Botswana Reserves in Months of Imports
Total reserves in months of imports FI.RES.TOTL.MO
Botswana's reserves in months of imports was 4.7 in 2025, ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 1.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1976–2025.
Overview
Botswana's reserves in months of imports stood at 4.7 in 2025, a decline of +0.1 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.7 by 2025. Botswana ranked 62nd globally.
Botswana’s international reserves in months of imports have risen sharply from the all‑time trough of 2.80 in 1976 to a historic peak of 26.73 in 2001, reflecting the country’s successful diversification of exports and prudent fiscal management during the diamond boom. By 2025 the reserve coverage has settled at 4.70 months, placing Botswana 62nd globally and closely aligned with peers such as Liberia (4.74) and Romania (4.69). The post‑peak decline from the early‑2000s suggests a rebalancing as the economy adjusted to slower commodity price growth and increased import demand, yet the current level remains comfortably above the 1976 low and provides a modest buffer against external shocks. Continued investment in non‑mineral sectors and the maintenance of sound monetary policy could stabilize or modestly improve the reserve ratio, while any abrupt deterioration in export earnings or external debt pressures would likely reverse the recent trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Reserves in Months of Imports | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 3.7 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 4.2 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 4.7 | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.7 | −0.1 | #62 |
| 2024 | 4.8 | −2.4 | #54 |
| 2023 | 7.2 | +2.2 | #29 |
| 2022 | 5.0 | −1.0 | #57 |
| 2021 | 6.0 | −1.7 | #59 |
| 2020 | 7.7 | −0.6 | #52 |
| 2019 | 8.4 | −0.3 | #22 |
| 2018 | 8.7 | −2.7 | #19 |
| 2017 | 11.4 | +1.1 | #15 |
| 2016 | 10.2 | −0.1 | #18 |
| 2015 | 10.3 | +0.0 | #18 |
| 2014 | 10.3 | +1.1 | #16 |
| 2013 | 9.2 | −0.7 | #17 |
| 2012 | 9.8 | −1.1 | #14 |
| 2011 | 10.9 | −1.5 | #12 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Botswana matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw reserves in months of imports improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Botswana's reserves in months of imports was 4.7 in 2025. Ranked 62nd globally. This represents a 1.3% decrease from the previous year.
Botswana's reserves in months of imports peaked at 26.7 in 2001.
The lowest reserves in months of imports in Botswana was 2.8 in 1976.
Botswana ranks 62nd globally in reserves in months of imports as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is FI.RES.TOTL.MO. Data sourced from World Bank.
Botswana's reserves in months of imports is projected to reach 4.7 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The reserves in months of imports of Botswana in 2025 was 4.7. This ranks 62nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_botswana_reserves-months-imports,
title = {Botswana Reserves in Months of Imports},
url = {https://historysaid.com/botswana/reserves-months-imports/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}