1998 $2,981 $243.9
1997 $3,194 $339
1996 $3,156 $371
1995 $3,156 $358
1994 $2,917 $321
1993 $2,929 $283.4
1992 $3,005 $247.3
1991 $2,939 $231.8
1990 $2,903 $200.7
1989 $2,428 $170.4
1988 $2,141 $147.1
1987 $1,639 $274.7
1986 $1,200 $462
1985 $994 $633
1984 $1,145 $483
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/facts/botswana/laos | CC BY

Botswana vs. Laos life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Botswana

Laos
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Botswana Laos
2026 69.6 69.7
2025 69.4 69.5
2024 69.3 69.2
2023 69.2 69
2022 68.7 68.7
2021 63.3 67.8
2020 67.6 68.3
2019 67.2 67.9
2018 66.4 67.6
2017 65.4 67.3
2016 64.3 67
2015 63.2 66.7
2014 62.2 66.3
2013 61.2 65.7
2012 60.4 65.1
2011 59.7 64.5
2010 59.1 63.7
2009 58.3 63
2008 57.7 62.2
2007 56.7 61.7
2006 55.1 61.1
2005 54.4 60.7
2004 53.6 60.1
2003 52.9 59.6
2002 52.4 59.3
2001 52.2 58.9
2000 52.3 58.3
1999 52.5 57.9
1998 53 57.5
1997 53.6 57.3
1996 54.3 56.8
1995 54.7 56.3
1994 56 55.8
1993 57.3 55.6
1992 58.2 55.1
1991 58.9 54.7
1990 60.1 54
1989 61.2 53.6
1988 61.7 53.1
1987 62.8 52.6
1986 63.4 52.1
1985 63.6 51.6
1984 63.7 51
1983 63.6 50.5
1982 63.4 49.9
1981 63 49.2
1980 62.5 48.6
1979 62 47.5
1978 61.5 46.8
1977 60.9 46.4
1976 60.2 46
1975 59.5 46.1
1974 58.9 45.9
1973 58.3 44.7
1972 57.7 44.4
1971 57.1 44.1
1970 56.4 43.8
1969 55.9 43.5
1968 55.4 43.2
1967 54.9 42.9
1966 54.4 42.3
1965 53.9 42.2
1964 53.4 41.9
1963 52.8 41.5
1962 52.3 42.3
1961 51.8 41.3
1960 51.2 41
1959 50.7 40.7
1958 50.1 41.2
1957 49.5 40.9
1956 49 40.6
1955 48.5 40.3
1954 48 40
1953 47.5 39.7
1952 47 39.4
1951 46.6 39.2
1950 46.2 38.9

