Botswana GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Botswana has a resource-based Southern African economy supported by diamonds, services, tourism, and public spending. This page explores its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+4.8%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#36
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+5.7 pp
2025: -0.9%
Africa Rank
#22
Out of 54 countries
1. Botswana GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Botswana’s economic growth is strongly influenced by diamond production, global luxury demand, household consumption, and government expenditure. Diversification remains especially important.
2. Botswana GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
The country’s growth history has been shaped by diamond development, prudent fiscal management, and investment in public services. Mining has remained the main economic driver.
3. Botswana GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +4.8% | +5.7 pp |
| 2025 | -0.9% | +2.1 pp |
| 2024 | -3.0% | -6.2 pp |
| 2023 | +3.2% | -2.3 pp |
| 2022 | +5.5% | -6.4 pp |
| 2021 | +11.9% | +20.6 pp |
| 2020 | -8.7% | -11.7 pp |
| 2019 | +3.0% | -1.2 pp |
| 2018 | +4.2% | +0.1 pp |
| 2017 | +4.1% | -3.1 pp |
| 2016 | +7.2% | +12.1 pp |
| 2015 | -4.9% | -10.6 pp |
| 2014 | +5.7% | -5.4 pp |
| 2013 | +11.1% | +11.3 pp |
| 2012 | -0.2% | -7.0 pp |
| 2011 | +6.8% | -3.3 pp |
| 2010 | +10.1% | +24.2 pp |
| 2009 | -14.1% | -17.4 pp |
| 2008 | +3.3% | -2.5 pp |
| 2007 | +5.8% | -0.2 pp |
| 2006 | +6.0% | +1.0 pp |
| 2005 | +5.0% | +3.6 pp |
| 2004 | +1.4% | -4.0 pp |
| 2003 | +5.4% | -2.0 pp |
| 2002 | +7.4% | +5.1 pp |
| 2001 | +2.3% | -2.0 pp |
| 2000 | +4.3% | -3.7 pp |
| 1999 | +8.0% | +9.6 pp |
| 1998 | -1.6% | -8.7 pp |
| 1997 | +7.1% | +4.6 pp |
| 1996 | +2.5% | -6.0 pp |
| 1995 | +8.5% | +9.3 pp |
| 1994 | -0.8% | -4.8 pp |
| 1993 | +4.0% | +4.2 pp |
| 1992 | -0.2% | -6.4 pp |
| 1991 | +6.2% | -2.6 pp |
| 1990 | +8.8% | +4.1 pp |
| 1989 | +4.7% | -18.7 pp |
| 1988 | +23.4% | +8.5 pp |
| 1987 | +14.9% | +6.3 pp |
| 1986 | +8.6% | +0.9 pp |
| 1985 | +7.7% | +1.2 pp |
| 1984 | +6.5% | -4.3 pp |
| 1983 | +10.8% | -5.1 pp |
| 1982 | +15.9% | +7.7 pp |
| 1981 | +8.2% | -3.8 pp |
| 1980 | +12.0% | — |
4. Botswana GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+4.8%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+1.9%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+2.4%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+2.7%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from strong institutions and substantial mineral wealth, but heavy reliance on diamonds exposes growth to global demand cycles.
5. Botswana GDP Growth Rate vs Africa and World
Botswana
+4.8%
Africa Average
+4.1%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
2.4%
4.8%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Botswana’s GDP growth rate is approximately
0.6 pp
above the
Africa average
and
1.9 pp
above the world average.
6. Botswana GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #18 | Guinea-Bissau | +4.9% |
| #19 | Morocco | +4.9% |
| #20 | Burkina Faso | +4.9% |
| #21 | Cabo Verde | +4.8% |
| #22 | Botswana | +4.8% |
| #23 | Ghana | +4.8% |
| #24 | Sierra Leone | +4.6% |
| #25 | Kenya | +4.5% |
| #26 | Mauritania | +4.4% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Botswana
Botswana GDP (Nominal)
$21.9 Billion
(2026)
Botswana GDP Growth Rate
+4.8%
(2026)
Botswana can outperform regional peers when diamond markets are strong, but its concentration in mining can also cause sharp slowdowns.
Explore more:
Botswana GDP
9. Botswana GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on diamond demand, diversification, tourism, investment, and fiscal policy. Commodity dependence remains the main long-term risk.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +2.2% | -2.6 pp |
| 2028 | +3.0% | +0.8 pp |
| 2029 | +3.9% | +0.9 pp |
| 2030 | +3.9% | 0.0 pp |
10. Botswana GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Botswana GDP growth rate is estimated at +4.8% in 2026.
It ranks #36 globally and #22 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate accelerated by 5.7 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +1.9%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +2.4%.
The current rate is 0.6 percentage points above the Africa average.
The current rate is 1.9 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +3.9% in 2030, 0.9 percentage points below the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. Botswana GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Botswana GDP growth rate is estimated at +4.8% in 2026.
Botswana ranks #36 globally and #22 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +4.8% in 2026.
Botswana GDP growth rate was -4.9% in 2015.
Botswana GDP growth rate is 0.6 percentage points above the Africa average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.