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Economy of Algeria vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Algeria has a GDP of $269B compared to $2.27B for Lesotho, ranking 51/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

Algeria has $129B in government debt (48.1% of GDP), compared to $1.29B (56.8% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Algeria vs Lesotho GDP by year

Algeria
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Algeria Lesotho
2024 $269,322,281,665 $2,271,759,455
2023 $247,923,887,215 $2,117,962,445
2022 $225,581,644,703 $2,354,980,960
2021 $186,231,205,262 $2,412,130,057
2020 $164,873,415,325 $2,053,699,864
2019 $193,459,662,091 $2,390,702,296
2018 $194,554,483,656 $2,556,247,292
2017 $189,880,896,903 $2,306,741,672
2016 $180,763,839,522 $2,114,426,452
2015 $187,493,855,609 $2,359,686,725
2014 $238,942,664,193 $2,441,063,054
2013 $229,701,430,292 $2,367,112,932
2012 $227,143,746,076 $2,477,702,216
2011 $218,331,946,925 $2,579,409,620
2010 $177,785,053,940 $2,234,754,242
2009 $150,317,292,079 $1,740,894,965
2008 $180,383,848,331 $1,766,902,709
2007 $142,482,739,810 $1,682,131,785
2006 $123,084,258,693 $1,800,092,564
2005 $107,046,618,670 $1,682,343,527
2004 $91,913,680,985 $1,511,236,656
2003 $73,482,264,191 $1,157,825,435
2002 $61,516,103,406 $775,777,239
2001 $59,413,400,924 $825,706,961
2000 $54,790,398,570 $887,291,688
1999 $48,640,671,735 $912,773,681
1998 $48,187,781,984 $928,460,893
1997 $48,177,612,042 $998,004,259
1996 $46,941,554,225 $946,112,493
1995 $41,764,291,672 $1,001,894,000
1994 $42,543,176,829 $878,250,945
1993 $49,945,584,453 $835,582,062
1992 $48,003,133,347 $831,029,862
1991 $45,715,676,428 $704,325,367
1990 $62,048,507,531 $596,410,264
1989 $55,634,721,573 $495,409,233
1988 $59,089,396,860 $470,395,801
1987 $66,745,818,375 $402,768,324
1986 $63,692,007,897 $318,858,423
1985 $57,937,868,670 $268,629,926
1984 $53,698,548,293 $333,163,670
1983 $48,801,369,800 $386,699,309
1982 $45,207,167,470 $348,741,684
1981 $44,348,590,461 $434,188,034
1980 $42,345,829,079 $431,542,537
1979 $33,243,706,860 $290,134,593
1978 $26,364,491,313 $266,570,067
1977 $20,972,113,685 $193,315,048
1976 $17,728,240,932 $147,660,037
1975 $15,557,902,754 $149,558,896
1974 $13,209,871,626 $150,851,317
1973 $8,707,858,912 $121,188,716
1972 $6,766,743,957 $80,913,200
1971 $5,077,183,094 $76,480,285
1970 $4,863,526,897 $68,739,973
1969 $4,257,253,264 $65,967,974
1968 $3,852,147,027 $61,445,975
1967 $3,370,870,376 $59,261,976
1966 $3,039,859,187 $56,699,977
1965 $3,136,284,307 $54,879,978
1964 $2,909,316,435 $51,939,979
1963 $2,702,982,018 $47,039,981
1962 $2,001,444,544 $41,859,983
1961 $2,434,747,056 $35,699,986
1960 $2,723,615,451 $34,579,986