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

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

Botswana and Laos population clocks and comparison

Population
Botswana

Laos
1x
Year Population
Botswana Laos
2024 2,521,139 7,769,819
2023 2,480,244 7,664,993
2022 2,439,892 7,559,007
2021 2,401,441 7,453,194
2020 2,365,894 7,346,533
2019 2,332,083 7,237,636
2018 2,299,141 7,128,045
2017 2,266,747 7,018,147
2016 2,234,776 6,908,802
2015 2,203,273 6,801,645
2014 2,172,044 6,703,172
2013 2,140,682 6,611,385
2012 2,108,617 6,518,978
2011 2,073,535 6,426,590
2010 2,033,111 6,334,194
2009 1,990,673 6,241,642
2008 1,949,970 6,148,969
2007 1,911,201 6,056,236
2006 1,874,516 5,963,200
2005 1,839,877 5,869,523
2004 1,807,146 5,781,626
2003 1,775,736 5,697,945
2002 1,744,763 5,610,889
2001 1,712,254 5,521,482
2000 1,677,382 5,431,212
1999 1,641,997 5,340,784
1998 1,606,899 5,248,266
1997 1,571,691 5,152,011
1996 1,535,914 5,045,678
1995 1,498,836 4,929,409
1994 1,460,023 4,809,220
1993 1,420,115 4,685,060
1992 1,380,033 4,559,646
1991 1,341,756 4,435,118
1990 1,305,696 4,311,955
1989 1,270,274 4,190,974
1988 1,235,476 4,072,601
1987 1,199,167 3,957,612
1986 1,160,650 3,846,715
1985 1,121,945 3,739,985
1984 1,083,660 3,637,843
1983 1,046,137 3,541,001
1982 1,009,269 3,450,026
1981 969,996 3,366,631
1980 937,485 3,292,573
1979 901,742 3,228,202
1978 849,239 3,171,740
1977 799,574 3,118,923
1976 758,508 3,064,876
1975 720,380 3,005,521
1974 685,448 2,939,761
1973 652,408 2,870,573
1972 622,407 2,801,660
1971 600,481 2,734,628
1970 590,334 2,669,702
1969 587,066 2,606,959
1968 583,966 2,546,377
1967 580,933 2,487,715
1966 577,866 2,431,084
1965 574,664 2,376,200
1964 566,266 2,322,826
1963 552,966 2,271,061
1962 540,186 2,219,910
1961 527,942 2,169,796
1960 516,165 2,121,514

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

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

Fertility rates in Botswana and Laos

Fertility rate
Botswana

Laos
1x
Year Fertility rate
Botswana Laos
2023 2.73 2.42
2022 2.79 2.46
2021 2.83 2.49
2020 2.86 2.54
2019 2.91 2.59
2018 2.94 2.63
2017 2.97 2.69
2016 2.99 2.74
2015 3.01 2.8
2014 3.03 2.8
2013 3.05 2.87
2012 3.07 2.95
2011 3.1 3.05
2010 3.14 3.14
2009 3.13 3.23
2008 3.13 3.33
2007 3.13 3.44
2006 3.11 3.56
2005 3.08 3.69
2004 3.06 3.9
2003 3.11 4.02
2002 3.18 4.13
2001 3.25 4.29
2000 3.29 4.43
1999 3.31 4.64
1998 3.36 4.79
1997 3.43 4.96
1996 3.57 5.15
1995 3.79 5.36
1994 4.02 5.6
1993 4.15 5.8
1992 4.26 5.9
1991 4.37 5.99
1990 4.51 6.06
1989 4.67 6.1
1988 4.88 6.16
1987 5.1 6.21
1986 5.33 6.26
1985 5.48 6.33
1984 5.63 6.37
1983 5.79 6.38
1982 5.97 6.37
1981 6.16 6.35
1980 6.29 6.33
1979 6.4 6.31
1978 6.48 6.3
1977 6.54 6.29
1976 6.6 6.29
1975 6.61 6.29
1974 6.61 6.29
1973 6.59 6.28
1972 6.56 6.28
1971 6.54 6.3
1970 6.55 6.31
1969 6.56 6.3
1968 6.58 6.3
1967 6.6 6.31
1966 6.61 6.31
1965 6.6 6.32
1964 6.61 6.31
1963 6.58 6.32
1962 6.54 6.31
1961 6.56 6.31
1960 6.6 6.29

