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Economy of Hungary vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Hungary has a GDP of $223B compared to $2.27B for Lesotho, ranking 55/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

Hungary has $164B in government debt (73.5% of GDP), compared to $1.29B (56.8% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Hungary vs Lesotho GDP by year

Hungary
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Hungary Lesotho
2024 $222,722,738,926 $2,271,759,455
2023 $213,240,316,635 $2,117,962,445
2022 $177,002,580,544 $2,354,980,960
2021 $183,282,685,440 $2,412,130,057
2020 $158,468,487,754 $2,053,699,864
2019 $164,936,682,034 $2,390,702,296
2018 $161,184,691,014 $2,556,247,292
2017 $143,335,098,992 $2,306,741,672
2016 $128,983,560,865 $2,114,426,452
2015 $125,244,126,623 $2,359,686,725
2014 $141,128,696,412 $2,441,063,054
2013 $135,646,053,779 $2,367,112,932
2012 $128,470,269,690 $2,477,702,216
2011 $141,712,804,954 $2,579,409,620
2010 $131,898,737,241 $2,234,754,242
2009 $130,807,441,076 $1,740,894,965
2008 $158,228,265,916 $1,766,902,709
2007 $140,123,326,896 $1,682,131,785
2006 $115,604,111,412 $1,800,092,564
2005 $113,098,237,571 $1,682,343,527
2004 $104,015,363,080 $1,511,236,656
2003 $85,190,469,121 $1,157,825,435
2002 $67,636,468,625 $775,777,239
2001 $53,800,068,066 $825,706,961
2000 $47,275,954,429 $887,291,688
1999 $49,160,204,397 $912,773,681
1998 $48,784,412,624 $928,460,893
1997 $47,398,564,799 $998,004,259
1996 $46,833,767,124 $946,112,493
1995 $46,577,614,589 $1,001,894,000
1994 $43,307,949,890 $878,250,945
1993 $40,256,233,360 $835,582,062
1992 $38,857,339,125 $831,029,862
1991 $34,867,307,353 $704,325,367
1990 $34,478,360,679 $596,410,264
1989 $30,422,508,938 $495,409,233
1988 $29,799,838,597 $470,395,801
1987 $27,232,016,527 $402,768,324
1986 $24,778,163,812 $318,858,423
1985 $21,510,643,750 $268,629,926
1984 $21,242,726,264 $333,163,670
1983 $21,910,365,258 $386,699,309
1982 $24,141,667,188 $348,741,684
1981 $23,705,883,892 $434,188,034
1980 $23,116,977,148 $431,542,537
1979 $19,959,731,325 $290,134,593
1978 $17,286,744,154 $266,570,067
1977 $14,783,674,055 $193,315,048
1976 $13,235,612,079 $147,660,037
1975 $11,420,392,515 $149,558,896
1974 $10,016,338,179 $150,851,317
1973 $9,138,292,402 $121,188,716
1972 $7,379,313,742 $80,913,200
1971 $6,291,568,221 $76,480,285
1970 $5,780,929,203 $68,739,973
1969 $5,429,812,387 $65,967,974
1968 $4,886,222,555 $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/hungary/lesotho | CC BY