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/lesotho | CC BY

GDP per capita in Algeria vs Lesotho by year

Algeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Algeria Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,753 $17,621 $972 $3,001
2023 $5,370 $16,824 $916 $2,881
2022 $4,960 $15,836 $1,030 $2,761
2021 $4,161 $14,497 $1,067 $2,545
2020 $3,744 $12,677 $919 $2,559
2019 $4,468 $13,893 $1,082 $2,568
2018 $4,577 $13,727 $1,171 $2,632
2017 $4,555 $13,494 $1,069 $2,619
2016 $4,425 $13,438 $992 $2,942
2015 $4,685 $13,807 $1,121 $3,035
2014 $6,095 $14,694 $1,174 $2,771
2013 $5,980 $14,371 $1,151 $2,538
2012 $6,034 $14,441 $1,218 $2,291
2011 $5,916 $14,640 $1,281 $2,279
2010 $4,913 $14,201 $1,119 $2,153
2009 $4,235 $13,651 $879 $2,036
2008 $5,181 $13,666 $898 $2,064
2007 $4,167 $13,321 $861 $1,932
2006 $3,661 $12,791 $925 $1,813
2005 $3,233 $12,246 $861 $1,681
2004 $2,817 $11,432 $767 $1,561
2003 $2,284 $10,803 $583 $1,484
2002 $1,937 $10,080 $389 $1,385
2001 $1,896 $9,544 $413 $1,350
2000 $1,773 $9,187 $443 $1,273
1999 $1,596 $8,776 $456 $1,199
1998 $1,603 $8,503 $465 $1,179
1997 $1,629 $8,129 $502 $1,154
1996 $1,617 $8,053 $480 $1,103
1995 $1,467 $7,747 $513 $1,037
1994 $1,526 $7,463 $456 $995
1993 $1,831 $7,538 $439 $932
1992 $1,803 $7,705 $444 $893
1991 $1,759 $7,582 $382 $830
1990 $2,445 $7,602 $330 $764
1989 $2,247 - $279 -
1988 $2,451 - $270.4 -
1987 $2,847 - $236.5 -
1986 $2,800 - $191.4 -
1985 $2,633 - $165.4 -
1984 $2,524 - $211 -
1983 $2,374 - $252 -
1982 $2,275 - $233.9 -
1981 $2,307 - $299.8 -
1980 $2,276 - $307 -
1979 $1,843 - $212.4 -
1978 $1,506 - $200.8 -
1977 $1,232 - $149.9 -
1976 $1,080 - $117.8 -
1975 $992 - $123.2 -
1974 $873 - $128.7 -
1973 $590 - $107 -
1972 $469 - $74 -
1971 $360 - $72.4 -
1970 $353 - $67.4 -
1969 $316 - $67.1 -
1968 $292.4 - $64.8 -
1967 $261.8 - $64.8 -
1966 $241.4 - $64.3 -
1965 $253.6 - $64.3 -
1964 $238.9 - $62.6 -
1963 $225.6 - $58.4 -
1962 $169.6 - $53.5 -
1961 $209.4 - $47 -
1960 $238.4 - $47 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/lesotho | CC BY

Algeria's GDP per capita is $5,753, ranking 114/197, compared to $972 in Lesotho, ranking 181/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Algeria ranks 105th at $17,621, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Algeria Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$269B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank
51/197
2024
175/197
2024
GDP growth
3.7%
2023-2024
2.85%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,753
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank
114/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$17,621
2024
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
105/197
2024
180/197
2024
Government debt
$129B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.1%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,765
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2024
164/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,787
2026
$6,545
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$371M
2018
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2011
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2011
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
53.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.05%
2023-2024
6.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3%
2020
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
12%
2017
18.7%
2024
Population
48222325
2396633

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Algeria
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Algeria Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.8% 48.1% 53.5% 56.8%
2023 37.4% 47.7% 49.4% 61.5%
2022 32.7% 48.1% 50.8% 64.4%
2021 32.5% 55.1% 53.8% 58%
2020 37.5% 46% 54.4% 54.7%
2019 37.1% 40.9% 53.6% 58.2%
2018 36.2% 34.5% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 36.2% 24% 50.4% 41%
2016 37.2% 18.1% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 40.9% 7.73% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 36.9% 6.85% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 33.5% 6.48% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 40% 8.58% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 37.7% 8.48% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 35.1% 9.51% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 40.1% 8.92% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 37.3% 7.64% 54.1% 47%
2007 33.1% 12.8% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 27.8% 22.5% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 27.8% 25.4% 37.6% 41%
2004 27.1% 32.7% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 27% 38.2% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 32.5% 47.3% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 29.1% 50% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 26.4% 53.4% 39.3% 88.5%
1999 29.4% 69.7% 50.8% 83%
1998 28.7% 79.9% 51.4% 79.4%
1997 28.5% 79.6% 44.6% 65.7%
1996 26.9% 90.7% 41.5% 71.6%
1995 28.9% 95.9% 42.1% 62.8%
1994 30.9% 106.3% 40.2% 67%
1993 32.6% 76.8% 36% 71.2%
1992 28.2% 69.3% 35.3% 64.4%
1991 27.6% 86.1% 31.3% 11.9%
1990 23.3% 63.6% 32.9% 18%
1989 - - 35.8% 112.5%
1988 - - 35.3% 105.2%
1987 - - 40.3% 97.4%
1986 - - 33.2% 92.5%
1985 - - 32.8% 86.3%
1984 - - 26.8% 57.2%
1983 - - 27.2% 56.7%
1982 - - 29.9% 61.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, Algeria's government spending was $99.1B, accounting for 36.8% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.22B, or 53.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.1% in Algeria and 56.8% in Lesotho, ranking 113/185 and 92/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Algeria

