Botswana Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
Botswana's budget deficit was -10.15% in 2025, ranked 176th globally. This represents a 30.4% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 1999–2025.
Overview
Botswana's budget deficit stood at -10.15% in 2025, a decline of +2.37% from 2024. The IMF projects -10.15% by 2025. Botswana ranked 176th globally.
Botswana's budget deficit has exhibited significant fluctuations over the past 27 years, with the latest figure standing at a deficit of 10.15% of GDP, ranking 176 globally according to the IMF World Economic Outlook. At its peak in 2006, the country's budget deficit reached a high of 13.31%, a level that was surpassed only by a few of its peers, including Malawi, which had a deficit of 10.64% in 2025. The country's budget deficit was not always in the red, however, as evidenced by the trough year of 2009, when the deficit plummeted to a surplus of 13.78%. The significant decline in the deficit over the years is largely attributed to the country's rich diamond reserves, which have provided a steady source of revenue. However, with a growing economy and increasing development needs, Botswana's budget deficit is expected to remain a concern, and a decline in diamond revenue could exacerbate the issue, potentially altering the trajectory of the deficit in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -6.61% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -6.31% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -6.81% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -7.31% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -8.80% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -10.15% | - | - |
| 2025 | -10.15% | −2.37% | #176 |
| 2024 | -7.78% | −3.53% | #19 |
| 2023 | -4.25% | −4.25% | #62 |
| 2022 | -0.01% | +2.33% | #143 |
| 2021 | -2.33% | +8.54% | #132 |
| 2020 | -10.87% | −2.34% | #26 |
| 2019 | -8.53% | −3.50% | #9 |
| 2018 | -5.03% | −3.89% | #31 |
| 2017 | -1.14% | −1.86% | #122 |
| 2016 | 0.71% | +5.54% | #165 |
| 2015 | -4.82% | −8.72% | #52 |
| 2014 | 3.90% | −1.94% | #181 |
| 2013 | 5.84% | +4.95% | #180 |
| 2012 | 0.89% | +1.00% | #155 |
| 2011 | -0.12% | +7.84% | #143 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Botswana matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Botswana's budget deficit was -10.15% in 2025. Ranked 176th globally. This represents a 30.4% decrease from the previous year.
Botswana's budget deficit peaked at 13.31% in 2006.
The lowest budget deficit in Botswana was -13.78% in 2009.
Botswana ranks 176th globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Botswana's budget deficit is projected to reach -10.15% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of Botswana in 2025 was -10.15%. This ranks 176th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_botswana_budget-deficit,
title = {Botswana Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/botswana/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}