Total reserves in months of imports (reserves International Financial) in Botswana
Botswana: Total reserves in months of imports (reserves International Financial) was 4.76 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in months of imports in Botswana, 1976–2024
Source: International Financial Statistics database, International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Analysis
The most recent figure for total reserves in months of imports in Botswana is 4.76, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 33.7% on the previous year and down 53.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in months of imports in Botswana peaked at 26.73 in 2001 and was at its lowest, 2.8, in 1976.
Botswana ranks 76th of 179 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total reserves in months of imports (reserves International Financial) in Botswana, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 2.8 | — |
| 1977 | 3.13 | +12.0% |
| 1978 | 3.79 | +21.0% |
| 1979 | 4.7 | +24.1% |
| 1980 | 4.2 | -10.6% |
| 1981 | 2.99 | -28.8% |
| 1982 | 4.11 | +37.2% |
| 1983 | 4.73 | +15.1% |
| 1984 | 5.65 | +19.4% |
| 1985 | 10.83 | +91.7% |
| 1986 | 13.81 | +27.6% |
| 1987 | 16.98 | +22.9% |
| 1988 | 15.01 | -11.6% |
| 1989 | 17.66 | +17.6% |
| 1990 | 15.93 | -9.8% |
| 1991 | 18.54 | +16.4% |
| 1992 | 19.4 | +4.6% |
| 1993 | 24.08 | +24.1% |
| 1994 | 24.78 | +2.9% |
| 1995 | 21.96 | -11.4% |
| 1996 | 23.51 | +7.0% |
| 1997 | 21.74 | -7.5% |
| 1998 | 23.69 | +9.0% |
| 1999 | 24.21 | +2.2% |
| 2000 | 24.86 | +2.7% |
| 2001 | 26.73 | +7.5% |
| 2002 | 21.46 | -19.7% |
| 2003 | 16.82 | -21.6% |
| 2004 | 13.99 | -16.8% |
| 2005 | 15.89 | +13.6% |
| 2006 | 20.55 | +29.3% |
| 2007 | 19.6 | -4.6% |
| 2008 | 15.73 | -19.8% |
| 2009 | 17.48 | +11.2% |
| 2010 | 12.4 | -29.1% |
| 2011 | 10.95 | -11.7% |
| 2012 | 9.85 | -10.1% |
| 2013 | 9.19 | -6.7% |
| 2014 | 10.27 | +11.8% |
| 2015 | 10.3 | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 10.23 | -0.6% |
| 2017 | 11.36 | +11.0% |
| 2018 | 8.69 | -23.5% |
| 2019 | 8.35 | -3.9% |
| 2020 | 7.74 | -7.3% |
| 2021 | 6 | -22.5% |
| 2022 | 4.99 | -17.0% |
| 2023 | 7.18 | +44.0% |
| 2024 | 4.76 | -33.7% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 4.76 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 4.95, 96% of the median. (55 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 4.76 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 3.46, 1.4× the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 3.6 | 2.8 | 4.7 | 4 |
| 1980s | 9.6 | 2.99 | 17.66 | 10 |
| 1990s | 21.79 | 15.93 | 24.78 | 10 |
| 2000s | 19.31 | 13.99 | 26.73 | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.16 | 8.35 | 12.4 | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.13 | 4.76 | 7.74 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
- 73 Azerbaijan 4.95 compare
- 74 Papua New Guinea 4.9 compare
- 75 Gambia 4.79 compare
- 77 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4.75 compare
- 78 Turkey 4.73 compare
- 79 Costa Rica 4.65 compare
More financial sector data for Botswana
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 4.92 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0034 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 26.64 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate -0.0848 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0025 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 19.45 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 4.92 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0034 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 26.64 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate -0.0848 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in months of imports in Botswana?
- Total reserves in months of imports in Botswana was 4.76 in 2024, according to International Financial Statistics database, International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- What is the highest total reserves in months of imports recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 26.73 in 2001.
- What is the lowest total reserves in months of imports recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.8 in 1976.
- How does Botswana rank for total reserves in months of imports?
- Botswana ranks 76th out of 179 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves in months of imports rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 53.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from International Financial Statistics database, International Monetary Fund (IMF), published as part of Total reserves in months of imports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Reserve assets are external assets, including monetary gold, that are readily available to and controlled by monetary authorities for meeting balance of payments financing needs, for intervention in exchange markets to affect the currency exchange rate, and for other related purposes (such as maintaining confidence in the currency and the economy, and serving as a basis for foreign borrowing). Reserve assets must be denominated and settled in foreign currency. This item is expressed in terms of the number of months of imports of goods and services they could pay for [X/(Imports/12)].