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Economy of Equatorial Guinea vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Equatorial Guinea has a GDP of $12.8B compared to $2.27B for Lesotho, ranking 148/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

Equatorial Guinea has $4.65B in government debt (36.4% of GDP), compared to $1.29B (56.8% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Equatorial Guinea vs Lesotho GDP by year

Equatorial Guinea
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Equatorial Guinea Lesotho
2024 $12,765,777,677 $2,271,759,455
2023 $12,337,550,584 $2,117,962,445
2022 $13,687,643,436 $2,354,980,960
2021 $12,215,878,033 $2,412,130,057
2020 $9,893,816,008 $2,053,699,864
2019 $11,364,133,550 $2,390,702,296
2018 $13,097,012,134 $2,556,247,292
2017 $12,200,913,879 $2,306,741,672
2016 $11,240,808,848 $2,114,426,452
2015 $13,185,496,881 $2,359,686,725
2014 $21,765,453,082 $2,441,063,054
2013 $21,948,834,284 $2,367,112,932
2012 $22,388,344,144 $2,477,702,216
2011 $21,357,343,669 $2,579,409,620
2010 $16,314,443,436 $2,234,754,242
2009 $15,027,795,173 $1,740,894,965
2008 $19,749,893,536 $1,766,902,709
2007 $13,071,718,759 $1,682,131,785
2006 $10,086,528,699 $1,800,092,564
2005 $8,217,369,093 $1,682,343,527
2004 $4,410,764,339 $1,511,236,656
2003 $2,484,745,935 $1,157,825,435
2002 $1,806,742,742 $775,777,239
2001 $1,461,139,022 $825,706,961
2000 $1,045,998,496 $887,291,688
1999 $621,117,886 $912,773,681
1998 $370,687,634 $928,460,893
1997 $442,337,871 $998,004,259
1996 $232,463,023 $946,112,493
1995 $141,853,361 $1,001,894,000
1994 $100,807,003 $878,250,945
1993 $136,047,906 $835,582,062
1992 $134,707,184 $831,029,862
1991 $110,906,029 $704,325,367
1990 $112,119,411 $596,410,264
1989 $88,265,975 $495,409,233
1988 $100,534,657 $470,395,801
1987 $93,345,860 $402,768,324
1986 $76,407,396 $318,858,423
1985 $62,118,570 $268,629,926
1984 $50,320,914 $333,163,670
1983 $44,442,457 $386,699,309
1982 $44,294,648 $348,741,684
1981 $36,731,423 $434,188,034
1980 $50,642,881 $431,542,537
1979 - $290,134,593
1978 - $266,570,067
1977 $103,987,520 $193,315,048
1976 $103,653,050 $147,660,037
1975 $104,295,643 $149,558,896
1974 $94,159,863 $150,851,317
1973 $81,203,227 $121,188,716
1972 $65,429,198 $80,913,200
1971 $64,946,955 $76,480,285
1970 $66,331,429 $68,739,973
1969 $67,225,714 $65,967,974
1968 $67,514,286 $61,445,975
1967 $72,317,447 $59,261,976
1966 $69,110,000 $56,699,977
1965 $64,748,333 $54,879,978
1964 $51,915,000 $51,939,979
1963 $44,266,667 $47,039,981
1962 $37,253,333 $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/equatorial-guinea/lesotho | CC BY

