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Economy of Bolivia vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bolivia has a GDP of $54.9B compared to $2.27B for Lesotho, ranking 88/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bolivia has $53.8B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $1.29B (56.8% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Bolivia vs Lesotho GDP by year

Bolivia
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bolivia Lesotho
2024 $54,881,327,453 $2,271,759,455
2023 $52,340,206,946 $2,117,962,445
2022 $50,959,081,954 $2,354,980,960
2021 $47,877,892,402 $2,412,130,057
2020 $42,313,784,081 $2,053,699,864
2019 $49,056,643,589 $2,390,702,296
2018 $48,414,038,842 $2,556,247,292
2017 $45,927,439,595 $2,306,741,672
2016 $33,941,126,194 $2,114,426,452
2015 $33,000,198,249 $2,359,686,725
2014 $32,996,188,017 $2,441,063,054
2013 $30,659,338,886 $2,367,112,932
2012 $27,084,497,482 $2,477,702,216
2011 $23,963,164,697 $2,579,409,620
2010 $19,649,723,722 $2,234,754,242
2009 $17,339,992,194 $1,740,894,965
2008 $16,674,276,286 $1,766,902,709
2007 $13,120,108,008 $1,682,131,785
2006 $11,451,844,902 $1,800,092,564
2005 $9,549,122,905 $1,682,343,527
2004 $8,773,451,752 $1,511,236,656
2003 $8,082,399,640 $1,157,825,435
2002 $7,905,485,146 $775,777,239
2001 $8,141,516,928 $825,706,961
2000 $8,397,855,485 $887,291,688
1999 $8,285,064,435 $912,773,681
1998 $8,497,494,652 $928,460,893
1997 $7,925,736,821 $998,004,259
1996 $7,396,949,126 $946,112,493
1995 $6,715,161,732 $1,001,894,000
1994 $5,981,222,859 $878,250,945
1993 $5,734,699,489 $835,582,062
1992 $5,643,868,749 $831,029,862
1991 $5,343,262,457 $704,325,367
1990 $4,867,582,598 $596,410,264
1989 $4,715,973,437 $495,409,233
1988 $4,597,612,362 $470,395,801
1987 $4,347,956,338 $402,768,324
1986 $3,959,382,833 $318,858,423
1985 $5,377,276,555 $268,629,926
1984 $6,169,483,225 $333,163,670
1983 $5,422,656,823 $386,699,309
1982 $5,594,126,369 $348,741,684
1981 $5,891,598,695 $434,188,034
1980 $4,537,479,608 $431,542,537
1979 $4,421,336,383 $290,134,593
1978 $3,758,220,890 $266,570,067
1977 $3,227,436,282 $193,315,048
1976 $2,731,984,008 $147,660,037
1975 $2,404,697,651 $149,558,896
1974 $2,100,249,875 $150,851,317
1973 $1,262,968,516 $121,188,716
1972 $1,257,615,645 $80,913,200
1971 $1,095,622,896 $76,480,285
1970 $1,017,003,367 $68,739,973
1969 $929,629,630 $65,967,974
1968 $857,912,458 $61,445,975
1967 $755,808,081 $59,261,976
1966 $669,191,919 $56,699,977
1965 $604,377,104 $54,879,978
1964 $544,023,569 $51,939,979
1963 $482,828,283 $47,039,981
1962 $448,400,673 $41,859,983
1961 $410,101,010 $35,699,986
1960 $377,020,202 $34,579,986

