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Economy of Djibouti vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Djibouti has a GDP of $4.15B compared to $2.27B for Lesotho, ranking 165/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

Djibouti has $1.36B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $1.29B (56.8% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Djibouti vs Lesotho GDP by year

Djibouti
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Djibouti Lesotho
2024 $4,152,145,940 $2,271,759,455
2023 $3,898,447,007 $2,117,962,445
2022 $3,562,814,909 $2,354,980,960
2021 $3,392,796,953 $2,412,130,057
2020 $3,144,136,197 $2,053,699,864
2019 $3,088,851,450 $2,390,702,296
2018 $2,913,464,658 $2,556,247,292
2017 $2,762,581,334 $2,306,741,672
2016 $2,604,955,229 $2,114,426,452
2015 $2,424,391,785 $2,359,686,725
2014 $2,220,637,966 $2,441,063,054
2013 $2,044,440,443 $2,367,112,932
2012 $1,353,632,942 $2,477,702,216
2011 $1,239,144,502 $2,579,409,620
2010 $1,128,611,700 $2,234,754,242
2009 $1,049,110,685 $1,740,894,965
2008 $999,105,339 $1,766,902,709
2007 $847,918,929 $1,682,131,785
2006 $768,873,684 $1,800,092,564
2005 $708,633,195 $1,682,343,527
2004 $666,072,102 $1,511,236,656
2003 $622,044,666 $1,157,825,435
2002 $591,122,040 $775,777,239
2001 $572,417,441 $825,706,961
2000 $551,230,862 $887,291,688
1999 $536,080,148 $912,773,681
1998 $514,267,869 $928,460,893
1997 $502,675,542 $998,004,259
1996 $494,004,648 $946,112,493
1995 $497,723,961 $1,001,894,000
1994 $491,689,221 $878,250,945
1993 $466,048,469 $835,582,062
1992 $478,058,305 $831,029,862
1991 $462,421,999 $704,325,367
1990 $452,328,087 $596,410,264
1989 $409,220,087 $495,409,233
1988 $395,794,539 $470,395,801
1987 $373,371,738 $402,768,324
1986 - $318,858,423
1985 $340,989,528 $268,629,926
1984 - $333,163,670
1983 - $386,699,309
1982 - $348,741,684
1981 - $434,188,034
1980 - $431,542,537
1979 - $290,134,593
1978 - $266,570,067
1977 - $193,315,048
1976 - $147,660,037
1975 - $149,558,896
1974 - $150,851,317
1973 - $121,188,716
1972 - $80,913,200
1971 - $76,480,285
1970 - $68,739,973
1969 - $65,967,974
1968 - $61,445,975
1967 - $59,261,976
1966 - $56,699,977
1965 - $54,879,978
1964 - $51,939,979
1963 - $47,039,981
1962 - $41,859,983
1961 - $35,699,986
1960 - $34,579,986

