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Economy of Dominican Republic vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Dominican Republic has a GDP of $124B compared to $2.27B for Lesotho, ranking 63/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Dominican Republic has $73.1B in government debt (58.8% of GDP), compared to $1.29B (56.8% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Dominican Republic vs Lesotho GDP by year

Dominican Republic
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Dominican Republic Lesotho
2024 $124,282,245,639 $2,271,759,455
2023 $120,456,239,154 $2,117,962,445
2022 $113,478,087,135 $2,354,980,960
2021 $94,850,719,517 $2,412,130,057
2020 $78,546,672,407 $2,053,699,864
2019 $89,146,130,745 $2,390,702,296
2018 $84,994,732,049 $2,556,247,292
2017 $79,070,274,743 $2,306,741,672
2016 $75,552,902,636 $2,114,426,452
2015 $70,966,782,572 $2,359,686,725
2014 $67,014,329,100 $2,441,063,054
2013 $62,555,417,415 $2,367,112,932
2012 $60,561,635,556 $2,477,702,216
2011 $57,948,261,616 $2,579,409,620
2010 $53,801,053,353 $2,234,754,242
2009 $48,223,781,477 $1,740,894,965
2008 $48,091,433,554 $1,766,902,709
2007 $43,965,458,509 $1,682,131,785
2006 $37,879,830,084 $1,800,092,564
2005 $35,777,560,684 $1,682,343,527
2004 $22,322,387,382 $1,511,236,656
2003 $21,403,167,848 $1,157,825,435
2002 $27,137,440,786 $775,777,239
2001 $25,601,823,688 $825,706,961
2000 $24,305,780,629 $887,291,688
1999 $22,136,579,397 $912,773,681
1998 $21,672,215,547 $928,460,893
1997 $20,017,450,041 $998,004,259
1996 $18,241,622,548 $946,112,493
1995 $16,637,370,839 $1,001,894,000
1994 $14,644,734,599 $878,250,945
1993 $13,081,042,400 $835,582,062
1992 $11,605,382,504 $831,029,862
1991 $9,824,483,340 $704,325,367
1990 $7,073,675,545 $596,410,264
1989 $6,686,593,060 $495,409,233
1988 $5,374,299,981 $470,395,801
1987 $5,827,050,753 $402,768,324
1986 $6,122,128,558 $318,858,423
1985 $5,044,579,979 $268,629,926
1984 $11,594,000,000 $333,163,670
1983 $9,220,600,000 $386,699,309
1982 $8,267,400,000 $348,741,684
1981 $7,561,300,000 $434,188,034
1980 $6,761,300,000 $431,542,537
1979 $5,498,800,000 $290,134,593
1978 $4,734,400,000 $266,570,067
1977 $4,587,100,000 $193,315,048
1976 $3,951,500,000 $147,660,037
1975 $3,599,200,000 $149,558,896
1974 $2,925,700,000 $150,851,317
1973 $2,344,800,000 $121,188,716
1972 $1,987,400,000 $80,913,200
1971 $1,666,500,000 $76,480,285
1970 $1,485,500,000 $68,739,973
1969 $1,230,500,000 $65,967,974
1968 $1,079,100,000 $61,445,975
1967 $1,034,800,000 $59,261,976
1966 $983,900,000 $56,699,977
1965 $888,100,000 $54,879,978
1964 $1,025,599,900 $51,939,979
1963 $940,799,900 $47,039,981
1962 $824,100,000 $41,859,983
1961 $654,100,200 $35,699,986
1960 $672,399,700 $34,579,986