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

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

GDP per capita in Bolivia vs Lesotho by year

Bolivia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bolivia Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,421 $12,878 $972 $3,001
2023 $4,275 $12,892 $916 $2,881
2022 $4,219 $12,307 $1,030 $2,761
2021 $4,011 $11,202 $1,067 $2,545
2020 $3,581 $9,581 $919 $2,559
2019 $4,203 $11,005 $1,082 $2,568
2018 $4,207 $10,758 $1,171 $2,632
2017 $4,048 $10,420 $1,069 $2,619
2016 $3,036 $9,242 $992 $2,942
2015 $2,996 $8,757 $1,121 $3,035
2014 $3,041 $8,629 $1,174 $2,771
2013 $2,870 $8,069 $1,151 $2,538
2012 $2,576 $7,184 $1,218 $2,291
2011 $2,316 $6,598 $1,281 $2,279
2010 $1,930 $6,245 $1,119 $2,153
2009 $1,731 $6,024 $879 $2,036
2008 $1,693 $5,890 $898 $2,064
2007 $1,355 $5,537 $861 $1,932
2006 $1,203 $5,244 $925 $1,813
2005 $1,020 $4,938 $861 $1,681
2004 $953 $4,663 $767 $1,561
2003 $893 $4,433 $583 $1,484
2002 $888 $4,304 $389 $1,385
2001 $930 $4,205 $413 $1,350
2000 $976 $4,113 $443 $1,273
1999 $979 $3,991 $456 $1,199
1998 $1,022 $3,988 $465 $1,179
1997 $970 $3,822 $502 $1,154
1996 $922 $3,645 $480 $1,103
1995 $853 $3,494 $513 $1,037
1994 $774 $3,331 $456 $995
1993 $757 $3,177 $439 $932
1992 $760 $3,036 $444 $893
1991 $734 $2,981 $382 $830
1990 $683 $2,797 $330 $764
1989 $675 - $279 -
1988 $673 - $270.4 -
1987 $650 - $236.5 -
1986 $604 - $191.4 -
1985 $838 - $165.4 -
1984 $982 - $211 -
1983 $882 - $252 -
1982 $930 - $233.9 -
1981 $1,001 - $299.8 -
1980 $788 - $307 -
1979 $785 - $212.4 -
1978 $683 - $200.8 -
1977 $600 - $149.9 -
1976 $520 - $117.8 -
1975 $468 - $123.2 -
1974 $418 - $128.7 -
1973 $257.2 - $107 -
1972 $261.9 - $74 -
1971 $233.4 - $72.4 -
1970 $221.6 - $67.4 -
1969 $207.1 - $67.1 -
1968 $195.5 - $64.8 -
1967 $176.1 - $64.8 -
1966 $159.3 - $64.3 -
1965 $147.1 - $64.3 -
1964 $135.2 - $62.6 -
1963 $122.6 - $58.4 -
1962 $116.2 - $53.5 -
1961 $108.5 - $47 -
1960 $101.8 - $47 -

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

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

Bolivia's GDP per capita is $4,421, ranking 125/197, compared to $972 in Lesotho, ranking 181/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bolivia ranks 122nd at $12,878, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Bolivia Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$54.9B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank
88/197
2024
175/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.12%
2023-2024
2.85%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,421
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,878
2024
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
122/197
2024
180/197
2024
Government debt
$53.8B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,331
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank
88/185
2024
164/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,720
2026
$6,545
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2023
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2023
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
53.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.1%
2023-2024
6.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.26%
2025
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.73%
2024
18.7%
2024
Population
12798112
2396633

