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Economy of Ireland vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ireland has a GDP of $722B compared to $2.57B for Lesotho, ranking 24/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $238B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $1.26B (49.1% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Ireland vs Lesotho GDP by year

Ireland
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Lesotho
2025 $721,701,359,046 $2,573,572,920
2024 $609,157,459,747 $2,391,282,548
2023 $567,372,737,459 $2,129,871,530
2022 $548,341,794,599 $2,354,980,960
2021 $530,394,123,830 $2,412,130,057
2020 $436,009,027,819 $2,053,699,864
2019 $407,211,793,801 $2,390,702,296
2018 $395,780,319,817 $2,556,247,292
2017 $348,355,212,569 $2,306,741,672
2016 $305,431,252,709 $2,114,426,452
2015 $302,101,388,556 $2,359,686,725
2014 $266,490,442,124 $2,441,063,054
2013 $242,924,245,719 $2,367,112,932
2012 $226,921,827,888 $2,477,702,216
2011 $240,975,871,047 $2,579,409,620
2010 $221,732,824,603 $2,234,754,242
2009 $236,443,115,854 $1,740,894,965
2008 $275,447,471,451 $1,766,902,709
2007 $270,079,279,420 $1,682,131,785
2006 $232,180,617,162 $1,800,092,564
2005 $211,876,989,656 $1,682,343,527
2004 $194,372,115,041 $1,511,236,656
2003 $164,670,771,260 $1,157,825,435
2002 $128,596,035,288 $775,777,239
2001 $109,346,669,230 $825,706,961
2000 $100,207,610,430 $887,291,688
1999 $98,893,958,263 $912,773,681
1998 $90,199,410,116 $928,460,893
1997 $82,856,648,758 $998,004,259
1996 $75,790,786,290 $946,112,493
1995 $69,139,823,232 $1,001,894,000
1994 $57,097,656,066 $878,250,945
1993 $52,417,477,614 $835,582,062
1992 $55,918,538,121 $831,029,862
1991 $49,787,501,584 $704,325,367
1990 $49,305,632,408 $596,410,264
1989 $39,238,392,678 $495,409,233
1988 $37,772,896,221 $470,395,801
1987 $33,920,518,493 $402,768,324
1986 $28,714,571,852 $318,858,423
1985 $21,270,013,326 $268,629,926
1984 $20,106,648,455 $333,163,670
1983 $20,766,047,764 $386,699,309
1982 $21,474,752,962 $348,741,684
1981 $20,670,190,138 $434,188,034
1980 $21,747,855,640 $431,542,537
1979 $18,319,334,300 $290,134,593
1978 $14,647,996,074 $266,570,067
1977 $11,248,340,431 $193,315,048
1976 $9,453,756,015 $147,660,037
1975 $9,483,808,362 $149,558,896
1974 $7,896,860,615 $150,851,317
1973 $7,481,173,066 $121,188,716
1972 $6,318,060,582 $80,913,200
1971 $5,098,250,287 $76,480,285
1970 $4,395,995,086 $68,739,973
1969 $3,902,721,632 $65,967,974
1968 $3,378,701,147 $61,445,975
1967 $3,445,739,915 $59,261,976
1966 $3,198,820,904 $56,699,977
1965 $3,035,655,794 $54,879,978
1964 $2,851,091,646 $51,939,979
1963 $2,505,073,358 $47,039,981
1962 $2,329,372,972 $41,859,983
1961 $2,151,772,980 $35,699,986
1960 $1,998,550,222 $34,579,986

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Ireland vs Lesotho by year

Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $131,592 - $1,089 -
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $1,023 $3,001
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $921 $2,881
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $1,030 $2,761
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $1,067 $2,545
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $919 $2,559
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $1,082 $2,568
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $1,171 $2,632
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $1,069 $2,619
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $992 $2,942
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $1,121 $3,035
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $1,174 $2,771
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $1,151 $2,538
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $1,218 $2,291
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $1,281 $2,279
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $1,119 $2,153
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $879 $2,036
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $898 $2,064
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $861 $1,932
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $925 $1,813
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $861 $1,681
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $767 $1,561
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $583 $1,484
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $389 $1,385
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $413 $1,350
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $443 $1,273
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $456 $1,199
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $465 $1,179
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $502 $1,154
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $480 $1,103
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $513 $1,037
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $456 $995
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $439 $932
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $444 $893
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $382 $830
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $330 $764
1989 $11,176 - $279 -
1988 $10,716 - $270.4 -
1987 $9,582 - $236.5 -
1986 $8,112 - $191.4 -
1985 $6,012 - $165.4 -
1984 $5,692 - $211 -
1983 $5,915 - $252 -
1982 $6,161 - $233.9 -
1981 $5,986 - $299.8 -
1980 $6,372 - $307 -
1979 $5,430 - $212.4 -
1978 $4,400 - $200.8 -
1977 $3,427 - $149.9 -
1976 $2,920 - $117.8 -
1975 $2,973 - $123.2 -
1974 $2,517 - $128.7 -
1973 $2,424 - $107 -
1972 $2,080 - $74 -
1971 $1,704 - $72.4 -
1970 $1,487 - $67.4 -
1969 $1,331 - $67.1 -
1968 $1,159 - $64.8 -
1967 $1,187 - $64.8 -
1966 $1,107 - $64.3 -
1965 $1,055 - $64.3 -
1964 $995 - $62.6 -
1963 $878 - $58.4 -
1962 $821 - $53.5 -
1961 $762 - $47 -
1960 $707 - $47 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $131,592, ranking 4/197, compared to $1,089 in Lesotho, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Ireland Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$722B
2025
$2.57B
2025
GDP rank
24/197
2025
175/197
2025
GDP growth
12.3%
2024-2025
1.98%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$131,592
2025
$1,089
2025
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2025
179/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
180/197
2024
Government debt
$238B
2025
$1.26B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2025
49.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$43,334
2025
$535
2025
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2025
165/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,174
2026
$1,455
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
n/a
Number of millionaires
192,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
54.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
4.27%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.7%
2025
18.7%
2024
Population
5562212
2402837

