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Economy of Colombia vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Colombia has a GDP of $419B compared to $2.27B for Lesotho, ranking 39/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

Colombia has $256B in government debt (61.2% of GDP), compared to $1.29B (56.8% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Colombia vs Lesotho GDP by year

Colombia
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Colombia Lesotho
2024 $418,818,154,879 $2,271,759,455
2023 $366,291,836,138 $2,117,962,445
2022 $345,632,492,851 $2,354,980,960
2021 $318,524,633,225 $2,412,130,057
2020 $270,348,342,541 $2,053,699,864
2019 $323,031,701,193 $2,390,702,296
2018 $334,198,218,098 $2,556,247,292
2017 $311,866,875,157 $2,306,741,672
2016 $282,720,100,286 $2,114,426,452
2015 $293,492,370,193 $2,359,686,725
2014 $381,240,864,422 $2,441,063,054
2013 $382,093,697,078 $2,367,112,932
2012 $370,691,143,018 $2,477,702,216
2011 $334,966,134,805 $2,579,409,620
2010 $286,498,534,095 $2,234,754,242
2009 $232,468,663,110 $1,740,894,965
2008 $242,504,150,473 $1,766,902,709
2007 $206,229,540,926 $1,682,131,785
2006 $161,792,958,905 $1,800,092,564
2005 $145,600,529,606 $1,682,343,527
2004 $117,092,416,666 $1,511,236,656
2003 $94,644,969,157 $1,157,825,435
2002 $97,945,812,803 $775,777,239
2001 $98,200,641,203 $825,706,961
2000 $99,875,074,951 $887,291,688
1999 $86,186,158,685 $912,773,681
1998 $98,443,739,941 $928,460,893
1997 $106,659,508,271 $998,004,259
1996 $97,160,109,278 $946,112,493
1995 $92,507,279,383 $1,001,894,000
1994 $81,703,500,846 $878,250,945
1993 $66,446,804,803 $835,582,062
1992 $58,418,985,443 $831,029,862
1991 $49,175,565,911 $704,325,367
1990 $47,844,090,710 $596,410,264
1989 $39,540,080,200 $495,409,233
1988 $39,212,550,050 $470,395,801
1987 $36,373,307,085 $402,768,324
1986 $34,942,489,684 $318,858,423
1985 $34,894,411,352 $268,629,926
1984 $38,253,120,738 $333,163,670
1983 $38,729,822,782 $386,699,309
1982 $38,968,039,722 $348,741,684
1981 $36,388,366,869 $434,188,034
1980 $33,400,735,644 $431,542,537
1979 $27,940,411,250 $290,134,593
1978 $23,263,511,958 $266,570,067
1977 $19,470,960,619 $193,315,048
1976 $15,341,403,660 $147,660,037
1975 $13,098,633,902 $149,558,896
1974 $12,370,029,584 $150,851,317
1973 $10,315,760,000 $121,188,716
1972 $8,671,358,733 $80,913,200
1971 $7,820,380,971 $76,480,285
1970 $7,198,360,460 $68,739,973
1969 $6,450,175,214 $65,967,974
1968 $5,960,212,869 $61,445,975
1967 $5,825,170,438 $59,261,976
1966 $5,428,518,519 $56,699,977
1965 $5,760,761,905 $54,879,978
1964 $5,973,366,667 $51,939,979
1963 $4,836,166,667 $47,039,981
1962 $4,955,543,963 $41,859,983
1961 $4,540,447,761 $35,699,986
1960 $4,031,152,977 $34,579,986