GDP per capita in Hungary vs Lesotho by year

Hungary
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Hungary Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $23,292 $48,552 $972 $3,001
2023 $22,231 $46,592 $916 $2,881
2022 $18,428 $44,366 $1,030 $2,761
2021 $19,031 $38,887 $1,067 $2,545
2020 $16,387 $35,584 $919 $2,559
2019 $17,013 $35,627 $1,082 $2,568
2018 $16,605 $32,258 $1,171 $2,632
2017 $14,736 $29,728 $1,069 $2,619
2016 $13,216 $28,179 $992 $2,942
2015 $12,783 $26,938 $1,121 $3,035
2014 $14,353 $25,796 $1,174 $2,771
2013 $13,739 $24,592 $1,151 $2,538
2012 $12,950 $23,205 $1,218 $2,291
2011 $14,211 $22,992 $1,281 $2,279
2010 $13,190 $21,691 $1,119 $2,153
2009 $13,051 $20,691 $879 $2,036
2008 $15,763 $20,709 $898 $2,064
2007 $13,935 $19,089 $861 $1,932
2006 $11,478 $18,362 $925 $1,813
2005 $11,212 $17,091 $861 $1,681
2004 $10,291 $16,251 $767 $1,561
2003 $8,410 $15,460 $583 $1,484
2002 $6,658 $14,532 $389 $1,385
2001 $5,281 $13,223 $413 $1,350
2000 $4,630 $11,872 $443 $1,273
1999 $4,802 $10,892 $456 $1,199
1998 $4,752 $10,415 $465 $1,179
1997 $4,606 $9,846 $502 $1,154
1996 $4,542 $9,388 $480 $1,103
1995 $4,509 $9,222 $513 $1,037
1994 $4,187 $8,888 $456 $995
1993 $3,887 $8,441 $439 $932
1992 $3,747 $8,284 $444 $893
1991 $3,361 $8,352 $382 $830
1990 $3,324 $9,169 $330 $764
1989 $2,902 - $279 -
1988 $2,812 - $270.4 -
1987 $2,566 - $236.5 -
1986 $2,331 - $191.4 -
1985 $2,020 - $165.4 -
1984 $1,991 - $211 -
1983 $2,050 - $252 -
1982 $2,255 - $233.9 -
1981 $2,213 - $299.8 -
1980 $2,158 - $307 -
1979 $1,865 - $212.4 -
1978 $1,618 - $200.8 -
1977 $1,388 - $149.9 -
1976 $1,249 - $117.8 -
1975 $1,083 - $123.2 -
1974 $956 - $128.7 -
1973 $876 - $107 -
1972 $710 - $74 -
1971 $607 - $72.4 -
1970 $559 - $67.4 -
1969 $527 - $67.1 -
1968 $476 - $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/hungary/lesotho | CC BY

Hungary's GDP per capita is $23,292, ranking 55/197, compared to $972 in Lesotho, ranking 181/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Hungary ranks 48th at $48,552, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Hungary Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$223B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank
55/197
2024
175/197
2024
GDP growth
0.56%
2023-2024
2.85%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$23,292
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank
55/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$48,552
2024
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
48/197
2024
180/197
2024
Government debt
$164B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.5%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$17,109
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank
37/185
2024
164/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,996
2026
$6,545
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$41.5B
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
24,692
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.4%
2022
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.9%
2024
53.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.7%
2023-2024
6.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2024
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.47%
2024
18.7%
2024
Population
9475525
2396633

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Hungary
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Hungary Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.9% 73.5% 53.5% 56.8%
2023 49.2% 73% 49.4% 61.5%
2022 48.7% 73.9% 50.8% 64.4%
2021 48.1% 76.2% 53.8% 58%
2020 51% 78.7% 54.4% 54.7%
2019 45.8% 65% 53.6% 58.2%
2018 45.9% 68.8% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 46.6% 72% 50.4% 41%
2016 46.7% 74.6% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 50.4% 75.7% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 50% 76.5% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 50.1% 77.2% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 49.2% 78.4% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 49.1% 80.5% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 48.9% 80.2% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 50.7% 78.2% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 48.8% 71.8% 54.1% 47%
2007 49.9% 65.6% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 51.4% 64.5% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 49.4% 60.6% 37.6% 41%
2004 48.8% 58.9% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 49.2% 58.2% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 51% 55.6% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 47.2% 52.2% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 47.3% 55.6% 39.3% 88.5%
1999 48.9% 60.3% 50.8% 83%
1998 50.7% 60.4% 51.4% 79.4%
1997 49.5% 62.2% 44.6% 65.7%
1996 50.9% 71.2% 41.5% 71.6%
1995 55% 83.9% 42.1% 62.8%
1994 - 86.2% 40.2% 67%
1993 - 87.2% 36% 71.2%
1992 - 76.5% 35.3% 64.4%
1991 - 74.2% 31.3% 11.9%
1990 - 63.7% 32.9% 18%
1989 - 70.7% 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 (1982–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Hungary's government spending was $104B, accounting for 46.9% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.22B, or 53.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.5% in Hungary and 56.8% in Lesotho, ranking 49/185 and 92/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Hungary