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.6% 32.9% 54.2% 49.1%
2024 22.4% 38.3% 52.5% 52.8%
2023 22.2% 41.8% 49% 61.1%
2022 20.7% 42.9% 50.8% 64.4%
2021 23.5% 52.4% 53.6% 58%
2020 26.7% 56.9% 54.2% 54.7%
2019 23.9% 55.8% 52.9% 58.2%
2018 24.7% 61.3% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 25.3% 65.2% 50.4% 41%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 28.1% 74% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 54.1% 47%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 33% 26.1% 37.6% 41%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 39.3% 88.5%
1999 32.5% 46.6% 50.8% 83%
1998 34.2% 51.4% 51.4% 79.4%
1997 36.1% 61.6% 44.6% 65.7%
1996 38.5% 69.8% 41.5% 71.6%
1995 40.3% 78.5% 42.1% 62.8%
1994 43.9% 88% 40.2% 67%
1993 44.6% 93.4% 36% 71.2%
1992 44.8% 90.6% 35.3% 64.4%
1991 44.4% 93.8% 31.3% 11.9%
1990 42.8% 92.7% 32.9% 18%
1989 42.5% 97.9% 35.8% 112.5%
1988 48.2% 106.5% 35.3% 105.2%
1987 51.4% 108.3% 40.3% 97.4%
1986 52.9% 107.2% 33.2% 92.5%
1985 53.2% 93% 32.8% 86.3%
1984 52.7% 90.2% 26.8% 57.2%
1983 55.6% 86.1% 27.2% 56.7%
1982 56.7% 73.5% 29.9% 61.4%
1981 54.1% 68.8% - -
1980 53.7% 64.6% - -
1979 48.7% 63.5% - -
1978 46.2% 50.6% - -
1977 44.6% 49.2% - -
1976 47.8% 51.7% - -
1975 48.2% 48.3% - -
1974 44.3% 43.5% - -
1973 40.3% 35.1% - -
1972 41.5% 37.3% - -
1971 45.3% 39.8% - -
1970 44.1% 41.7% - -
1969 42.5% 42.6% - -
1968 40% 44.7% - -
1967 39.3% 47.1% - -
1966 36.9% 47.7% - -
1965 35.8% 44.6% - -
1964 34.8% 43.1% - -
1963 33.6% 45.2% - -
1962 31.7% 44.5% - -
1961 31.4% 44.3% - -
1960 29.1% 44.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ireland's government spending was $156B, accounting for 21.6% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.4B, or 54.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Ireland and 49.1% in Lesotho, ranking 149/185 and 106/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Lesotho
2025 1.54% 2.15%
2024 4.02% 8.17%
2023 1.36% 7.36%
2022 1.58% -6.33%
2021 -1.31% -4.79%
2020 -4.87% 1.45%
2019 0.41% -5.09%
2018 0.09% -4.41%
2017 -0.3% -2.02%
2016 -0.76% -9.43%
2015 -1.97% -1.38%
2014 -3.52% 3.16%
2013 -6.28% -2.58%
2012 -8.42% 4.56%
2011 -13.5% -9.85%
2010 -32.1% -1.49%
2009 -13.9% -4.16%
2008 -7.03% 8.1%
2007 0.27% 10.8%
2006 2.78% 11.6%
2005 1.57% 4.46%
2004 1.3% 6.05%
2003 0.35% 0.89%
2002 -0.52% -2.44%
2001 0.96% -2.76%
2000 4.86% -0.95%
1999 3.54% -15.3%
1998 2.07% -11.8%
1997 1.37% 0.27%
1996 -0.2% 2.11%
1995 -2.07% 5.13%
1994 -1.98% 5.69%
1993 -2.7% 7.55%
1992 -2.92% 4.65%
1991 -2.82% 9.74%
1990 -2.77% 8.78%
1989 -2.64% 3.88%
1988 -4.62% -1.87%
1987 -8.47% -2.85%
1986 -10.5% 0.87%
1985 -10.7% 1.68%
1984 -9.43% 4.82%
1983 -11.5% 1.85%
1982 -13.1% -2.03%
1981 -12.1% -
1980 -11.1% -
1979 -10% -
1978 -8.27% -
1977 -6.44% -
1976 -7.34% -
1975 -11.1% -
1974 -6.96% -
1973 -3.84% -
1972 -3.23% -
1971 -3.5% -
1970 -3.64% -
1969 -3.4% -
1968 -2.72% -
1967 -2.69% -
1966 -2.26% -
1965 -3.5% -
1964 -3.35% -
1963 -2.92% -
1962 -2.91% -
1961 -2.6% -
1960 -1.97% -
1959 -2.16% -
1958 -4.3% -
1957 -5.19% -
1956 -3.23% -
1955 -5.06% -
1954 -5.28% -
1953 -5.77% -
1952 -7.84% -
1951 -4.62% -
1950 -5.21% -
1949 -2.17% -
1948 -1.29% -
1947 -1.8% -
1946 -0.43% -
1945 -0.43% -
1944 0.39% -
1943 -1.18% -
1942 -2.48% -
1941 -1.42% -
1940 -0.15% -
1939 -7.31% -
1938 -0.92% -
1937 -0.77% -
1936 -0.19% -
1935 - -
1934 - -
1933 2.97% -
1932 - -
1931 -1.63% -
1930 - -
1929 -3.41% -
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 -1.95% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ireland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.2B, equivalent to 1.54% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's surplus of $55.4M, or 2.15% of GDP.

