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Economy of Haiti vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Haiti has a GDP of $25.2B compared to $2.27B for Lesotho, ranking 117/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

Haiti has $3.91B in government debt (15.5% of GDP), compared to $1.29B (56.8% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Haiti vs Lesotho GDP by year

Haiti
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Haiti Lesotho
2024 $25,224,154,991 $2,271,759,455
2023 $19,850,585,722 $2,117,962,445
2022 $20,253,551,921 $2,354,980,960
2021 $20,944,387,976 $2,412,130,057
2020 $14,508,222,518 $2,053,699,864
2019 $15,016,090,930 $2,390,702,296
2018 $16,403,864,618 $2,556,247,292
2017 $15,093,357,161 $2,306,741,672
2016 $14,069,277,526 $2,114,426,452
2015 $14,849,629,309 $2,359,686,725
2014 $15,146,883,498 $2,441,063,054
2013 $14,902,488,604 $2,367,112,932
2012 $13,708,925,477 $2,477,702,216
2011 $13,008,746,039 $2,579,409,620
2010 $11,859,312,725 $2,234,754,242
2009 $11,597,002,835 $1,740,894,965
2008 $10,432,962,635 $1,766,902,709
2007 $9,228,637,768 $1,682,131,785
2006 $7,638,739,123 $1,800,092,564
2005 $7,030,149,730 $1,682,343,527
2004 $6,087,360,684 $1,511,236,656
2003 $5,071,947,798 $1,157,825,435
2002 $6,205,847,214 $775,777,239
2001 $6,331,970,324 $825,706,961
2000 $6,813,566,099 $887,291,688
1999 $4,153,725,884 $912,773,681
1998 $3,723,903,724 $928,460,893
1997 $3,338,949,152 $998,004,259
1996 $2,907,517,604 $946,112,493
1995 $2,813,313,279 $1,001,894,000
1994 $2,167,569,046 $878,250,945
1993 $1,878,253,767 $835,582,062
1992 $2,257,129,792 $831,029,862
1991 $3,473,562,628 $704,325,367
1990 $3,096,289,800 $596,410,264
1989 $2,736,243,800 $495,409,233
1988 $2,613,926,800 $470,395,801
1987 $2,047,200,000 $402,768,324
1986 $2,318,000,000 $318,858,423
1985 $2,009,400,000 $268,629,926
1984 $1,816,200,000 $333,163,670
1983 $1,623,600,000 $386,699,309
1982 $1,474,200,000 $348,741,684
1981 $1,479,400,000 $434,188,034
1980 $1,383,800,000 $431,542,537
1979 $1,080,600,000 $290,134,593
1978 $974,200,000 $266,570,067
1977 $947,000,000 $193,315,048
1976 $879,000,000 $147,660,037
1975 $681,400,000 $149,558,896
1974 $565,399,322 $150,851,317
1973 $466,798,973 $121,188,716
1972 $371,998,958 $80,913,200
1971 $362,800,000 $76,480,285
1970 $331,200,000 $68,739,973
1969 $391,820,400 $65,967,974
1968 $367,968,800 $61,445,975
1967 $369,124,200 $59,261,976
1966 $368,948,600 $56,699,977
1965 $353,251,800 $54,879,978
1964 $325,281,200 $51,939,979
1963 $294,883,400 $47,039,981
1962 $281,896,800 $41,859,983
1961 $271,066,000 $35,699,986
1960 $273,187,200 $34,579,986