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/lesotho | CC BY

GDP per capita in Dominican Republic vs Lesotho by year

Dominican Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Dominican Republic Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $10,876 $27,542 $972 $3,001
2023 $10,630 $25,840 $916 $2,881
2022 $10,104 $24,626 $1,030 $2,761
2021 $8,527 $22,053 $1,067 $2,545
2020 $7,135 $18,998 $919 $2,559
2019 $8,183 $19,767 $1,082 $2,568
2018 $7,883 $17,995 $1,171 $2,632
2017 $7,413 $16,846 $1,069 $2,619
2016 $7,160 $16,282 $992 $2,942
2015 $6,801 $14,804 $1,121 $3,035
2014 $6,496 $13,465 $1,174 $2,771
2013 $6,137 $12,414 $1,151 $2,538
2012 $6,014 $11,777 $1,218 $2,291
2011 $5,827 $11,695 $1,281 $2,279
2010 $5,479 $11,246 $1,119 $2,153
2009 $4,974 $10,382 $879 $2,036
2008 $5,024 $10,346 $898 $2,064
2007 $4,650 $9,951 $861 $1,932
2006 $4,055 $9,130 $925 $1,813
2005 $3,878 $8,215 $861 $1,681
2004 $2,452 $7,375 $767 $1,561
2003 $2,383 $7,098 $583 $1,484
2002 $3,066 $7,158 $389 $1,385
2001 $2,936 $6,848 $413 $1,350
2000 $2,831 $6,639 $443 $1,273
1999 $2,621 $6,305 $456 $1,199
1998 $2,608 $5,963 $465 $1,179
1997 $2,449 $5,618 $502 $1,154
1996 $2,271 $5,161 $480 $1,103
1995 $2,109 $4,871 $513 $1,037
1994 $1,892 $4,599 $456 $995
1993 $1,722 $4,474 $439 $932
1992 $1,558 $4,151 $444 $893
1991 $1,346 $3,722 $382 $830
1990 $989 $3,641 $330 $764
1989 $955 - $279 -
1988 $784 - $270.4 -
1987 $868 - $236.5 -
1986 $932 - $191.4 -
1985 $784 - $165.4 -
1984 $1,844 - $211 -
1983 $1,500 - $252 -
1982 $1,376 - $233.9 -
1981 $1,288 - $299.8 -
1980 $1,180 - $307 -
1979 $984 - $212.4 -
1978 $868 - $200.8 -
1977 $863 - $149.9 -
1976 $763 - $117.8 -
1975 $713 - $123.2 -
1974 $595 - $128.7 -
1973 $490 - $107 -
1972 $427 - $74 -
1971 $368 - $72.4 -
1970 $338 - $67.4 -
1969 $287.7 - $67.1 -
1968 $259.6 - $64.8 -
1967 $256.2 - $64.8 -
1966 $250.9 - $64.3 -
1965 $233.2 - $64.3 -
1964 $277.3 - $62.6 -
1963 $262.2 - $58.4 -
1962 $236.8 - $53.5 -
1961 $193.9 - $47 -
1960 $205.7 - $47 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/lesotho | CC BY

The Dominican Republic's GDP per capita is $10,876, ranking 83/197, compared to $972 in Lesotho, ranking 181/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Dominican Republic ranks 76th at $27,542, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Dominican Republic Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$124B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank
63/197
2024
175/197
2024
GDP growth
4.95%
2023-2024
2.85%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$10,876
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank
83/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,542
2024
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
76/197
2024
180/197
2024
Government debt
$73.1B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
58.8%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,394
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
164/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,547
2026
$6,545
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.5%
2024
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2024
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
53.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
6.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2025
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.31%
2024
18.7%
2024
Population
11637906
2396633

