Botswana’s rising government debt

Balancing act: Serame’s inflation relief was necessary but is expected to widen the budget deficit and require further funding PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Balancing act: Serame’s inflation relief was necessary but is expected to widen the budget deficit and require further funding PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The country's national debt rises year-on-year with 2021 closing off at $3.5 billion (approximately P38 billion), a cumulative rise of 0.5 percent from 2020.

This is estimated around the same levels ten years back although it had been brought down over the years as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Does this development raise any eyebrows?

Many may wonder what has contributed to these significantly high levels of debt and if this is sustainable in the long term. Can the economy survive in the wake of another global recession or global crisis?

Editor's Comment
GBV: The big elephant in the room

Sadly, the country seems not to have proper tools and the extent to which women and the girl-child are being abused is not adequately measured.Almost every week there are reports of women being attacked by their significant others and while men are attacked as well, women seem to be more on the receiving end.On May 24, 2023 news broke that a woman who was receiving support from the Botswana Gender-Based Violence Prevention Centre in Gaborone, was...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up