Botswana - Public finance
About half of the government's revenues in 1998 came from the diamond industry with another 20% from returns on foreign reserves. Tourism is becoming increasingly important, accounting for 12% of GDP in 2000. Government spending in 2001 accounted for almost 20% of GDP.
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) estimates that in 2001/2002 Botswana's central government took in revenues of approximately $2.3 billion and had expenditures of $2.4 billion. Overall, the government registered a deficit of approximately $100 million. External debt totaled $325 million.
The following table shows an itemized breakdown of government revenues and expenditures. The percentages were calculated from data reported by the International Monetary Fund. The dollar amounts (millions) are based on the CIA estimates provided above.
| REVENUE AND GRANTS | 100.0% | 2,300 |
| Tax revenue | 32.8% | 755 |
| Non-tax revenue | 65.7% | 1,511 |
| Capital revenue | 0.4% | 8 |
| Grants | 1.2% | 27 |
| EXPENDITURES | 100.0% | 2,400 |
| General public services | 15.5% | 371 |
| Defense | 8.1% | 195 |
| Public order and safety | 4.4% | 105 |
| Education | 26.3% | 632 |
| Health | 5.2% | 125 |
| Social security | 1.1% | 27 |
| Housing and community amenities | 11.6% | 278 |
| Recreation, cultural, and religious affairs | 1.7% | 40 |
| Economic affairs and services | 17.0% | 407 |
| Other expenditures | 7.6% | 182 |
| Interest payments | 1.6% | 38 |