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

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

Botswana and Laos demographics compared

Median age
Botswana

Laos
1x
Year Median age, years
Botswana Laos
2024 24.2 25.6
2023 23.9 25.3
2022 23.6 25
2021 23.4 24.7
2020 23.3 24.4
2019 23.1 24.1
2018 22.9 23.8
2017 22.8 23.6
2016 22.7 23.3
2015 22.7 23
2014 22.7 22.7
2013 22.7 22.3
2012 22.8 21.9
2011 22.7 21.4
2010 22.5 21
2009 22.2 20.5
2008 22 20
2007 21.7 19.6
2006 21.5 19.2
2005 21.2 18.9
2004 20.9 18.7
2003 20.6 18.5
2002 20.3 18.4
2001 20 18.2
2000 19.7 18.1
1999 19.4 18
1998 19.1 18
1997 18.8 18
1996 18.6 17.9
1995 18.3 17.9
1994 18 17.9
1993 17.8 17.9
1992 17.6 17.9
1991 17.4 17.9
1990 17.3 17.9
1989 17.1 17.9
1988 17 17.9
1987 16.9 17.8
1986 16.9 17.8
1985 16.8 17.8
1984 16.8 17.8
1983 16.8 17.8
1982 16.8 17.8
1981 16.8 17.9
1980 16.8 17.9
1979 16.9 18
1978 16.6 18.1
1977 16.4 18.3
1976 16.2 18.4
1975 16 18.5
1974 15.8 18.6
1973 15.6 18.7
1972 15.4 18.7
1971 15.3 18.7
1970 15.4 18.7
1969 15.6 18.8
1968 15.7 18.8
1967 15.9 18.9
1966 16.2 18.9
1965 16.4 18.9
1964 16.6 19
1963 16.8 19
1962 17.1 19.1
1961 17.4 19.2
1960 17.7 19.2

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Botswana Laos
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$15.5B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
15.7%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
8.06%
2020
1.23%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.83%
2024
0.19%
2013
Armed forces personnel
9,000
2020
129,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-7.82%
2024
+2.34%
2024
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
1.21%
2022
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
43.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
29%
2024
Economic freedom index
67.7
2026
50.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
31.2%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
3%
2018
Listed domestic companies
23
2023
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$1.77B
2023
Personal remittances received
$128M
2024
$247M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,830,000
2018
886,400
2020
International tourism as share of exports
4.56%
2020
3.51%
2020
Banked people share
61.4%
2024
37.7%
2024

Energy

Botswana Laos
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,165 kg
2022
815 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$17.1
2022
$10.8
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
6.9 megatons
2024
26.1 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
2.74 tons
2024
3.35 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
66.7%
2022
0%
2022
Renewable energy use share
27.4%
2021
49.2%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.08%
2022
54.2%
2022
Net energy imports use share
23.7%
2022
-49%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
1,522 kWh
2022
1,264 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
0.25%
2021
63.3%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2021
75.9%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
76%
2023
96.5%
2023

Society

Botswana Laos
% of world population
0.03%
2024
0.1%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,665
2025
-10,645
2025
Urban population
67.5%
2024
39.6%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.8:50.2
2024
50.2:49.8
2024
Average male height
5.68 ft
2025
5.34 ft
2025
Average female height
5.32 ft
2025
5.02 ft
2025
Quality of life index
50.1
2026
29.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
58
2025
34
2025
Higher education index
52
2026
19
2026
Homicides per 100K people
10.5
2021
7.01
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
26.4
2019
17.9
2019
Visa free countries
83
2025
61
2025
Adult literacy rate
86.8%
2013
75.6%
2023
English speaking
38.4%
2023
6%
2025
People using the Internet
81.4%
2023
63.6%
2023

Health

Botswana Laos
Government health expenditure per capita
$490
2023
$27.4
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$20.9
2023
$12.3
2023
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
69.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
6.53%
2023
15.4%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.38
2023
0.33
2022
Age at first childbirth
19 years
2017
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
155
2023
112
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
39.6
2023
39
2023
Obesity rate
18.6%
2022
8.32%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
4.6%
2024
6.7%
2024
Air quality index
39
2026
20
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
18.7%
2022
27.2%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
7.27 liters
2020
10.8 liters
2020

Territory

Botswana Laos
% of world land
0.38%
2026
0.15%
2026
Land area per capita
86,792 sq mi
2024
11,469 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
99,854 sq mi
2026
8,831 sq mi
2026
Forest area
57,528 sq mi
2026
63,676 sq mi
2026
Roads length
19,727 mi
2017
24,598 mi
2009

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) (2000–2019, 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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