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Economy of Guatemala vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guatemala has a GDP of $113B compared to $2.27B for Lesotho, ranking 68/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guatemala has $29.8B in government debt (26.3% of GDP), compared to $1.29B (56.8% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Guatemala vs Lesotho GDP by year

Guatemala
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guatemala Lesotho
2024 $113,199,581,158 $2,271,759,455
2023 $104,368,755,055 $2,117,962,445
2022 $95,641,446,501 $2,354,980,960
2021 $86,455,522,273 $2,412,130,057
2020 $77,719,468,248 $2,053,699,864
2019 $77,172,331,693 $2,390,702,296
2018 $73,328,356,008 $2,556,247,292
2017 $71,653,780,740 $2,306,741,672
2016 $66,053,408,206 $2,114,426,452
2015 $62,186,066,548 $2,359,686,725
2014 $57,852,159,008 $2,441,063,054
2013 $52,996,420,177 $2,367,112,932
2012 $49,593,929,487 $2,477,702,216
2011 $46,876,006,272 $2,579,409,620
2010 $40,676,578,423 $2,234,754,242
2009 $37,126,148,265 $1,740,894,965
2008 $38,503,720,224 $1,766,902,709
2007 $33,567,850,824 $1,682,131,785
2006 $29,744,246,827 $1,800,092,564
2005 $26,783,389,294 $1,682,343,527
2004 $23,577,298,095 $1,511,236,656
2003 $21,576,351,799 $1,157,825,435
2002 $20,444,205,991 $775,777,239
2001 $18,405,220,247 $825,706,961
2000 $19,288,929,030 $887,291,688
1999 $18,318,412,251 $912,773,681
1998 $19,395,491,993 $928,460,893
1997 $17,790,026,222 $998,004,259
1996 $15,674,835,615 $946,112,493
1995 $14,655,404,433 $1,001,894,000
1994 $12,983,233,311 $878,250,945
1993 $11,400,017,301 $835,582,062
1992 $10,440,781,588 $831,029,862
1991 $9,406,135,143 $704,325,367
1990 $7,650,196,845 $596,410,264
1989 $8,410,724,361 $495,409,233
1988 $7,841,602,824 $470,395,801
1987 $7,084,399,840 $402,768,324
1986 $7,231,963,516 $318,858,423
1985 $9,721,652,087 $268,629,926
1984 $9,470,000,100 $333,163,670
1983 $9,050,000,400 $386,699,309
1982 $8,716,999,700 $348,741,684
1981 $8,607,500,300 $434,188,034
1980 $7,878,700,000 $431,542,537
1979 $6,902,600,200 $290,134,593
1978 $6,070,600,200 $266,570,067
1977 $5,480,500,200 $193,315,048
1976 $4,365,300,200 $147,660,037
1975 $3,645,900,000 $149,558,896
1974 $3,161,499,900 $150,851,317
1973 $2,569,200,100 $121,188,716
1972 $2,101,300,000 $80,913,200
1971 $1,984,800,000 $76,480,285
1970 $1,904,000,000 $68,739,973
1969 $1,715,399,900 $65,967,974
1968 $1,610,500,000 $61,445,975
1967 $1,453,500,000 $59,261,976
1966 $1,390,700,000 $56,699,977
1965 $1,331,399,900 $54,879,978
1964 $1,299,099,900 $51,939,979
1963 $1,262,800,000 $47,039,981
1962 $1,143,600,000 $41,859,983
1961 $1,076,699,900 $35,699,986
1960 $1,043,599,900 $34,579,986