GDP per capita in Equatorial Guinea vs Lesotho by year

Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Equatorial Guinea Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,745 $17,567 $972 $3,001
2023 $6,678 $17,412 $916 $2,881
2022 $7,589 $18,140 $1,030 $2,761
2021 $6,946 $16,821 $1,067 $2,545
2020 $5,764 $13,677 $919 $2,559
2019 $6,804 $16,451 $1,082 $2,568
2018 $8,102 $18,413 $1,171 $2,632
2017 $7,809 $18,435 $1,069 $2,619
2016 $7,453 $16,649 $992 $2,942
2015 $9,069 $19,479 $1,121 $3,035
2014 $15,549 $27,177 $1,174 $2,771
2013 $16,304 $27,910 $1,151 $2,538
2012 $17,309 $30,012 $1,218 $2,291
2011 $17,198 $27,242 $1,281 $2,279
2010 $13,720 $26,168 $1,119 $2,153
2009 $13,233 $29,722 $879 $2,036
2008 $18,211 $30,523 $898 $2,064
2007 $12,617 $26,611 $861 $1,932
2006 $10,185 $23,511 $925 $1,813
2005 $8,674 $22,137 $861 $1,681
2004 $4,901 $19,354 $767 $1,561
2003 $2,931 $14,496 $583 $1,484
2002 $2,264 $13,255 $389 $1,385
2001 $1,949 $11,627 $413 $1,350
2000 $1,487 $7,420 $443 $1,273
1999 $931 $6,470 $456 $1,199
1998 $578 $5,280 $465 $1,179
1997 $717 $4,387 $502 $1,154
1996 $392 $1,793 $480 $1,103
1995 $248.3 $1,098 $513 $1,037
1994 $183.2 $951 $456 $995
1993 $256.7 $828 $439 $932
1992 $263.7 $756 $444 $893
1991 $225.3 $569 $382 $830
1990 $236.4 $577 $330 $764
1989 $193.2 - $279 -
1988 $228.7 - $270.4 -
1987 $220.9 - $236.5 -
1986 $188.8 - $191.4 -
1985 $161.1 - $165.4 -
1984 $137.9 - $211 -
1983 $129.4 - $252 -
1982 $137.5 - $233.9 -
1981 $121.1 - $299.8 -
1980 $175.5 - $307 -
1979 - - $212.4 -
1978 - - $200.8 -
1977 $376 - $149.9 -
1976 $369 - $117.8 -
1975 $362 - $123.2 -
1974 $319 - $128.7 -
1973 $268.6 - $107 -
1972 $211.4 - $74 -
1971 $205.6 - $72.4 -
1970 $206.8 - $67.4 -
1969 $208.4 - $67.1 -
1968 $211.7 - $64.8 -
1967 $231.9 - $64.8 -
1966 $226.7 - $64.3 -
1965 $217.1 - $64.3 -
1964 $177.8 - $62.6 -
1963 $154.8 - $58.4 -
1962 $132.9 - $53.5 -
1961 - - $47 -
1960 - - $47 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/lesotho | CC BY

Equatorial Guinea's GDP per capita is $6,745, ranking 106/197, compared to $972 in Lesotho, ranking 181/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Equatorial Guinea ranks 106th at $17,567, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Equatorial Guinea Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$12.8B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank
148/197
2024
175/197
2024
GDP growth
0.91%
2023-2024
2.85%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,745
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank
106/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$17,567
2024
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
106/197
2024
180/197
2024
Government debt
$4.65B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
36.4%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,458
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank
110/185
2024
164/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,042
2026
$6,545
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.1%
2022
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2022
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
53.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2023-2024
6.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.6%
2014
18.7%
2024
Population
1998075
2396633

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.5% 36.4% 53.5% 56.8%
2023 19.2% 39.1% 49.4% 61.5%
2022 14.8% 29.8% 50.8% 64.4%
2021 12.7% 42.3% 53.8% 58%
2020 16.2% 49.4% 54.4% 54.7%
2019 16.8% 43.2% 53.6% 58.2%
2018 19.1% 40.6% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 20.1% 36.2% 50.4% 41%
2016 27.8% 41.1% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 41.6% 31.7% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 31.6% 12.6% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 29.3% 6.27% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 35.2% 7.1% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 27.5% 7.17% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 31.2% 7.89% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 39.8% 4.34% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 19.9% 0.49% 54.1% 47%
2007 19.7% 0.75% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 18.1% 1.22% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 14.1% 2.85% 37.6% 41%
2004 15.5% 4.54% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 11.8% 6.77% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 11.3% 19.4% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 13.5% 25.5% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 22.6% 36.6% 39.3% 88.5%
1999 18.7% 60.5% 50.8% 83%
1998 35.1% 59.2% 51.4% 79.4%
1997 14.8% 46.3% 44.6% 65.7%
1996 22.9% 91.2% 41.5% 71.6%
1995 141.5% 136.9% 42.1% 62.8%
1994 510% 216% 40.2% 67%
1993 256.3% 152.6% 36% 71.2%
1992 595% 136.9% 35.3% 64.4%
1991 284.5% 169.5% 31.3% 11.9%
1990 212.9% 157% 32.9% 18%
1989 116.8% 187% 35.8% 112.5%
1988 227.9% 154.5% 35.3% 105.2%
1987 183% 141.3% 40.3% 97.4%
1986 119% 152.5% 33.2% 92.5%
1985 115.4% 183.8% 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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government spending was $2.36B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.22B, or 53.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 36.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 56.8% in Lesotho, ranking 143/185 and 92/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Equatorial Guinea

