The economy of Botswana grew by 3.5% year-on-year in Q1 2026, rebounding from a 5.4% contraction in the previous period. The turnaround was largely driven by a surge in utilities and diamond traders industries, up 87.4% and 60.5%, respectively. Growth was also supported by the education sector, which rose 4.7%, while mining & quarrying, manufacturing, and wholesale & retail trade each expanded by 3.4%. Conversely, output declined in agriculture, forestry & fishing (-3.4%) and construction (.1,3%). On a quarterly basis, the GDP jumped by 9.2% in Q1, after a 11.4% decline in the prior quarter. source: Central Statistics Office, Botswana

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Botswana expanded 3.50 percent in the first quarter of 2026 over the same quarter of the previous year. GDP Annual Growth Rate in Botswana averaged 3.62 percent from 1995 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 37.80 percent in the second quarter of 2021 and a record low of -30.80 percent in the first quarter of 2009. This page provides the latest reported value for - Botswana GDP Annual Growth Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Botswana GDP Annual Growth Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on July of 2026.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Botswana expanded 3.50 percent in the first quarter of 2026 over the same quarter of the previous year. GDP Annual Growth Rate in Botswana is expected to be 4.50 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Botswana GDP Annual Growth Rate is projected to trend around 2.40 percent in 2027 and 3.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-31 07:00 AM
GDP Growth Rate YoY
Q4 -5.4% 8.2% 4.0%
2026-06-30 03:15 PM
GDP Growth Rate YoY
Q1 3.5% -5.4% -1.3%
2026-09-25 04:00 PM
GDP Growth Rate YoY
Q2 3.5% 4.5%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Full Year GDP Growth -0.70 -2.80 percent Dec 2025
GDP 19.93 19.29 USD Billion Dec 2025
GDP Growth Rate YoY 3.50 -5.40 percent Mar 2026
GDP Constant Prices 51259.50 46947.30 BWP Million Mar 2026
GDP from Agriculture 783.90 827.40 BWP Million Mar 2026
GDP from Construction 4526.30 4495.30 BWP Million Mar 2026
GDP from Manufacturing 2712.70 2726.40 BWP Million Mar 2026
GDP from Mining 8713.30 4252.20 BWP Million Mar 2026
GDP from Public Administration 9414.20 9406.90 BWP Million Mar 2026
GDP from Transport 885.90 927.50 BWP Million Mar 2026
GDP from Utilities 821.10 706.10 BWP Million Mar 2026
GDP Growth Rate 9.20 -11.40 percent Mar 2026
GDP per Capita 6790.93 6952.35 USD Dec 2025
GDP per Capita PPP 18068.51 18932.48 USD Dec 2024
Gross Fixed Capital Formation 10368.10 11246.10 BWP Million Mar 2026


Botswana GDP Annual Growth Rate
Botswana is considered as a middle-income country having been one of the fastest growing economies in Africa during the last decade. Diamond extraction is the main factor behind high growth rates as it accounts for more than one-third of GDP; almost all export earnings, and half of the government's revenues. Other key sectors are tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising. The largest sector of Botswana economy is trade, hotels & restaurants accounts (24% of GDP), followed by financial & business services (17%); general government (15%) and mining (12%). Other sectors include: construction (9%), community, social & personal service activities (8%); transport, storage & communication (7%), manufacturing (7%), agriculture, hunting & forestry (1%) and electricity, gas & water supply both around (1%).
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3.50 -5.40 37.80 -30.80 1995 - 2026 percent Quarterly
2016=100

News Stream
Botswana Economy Returns to Growth in Q1
The economy of Botswana grew by 3.5% year-on-year in Q1 2026, rebounding from a 5.4% contraction in the previous period. The turnaround was largely driven by a surge in utilities and diamond traders industries, up 87.4% and 60.5%, respectively. Growth was also supported by the education sector, which rose 4.7%, while mining & quarrying, manufacturing, and wholesale & retail trade each expanded by 3.4%. Conversely, output declined in agriculture, forestry & fishing (-3.4%) and construction (.1,3%). On a quarterly basis, the GDP jumped by 9.2% in Q1, after a 11.4% decline in the prior quarter.
2026-06-30
Botswana GDP Shrinks in Q4
The economy of Botswana contracted by 5.4% year-on-year in Q4 2025, following a 8.2% advance in the previous period, largely due to a steep decline of 47% in the mining sector. Diamond production plunged 54.6%, while coal and soda ash mining also fell 13.3% and 8.2%, respectively, while growth in diamond trading slowed markedly (2.1% vs 88.1%). Botswana has been hit hard by a prolonged slump in the global diamond market, driven by economic uncertainty and the rising popularity of synthetic alternatives. Other sectors that contributed negatively to the GDP included construction (-2.3% vs -1.1%) and water and electricity (-1.3% vs -30.1%). On the other hand, growth picked up for some activities such as manufacturing (6.5% vs 2.5%); agriculture, forestry & fishing (4.2% vs 3.1%); administrative & support (4.4% vs 3.2%) and information & communication (3.7% vs 1.3%). On a quarterly basis, the GDP slipped by 11.4%, the most since Q2 2020, following a 10.9% rise in the previous quarter.
2026-03-31
Botswana Economy Exits Recession in Q3
The economy of Botswana advanced by 8.2% year-on-year in Q3 2025, rebounding from a revised 5.2% decline in the previous three-month period. This was the first period of expansion after six consecutive quarters of contraction, marking the end of the prolonged recession. Key drivers of growth were diamond traders (88.1% vs -46.2% in Q2) and mining & quarrying (39.5% vs -37.7%), driven by a substantial rise in diamond production (+45%). Other significant positive contributions came from finance, insurance & pension funding (5.2% vs 5.4%); transport and storage (5.2% vs 4%), and accommodation & food services (4.6% vs 4.1%). Meanwhile, declines were seen in utilities (-30.1% vs -6%) and construction (-1.1% vs 0.3%). On a quarterly basis, the GDP expanded by 10.9% in Q3, the most since Q3 2020, following a revised 3.5% contraction in the previous quarter.
2025-12-19