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Economy of Fiji vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Fiji has a GDP of $5.97B compared to $2.27B for Lesotho, ranking 161/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

Fiji has $4.54B in government debt (76.2% of GDP), compared to $1.29B (56.8% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Fiji vs Lesotho GDP by year

Fiji
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Fiji Lesotho
2024 $5,968,125,909 $2,271,759,455
2023 $5,476,673,518 $2,117,962,445
2022 $4,977,861,886 $2,354,980,960
2021 $4,158,873,156 $2,412,130,057
2020 $4,227,719,873 $2,053,699,864
2019 $5,344,907,153 $2,390,702,296
2018 $5,581,425,327 $2,556,247,292
2017 $5,353,469,174 $2,306,741,672
2016 $4,930,213,644 $2,114,426,452
2015 $4,682,479,894 $2,359,686,725
2014 $4,857,104,769 $2,441,063,054
2013 $4,189,967,999 $2,367,112,932
2012 $3,972,028,104 $2,477,702,216
2011 $3,779,411,899 $2,579,409,620
2010 $3,140,166,713 $2,234,754,242
2009 $2,870,624,636 $1,740,894,965
2008 $3,523,185,920 $1,766,902,709
2007 $3,378,314,600 $1,682,131,785
2006 $3,076,305,453 $1,800,092,564
2005 $2,980,403,845 $1,682,343,527
2004 $2,708,078,477 $1,511,236,656
2003 $2,300,492,465 $1,157,825,435
2002 $1,833,279,985 $775,777,239
2001 $1,652,462,023 $825,706,961
2000 $1,678,219,508 $887,291,688
1999 $1,936,459,986 $912,773,681
1998 $1,653,146,717 $928,460,893
1997 $2,090,221,137 $998,004,259
1996 $2,128,696,644 $946,112,493
1995 $1,970,301,486 $1,001,894,000
1994 $1,825,732,093 $878,250,945
1993 $1,636,101,247 $835,582,062
1992 $1,532,411,039 $831,029,862
1991 $1,383,883,250 $704,325,367
1990 $1,337,017,559 $596,410,264
1989 $1,182,660,266 $495,409,233
1988 $1,110,009,523 $470,395,801
1987 $1,177,947,965 $402,768,324
1986 $1,290,267,340 $318,858,423
1985 $1,141,168,944 $268,629,926
1984 $1,178,000,678 $333,163,670
1983 $1,123,085,190 $386,699,309
1982 $1,194,059,943 $348,741,684
1981 $1,235,626,771 $434,188,034
1980 $1,202,618,816 $431,542,537
1979 $1,019,691,460 $290,134,593
1978 $829,267,889 $266,570,067
1977 $719,501,766 $193,315,048
1976 $694,540,806 $147,660,037
1975 $684,282,434 $149,558,896
1974 $558,587,097 $150,851,317
1973 $425,950,488 $121,188,716
1972 $316,656,649 $80,913,200
1971 $247,749,328 $76,480,285
1970 $219,878,482 $68,739,973
1969 $182,182,068 $65,967,974
1968 $166,952,937 $61,445,975
1967 $162,625,886 $59,261,976
1966 $150,603,926 $56,699,977
1965 $147,084,750 $54,879,978
1964 $140,032,741 $51,939,979
1963 $129,454,729 $47,039,981
1962 $122,906,435 $41,859,983
1961 $116,987,785 $35,699,986
1960 $112,328,422 $34,579,986