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea Lesotho
2024 -0.55% 9.04%
2023 2.39% 7.31%
2022 11.7% -6.41%
2021 2.65% -4.95%
2020 -1.77% 1.18%
2019 1.82% -5.72%
2018 0.52% -4.41%
2017 -2.59% -2.02%
2016 -10.9% -9.43%
2015 -15.1% -1.38%
2014 -7.54% 3.16%
2013 -4.4% -2.58%
2012 -7.24% 4.56%
2011 0.83% -9.85%
2010 -4.53% -1.49%
2009 -6.47% -4.16%
2008 14.6% 8.1%
2007 17.2% 10.8%
2006 21.8% 11.6%
2005 18.5% 4.46%
2004 9.22% 6.05%
2003 9.99% 0.89%
2002 17.6% -2.44%
2001 14.9% -2.76%
2000 -2.67% -0.95%
1999 -0.19% -15.3%
1998 -7.65% -11.8%
1997 3.21% 0.27%
1996 -6.36% 2.11%
1995 -123.4% 5.13%
1994 -487% 5.69%
1993 -217.9% 7.55%
1992 -557% 4.65%
1991 -236% 9.74%
1990 -160.2% 8.78%
1989 -76.2% 3.88%
1988 -208.5% -1.87%
1987 -158% -2.85%
1986 -97.3% 0.87%
1985 -89.3% 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/equatorial-guinea/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $70.8M, equivalent to 0.55% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's surplus of $205M, or 9.04% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Equatorial Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Equatorial Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 58.6% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.68% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Equatorial Guinea

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Equatorial Guinea Lesotho
2024 3.4% 6.11%
2023 2.4% 6.34%
2022 4.9% 8.27%
2021 -0.1% 6.05%
2020 4.8% 4.98%
2019 1.2% 5.19%
2018 1.3% 4.75%
2017 0.7% 4.45%
2016 1.4% 6.6%
2015 1.7% 3.22%
2014 4.3% 5.37%
2013 3.2% 4.87%
2012 3.4% 6.05%
2011 4.8% 5.04%
2010 5.3% -2.41%
2009 5.7% -16.9%
2008 4.7% 10.7%
2007 2.8% 8.01%
2006 4.5% 6.07%
2005 5.6% 3.44%
2004 4.2% 5.02%
2003 7.3% 6.63%
2002 7.6% 33.8%
2001 8.7% -9.62%
2000 4.8% 6.13%
1999 0.4% -
1998 7.9% -
1997 3% -

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/equatorial-guinea/lesotho | CC BY

Over the past 25 years, Equatorial Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.94%, compared with 5.13% in Lesotho. In 2024, inflation was 3.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 6.11% in Lesotho.

Top exports between countries

Equatorial Guinea
Export category Export value
Lesotho
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $4K

Balance of trade

Equatorial Guinea Lesotho
Current account balance
-$344M
1996
$89.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
101/190
1996
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-148%
1996
+3.93%
2024
Goods imports
$292M
1996
$1.67B
2024
Goods exports
$175M
1996
$965M
2024
Service imports
$185M
1996
$415M
2024
Service exports
$4.88M
1996
$15.4M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
98.6%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.2%
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.

Equatorial Guinea Lesotho
Economic freedom 47.4 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 175/197 130/197
Property rights 16.9 41.7
Government integrity 6.9 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 7.2 43.6
Tax burden 81 76.4
Government spending 90.8 21.3
Fiscal health 97.3 93.5
Business freedom 35.9 50.6
Labor freedom 45.2 57
Monetary freedom 73.5 74.8
Trade freedom 43.6 65.4
Investment freedom 40 55
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Equatorial Guinea Lesotho
2026 47.4 54.9
2025 47.7 54.1
2024 47.7 51.9
2023 48.3 51.6
2022 47.2 48.1
2021 49.2 53.5
2020 48.3 54.5
2019 41 53.1
2018 42 53.9
2017 45 53.9
2016 43.7 50.6
2015 40.4 49.6
2014 44.4 49.5
2013 42.3 47.9
2012 42.8 46.6
2011 47.5 47.5
2010 48.6 48.1
2009 51.3 49.7
2008 51.6 52.1
2007 53.2 53.2
2006 51.5 54.7
2005 53.3 53.9
2004 53.3 50.3
2003 53.1 52
2002 46.4 48.9
2001 47.9 50.6
2000 45.6 48.4
1999 45.1 48.2
1998 - 48.4
1997 - 47.2
1996 - 47

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

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/lesotho | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Equatorial Guinea is 47.4, ranking 175/197, 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

Equatorial Guinea Lesotho
Services, % of GDP
51.1%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
30.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.15%
2024
6.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$8.96B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,330
2024
$3,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.54B
2023
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
134/177
2023
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$376M
1996
$12.6M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$188M
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$154M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.06%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2022
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
8.96%
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/equatorial-guinea/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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2014, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  9. 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.