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

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

GDP per capita in Colombia vs Lesotho by year

Colombia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Colombia Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,919 $22,349 $972 $3,001
2023 $7,001 $21,246 $916 $2,881
2022 $6,680 $20,854 $1,030 $2,761
2021 $6,223 $17,383 $1,067 $2,545
2020 $5,340 $15,519 $919 $2,559
2019 $6,473 $16,182 $1,082 $2,568
2018 $6,817 $15,239 $1,171 $2,632
2017 $6,480 $14,401 $1,069 $2,619
2016 $5,960 $14,027 $992 $2,942
2015 $6,249 $13,332 $1,121 $3,035
2014 $8,187 $13,355 $1,174 $2,771
2013 $8,279 $12,780 $1,151 $2,538
2012 $8,109 $12,093 $1,218 $2,291
2011 $7,401 $11,707 $1,281 $2,279
2010 $6,398 $10,841 $1,119 $2,153
2009 $5,251 $10,367 $879 $2,036
2008 $5,542 $10,307 $898 $2,064
2007 $4,770 $9,909 $861 $1,932
2006 $3,790 $9,154 $925 $1,813
2005 $3,456 $8,432 $861 $1,681
2004 $2,819 $7,909 $767 $1,561
2003 $2,312 $7,420 $583 $1,484
2002 $2,429 $7,109 $389 $1,385
2001 $2,473 $6,935 $413 $1,350
2000 $2,555 $6,776 $443 $1,273
1999 $2,241 $6,544 $456 $1,199
1998 $2,605 $6,854 $465 $1,179
1997 $2,873 $6,861 $502 $1,154
1996 $2,665 $6,639 $480 $1,103
1995 $2,584 $6,506 $513 $1,037
1994 $2,326 $6,174 $456 $995
1993 $1,929 $5,826 $439 $932
1992 $1,730 $5,509 $444 $893
1991 $1,486 $5,281 $382 $830
1990 $1,475 $5,109 $330 $764
1989 $1,244 - $279 -
1988 $1,260 - $270.4 -
1987 $1,193 - $236.5 -
1986 $1,169 - $191.4 -
1985 $1,192 - $165.4 -
1984 $1,336 - $211 -
1983 $1,384 - $252 -
1982 $1,425 - $233.9 -
1981 $1,362 - $299.8 -
1980 $1,280 - $307 -
1979 $1,095 - $212.4 -
1978 $932 - $200.8 -
1977 $798 - $149.9 -
1976 $643 - $117.8 -
1975 $561 - $123.2 -
1974 $542 - $128.7 -
1973 $462 - $107 -
1972 $397 - $74 -
1971 $367 - $72.4 -
1970 $346 - $67.4 -
1969 $318 - $67.1 -
1968 $302 - $64.8 -
1967 $303 - $64.8 -
1966 $290.3 - $64.3 -
1965 $317 - $64.3 -
1964 $339 - $62.6 -
1963 $282.6 - $58.4 -
1962 $298.5 - $53.5 -
1961 $282.1 - $47 -
1960 $258.3 - $47 -

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

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

Colombia's GDP per capita is $7,919, ranking 94/197, compared to $972 in Lesotho, ranking 181/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Colombia ranks 87th at $22,349, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Colombia Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$419B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank
39/197
2024
175/197
2024
GDP growth
1.6%
2023-2024
2.85%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,919
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank
94/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$22,349
2024
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
87/197
2024
180/197
2024
Government debt
$256B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.2%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,849
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank
82/185
2024
164/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,722
2026
$6,545
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$72.6B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.7%
2023
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
2023
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
34.6%
2024
53.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.61%
2023-2024
6.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.25%
2025
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
9.62%
2024
18.7%
2024
Population
54105437
2396633