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

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

GDP per capita in Haiti vs Lesotho by year

Haiti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Haiti Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,143 $3,194 $972 $3,001
2023 $1,706 $3,292 $916 $2,881
2022 $1,761 $3,275 $1,030 $2,761
2021 $1,841 $3,145 $1,067 $2,545
2020 $1,290 $3,103 $919 $2,559
2019 $1,352 $3,237 $1,082 $2,568
2018 $1,496 $3,197 $1,171 $2,632
2017 $1,395 $3,339 $1,069 $2,619
2016 $1,318 $3,253 $992 $2,942
2015 $1,411 $3,026 $1,121 $3,035
2014 $1,460 $3,076 $1,174 $2,771
2013 $1,458 $3,042 $1,151 $2,538
2012 $1,361 $2,830 $1,218 $2,291
2011 $1,312 $2,858 $1,281 $2,279
2010 $1,210 $2,695 $1,119 $2,153
2009 $1,197 $2,855 $879 $2,036
2008 $1,095 $2,724 $898 $2,064
2007 $985 $2,647 $861 $1,932
2006 $829 $2,504 $925 $1,813
2005 $776 $2,427 $861 $1,681
2004 $683 $2,322 $767 $1,561
2003 $579 $2,331 $583 $1,484
2002 $721 $2,248 $389 $1,385
2001 $749 $2,230 $413 $1,350
2000 $821 $2,229 $443 $1,273
1999 $510 $2,201 $456 $1,199
1998 $465 $2,152 $465 $1,179
1997 $425 $2,122 $502 $1,154
1996 $377 $2,070 $480 $1,103
1995 $372 $1,989 $513 $1,037
1994 $292.1 $1,807 $456 $995
1993 $258.1 $2,048 $439 $932
1992 $316 $2,158 $444 $893
1991 $497 $2,273 $382 $830
1990 $452 $2,202 $330 $764
1989 $407 - $279 -
1988 $397 - $270.4 -
1987 $318 - $236.5 -
1986 $367 - $191.4 -
1985 $325 - $165.4 -
1984 $299.2 - $211 -
1983 $272.8 - $252 -
1982 $252.6 - $233.9 -
1981 $258.5 - $299.8 -
1980 $246.5 - $307 -
1979 $196.2 - $212.4 -
1978 $180.3 - $200.8 -
1977 $178.7 - $149.9 -
1976 $169.1 - $117.8 -
1975 $133.6 - $123.2 -
1974 $113 - $128.7 -
1973 $95.1 - $107 -
1972 $77.3 - $74 -
1971 $76.8 - $72.4 -
1970 $71.5 - $67.4 -
1969 $86.1 - $67.1 -
1968 $82.4 - $64.8 -
1967 $84.2 - $64.8 -
1966 $85.7 - $64.3 -
1965 $83.6 - $64.3 -
1964 $78.5 - $62.6 -
1963 $72.4 - $58.4 -
1962 $70.4 - $53.5 -
1961 $69 - $47 -
1960 $70.8 - $47 -

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

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

Haiti's GDP per capita is $2,143, ranking 153/197, compared to $972 in Lesotho, ranking 181/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Haiti ranks 177th at $3,194, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Haiti Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$25.2B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank
117/197
2024
175/197
2024
GDP growth
-4.17%
2023-2024
2.85%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,143
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank
153/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,194
2024
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
177/197
2024
180/197
2024
Government debt
$3.91B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
15.5%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$332
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2024
164/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,896
2026
$6,545
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2012
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2012
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
5.25%
2024
53.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
26.9%
2023-2024
6.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
14.1%
2012
18.7%
2024
Population
12076663
2396633