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bolivia
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bolivia Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.8% 98% 53.5% 56.8%
2023 38.7% 90.8% 49.4% 61.5%
2022 36% 80.1% 50.8% 64.4%
2021 34.8% 81.4% 53.8% 58%
2020 36.8% 78% 54.4% 54.7%
2019 36.1% 58.6% 53.6% 58.2%
2018 37.7% 53.1% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 38.6% 51.3% 50.4% 41%
2016 40% 46.5% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 44.5% 40.9% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 41.2% 37.6% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 35.4% 36.1% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 36% 35.4% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 35.4% 35.3% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 31.5% 37.6% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 33.2% 39.2% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 35.3% 36.8% 54.1% 47%
2007 32.7% 40% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 29.8% 54.4% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 33.2% 82.2% 37.6% 41%
2004 32.3% 89.8% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 32% 95.6% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 33.3% 86.7% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 32% 83% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 29.3% 74.3% 39.3% 88.5%
1999 29.4% 61.7% 50.8% 83%
1998 30% 61.2% 51.4% 79.4%
1997 28.3% 64.6% 44.6% 65.7%
1996 26% 72.4% 41.5% 71.6%
1995 25.8% 81.7% 42.1% 62.8%
1994 26.8% 87.6% 40.2% 67%
1993 27.2% 83.8% 36% 71.2%
1992 25.3% 92.4% 35.3% 64.4%
1991 24.2% 92.8% 31.3% 11.9%
1990 22.8% 102.9% 32.9% 18%
1989 24.4% 98% 35.8% 112.5%
1988 24% 115.9% 35.3% 105.2%
1987 24.4% 145.3% 40.3% 97.4%
1986 22.2% 149% 33.2% 92.5%
1985 21.8% 205.2% 32.8% 86.3%
1984 29% 166.5% 26.8% 57.2%
1983 32.1% 157.3% 27.2% 56.7%
1982 25% 155.4% 29.9% 61.4%
1981 16.6% 121.7% - -
1980 19.8% 100% - -
1979 18% 92% - -
1978 17.3% 82.5% - -
1977 18.6% 82.4% - -
1976 16.8% 68.9% - -
1975 14.4% 56.2% - -
1974 14.2% 52.7% - -
1973 14.1% 80.9% - -
1972 11.8% 77.7% - -
1971 11.3% 65.7% - -
1970 10% 63.9% - -
1969 12.3% - - -
1968 14.1% - - -
1967 13.1% - - -
1966 12.9% - - -
1965 12.9% - - -
1964 10.8% - - -
1963 10.8% - - -
1962 10.2% - - -
1961 10.7% - - -
1960 10.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bolivia's government spending was $21.9B, accounting for 39.8% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.22B, or 53.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in Bolivia and 56.8% in Lesotho, ranking 26/185 and 92/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bolivia

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bolivia Lesotho
2024 -10.6% 9.04%
2023 -10.9% 7.31%
2022 -7.12% -6.41%
2021 -9.33% -4.95%
2020 -12.7% 1.18%
2019 -7.25% -5.72%
2018 -8.17% -4.41%
2017 -7.86% -2.02%
2016 -7.24% -9.43%
2015 -6.93% -1.38%
2014 -3.41% 3.16%
2013 0.6% -2.58%
2012 1.72% 4.56%
2011 0.83% -9.85%
2010 1.62% -1.49%
2009 2.63% -4.16%
2008 3.53% 8.1%
2007 -1.54% 10.8%
2006 4.47% 11.6%
2005 -2.24% 4.46%
2004 -5.54% 6.05%
2003 -7.88% 0.89%
2002 -8.79% -2.44%
2001 -6.82% -2.76%
2000 -3.73% -0.95%
1999 -3.84% -15.3%
1998 -5.1% -11.8%
1997 -3.28% 0.27%
1996 -1.9% 2.11%
1995 -1.82% 5.13%
1994 -3% 5.69%
1993 -6.1% 7.55%
1992 -4.4% 4.65%
1991 -4.2% 9.74%
1990 -4.4% 8.78%
1989 -5.5% 3.88%
1988 -6.5% -1.87%
1987 -7.7% -2.85%
1986 -2.7% 0.87%
1985 -9.8% 1.68%
1984 -25.4% 4.82%
1983 -19.8% 1.85%
1982 -15.9% -2.03%
1981 -12.3% -
1980 -15.3% -
1979 -11.2% -
1978 -9.97% -
1977 -11.2% -
1976 -1.15% -
1975 -2.33% -
1974 -1.87% -
1973 -3.72% -
1972 -3.69% -
1971 -3.67% -
1970 -1.92% -
1969 -4.16% -
1968 -5.67% -
1967 -4.29% -
1966 -3.55% -
1965 -4.12% -
1964 -2.68% -
1963 -3.02% -
1962 -2.8% -
1961 -2.81% -
1960 -3.35% -
1959 -4.32% -
1958 -2.95% -
1957 -1.11% -
1956 -0.11% -
1955 0.33% -
1954 0.006% -
1953 -0.48% -
1952 -0.94% -
1951 -0.42% -
1950 -1.17% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bolivia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.83B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's surplus of $205M, or 9.04% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, Bolivia recorded a fiscal deficit in 36 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Bolivia posted an annual deficit equal to 5.68% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.74% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bolivia