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Colombia
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Colombia Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 34.6% 61.2% 53.5% 56.8%
2023 35.1% 55.5% 49.4% 61.5%
2022 34.1% 61.3% 50.8% 64.4%
2021 34.5% 64.4% 53.8% 58%
2020 33.7% 65.3% 54.4% 54.7%
2019 32.9% 51% 53.6% 58.2%
2018 34.7% 51.8% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 29.3% 49.4% 50.4% 41%
2016 30% 49.9% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 31.3% 50.4% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 31.3% 43.3% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 30% 37.6% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 29.1% 34% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 30.2% 35.8% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 30.4% 36.5% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 30.9% 35.4% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 28.4% 32.4% 54.1% 47%
2007 28.2% 32.7% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 28.4% 36% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 25.9% 38.5% 37.6% 41%
2004 26.6% 41.5% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 28% 45% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 28.1% 47.5% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 27.5% 41.1% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 26.6% 38% 39.3% 88.5%
1999 28.2% 34% 50.8% 83%
1998 26.3% 27.4% 51.4% 79.4%
1997 26.2% 25.3% 44.6% 65.7%
1996 25.1% 23.3% 41.5% 71.6%
1995 22.2% 13.8% 42.1% 62.8%
1994 20.6% 12.5% 40.2% 67%
1993 20% 14.2% 36% 71.2%
1992 18.4% 16.1% 35.3% 64.4%
1991 17.7% 14.5% 31.3% 11.9%
1990 17.4% 16.7% 32.9% 18%
1989 10.3% 17.3% 35.8% 112.5%
1988 10.3% 17.9% 35.3% 105.2%
1987 9.7% 18.9% 40.3% 97.4%
1986 9.8% 20.2% 33.2% 92.5%
1985 10.5% 19.3% 32.8% 86.3%
1984 10.3% 15.5% 26.8% 57.2%
1983 10.2% 10.8% 27.2% 56.7%
1982 10.6% 8.8% 29.9% 61.4%
1981 9.9% 8.5% - -
1980 9.6% 8% - -
1979 8.6% 7.7% - -
1978 8.1% 7.6% - -
1977 7.7% 9.2% - -
1976 8% 12.2% - -
1975 9.4% 14.6% - -
1974 8.8% 15.9% - -
1973 9.4% 16.3% - -
1972 10.3% 16.9% - -
1971 10.3% 16.2% - -
1970 10% 16.7% - -
1969 9.2% 17% - -
1968 8.9% 16.2% - -
1967 8.2% 15.8% - -
1966 8% 15.3% - -
1965 7% 15.2% - -
1964 8.1% 13.1% - -
1963 8.6% 13.9% - -
1962 7.8% 14.8% - -
1961 8.6% 8.7% - -
1960 6.7% 7.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Colombia's government spending was $145B, accounting for 34.6% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.22B, or 53.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.2% in Colombia and 56.8% in Lesotho, ranking 75/185 and 92/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Colombia

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Colombia Lesotho
2024 -6.25% 9.04%
2023 -2.92% 7.31%
2022 -6.34% -6.41%
2021 -7.26% -4.95%
2020 -7.12% 1.18%
2019 -3.48% -5.72%
2018 -4.67% -4.41%
2017 -2.5% -2.02%
2016 -2.27% -9.43%
2015 -3.52% -1.38%
2014 -1.74% 3.16%
2013 -1.02% -2.58%
2012 0.15% 4.56%
2011 -1.99% -9.85%
2010 -3.3% -1.49%
2009 -2.67% -4.16%
2008 0.04% 8.1%
2007 -0.82% 10.8%
2006 -0.99% 11.6%
2005 -0.02% 4.46%
2004 -1.31% 6.05%
2003 -2.7% 0.89%
2002 -3.45% -2.44%
2001 -2.71% -2.76%
2000 -2.94% -0.95%
1999 -5.37% -15.3%
1998 -3.86% -11.8%
1997 -3.23% 0.27%
1996 -2.49% 2.11%
1995 -1% 5.13%
1994 -0.14% 5.69%
1993 -0.24% 7.55%
1992 -0.07% 4.65%
1991 0.35% 9.74%
1990 -0.41% 8.78%
1989 -1.4% 3.88%
1988 -1.3% -1.87%
1987 -0.4% -2.85%
1986 -1.4% 0.87%
1985 -2.4% 1.68%
1984 -3.3% 4.82%
1983 -3.1% 1.85%
1982 -3.6% -2.03%
1981 -2.8% -
1980 -2.2% -
1979 -0.7% -
1978 0.3% -
1977 0.5% -
1976 0.6% -
1975 -0.5% -
1974 -1.2% -
1973 -1.1% -
1972 -1.7% -
1971 -1% -
1970 -0.7% -
1969 -0.5% -
1968 0% -
1967 -0.2% -
1966 0.1% -
1965 -0.6% -
1964 -1.1% -
1963 -1.7% -
1962 -1.6% -
1961 -1.5% -
1960 1.2% -
1959 2% -
1958 1.7% -
1957 1.4% -
1956 -0.2% -
1955 0.7% -
1954 1.3% -
1953 1.3% -
1952 1.6% -
1951 2.1% -
1950 0.9% -
1949 0.5% -
1948 -0.1% -
1947 0.2% -
1946 -0.5% -
1945 0.1% -
1944 -0.2% -
1943 -0.7% -
1942 -1.5% -
1941 0% -
1940 -1.5% -
1939 0.8% -
1938 0.5% -
1937 1.4% -
1936 1.1% -
1935 1.3% -
1934 0.2% -
1933 -0.4% -
1932 -0.8% -
1931 -0.2% -
1930 0.3% -
1929 0.4% -
1928 -0.4% -
1927 -0.6% -
1926 0% -
1925 1% -
1924 0.5% -
1923 0.3% -
1922 -0.7% -
1921 -1.6% -
1920 0.4% -
1919 -0.8% -
1918 -2.1% -
1917 -0.5% -
1916 0.2% -
1915 -0.2% -
1914 -0.5% -
1913 0.5% -
1912 -0.3% -
1911 -0.1% -
1910 -0.3% -
1909 -3.3% -
1908 -2.7% -
1907 -2.7% -
1906 0.2% -
1905 -0.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1905–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Colombia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $26.2B, equivalent to 6.25% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's surplus of $205M, or 9.04% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, Colombia recorded a fiscal deficit in 40 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Colombia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.45% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.74% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Colombia