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Dominican Republic
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Dominican Republic Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 58.8% 53.5% 56.8%
2023 19.1% 60.5% 49.4% 61.5%
2022 18.5% 59.6% 50.8% 64.4%
2021 18.4% 62.8% 53.8% 58%
2020 22.2% 71.8% 54.4% 54.7%
2019 17.8% 53.5% 53.6% 58.2%
2018 16.5% 50.8% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 17.3% 49.5% 50.4% 41%
2016 17% 46.7% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 16.7% 44.8% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 17% 45% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 18.5% 46.8% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 19.8% 42.4% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 16% 39.1% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 16.1% 37.4% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 16.2% 36.8% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 18.5% 33.6% 54.1% 47%
2007 16.3% 32.9% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 17% 36% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 15.5% 38.3% 37.6% 41%
2004 17.3% 34.3% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 17.2% 48.2% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 16.5% 21.5% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 14.9% 20.4% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 14.1% 16.7% 39.3% 88.5%
1999 13.4% 16% 50.8% 83%
1998 12.6% 13.2% 51.4% 79.4%
1997 13.2% 13.8% 44.6% 65.7%
1996 11.4% 23% 41.5% 71.6%
1995 11% 25.7% 42.1% 62.8%
1994 12.1% 28.5% 40.2% 67%
1993 13% 36.1% 36% 71.2%
1992 10.4% 38.5% 35.3% 64.4%
1991 8.65% 47.3% 31.3% 11.9%
1990 9.1% 84.7% 32.9% 18%
1989 11.3% 62.5% 35.8% 112.5%
1988 12.8% 77% 35.3% 105.2%
1987 11.2% 86.9% 40.3% 97.4%
1986 10.4% 63.8% 33.2% 92.5%
1985 9.8% 66.3% 32.8% 86.3%
1984 9.32% 28.9% 26.8% 57.2%
1983 10.2% 32.9% 27.2% 56.7%
1982 10.2% 33.1% 29.9% 61.4%
1981 12.1% 29.8% - -
1980 12.8% 15.2% - -
1979 13.8% 24% - -
1978 12.3% 20.9% - -
1977 11.4% 16.4% - -
1976 12.5% 15.6% - -
1975 13.7% 13.1% - -
1974 14.6% 14.6% - -
1973 13.7% 14.6% - -
1972 14.1% 16.4% - -
1971 13.8% 17.8% - -
1970 13.3% 18% - -
1969 15.5% 17.4% - -
1968 15.5% 18.1% - -
1967 15% 16.2% - -
1966 15.2% 14.5% - -
1965 12.8% - - -
1964 16.7% - - -
1963 15.1% - - -
1962 15.7% - - -
1961 20% - - -
1960 20.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, the Dominican Republic's government spending was $24.2B, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.22B, or 53.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 58.8% in the Dominican Republic and 56.8% in Lesotho, ranking 83/185 and 92/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Dominican Republic

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Dominican Republic Lesotho
2024 -3.09% 9.04%
2023 -3.28% 7.31%
2022 -3.25% -6.41%
2021 -2.92% -4.95%
2020 -7.94% 1.18%
2019 -3.46% -5.72%
2018 -2.17% -4.41%
2017 -3.12% -2.02%
2016 -3.11% -9.43%
2015 -0.03% -1.38%
2014 -2.76% 3.16%
2013 -4.41% -2.58%
2012 -6.26% 4.56%
2011 -3.07% -9.85%
2010 -2.97% -1.49%
2009 -2.9% -4.16%
2008 -3.43% 8.1%
2007 0.28% 10.8%
2006 -1.69% 11.6%
2005 -0.71% 4.46%
2004 -3.6% 6.05%
2003 -4.24% 0.89%
2002 -2.28% -2.44%
2001 -0.73% -2.76%
2000 -0.86% -0.95%
1999 -0.79% -15.3%
1998 -0.29% -11.8%
1997 -0.64% 0.27%
1996 0.14% 2.11%
1995 0.82% 5.13%
1994 -0.39% 5.69%
1993 -0.16% 7.55%
1992 2.35% 4.65%
1991 0.11% 9.74%
1990 0.39% 8.78%
1989 -0.09% 3.88%
1988 -1.68% -1.87%
1987 -0.75% -2.85%
1986 -0.57% 0.87%
1985 -1.27% 1.68%
1984 -0.95% 4.82%
1983 -1.74% 1.85%
1982 -2.4% -2.03%
1981 -1.92% -
1980 -1.82% -
1979 -3.26% -
1978 -0.82% -
1977 0.15% -
1976 -0.22% -
1975 1.37% -
1974 -0.93% -
1973 -0.53% -
1972 -1.73% -
1971 -0.85% -
1970 -0.68% -
1969 -0.99% -
1968 -0.99% -
1967 -1.68% -
1966 -2.14% -
1965 -1.84% -
1964 -1.36% -
1963 -0.39% -
1962 -1.17% -
1961 -3% -
1960 -0.61% -
1959 -0.29% -
1958 -1.29% -
1957 0.21% -
1956 -0.05% -
1955 1.47% -
1954 1.43% -
1953 2.79% -
1952 0% -
1951 -2.58% -
1950 -3.66% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, the Dominican Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.84B, equivalent to 3.09% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's surplus of $205M, or 9.04% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, the Dominican Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 37 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, the Dominican Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 1.86% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.74% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Dominican Republic

