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Economy of Eritrea vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $2.27B for Lesotho, ranking 179/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $1.29B (56.8% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Eritrea vs Lesotho GDP by year

Eritrea
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Lesotho
2024 - $2,271,759,455
2023 - $2,117,962,445
2022 - $2,354,980,960
2021 - $2,412,130,057
2020 - $2,053,699,864
2019 - $2,390,702,296
2018 - $2,556,247,292
2017 - $2,306,741,672
2016 - $2,114,426,452
2015 - $2,359,686,725
2014 - $2,441,063,054
2013 - $2,367,112,932
2012 - $2,477,702,216
2011 $2,065,001,626 $2,579,409,620
2010 $1,589,515,447 $2,234,754,242
2009 $1,856,695,551 $1,740,894,965
2008 $1,380,188,800 $1,766,902,709
2007 $1,317,974,491 $1,682,131,785
2006 $1,211,161,880 $1,800,092,564
2005 $1,098,424,686 $1,682,343,527
2004 $1,109,054,005 $1,511,236,656
2003 $870,248,268 $1,157,825,435
2002 $729,321,680 $775,777,239
2001 $752,371,689 $825,706,961
2000 $706,370,816 $887,291,688
1999 $688,918,537 $912,773,681
1998 $745,523,117 $928,460,893
1997 $686,490,090 $998,004,259
1996 $693,535,954 $946,112,493
1995 $578,015,625 $1,001,894,000
1994 $531,688,312 $878,250,945
1993 $467,872,715 $835,582,062
1992 $477,101,652 $831,029,862
1991 - $704,325,367
1990 - $596,410,264
1989 - $495,409,233
1988 - $470,395,801
1987 - $402,768,324
1986 - $318,858,423
1985 - $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/eritrea/lesotho | CC BY

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Lesotho by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $972 $3,001
2023 - - $916 $2,881
2022 - - $1,030 $2,761
2021 - - $1,067 $2,545
2020 - - $919 $2,559
2019 - - $1,082 $2,568
2018 - - $1,171 $2,632
2017 - - $1,069 $2,619
2016 - - $992 $2,942
2015 - - $1,121 $3,035
2014 - - $1,174 $2,771
2013 - - $1,151 $2,538
2012 - - $1,218 $2,291
2011 $689 $1,742 $1,281 $2,279
2010 $540 $1,599 $1,119 $2,153
2009 $643 $1,577 $879 $2,036
2008 $490 $1,547 $898 $2,064
2007 $480 $1,727 $861 $1,932
2006 $448 $1,682 $925 $1,813
2005 $413 $1,674 $861 $1,681
2004 $427 $1,621 $767 $1,561
2003 $349 $1,621 $583 $1,484
2002 $305 $1,702 $389 $1,385
2001 $325 $1,684 $413 $1,350
2000 $314 $1,558 $443 $1,273
1999 $311 $1,597 $456 $1,199
1998 $342 $1,598 $465 $1,179
1997 $319 $1,573 $502 $1,154
1996 $326 $1,449 $480 $1,103
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $513 $1,037
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $456 $995
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $439 $932
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $444 $893
1991 - - $382 $830
1990 - - $330 $764
1989 - - $279 -
1988 - - $270.4 -
1987 - - $236.5 -
1986 - - $191.4 -
1985 - - $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/eritrea/lesotho | CC BY

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $972 in Lesotho, ranking 181/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
175/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
2.85%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
181/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
180/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
164/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$6,545
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
53.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
6.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
18.7%
2024
Population
3700586
2396633