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

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

GDP per capita in Djibouti vs Lesotho by year

Djibouti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Djibouti Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,553 $7,810 $972 $3,001
2023 $3,381 $7,226 $916 $2,881
2022 $3,133 $6,621 $1,030 $2,761
2021 $3,026 $5,960 $1,067 $2,545
2020 $2,845 $5,527 $919 $2,559
2019 $2,837 $5,398 $1,082 $2,568
2018 $2,718 $5,083 $1,171 $2,632
2017 $2,619 $4,677 $1,069 $2,619
2016 $2,510 $4,432 $992 $2,942
2015 $2,376 $4,264 $1,121 $3,035
2014 $2,215 $3,978 $1,174 $2,771
2013 $2,076 $3,762 $1,151 $2,538
2012 $1,400 - $1,218 $2,291
2011 $1,306 - $1,281 $2,279
2010 $1,213 - $1,119 $2,153
2009 $1,151 - $879 $2,036
2008 $1,119 - $898 $2,064
2007 $970 - $861 $1,932
2006 $898 - $925 $1,813
2005 $844 - $861 $1,681
2004 $806 - $767 $1,561
2003 $765 - $583 $1,484
2002 $743 - $389 $1,385
2001 $742 - $413 $1,350
2000 $738 - $443 $1,273
1999 $740 - $456 $1,199
1998 $735 - $465 $1,179
1997 $748 - $502 $1,154
1996 $762 - $480 $1,103
1995 $786 - $513 $1,037
1994 $785 - $456 $995
1993 $759 - $439 $932
1992 $764 - $444 $893
1991 $733 - $382 $830
1990 $780 - $330 $764
1989 $782 - $279 -
1988 $817 - $270.4 -
1987 $822 - $236.5 -
1986 - - $191.4 -
1985 $847 - $165.4 -
1984 - - $211 -
1983 - - $252 -
1982 - - $233.9 -
1981 - - $299.8 -
1980 - - $307 -
1979 - - $212.4 -
1978 - - $200.8 -
1977 - - $149.9 -
1976 - - $117.8 -
1975 - - $123.2 -
1974 - - $128.7 -
1973 - - $107 -
1972 - - $74 -
1971 - - $72.4 -
1970 - - $67.4 -
1969 - - $67.1 -
1968 - - $64.8 -
1967 - - $64.8 -
1966 - - $64.3 -
1965 - - $64.3 -
1964 - - $62.6 -
1963 - - $58.4 -
1962 - - $53.5 -
1961 - - $47 -
1960 - - $47 -

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

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

Djibouti's GDP per capita is $3,553, ranking 133/197, compared to $972 in Lesotho, ranking 181/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Djibouti ranks 143rd at $7,810, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Djibouti Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$4.15B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank
165/197
2024
175/197
2024
GDP growth
6.98%
2023-2024
2.85%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,553
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank
133/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,810
2024
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
143/197
2024
180/197
2024
Government debt
$1.36B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,167
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2024
164/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,690
2026
$6,545
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2017
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2017
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
53.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
6.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
40%
2017
18.7%
2024
Population
1203929
2396633

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Djibouti
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Djibouti Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 32.9% 53.5% 56.8%
2023 21.5% 35.4% 49.4% 61.5%
2022 21% 38.3% 50.8% 64.4%
2021 23.1% 40.3% 53.8% 58%
2020 25.8% 42.1% 54.4% 54.7%
2019 24.9% 41.1% 53.6% 58.2%
2018 25.9% 47.5% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 23.9% 48% 50.4% 41%
2016 25.9% 45.9% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 42% 40.3% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 29% 26.9% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 26.8% 24.6% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 26.5% 25% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 25.3% 25.7% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 26.6% 27.9% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 31% 29.5% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 28.8% 59.3% 54.1% 47%
2007 26.6% 56.6% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 23.8% 58.3% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 26.2% 60.3% 37.6% 41%
2004 26.7% 65.3% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 25.8% 66.3% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 23.4% 63.7% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 21% 58.1% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 23.2% 58.1% 39.3% 88.5%
1999 23.5% 58.5% 50.8% 83%
1998 24% 55.2% 51.4% 79.4%
1997 25% 56% 44.6% 65.7%
1996 23.7% 53.1% 41.5% 71.6%
1995 27% 50.9% 42.1% 62.8%
1994 30.9% - 40.2% 67%
1993 35.3% - 36% 71.2%
1992 34.9% - 35.3% 64.4%
1991 27.7% - 31.3% 11.9%
1990 30.2% - 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 (1982–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Djibouti's government spending was $856M, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.22B, or 53.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Djibouti and 56.8% in Lesotho, ranking 149/185 and 92/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Djibouti