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bolivia Lesotho
2024 5.1% 6.11%
2023 2.58% 6.34%
2022 1.75% 8.27%
2021 0.74% 6.05%
2020 0.94% 4.98%
2019 1.84% 5.19%
2018 2.27% 4.75%
2017 2.82% 4.45%
2016 3.62% 6.6%
2015 4.06% 3.22%
2014 5.77% 5.37%
2013 5.74% 4.87%
2012 4.52% 6.05%
2011 9.88% 5.04%
2010 2.5% -2.41%
2009 3.35% -16.9%
2008 14% 10.7%
2007 8.71% 8.01%
2006 4.28% 6.07%
2005 5.39% 3.44%
2004 4.44% 5.02%
2003 3.34% 6.63%
2002 0.93% 33.8%
2001 1.59% -9.62%
2000 4.61% 6.13%
1999 2.16% -
1998 7.67% -
1997 4.71% -

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Bolivia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.19%, compared with 5.13% in Lesotho. In 2024, inflation was 5.1% in Bolivia and 6.11% in Lesotho.

Top exports between countries

Bolivia
Export category Export value
Lesotho
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $3K

Balance of trade

Bolivia Lesotho
Current account balance
-$1.41B
2024
$89.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2024
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2024
+3.93%
2024
Goods imports
$9.15B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Goods exports
$8.93B
2024
$965M
2024
Service imports
$2.35B
2024
$415M
2024
Service exports
$1.14B
2024
$15.4M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
98.6%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.4%
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.

Bolivia Lesotho
Economic freedom 42.4 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 184/197 130/197
Property rights 20.2 41.7
Government integrity 27.1 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 29.5 43.6
Tax burden 86.4 76.4
Government spending 56.3 21.3
Fiscal health 0.8 93.5
Business freedom 53.6 50.6
Labor freedom 52.2 57
Monetary freedom 67.1 74.8
Trade freedom 60.6 65.4
Investment freedom 15 55
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bolivia
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bolivia Lesotho
2026 42.4 54.9
2025 44.1 54.1
2024 43.5 51.9
2023 43.4 51.6
2022 43 48.1
2021 42.7 53.5
2020 42.8 54.5
2019 42.3 53.1
2018 44.1 53.9
2017 47.7 53.9
2016 47.4 50.6
2015 46.8 49.6
2014 48.4 49.5
2013 47.9 47.9
2012 50.2 46.6
2011 50 47.5
2010 49.4 48.1
2009 53.6 49.7
2008 53.1 52.1
2007 54.2 53.2
2006 57.8 54.7
2005 58.4 53.9
2004 64.5 50.3
2003 64.3 52
2002 65.1 48.9
2001 68 50.6
2000 65 48.4
1999 65.6 48.2
1998 68.8 48.4
1997 65.1 47.2
1996 65.2 47
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bolivia is 42.4, ranking 184/197, 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

Bolivia Lesotho
Services, % of GDP
53.4%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.3%
2024
30.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.83%
2024
6.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$51.7B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,620
2024
$3,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.98B
2024
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
127/177
2024
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$113M
2024
$12.6M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$387M
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$133M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.41%
2024
4.06%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.5%
2023
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.9%
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/bolivia/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2021, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.