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

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

GDP per capita in Fiji vs Lesotho by year

Fiji
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Fiji Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,426 $15,450 $972 $3,001
2023 $5,926 $14,644 $916 $2,881
2022 $5,414 $12,982 $1,030 $2,761
2021 $4,537 $10,322 $1,067 $2,545
2020 $4,621 $10,716 $919 $2,559
2019 $5,842 $12,978 $1,082 $2,568
2018 $6,085 $12,984 $1,171 $2,632
2017 $5,827 $12,585 $1,069 $2,619
2016 $5,364 $11,766 $992 $2,942
2015 $5,098 $11,519 $1,121 $3,035
2014 $5,293 $10,516 $1,174 $2,771
2013 $4,572 $8,842 $1,151 $2,538
2012 $4,341 $8,204 $1,218 $2,291
2011 $4,140 $7,672 $1,281 $2,279
2010 $3,449 $7,339 $1,119 $2,153
2009 $3,164 $7,068 $879 $2,036
2008 $3,900 $7,154 $898 $2,064
2007 $3,763 $6,990 $861 $1,932
2006 $3,455 $6,921 $925 $1,813
2005 $3,378 $6,652 $861 $1,681
2004 $3,097 $6,463 $767 $1,561
2003 $2,656 $6,033 $583 $1,484
2002 $2,137 $5,914 $389 $1,385
2001 $1,945 $5,699 $413 $1,350
2000 $1,996 $5,521 $443 $1,273
1999 $2,328 $5,552 $456 $1,199
1998 $2,010 $5,090 $465 $1,179
1997 $2,574 $5,031 $502 $1,154
1996 $2,648 $5,109 $480 $1,103
1995 $2,467 $4,818 $513 $1,037
1994 $2,297 $4,627 $456 $995
1993 $2,070 $4,334 $439 $932
1992 $1,951 $4,172 $444 $893
1991 $1,775 $3,873 $382 $830
1990 $1,729 $3,882 $330 $764
1989 $1,543 - $279 -
1988 $1,463 - $270.4 -
1987 $1,569 - $236.5 -
1986 $1,745 - $191.4 -
1985 $1,577 - $165.4 -
1984 $1,667 - $211 -
1983 $1,628 - $252 -
1982 $1,773 - $233.9 -
1981 $1,879 - $299.8 -
1980 $1,873 - $307 -
1979 $1,627 - $212.4 -
1978 $1,355 - $200.8 -
1977 $1,204 - $149.9 -
1976 $1,186 - $117.8 -
1975 $1,188 - $123.2 -
1974 $984 - $128.7 -
1973 $762 - $107 -
1972 $575 - $74 -
1971 $458 - $72.4 -
1970 $414 - $67.4 -
1969 $350 - $67.1 -
1968 $327 - $64.8 -
1967 $326 - $64.8 -
1966 $310 - $64.3 -
1965 $311 - $64.3 -
1964 $306 - $62.6 -
1963 $291.4 - $58.4 -
1962 $285.5 - $53.5 -
1961 $280.3 - $47 -
1960 $277.4 - $47 -

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

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

Fiji's GDP per capita is $6,426, ranking 108/197, compared to $972 in Lesotho, ranking 181/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Fiji ranks 113th at $15,450, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Fiji Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$5.97B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank
161/197
2024
175/197
2024
GDP growth
3.53%
2023-2024
2.85%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,426
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank
108/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,450
2024
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
113/197
2024
180/197
2024
Government debt
$4.54B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
76.2%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,893
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank
80/185
2024
164/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,964
2026
$6,545
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2019
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2019
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.7%
2024
53.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.51%
2023-2024
6.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0.25%
2020
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.36%
2024
18.7%
2024
Population
938628
2396633

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Fiji
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Fiji Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.7% 76.2% 53.5% 56.8%
2023 28.8% 79.1% 49.4% 61.5%
2022 30.9% 83.3% 50.8% 64.4%
2021 36.7% 89% 53.8% 58%
2020 36.2% 72.9% 54.4% 54.7%
2019 30.8% 49.7% 53.6% 58.2%
2018 31.8% 44.8% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 27.3% 42.2% 50.4% 41%
2016 31.4% 43.6% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 29.8% 43% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 29.1% 44.5% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 25.1% 45.8% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 25.5% 47.7% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 25.3% 48.6% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 24.8% 51.8% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 26.2% 51.5% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 22.6% 47.5% 54.1% 47%
2007 23.3% 46% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 24.8% 49.2% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 23.3% 44% 37.6% 41%
2004 24% 44.5% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 25.8% 44.9% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 27.4% 43.4% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 26.4% 41% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 24.8% 36.9% 39.3% 88.5%
1999 23.2% 32.7% 50.8% 83%
1998 26.8% 36.6% 51.4% 79.4%
1997 29.1% 54.1% 44.6% 65.7%
1996 26.4% 48.8% 41.5% 71.6%
1995 23.2% 48.4% 42.1% 62.8%
1994 24.3% 47.6% 40.2% 67%
1993 25.7% 44.3% 36% 71.2%
1992 25.8% 42.2% 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/fiji/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, Fiji's government spending was $1.77B, accounting for 29.7% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.22B, or 53.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 76.2% in Fiji and 56.8% in Lesotho, ranking 47/185 and 92/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Fiji