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Colombia Lesotho
2024 6.61% 6.11%
2023 11.7% 6.34%
2022 10.2% 8.27%
2021 3.5% 6.05%
2020 2.53% 4.98%
2019 3.52% 5.19%
2018 3.24% 4.75%
2017 4.31% 4.45%
2016 7.51% 6.6%
2015 4.99% 3.22%
2014 2.9% 5.37%
2013 2.02% 4.87%
2012 3.17% 6.05%
2011 3.42% 5.04%
2010 2.27% -2.41%
2009 4.2% -16.9%
2008 7% 10.7%
2007 5.54% 8.01%
2006 4.29% 6.07%
2005 5.05% 3.44%
2004 5.9% 5.02%
2003 7.13% 6.63%
2002 6.35% 33.8%
2001 7.97% -9.62%
2000 9.23% 6.13%
1999 10.9% -
1998 18.7% -
1997 18.5% -

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Colombia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.38%, compared with 5.13% in Lesotho. In 2024, inflation was 6.61% in Colombia and 6.11% in Lesotho.

Top exports between countries

Colombia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $13K
Lesotho
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Colombia Lesotho
Current account balance
-$6.88B
2024
$89.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
172/190
2024
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.64%
2024
+3.93%
2024
Goods imports
$60.2B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Goods exports
$51.1B
2024
$965M
2024
Service imports
$18.5B
2024
$415M
2024
Service exports
$18.1B
2024
$15.4M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
98.6%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.1%
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.

Colombia Lesotho
Economic freedom 59.8 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 101/197 130/197
Property rights 43.1 41.7
Government integrity 41.6 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 57.4 43.6
Tax burden 68.6 76.4
Government spending 64 21.3
Fiscal health 49.8 93.5
Business freedom 71.2 50.6
Labor freedom 59.1 57
Monetary freedom 71.9 74.8
Trade freedom 71.4 65.4
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Colombia
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Colombia Lesotho
2026 59.8 54.9
2025 59.8 54.1
2024 59.2 51.9
2023 63.1 51.6
2022 65.1 48.1
2021 68.1 53.5
2020 69.2 54.5
2019 67.3 53.1
2018 68.9 53.9
2017 69.7 53.9
2016 70.8 50.6
2015 71.7 49.6
2014 70.7 49.5
2013 69.6 47.9
2012 68 46.6
2011 68 47.5
2010 65.5 48.1
2009 62.3 49.7
2008 62.2 52.1
2007 59.9 53.2
2006 60.4 54.7
2005 59.6 53.9
2004 61.2 50.3
2003 64.2 52
2002 64.2 48.9
2001 65.6 50.6
2000 63.3 48.4
1999 65.3 48.2
1998 65.5 48.4
1997 66.4 47.2
1996 64.3 47
1995 64.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Colombia is 59.8, ranking 101/197, 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

Colombia Lesotho
Services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
30.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.28%
2024
6.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$372B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,890
2024
$3,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$61.9B
2024
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
38/177
2024
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$9.17B
2024
$12.6M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.7B
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.51B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.25%
2024
4.06%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2024
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
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/colombia/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 (1905–1995, 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 (2022, 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.