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Haiti
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Haiti Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 5.25% 15.5% 53.5% 56.8%
2023 6.46% 28.5% 49.4% 61.5%
2022 8.33% 29.5% 50.8% 64.4%
2021 9.42% 28.9% 53.8% 58%
2020 9.86% 22.3% 54.4% 54.7%
2019 9.59% 26.5% 53.6% 58.2%
2018 11.3% 24.1% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 10.2% 22.5% 50.4% 41%
2016 10.5% 24.4% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 12.7% 23.9% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 14.6% 21.4% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 15.9% 25.1% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 16.4% 24.1% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 14.1% 22.3% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 12.6% 24.9% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 11.6% 19.4% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 11.2% 33.9% 54.1% 47%
2007 11.1% 24.4% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 9.67% 32.2% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 8.75% 29.7% 37.6% 41%
2004 7.38% 30.4% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 7.83% 37.8% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 6.64% 32% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 6.11% 28.8% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 6.25% 32.5% 39.3% 88.5%
1999 6.91% 24.1% 50.8% 83%
1998 5.4% 24% 51.4% 79.4%
1997 5.46% 26.2% 44.6% 65.7%
1996 - 26.2% 41.5% 71.6%
1995 - 26.2% 42.1% 62.8%
1994 - 35.3% 40.2% 67%
1993 - 98% 36% 71.2%
1992 - 118.9% 35.3% 64.4%
1991 - 80.7% 31.3% 11.9%
1990 - 85.1% 32.9% 18%
1989 - 98.7% 35.8% 112.5%
1988 - 90.9% 35.3% 105.2%
1987 32.4% 58.6% 40.3% 97.4%
1986 15.1% 26.5% 33.2% 92.5%
1985 17.4% 25.6% 32.8% 86.3%
1984 16.9% 27.3% 26.8% 57.2%
1983 21.9% 28.9% 27.2% 56.7%
1982 20.7% 25.5% 29.9% 61.4%
1981 17.4% 23.7% - -
1980 17.2% 20.3% - -
1979 13.1% 19.8% - -
1978 18.9% 20.1% - -
1977 16.7% 18.5% - -
1976 13.4% 14.9% - -
1975 12.8% 14.2% - -
1974 9.24% 13.3% - -
1973 9.4% 8.92% - -
1972 11.2% 11.1% - -
1971 11.2% 11% - -
1970 11.4% 12.5% - -
1969 10.1% - - -
1968 10.3% - - -
1967 7.52% - - -
1966 7.2% - - -
1965 7.91% - - -
1964 - - - -
1963 8.95% - - -
1962 - - - -
1961 - - - -
1960 7.34% 21.6% - -

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/haiti/lesotho | CC BY

In 2024, Haiti's government spending was $1.32B, accounting for 5.25% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.22B, or 53.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 15.5% in Haiti and 56.8% in Lesotho, ranking 177/185 and 92/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Haiti

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Haiti Lesotho
2024 6.96% 9.04%
2023 0.77% 7.31%
2022 -1.75% -6.41%
2021 -2.45% -4.95%
2020 -1.96% 1.18%
2019 -1.99% -5.72%
2018 -1.13% -4.41%
2017 -0.32% -2.02%
2016 0.12% -9.43%
2015 -1.47% -1.38%
2014 -3.64% 3.16%
2013 -3.98% -2.58%
2012 -2.71% 4.56%
2011 -1.43% -9.85%
2010 -1.5% -1.49%
2009 -2% -4.16%
2008 -1.8% 8.1%
2007 -1.55% 10.8%
2006 -0.91% 11.6%
2005 -0.83% 4.46%
2004 -1.34% 6.05%
2003 -2.24% 0.89%
2002 -1.8% -2.44%
2001 -1.55% -2.76%
2000 -1.36% -0.95%
1999 -1.54% -15.3%
1998 0.21% -11.8%
1997 0.37% 0.27%
1996 - 2.11%
1995 - 5.13%
1994 - 5.69%
1993 - 7.55%
1992 - 4.65%
1991 - 9.74%
1990 - 8.78%
1989 - 3.88%
1988 - -1.87%
1987 -4.94% -2.85%
1986 -1.4% 0.87%
1985 -0.97% 1.68%
1984 -3.52% 4.82%
1983 -5.72% 1.85%
1982 -3.93% -2.03%
1981 -4.38% -
1980 -5.68% -
1979 -2.21% -
1978 -3.24% -
1977 -2.85% -
1976 -1.16% -
1975 -1.73% -
1974 0.23% -
1973 0.03% -
1972 0.24% -
1971 -0.08% -
1970 -0.19% -
1969 -0.39% -
1968 -0.46% -
1967 0% -
1966 0% -
1965 0% -
1964 - -
1963 0% -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 0.006% -
1959 -1.11% -
1958 -2.21% -
1957 0.28% -
1956 -2.18% -
1955 -0.86% -
1954 -0.81% -
1953 -1.01% -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 -0.12% -
1948 0.21% -
1947 1.06% -
1946 0.51% -
1945 0.47% -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 -0.21% -
1940 0.13% -
1939 -0.16% -
1938 0.15% -
1937 -0.08% -
1936 -0.06% -
1935 -0.2% -
1934 -1.23% -
1933 0% -
1932 0.4% -
1931 -0.49% -
1930 -0.52% -
1929 -0.32% -
1928 -0.25% -
1927 0.73% -
1926 -0.45% -
1925 0.05% -
1924 -0.14% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Haiti's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.76B, equivalent to 6.96% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's surplus of $205M, or 9.04% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, Haiti recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Haiti posted an annual deficit equal to 1.57% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.74% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Haiti