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Dominican Republic Lesotho
2024 3.3% 6.11%
2023 4.79% 6.34%
2022 8.81% 8.27%
2021 8.24% 6.05%
2020 3.78% 4.98%
2019 1.81% 5.19%
2018 3.56% 4.75%
2017 3.28% 4.45%
2016 1.61% 6.6%
2015 0.84% 3.22%
2014 3% 5.37%
2013 4.83% 4.87%
2012 3.69% 6.05%
2011 5.8% 5.04%
2010 6.33% -2.41%
2009 1.44% -16.9%
2008 10.6% 10.7%
2007 6.14% 8.01%
2006 7.57% 6.07%
2005 4.19% 3.44%
2004 51.5% 5.02%
2003 27.4% 6.63%
2002 5.22% 33.8%
2001 8.88% -9.62%
2000 7.72% 6.13%
1999 6.47% -
1998 4.83% -
1997 8.3% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/lesotho | CC BY

Over the past 25 years, the Dominican Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.78%, compared with 5.13% in Lesotho. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in the Dominican Republic and 6.11% in Lesotho.

Top exports between countries

Dominican Republic
Export category Export value
Lesotho
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $12K

Balance of trade

Dominican Republic Lesotho
Current account balance
-$4.17B
2024
$89.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
163/190
2024
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.35%
2024
+3.93%
2024
Goods imports
$29.8B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Goods exports
$13.9B
2024
$965M
2024
Service imports
$6.34B
2024
$415M
2024
Service exports
$14.7B
2024
$15.4M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29%
2024
98.6%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.8%
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.

Dominican Republic Lesotho
Economic freedom 63.8 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 77/197 130/197
Property rights 53.9 41.7
Government integrity 39.8 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 58 43.6
Tax burden 84.4 76.4
Government spending 89.1 21.3
Fiscal health 76.6 93.5
Business freedom 71.4 50.6
Labor freedom 53.2 57
Monetary freedom 72.1 74.8
Trade freedom 67.4 65.4
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Dominican Republic
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Dominican Republic Lesotho
2026 63.8 54.9
2025 64.3 54.1
2024 62.9 51.9
2023 62.6 51.6
2022 63 48.1
2021 62.1 53.5
2020 60.9 54.5
2019 61 53.1
2018 61.6 53.9
2017 62.9 53.9
2016 61 50.6
2015 61 49.6
2014 61.3 49.5
2013 59.7 47.9
2012 60.2 46.6
2011 60 47.5
2010 60.3 48.1
2009 59.2 49.7
2008 57.7 52.1
2007 56.8 53.2
2006 56.3 54.7
2005 55.1 53.9
2004 54.6 50.3
2003 57.8 52
2002 58.6 48.9
2001 59.1 50.6
2000 59 48.4
1999 58.1 48.2
1998 58.1 48.4
1997 53.5 47.2
1996 58.1 47
1995 55.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/lesotho | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Dominican Republic is 63.8, ranking 77/197, 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

Dominican Republic Lesotho
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.7%
2024
30.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.45%
2024
6.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$117B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,050
2024
$3,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$13.5B
2024
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
71/177
2024
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.52B
2024
$12.6M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.48B
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$47.3M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.62%
2024
4.06%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2024
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
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/dominican-republic/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 (1950–1996, 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 (2023, 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.