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Algeria Lesotho
2024 -13.8% 9.04%
2023 -5.52% 7.31%
2022 -2.96% -6.41%
2021 -6.32% -4.95%
2020 -10.5% 1.18%
2019 -8.51% -5.72%
2018 -6.15% -4.41%
2017 -7.55% -2.02%
2016 -11.8% -9.43%
2015 -13.9% -1.38%
2014 -7.14% 3.16%
2013 -0.79% -2.58%
2012 -4.04% 4.56%
2011 -1.06% -9.85%
2010 -1.35% -1.49%
2009 -6.53% -4.16%
2008 7.79% 8.1%
2007 4.63% 10.8%
2006 12.9% 11.6%
2005 11.4% 4.46%
2004 6.36% 6.05%
2003 7.22% 0.89%
2002 0.21% -2.44%
2001 3.15% -2.76%
2000 8.91% -0.95%
1999 -1.83% -15.3%
1998 -3.52% -11.8%
1997 2.19% 0.27%
1996 2.7% 2.11%
1995 -1.3% 5.13%
1994 -4.05% 5.69%
1993 -7.79% 7.55%
1992 -1.05% 4.65%
1991 1.53% 9.74%
1990 3.35% 8.78%
1989 - 3.88%
1988 - -1.87%
1987 - -2.85%
1986 - 0.87%
1985 - 1.68%
1984 - 4.82%
1983 - 1.85%
1982 - -2.03%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, Algeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $37.1B, equivalent to 13.8% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's surplus of $205M, or 9.04% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Algeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Algeria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.58% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.73% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Algeria

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Algeria Lesotho
2024 4.05% 6.11%
2023 9.32% 6.34%
2022 9.27% 8.27%
2021 7.23% 6.05%
2020 2.42% 4.98%
2019 1.95% 5.19%
2018 4.27% 4.75%
2017 5.59% 4.45%
2016 6.4% 6.6%
2015 4.78% 3.22%
2014 2.92% 5.37%
2013 3.25% 4.87%
2012 8.89% 6.05%
2011 4.52% 5.04%
2010 3.91% -2.41%
2009 5.74% -16.9%
2008 4.86% 10.7%
2007 3.68% 8.01%
2006 2.31% 6.07%
2005 1.38% 3.44%
2004 3.96% 5.02%
2003 4.27% 6.63%
2002 1.42% 33.8%
2001 4.23% -9.62%
2000 0.34% 6.13%
1999 2.65% -
1998 4.95% -
1997 5.73% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/lesotho | CC BY

Over the past 25 years, Algeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.44%, compared with 5.13% in Lesotho. In 2024, inflation was 4.05% in Algeria and 6.11% in Lesotho.

Balance of trade

Algeria Lesotho
Current account balance
-$2.75B
2024
$89.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.02%
2024
+3.93%
2024
Goods imports
$45.3B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Goods exports
$48.8B
2024
$965M
2024
Service imports
$9.13B
2024
$415M
2024
Service exports
$4.22B
2024
$15.4M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
98.6%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
42.9%
2023

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Algeria Lesotho
Economic freedom 45.8 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 179/197 130/197
Property rights 27.7 41.7
Government integrity 29.4 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 30 43.6
Tax burden 80.3 76.4
Government spending 61.9 21.3
Fiscal health 15.4 93.5
Business freedom 59.3 50.6
Labor freedom 52.2 57
Monetary freedom 74.7 74.8
Trade freedom 58.8 65.4
Investment freedom 30 55
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Algeria
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Algeria Lesotho
2026 45.8 54.9
2025 47.5 54.1
2024 43.9 51.9
2023 43.2 51.6
2022 45.8 48.1
2021 49.7 53.5
2020 46.9 54.5
2019 46.2 53.1
2018 44.7 53.9
2017 46.5 53.9
2016 50.1 50.6
2015 48.9 49.6
2014 50.8 49.5
2013 49.6 47.9
2012 51 46.6
2011 52.4 47.5
2010 56.9 48.1
2009 56.6 49.7
2008 56.2 52.1
2007 55.4 53.2
2006 55.7 54.7
2005 53.2 53.9
2004 58.1 50.3
2003 57.7 52
2002 61 48.9
2001 57.3 50.6
2000 56.8 48.4
1999 57.2 48.2
1998 55.8 48.4
1997 54.9 47.2
1996 54.5 47
1995 55.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/lesotho | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Algeria is 45.8, ranking 179/197, compared to 54.9 for Lesotho, ranking 130/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Algeria Lesotho
Services, % of GDP
46.8%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.2%
2024
30.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14%
2024
6.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$252B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$17,290
2024
$3,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$83B
2024
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
31/177
2024
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.23B
2024
$12.6M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.23B
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$265K
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.17%
2024
4.06%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2011
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
41.1%
2024
27.2%
2023

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/lesotho | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.