Botswana Trade Openness
Trade as % of GDP NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS
Botswana's trade openness was 68.47% in 2025, ranked 118th globally. This represents a 3.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Botswana's trade openness stood at 68.47% in 2025, a decline of +2.64% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 68.47% by 2025. Botswana ranked 118th globally.
Botswana’s trade openness, measured as the sum of exports and imports relative to GDP, has risen modestly from an early‑record 65.92 in 1960 to 68.47 in 2025, placing the country 118th globally. The indicator peaked dramatically at 125.78 in 2013, reflecting a brief surge in cross‑border activity that coincided with heightened diamond exports and regional integration efforts. Since that apex, openness has retreated to levels only slightly above the 1960 trough, suggesting that the post‑peak slowdown in commodity prices and tighter fiscal constraints have dampened trade flows. Compared with peers of similar rank, Botswana’s 2025 figure is marginally below Ghana’s 69.15 and South Africa’s 69.23, yet it exceeds Canada’s 68.21 and the United Kingdom’s 67.09, underscoring a middle‑of‑the‑road position among both emerging and advanced economies. Continued diversification away from mineral dependence and deeper participation in continental supply chains could lift the trajectory and restore a more pronounced upward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Trade Openness | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 61.85% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 65.16% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 68.47% | - | - |
| 2025 | 68.47% | −2.64% | #118 |
| 2024 | 71.11% | +2.30% | #67 |
| 2023 | 68.80% | −16.81% | #64 |
| 2022 | 85.61% | −3.15% | #85 |
| 2021 | 88.76% | +11.10% | #116 |
| 2020 | 77.66% | −5.43% | #104 |
| 2019 | 83.09% | −4.36% | #97 |
| 2018 | 87.46% | +5.53% | #104 |
| 2017 | 81.92% | −18.54% | #98 |
| 2016 | 100.46% | −12.44% | #127 |
| 2015 | 112.90% | −6.60% | #142 |
| 2014 | 119.50% | −6.29% | #143 |
| 2013 | 125.78% | +13.91% | #145 |
| 2012 | 111.88% | +12.91% | #131 |
| 2011 | 98.96% | +4.32% | #111 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Botswana matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw trade openness improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Botswana's trade openness was 68.47% in 2025. Ranked 118th globally. This represents a 3.7% decrease from the previous year.
Botswana's trade openness peaked at 125.78% in 2013.
The lowest trade openness in Botswana was 65.92% in 1960.
Botswana ranks 118th globally in trade openness as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Botswana's trade openness is projected to reach 68.47% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The trade openness of Botswana in 2025 was 68.47%. This ranks 118th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_botswana_trade-openness,
title = {Botswana Trade Openness},
url = {https://historysaid.com/botswana/trade-openness/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}