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

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

GDP per capita in Guatemala vs Lesotho by year

Guatemala
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guatemala Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,150 $14,369 $972 $3,001
2023 $5,758 $13,745 $916 $2,881
2022 $5,359 $13,014 $1,030 $2,761
2021 $4,913 $11,825 $1,067 $2,545
2020 $4,478 $10,947 $919 $2,559
2019 $4,512 $10,756 $1,082 $2,568
2018 $4,353 $9,947 $1,171 $2,632
2017 $4,325 $9,560 $1,069 $2,619
2016 $4,060 $9,201 $992 $2,942
2015 $3,894 $8,934 $1,121 $3,035
2014 $3,689 $8,237 $1,174 $2,771
2013 $3,444 $7,700 $1,151 $2,538
2012 $3,287 $7,258 $1,218 $2,291
2011 $3,169 $6,784 $1,281 $2,279
2010 $2,805 $6,510 $1,119 $2,153
2009 $2,612 $6,377 $879 $2,036
2008 $2,763 $6,435 $898 $2,064
2007 $2,459 $6,238 $861 $1,932
2006 $2,225 $5,833 $925 $1,813
2005 $2,046 $5,486 $861 $1,681
2004 $1,841 $5,263 $767 $1,561
2003 $1,723 $5,081 $583 $1,484
2002 $1,669 $4,969 $389 $1,385
2001 $1,538 $4,822 $413 $1,350
2000 $1,649 $4,715 $443 $1,273
1999 $1,604 $4,557 $456 $1,199
1998 $1,741 $4,437 $465 $1,179
1997 $1,638 $4,287 $502 $1,154
1996 $1,481 $4,143 $480 $1,103
1995 $1,421 $4,055 $513 $1,037
1994 $1,293 $3,886 $456 $995
1993 $1,166 $3,756 $439 $932
1992 $1,096 $3,626 $444 $893
1991 $1,014 $3,473 $382 $830
1990 $848 $3,330 $330 $764
1989 $958 - $279 -
1988 $919 - $270.4 -
1987 $854 - $236.5 -
1986 $896 - $191.4 -
1985 $1,238 - $165.4 -
1984 $1,241 - $211 -
1983 $1,220 - $252 -
1982 $1,204 - $233.9 -
1981 $1,216 - $299.8 -
1980 $1,142 - $307 -
1979 $1,026 - $212.4 -
1978 $925 - $200.8 -
1977 $856 - $149.9 -
1976 $697 - $117.8 -
1975 $595 - $123.2 -
1974 $529 - $128.7 -
1973 $441 - $107 -
1972 $370 - $74 -
1971 $358 - $72.4 -
1970 $353 - $67.4 -
1969 $326 - $67.1 -
1968 $315 - $64.8 -
1967 $291.9 - $64.8 -
1966 $287.3 - $64.3 -
1965 $283 - $64.3 -
1964 $284.2 - $62.6 -
1963 $284.4 - $58.4 -
1962 $265.2 - $53.5 -
1961 $257.2 - $47 -
1960 $256.8 - $47 -

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

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

Guatemala's GDP per capita is $6,150, ranking 112/197, compared to $972 in Lesotho, ranking 181/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guatemala ranks 116th at $14,369, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Guatemala Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank
68/197
2024
175/197
2024
GDP growth
3.65%
2023-2024
2.85%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,150
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank
112/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,369
2024
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
116/197
2024
180/197
2024
Government debt
$29.8B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.3%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,619
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank
124/185
2024
164/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,917
2026
$6,545
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.1%
2023
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2023
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
53.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.87%
2023-2024
6.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.9%
2024
18.7%
2024
Population
19049936
2396633

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guatemala
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guatemala Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 13.4% 26.3% 53.5% 56.8%
2023 13.7% 27.2% 49.4% 61.5%
2022 14.3% 29% 50.8% 64.4%
2021 13.5% 30.6% 53.8% 58%
2020 15.6% 31.5% 54.4% 54.7%
2019 13.4% 26.4% 53.6% 58.2%
2018 13.2% 26.4% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 12.8% 25.1% 50.4% 41%
2016 12.6% 24.9% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 12.6% 24.8% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 13.6% 24.7% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 14% 25% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 14.2% 24.6% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 14.5% 23.8% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 14.5% 24% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 14.1% 22.8% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 13.3% 19.6% 54.1% 47%
2007 13.9% 20.8% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 14.2% 20.9% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 13.2% 20% 37.6% 41%
2004 12.9% 20.6% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 14.4% 19.8% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 13.1% 17.4% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 13.8% 19.1% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 13.6% 18% 39.3% 88.5%
1999 14.6% 22% 50.8% 83%
1998 13.2% 19% 51.4% 79.4%
1997 11.2% 18.5% 44.6% 65.7%
1996 9.85% 19.2% 41.5% 71.6%
1995 9.77% 21% 42.1% 62.8%
1994 - - 40.2% 67%
1993 - - 36% 71.2%
1992 - - 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 (1982–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Guatemala's government spending was $15.1B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.22B, or 53.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.3% in Guatemala and 56.8% in Lesotho, ranking 161/185 and 92/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guatemala