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 53.5% 56.8%
2023 - - 49.4% 61.5%
2022 - - 50.8% 64.4%
2021 - - 53.8% 58%
2020 - - 54.4% 54.7%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 53.6% 58.2%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 50.4% 41%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 54.1% 47%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 50.5% 199% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 37.6% 41%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 58.1% 264% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 39.3% 88.5%
1999 106.1% - 50.8% 83%
1998 88% - 51.4% 79.4%
1997 60.1% - 44.6% 65.7%
1996 68.6% - 41.5% 71.6%
1995 81.2% - 42.1% 62.8%
1994 50.4% - 40.2% 67%
1993 67.2% - 36% 71.2%
1992 32.7% - 35.3% 64.4%
1991 - - 31.3% 11.9%
1990 - - 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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.22B, or 53.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 56.8% in Lesotho, ranking 2/185 and 92/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Lesotho
2024 - 9.04%
2023 - 7.31%
2022 - -6.41%
2021 - -4.95%
2020 - 1.18%
2019 2.72% -5.72%
2018 5.22% -4.41%
2017 -5.74% -2.02%
2016 -1.44% -9.43%
2015 -2.77% -1.38%
2014 -0.12% 3.16%
2013 -7.62% -2.58%
2012 -5.21% 4.56%
2011 -5.5% -9.85%
2010 -16.5% -1.49%
2009 -22.2% -4.16%
2008 -38% 8.1%
2007 -19.8% 10.8%
2006 -15.5% 11.6%
2005 -31% 4.46%
2004 -7.65% 6.05%
2003 6.23% 0.89%
2002 -13.3% -2.44%
2001 -9.62% -2.76%
2000 -25.4% -0.95%
1999 -59.7% -15.3%
1998 -40.3% -11.8%
1997 -5.65% 0.27%
1996 -18.4% 2.11%
1995 -22.9% 5.13%
1994 8.69% 5.69%
1993 4.22% 7.55%
1992 6.85% 4.65%
1991 - 9.74%
1990 - 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/eritrea/lesotho | CC BY

In 2011, Eritrea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $114M, equivalent to 5.5% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's deficit of $254M, or 9.85% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.93% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Lesotho
2024 - 6.11%
2023 - 6.34%
2022 - 8.27%
2021 - 6.05%
2020 - 4.98%
2019 1.3% 5.19%
2018 -14.4% 4.75%
2017 -13.3% 4.45%
2016 -5.6% 6.6%
2015 28.5% 3.22%
2014 8.4% 5.37%
2013 6.3% 4.87%
2012 6% 6.05%
2011 5.9% 5.04%
2010 10.3% -2.41%
2009 33.9% -16.9%
2008 22.2% 10.7%
2007 9.4% 8.01%
2006 7.7% 6.07%
2005 12.5% 3.44%
2004 25.1% 5.02%
2003 22.7% 6.63%
2002 16.9% 33.8%
2001 14.6% -9.62%
2000 19.9% 6.13%
1999 8.4% -
1998 9.5% -
1997 3.7% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.9%, compared with 4.82% in Lesotho. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 6.11% in Lesotho.

Balance of trade

Eritrea Lesotho
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$89.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+3.93%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$1.67B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$965M
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$415M
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$15.4M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
98.6%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
42.9%
2023

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Eritrea Lesotho
Economic freedom 39.6 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 130/197
Property rights 4.8 41.7
Government integrity 10.9 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 43.6
Tax burden 80.3 76.4
Government spending 62.3 21.3
Fiscal health 69 93.5
Business freedom 30.7 50.6
Labor freedom 43.4 57
Monetary freedom 80 74.8
Trade freedom 68.4 65.4
Investment freedom 0 55
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Lesotho
2026 39.6 54.9
2025 38.6 54.1
2024 39.5 51.9
2023 39.5 51.6
2022 39.7 48.1
2021 42.3 53.5
2020 38.5 54.5
2019 38.9 53.1
2018 41.7 53.9
2017 42.2 53.9
2016 42.7 50.6
2015 38.9 49.6
2014 38.5 49.5
2013 36.3 47.9
2012 36.2 46.6
2011 36.7 47.5
2010 35.3 48.1
2009 38.5 49.7
2008 - 52.1
2007 - 53.2
2006 - 54.7
2005 - 53.9
2004 - 50.3
2003 - 52
2002 - 48.9
2001 - 50.6
2000 - 48.4
1999 - 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/eritrea/lesotho | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, 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

Eritrea Lesotho
Services, % of GDP n/a
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
30.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
6.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$2.75B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$3,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
$12.6M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
4.06%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
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/eritrea/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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.