Over the past 44 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 3.47% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.78% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Lesotho
2025 2.21% 4.27%
2024 2.11% 6.11%
2023 6.3% 6.34%
2022 7.83% 8.27%
2021 2.34% 6.05%
2020 -0.33% 4.98%
2019 0.94% 5.19%
2018 0.47% 4.75%
2017 0.36% 4.45%
2016 0.02% 6.6%
2015 -0.33% 3.22%
2014 0.19% 5.37%
2013 0.52% 4.87%
2012 1.69% 6.05%
2011 2.55% 5.04%
2010 -0.92% -2.41%
2009 -4.45% -16.9%
2008 4.04% 10.7%
2007 4.89% 8.01%
2006 3.94% 6.07%
2005 2.46% 3.44%
2004 2.18% 5.02%
2003 3.49% 6.63%
2002 4.63% 33.8%
2001 4.85% -9.62%
2000 5.58% 6.13%
1999 1.63% -
1998 2.41% -
1997 1.54% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 26 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.21%, compared with 5.1% in Lesotho. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Ireland and 4.27% in Lesotho.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $521K
Miscellaneous $119K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Lesotho
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Ireland Lesotho
Current account balance
$106B
2024
-$3.94M
2025
Current account balance ranking
7/190
2024
71/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
-0.15%
2025
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$1.69B
2025
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$933M
2025
Service imports
$467B
2024
$467M
2025
Service exports
$526B
2024
$16M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.9%
2025
104.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
140.1%
2025
49.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Lesotho
Economic freedom 83.3 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 130/197
Property rights 94.4 41.7
Government integrity 84 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 43.6
Tax burden 77.7 76.4
Government spending 85.9 21.3
Fiscal health 97 93.5
Business freedom 85.5 50.6
Labor freedom 61.3 57
Monetary freedom 79.3 74.8
Trade freedom 79.4 65.4
Investment freedom 90 55
Financial freedom 70 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Lesotho
2026 83.3 54.9
2025 83.1 54.1
2024 82.6 51.9
2023 82 51.6
2022 82 48.1
2021 81.4 53.5
2020 80.9 54.5
2019 80.5 53.1
2018 80.4 53.9
2017 76.7 53.9
2016 77.3 50.6
2015 76.6 49.6
2014 76.2 49.5
2013 75.7 47.9
2012 76.9 46.6
2011 78.7 47.5
2010 81.3 48.1
2009 82.2 49.7
2008 82.5 52.1
2007 82.6 53.2
2006 82.2 54.7
2005 80.8 53.9
2004 80.3 50.3
2003 80.9 52
2002 80.5 48.9
2001 81.2 50.6
2000 76.1 48.4
1999 74.6 48.2
1998 73.7 48.4
1997 72.6 47.2
1996 68.5 47
1995 68.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, 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

Ireland Lesotho
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2025
55.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2025
25.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.06%
2025
6.49%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$479B
2025
$3.03B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,310
2025
$3,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$13.7B
2025
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2025
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
$5.77M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.79%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
31.2%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.