Botswana External Debt
Total external debt stocks DT.DOD.DECT.CD
Botswana's external debt was $2.5B in 2025, ranked 96th globally. This represents a 8.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Botswana's external debt stood at $2.5B in 2025, a rise of +$188.3M from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $2.5B by 2025. Botswana ranked 96th globally.
Botswana’s external debt has risen dramatically from a modest 17,358,400.00 in 1970, the all‑time trough, to 2,506,247,006.17 in 2025, placing the country 96th globally and just below peers such as Liberia (2,456,250,799.18) and Turkmenistan (2,737,263,801.88). The debt trajectory peaked in 2012 at 2,517,445,031.30, a level only marginally higher than the 2025 figure, indicating that the country has largely maintained its post‑peak debt stock over the past decade. Over the 56‑year coverage period, the increase represents a compound expansion of roughly 14,400 % and reflects Botswana’s growing reliance on external financing to support infrastructure, mining expansion and social programs. While the debt level remains high relative to its modest population, the slight decline from the 2012 peak suggests a stabilising pattern; future fiscal consolidation, diversified export earnings or improved terms of borrowing could further moderate the upward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $2.8B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $2.7B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $2.5B | - | - |
| 2025 | $2.5B | +$188.3M | #96 |
| 2024 | $2.3B | +$133.5M | #23 |
| 2023 | $2.2B | +$181.8M | #21 |
| 2022 | $2.0B | +$5.3M | #21 |
| 2021 | $2.0B | +$394.5M | #22 |
| 2020 | $1.6B | +$38.8M | #21 |
| 2019 | $1.6B | −$209.8M | #21 |
| 2018 | $1.8B | +$41.8M | #24 |
| 2017 | $1.7B | −$389.1M | #25 |
| 2016 | $2.1B | −$101.8M | #29 |
| 2015 | $2.2B | −$267.4M | #32 |
| 2014 | $2.5B | +$112.4M | #34 |
| 2013 | $2.4B | −$139.4M | #35 |
| 2012 | $2.5B | +$122.3M | #36 |
| 2011 | $2.4B | +$588.3M | #35 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Botswana matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw external debt improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Botswana's external debt was $2.5B in 2025. Ranked 96th globally. This represents a 8.1% increase from the previous year.
Botswana's external debt peaked at $2.5B in 2012.
The lowest external debt in Botswana was $17.4M in 1970.
Botswana ranks 96th globally in external debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Botswana's external debt is projected to reach $2.5B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
Botswana's external debt was approximately 2.51 billion ($2.5B) in 2025.
The external debt of Botswana in 2025 was $2.5B. This ranks 96th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_botswana_external-debt,
title = {Botswana External Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/botswana/external-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}