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Hungary Lesotho
2024 -4.92% 9.04%
2023 -6.75% 7.31%
2022 -6.17% -6.41%
2021 -7.11% -4.95%
2020 -7.49% 1.18%
2019 -2.02% -5.72%
2018 -2.05% -4.41%
2017 -2.45% -2.02%
2016 -1.79% -9.43%
2015 -2% -1.38%
2014 -2.77% 3.16%
2013 -2.6% -2.58%
2012 -2.33% 4.56%
2011 -5.22% -9.85%
2010 -4.44% -1.49%
2009 -4.76% -4.16%
2008 -3.78% 8.1%
2007 -5.09% 10.8%
2006 -9.27% 11.6%
2005 -7.79% 4.46%
2004 -6.6% 6.05%
2003 -7.19% 0.89%
2002 -8.79% -2.44%
2001 -4% -2.76%
2000 -3.04% -0.95%
1999 -5.27% -15.3%
1998 -7.41% -11.8%
1997 -5.54% 0.27%
1996 -4.36% 2.11%
1995 -8.57% 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%
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 -0.17% -
1942 0.31% -
1941 0.2% -
1940 -0.07% -
1939 0.19% -
1938 -0.11% -
1937 -0.01% -
1936 0.08% -
1935 0.03% -
1934 0.04% -
1933 -0.03% -
1932 -0.22% -
1931 -0.32% -
1930 -0.26% -
1929 0.02% -
1928 0.12% -
1927 0.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Hungary's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $10.9B, equivalent to 4.92% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's surplus of $205M, or 9.04% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Hungary recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Hungary posted an annual deficit equal to 5.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.37% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Hungary

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Hungary Lesotho
2024 3.7% 6.11%
2023 17.1% 6.34%
2022 14.6% 8.27%
2021 5.11% 6.05%
2020 3.33% 4.98%
2019 3.34% 5.19%
2018 2.85% 4.75%
2017 2.35% 4.45%
2016 0.39% 6.6%
2015 -0.06% 3.22%
2014 -0.23% 5.37%
2013 1.73% 4.87%
2012 5.65% 6.05%
2011 3.93% 5.04%
2010 4.86% -2.41%
2009 4.21% -16.9%
2008 6.04% 10.7%
2007 7.96% 8.01%
2006 3.93% 6.07%
2005 3.56% 3.44%
2004 6.74% 5.02%
2003 4.66% 6.63%
2002 5.27% 33.8%
2001 9.12% -9.62%
2000 9.8% 6.13%
1999 10% -
1998 14.2% -
1997 18.3% -

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Hungary has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.2%, compared with 5.13% in Lesotho. In 2024, inflation was 3.7% in Hungary and 6.11% in Lesotho.

Top exports between countries

Hungary
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $117K
Textiles & consumer goods $76K
Lesotho
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $89K
Raw agricultural goods $42K
Machinery & equipment $11K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K

Balance of trade

Hungary Lesotho
Current account balance
$3.52B
2024
$89.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
36/190
2024
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.58%
2024
+3.93%
2024
Goods imports
$130B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Goods exports
$129B
2024
$965M
2024
Service imports
$27.9B
2024
$415M
2024
Service exports
$38.9B
2024
$15.4M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
71.1%
2024
98.6%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
75.4%
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.

Hungary Lesotho
Economic freedom 62.5 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 86/197 130/197
Property rights 67.3 41.7
Government integrity 44 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 61.9 43.6
Tax burden 85.1 76.4
Government spending 30.2 21.3
Fiscal health 32.7 93.5
Business freedom 70.8 50.6
Labor freedom 56.5 57
Monetary freedom 72.1 74.8
Trade freedom 79.4 65.4
Investment freedom 80 55
Financial freedom 70 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Hungary
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Hungary Lesotho
2026 62.5 54.9
2025 61.4 54.1
2024 61.2 51.9
2023 64.1 51.6
2022 66.9 48.1
2021 67.2 53.5
2020 66.4 54.5
2019 65 53.1
2018 66.7 53.9
2017 65.8 53.9
2016 66 50.6
2015 66.8 49.6
2014 67 49.5
2013 67.3 47.9
2012 67.1 46.6
2011 66.6 47.5
2010 66.1 48.1
2009 66.8 49.7
2008 67.6 52.1
2007 64.8 53.2
2006 65 54.7
2005 63.5 53.9
2004 62.7 50.3
2003 63 52
2002 64.5 48.9
2001 65.6 50.6
2000 64.4 48.4
1999 59.6 48.2
1998 56.9 48.4
1997 55.3 47.2
1996 56.8 47
1995 55.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Hungary is 62.5, ranking 86/197, 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

Hungary Lesotho
Services, % of GDP
59.5%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.7%
2024
30.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.71%
2024
6.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$199B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$47,290
2024
$3,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$46.4B
2024
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
42/177
2024
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$15.8B
2024
$12.6M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$62.2B
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$78B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.06%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.1%
2021
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.5%
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/hungary/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.