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Djibouti Lesotho
2024 -2.6% 9.04%
2023 -3.46% 7.31%
2022 -1.48% -6.41%
2021 -3.05% -4.95%
2020 -2.58% 1.18%
2019 -0.98% -5.72%
2018 -1.98% -4.41%
2017 -0.21% -2.02%
2016 -0.76% -9.43%
2015 -15.5% -1.38%
2014 -6.92% 3.16%
2013 -0.34% -2.58%
2012 -2.04% 4.56%
2011 -1.18% -9.85%
2010 -1.04% -1.49%
2009 -3.88% -4.16%
2008 0.62% 8.1%
2007 -1.88% 10.8%
2006 0.26% 11.6%
2005 -1.18% 4.46%
2004 -3.67% 6.05%
2003 -4.13% 0.89%
2002 -4.56% -2.44%
2001 -3.61% -2.76%
2000 -3.97% -0.95%
1999 -5.2% -15.3%
1998 -3.59% -11.8%
1997 -2.86% 0.27%
1996 -1.77% 2.11%
1995 -5.13% 5.13%
1994 -4.97% 5.69%
1993 -7.1% 7.55%
1992 -6.13% 4.65%
1991 -0.86% 9.74%
1990 -3.25% 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/djibouti/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, Djibouti's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $108M, equivalent to 2.6% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's surplus of $205M, or 9.04% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Djibouti recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Djibouti posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.73% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Djibouti

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Djibouti Lesotho
2024 2.1% 6.11%
2023 1.4% 6.34%
2022 5.2% 8.27%
2021 1.2% 6.05%
2020 1.8% 4.98%
2019 3.3% 5.19%
2018 0.1% 4.75%
2017 0.6% 4.45%
2016 2.4% 6.6%
2015 -0.5% 3.22%
2014 1.3% 5.37%
2013 1.1% 4.87%
2012 4.2% 6.05%
2011 5.2% 5.04%
2010 2.5% -2.41%
2009 5.6% -16.9%
2008 8.7% 10.7%
2007 5.9% 8.01%
2006 3.5% 6.07%
2005 3.3% 3.44%
2004 2.4% 5.02%
2003 1.6% 6.63%
2002 1.4% 33.8%
2001 1.9% -9.62%
2000 1.2% 6.13%
1999 -0.4% -
1998 2.2% -
1997 2.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 25 years, Djibouti has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.7%, compared with 5.13% in Lesotho. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in Djibouti and 6.11% in Lesotho.

Top exports between countries

Djibouti
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $250K
Lesotho
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $6K

Balance of trade

Djibouti Lesotho
Current account balance
$610M
2024
$89.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
59/190
2024
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.7%
2024
+3.93%
2024
Goods imports
$4.04B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Goods exports
$4.08B
2024
$965M
2024
Service imports
$730M
2024
$415M
2024
Service exports
$1.17B
2024
$15.4M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
114.8%
2024
98.6%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
126.4%
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.

Djibouti Lesotho
Economic freedom 56.3 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 122/197 130/197
Property rights 30.4 41.7
Government integrity 27.9 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 28.6 43.6
Tax burden 83.5 76.4
Government spending 86.7 21.3
Fiscal health 87.7 93.5
Business freedom 52.9 50.6
Labor freedom 57.5 57
Monetary freedom 70.6 74.8
Trade freedom 49.8 65.4
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Djibouti
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Djibouti Lesotho
2026 56.3 54.9
2025 55.7 54.1
2024 55.8 51.9
2023 56.1 51.6
2022 55.3 48.1
2021 56.2 53.5
2020 52.9 54.5
2019 47.1 53.1
2018 45.1 53.9
2017 46.7 53.9
2016 56 50.6
2015 57.5 49.6
2014 55.9 49.5
2013 53.9 47.9
2012 53.9 46.6
2011 54.5 47.5
2010 51 48.1
2009 51.3 49.7
2008 51.2 52.1
2007 52.4 53.2
2006 53.2 54.7
2005 55.2 53.9
2004 55.6 50.3
2003 55.7 52
2002 57.8 48.9
2001 58.3 50.6
2000 55.1 48.4
1999 57.1 48.2
1998 55.9 48.4
1997 54.5 47.2
1996 - 47

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Djibouti is 56.3, ranking 122/197, 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

Djibouti Lesotho
Services, % of GDP
76.1%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
30.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.51%
2024
6.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.25B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,030
2024
$3,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$349M
2024
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
165/177
2024
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$67.8M
2024
$12.6M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$67.8M
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.27%
2024
4.06%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23%
2020
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
0.25%
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/djibouti/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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. TradeMap (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.