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Fiji Lesotho
2024 -3.36% 9.04%
2023 -6.82% 7.31%
2022 -11.2% -6.41%
2021 -14.6% -4.95%
2020 -9.24% 1.18%
2019 -3.67% -5.72%
2018 -4.72% -4.41%
2017 -2.22% -2.02%
2016 -5.58% -9.43%
2015 -3.8% -1.38%
2014 -3.36% 3.16%
2013 -0.08% -2.58%
2012 -0.67% 4.56%
2011 -0.69% -9.85%
2010 -1.26% -1.49%
2009 -2.76% -4.16%
2008 1.54% 8.1%
2007 0.35% 10.8%
2006 -0.74% 11.6%
2005 -1.14% 4.46%
2004 -0.95% 6.05%
2003 -3.34% 0.89%
2002 -3.58% -2.44%
2001 -4.4% -2.76%
2000 -1.37% -0.95%
1999 1.1% -15.3%
1998 5.21% -11.8%
1997 -4.48% 0.27%
1996 -3.35% 2.11%
1995 0.77% 5.13%
1994 -0.19% 5.69%
1993 -1.83% 7.55%
1992 -2.14% 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/fiji/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, Fiji's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $201M, equivalent to 3.36% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's surplus of $205M, or 9.04% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Fiji recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Fiji posted an annual deficit equal to 2.81% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.21% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Fiji

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Fiji Lesotho
2024 4.51% 6.11%
2023 2.34% 6.34%
2022 4.32% 8.27%
2021 0.16% 6.05%
2020 -2.6% 4.98%
2019 1.77% 5.19%
2018 4.08% 4.75%
2017 3.35% 4.45%
2016 3.86% 6.6%
2015 1.37% 3.22%
2014 0.52% 5.37%
2013 2.91% 4.87%
2012 3.42% 6.05%
2011 7.28% 5.04%
2010 3.69% -2.41%
2009 3.13% -16.9%
2008 7.73% 10.7%
2007 4.8% 8.01%
2006 2.49% 6.07%
2005 2.37% 3.44%
2004 2.83% 5.02%
2003 4.17% 6.63%
2002 0.76% 33.8%
2001 4.27% -9.62%
2000 1.09% 6.13%
1999 1.97% -
1998 5.71% -
1997 3.37% -

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Fiji has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.99%, compared with 5.13% in Lesotho. In 2024, inflation was 4.51% in Fiji and 6.11% in Lesotho.

Top exports between countries

Fiji
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $38K
Metals $3K
Lesotho
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Fiji Lesotho
Current account balance
-$866M
2022
$89.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
120/190
2022
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-17.4%
2022
+3.93%
2024
Goods imports
$2.68B
2022
$1.67B
2024
Goods exports
$1.05B
2022
$965M
2024
Service imports
$754M
2022
$415M
2024
Service exports
$1.33B
2022
$15.4M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
69.2%
2023
98.6%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
57%
2023
42.9%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Fiji Lesotho
Economic freedom 59.5 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 103/197 130/197
Property rights 59.9 41.7
Government integrity 55.4 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 53.2 43.6
Tax burden 87.8 76.4
Government spending 70 21.3
Fiscal health 7.5 93.5
Business freedom 69.5 50.6
Labor freedom 66.9 57
Monetary freedom 72.4 74.8
Trade freedom 66.6 65.4
Investment freedom 55 55
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Fiji
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Fiji Lesotho
2026 59.5 54.9
2025 59.1 54.1
2024 58 51.9
2023 58 51.6
2022 56.4 48.1
2021 62.2 53.5
2020 63.4 54.5
2019 62.2 53.1
2018 62 53.9
2017 63.4 53.9
2016 58.8 50.6
2015 59 49.6
2014 58.7 49.5
2013 57.2 47.9
2012 57.3 46.6
2011 60.4 47.5
2010 60.3 48.1
2009 61 49.7
2008 61.8 52.1
2007 60.8 53.2
2006 58.4 54.7
2005 58.2 53.9
2004 58 50.3
2003 54.7 52
2002 53.9 48.9
2001 53.7 50.6
2000 57.8 48.4
1999 58.4 48.2
1998 58.2 48.4
1997 58 47.2
1996 57.4 47
1995 54.7 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Fiji is 59.5, ranking 103/197, 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

Fiji Lesotho
Services, % of GDP
54.6%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
30.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
13.2%
2024
6.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$5.4B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,490
2024
$3,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.6B
2024
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
133/177
2024
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$86.9M
2022
$12.6M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$204M
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$25.6M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.36%
2024
4.06%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31%
2020
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.7%
2023
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/fiji/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 (1995–2026, 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. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.