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Haiti Lesotho
2024 26.9% 6.11%
2023 36.8% 6.34%
2022 34% 8.27%
2021 16.8% 6.05%
2020 22.8% 4.98%
2019 18.7% 5.19%
2018 12.5% 4.75%
2017 10.7% 4.45%
2016 11.5% 6.6%
2015 6.73% 3.22%
2014 3.44% 5.37%
2013 4.77% 4.87%
2012 5.02% 6.05%
2011 6.33% 5.04%
2010 4.83% -2.41%
2009 0.39% -16.9%
2008 15.3% 10.7%
2007 6.56% 8.01%
2006 11.3% 6.07%
2005 14% 3.44%
2004 21% 5.02%
2003 28.7% 6.63%
2002 7.03% 33.8%
2001 13.3% -9.62%
2000 9.33% 6.13%
1999 3% -
1998 5.27% -
1997 20.6% -

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Haiti has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 14%, compared with 5.13% in Lesotho. In 2024, inflation was 26.9% in Haiti and 6.11% in Lesotho.

Top exports between countries

Haiti
Export category Export value
Lesotho
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $14K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K

Balance of trade

Haiti Lesotho
Current account balance
-$145M
2024
$89.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
92/190
2024
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.58%
2024
+3.93%
2024
Goods imports
$4.27B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Goods exports
$767M
2024
$965M
2024
Service imports
$518M
2024
$415M
2024
Service exports
$96.6M
2024
$15.4M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
98.6%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
3.4%
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.

Haiti Lesotho
Economic freedom 46.1 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 178/197 130/197
Property rights 6.6 41.7
Government integrity 13 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 17.3 43.6
Tax burden 81.7 76.4
Government spending 98.7 21.3
Fiscal health 99.5 93.5
Business freedom 30.7 50.6
Labor freedom 54.7 57
Monetary freedom 45.1 74.8
Trade freedom 66.4 65.4
Investment freedom 20 55
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Haiti
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Haiti Lesotho
2026 46.1 54.9
2025 46.1 54.1
2024 48.2 51.9
2023 49.9 51.6
2022 50 48.1
2021 50.8 53.5
2020 52.3 54.5
2019 52.7 53.1
2018 55.8 53.9
2017 49.6 53.9
2016 51.3 50.6
2015 51.3 49.6
2014 48.9 49.5
2013 48.1 47.9
2012 50.7 46.6
2011 52.1 47.5
2010 50.8 48.1
2009 50.5 49.7
2008 49 52.1
2007 51.4 53.2
2006 49.2 54.7
2005 48.4 53.9
2004 51.2 50.3
2003 50.6 52
2002 47.9 48.9
2001 47.1 50.6
2000 45.7 48.4
1999 45.9 48.2
1998 45.7 48.4
1997 45.8 47.2
1996 41 47
1995 43 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Haiti is 46.1, ranking 178/197, 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

Haiti Lesotho
Services, % of GDP
48.3%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.4%
2024
30.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
6.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,190
2024
$3,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.72B
2024
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
121/177
2024
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$20M
2024
$12.6M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$20M
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.15%
2024
4.06%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
58.5%
2012
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.94%
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/haiti/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 (1924–1996, 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. TradeMap (2020–2021, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.