Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Botswana
Botswana: Total reserves (% of total external debt) was 149.1% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in Botswana, 1976–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
In 2024, total reserves in Botswana stood at 149.1%.
That represents a change of down 31.5% on the previous year and down 55.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in Botswana peaked at 2,302.4% in 2007 and was at its lowest, 43.5%, in 1976.
That places Botswana 9th out of 112 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Botswana, year by year
| Year | % of total external debt | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 43.5% | — |
| 1977 | 52.1% | +19.9% |
| 1978 | 117.0% | +124.6% |
| 1979 | 200.8% | +71.6% |
| 1980 | 246.3% | +22.6% |
| 1981 | 148.4% | -39.8% |
| 1982 | 134.8% | -9.2% |
| 1983 | 164.9% | +22.4% |
| 1984 | 170.0% | +3.1% |
| 1985 | 219.4% | +29.0% |
| 1986 | 285.4% | +30.1% |
| 1987 | 370.4% | +29.8% |
| 1988 | 416.3% | +12.4% |
| 1989 | 507.6% | +21.9% |
| 1990 | 602.5% | +18.7% |
| 1991 | 607.1% | +0.8% |
| 1992 | 625.6% | +3.1% |
| 1993 | 617.1% | -1.4% |
| 1994 | 628.4% | +1.8% |
| 1995 | 654.7% | +4.2% |
| 1996 | 802.5% | +22.6% |
| 1997 | 987.4% | +23.0% |
| 1998 | 1,116.3% | +13.1% |
| 1999 | 1,220.9% | +9.4% |
| 2000 | 1,396.5% | +14.4% |
| 2001 | 1,473.0% | +5.5% |
| 2002 | 1,114.1% | -24.4% |
| 2003 | 1,038.6% | -6.8% |
| 2004 | 1,097.6% | +5.7% |
| 2005 | 1,369.9% | +24.8% |
| 2006 | 2,191.3% | +60.0% |
| 2007 | 2,302.4% | +5.1% |
| 2008 | 2,033.1% | -11.7% |
| 2009 | 529.7% | -73.9% |
| 2010 | 436.4% | -17.6% |
| 2011 | 337.4% | -22.7% |
| 2012 | 303.0% | -10.2% |
| 2013 | 324.9% | +7.2% |
| 2014 | 334.2% | +2.9% |
| 2015 | 339.5% | +1.6% |
| 2016 | 338.9% | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 432.4% | +27.6% |
| 2018 | 375.3% | -13.2% |
| 2019 | 394.5% | +5.1% |
| 2020 | 308.2% | -21.9% |
| 2021 | 240.4% | -22.0% |
| 2022 | 213.7% | -11.1% |
| 2023 | 217.7% | +1.9% |
| 2024 | 149.1% | -31.5% |
Botswana compared with similar countries
- Botswana's 149.1% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 38.0%, 3.9× the median. (51 countries reporting)
- Botswana's 149.1% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 23.9%, 6.2× the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 103.4% | 43.5% | 200.8% | 4 |
| 1980s | 266.3% | 134.8% | 507.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 786.3% | 602.5% | 1,220.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,454.6% | 529.7% | 2,302.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 361.6% | 303.0% | 436.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 225.8% | 149.1% | 308.2% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Botswana
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 Botswana?
- Total reserves in Botswana was 149.1% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in Botswana?
- The highest recorded value was 2,302.4% in 2007.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in Botswana?
- The lowest recorded value was 43.5% in 1976.
- How does Botswana rank for total reserves?
- Botswana ranks 9th out of 112 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in Botswana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 55.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Botswana data come from?
- The figures come from International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of Total reserves (% of total external debt). 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 indicator is expressed as a percentage of total external debt which are all liabilities that require payment(s) of interest and/or principal by the debtor at some point(s) in the future and that are owed to non-residents by residents of an economy.