Botswana: economy and key statistics
Botswana is number 133 in the 311 Nations Index, with a GDP of $19.9 billion in 2025. GDP per person is $7,778. The economy shrank by 0.7% in 2025. Unemployment is 24.5%. The economy is 65% services, 28% industry, 2% agriculture.
Part of the 311 Nations Index (311institute.com). Last updated .
National power
Botswana is number 116 in the 311 National Power Index, scoring 28.9 out of 100: economic 46, technology 10, military 22 and human capital 44.
Economy at a glance
| Indicator | Latest figure | Year |
|---|---|---|
| GDP | $19.9 billion | 2025 |
| GDP (purchasing power) | $53.0 billion | 2025 |
| GDP per person | $7,778 | 2025 |
| Economic growth | -0.7% | 2025 |
| Inflation | 2.7% | 2025 |
| Unemployment | 24.5% | 2025 |
| Population | 2.6 million | 2025 |
| Labour force | 1.2 million | 2025 |
| Services share of GDP | 65% | 2025 |
| Industry share of GDP | 28% | 2025 |
| Manufacturing share of GDP | 6% | 2025 |
| Agriculture share of GDP | 2% | 2025 |
| Exports share of GDP | 32% | 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment | 2.4% of GDP | 2024 |
| High-tech share of manufactured exports | 1% | 2023 |
| Internet users | 57% of people | 2024 |
Main export industries
Botswana exported goods worth about $5.5bn in 2023. Its biggest export industries:
- Natural, cultured pearls: $4.4bn (79.2% of goods exports)
- Ores, slag and ash: $0.5bn (9.2% of goods exports)
- Electrical machinery and equipment: $0.2bn (3.3% of goods exports)
- Inorganic chemicals: $0.1bn (1.0% of goods exports)
- Animals: $0.0bn (0.8% of goods exports)
Source: UN Comtrade, goods only (services exports are not included).
Other economies in Africa
- South Africa (#40)
- Nigeria (#50)
- Kenya (#62)
- Ethiopia (#67)
- Angola (#69)
- Ghana (#70)
- Côte d'Ivoire (#77)
- DR Congo (#81)
- Tanzania (#83)
- Uganda (#89)
- Sudan (#91)
- Cameroon (#92)
- Zimbabwe (#96)
- Senegal (#108)
- Mali (#114)
Questions and answers
How big is the economy of Botswana?
Botswana had a GDP of $19.9 billion in 2025, ranking number 133 in the 311 Nations Index.
What is GDP per person in Botswana?
GDP per person in Botswana was $7,778 in 2025.
How fast is the economy of Botswana growing?
The economy of Botswana shrank by 0.7% in 2025.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
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