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guatemala Lesotho
2024 -0.96% 9.04%
2023 -1.25% 7.31%
2022 -1.7% -6.41%
2021 -1.16% -4.95%
2020 -4.91% 1.18%
2019 -2.24% -5.72%
2018 -1.88% -4.41%
2017 -1.38% -2.02%
2016 -1.11% -9.43%
2015 -1.47% -1.38%
2014 -1.92% 3.16%
2013 -2.16% -2.58%
2012 -2.42% 4.56%
2011 -2.8% -9.85%
2010 -3.28% -1.49%
2009 -3.12% -4.16%
2008 -1.57% 8.1%
2007 -1.4% 10.8%
2006 -1.88% 11.6%
2005 -1.67% 4.46%
2004 -1.05% 6.05%
2003 -2.47% 0.89%
2002 -1.03% -2.44%
2001 -2% -2.76%
2000 -1.88% -0.95%
1999 -2.96% -15.3%
1998 -2.29% -11.8%
1997 -0.79% 0.27%
1996 0.04% 2.11%
1995 -0.53% 5.13%
1994 - 5.69%
1993 - 7.55%
1992 - 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/guatemala/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, Guatemala's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.09B, equivalent to 0.96% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's surplus of $205M, or 9.04% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Guatemala recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Guatemala posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.37% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guatemala

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guatemala Lesotho
2024 2.87% 6.11%
2023 6.21% 6.34%
2022 6.89% 8.27%
2021 4.26% 6.05%
2020 3.21% 4.98%
2019 3.7% 5.19%
2018 3.75% 4.75%
2017 4.42% 4.45%
2016 4.45% 6.6%
2015 2.39% 3.22%
2014 3.42% 5.37%
2013 4.34% 4.87%
2012 3.78% 6.05%
2011 6.21% 5.04%
2010 3.86% -2.41%
2009 1.86% -16.9%
2008 11.4% 10.7%
2007 6.82% 8.01%
2006 6.56% 6.07%
2005 9.11% 3.44%
2004 7.58% 5.02%
2003 5.6% 6.63%
2002 8.13% 33.8%
2001 7.29% -9.62%
2000 5.98% 6.13%
1999 5.21% -
1998 6.61% -
1997 9.23% -

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Guatemala has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.36%, compared with 5.13% in Lesotho. In 2024, inflation was 2.87% in Guatemala and 6.11% in Lesotho.

Top exports between countries

Guatemala
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6K
Lesotho
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Guatemala Lesotho
Current account balance
$3.27B
2024
$89.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
38/190
2024
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.89%
2024
+3.93%
2024
Goods imports
$29.1B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$965M
2024
Service imports
$6.45B
2024
$415M
2024
Service exports
$4.65B
2024
$15.4M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
98.6%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.9%
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.

Guatemala Lesotho
Economic freedom 63.5 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 79/197 130/197
Property rights 39.1 41.7
Government integrity 25.2 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 43.6
Tax burden 91.3 76.4
Government spending 94.3 21.3
Fiscal health 95.9 93.5
Business freedom 65.7 50.6
Labor freedom 52.5 57
Monetary freedom 77.3 74.8
Trade freedom 74.6 65.4
Investment freedom 70 55
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guatemala
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guatemala Lesotho
2026 63.5 54.9
2025 63.4 54.1
2024 62.4 51.9
2023 62.7 51.6
2022 63.2 48.1
2021 64 53.5
2020 64 54.5
2019 62.6 53.1
2018 63.4 53.9
2017 63 53.9
2016 61.8 50.6
2015 60.4 49.6
2014 61.2 49.5
2013 60 47.9
2012 60.9 46.6
2011 61.9 47.5
2010 61 48.1
2009 59.4 49.7
2008 59.8 52.1
2007 60.5 53.2
2006 59.1 54.7
2005 59.5 53.9
2004 59.6 50.3
2003 62.3 52
2002 62.3 48.9
2001 65.1 50.6
2000 64.3 48.4
1999 66.2 48.2
1998 65.8 48.4
1997 65.7 47.2
1996 63.7 47
1995 62 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guatemala is 63.5, ranking 79/197, 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

Guatemala Lesotho
Services, % of GDP
61.8%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
30.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.78%
2024
6.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$106B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,170
2024
$3,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$24.4B
2024
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
57/177
2024
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$983M
2024
$12.6M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.85B
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.75%
2024
4.06%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56%
2023
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.7%
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/guatemala/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 (1982–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.