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Economy of Lesotho vs Myanmar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $74.1B for Myanmar, ranking 175/197 and 85/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $44B (59.3% of GDP) in Myanmar.

Lesotho vs Myanmar GDP by year

Lesotho
Myanmar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Myanmar
2024 $2,271,759,455 $74,068,349,524
2023 $2,117,962,445 $66,757,619,000
2022 $2,354,980,960 $62,253,049,903
2021 $2,412,130,057 $66,345,291,149
2020 $2,053,699,864 $79,006,113,670
2019 $2,390,702,296 $75,065,106,243
2018 $2,556,247,292 $67,860,515,993
2017 $2,306,741,672 $66,053,040,475
2016 $2,114,426,452 $63,298,361,984
2015 $2,359,686,725 $59,607,290,408
2014 $2,441,063,054 $65,531,374,210
2013 $2,367,112,932 $60,269,732,855
2012 $2,477,702,216 $59,937,796,648
2011 $2,579,409,620 $59,977,326,086
2010 $2,234,754,242 $49,540,813,342
2009 $1,740,894,965 $36,906,181,381
2008 $1,766,902,709 $31,862,554,102
2007 $1,682,131,785 $20,182,477,481
2006 $1,800,092,564 $14,502,553,710
2005 $1,682,343,527 $11,986,972,419
2004 $1,511,236,656 $10,567,354,056
2003 $1,157,825,435 $10,467,109,978
2002 $775,777,239 $6,777,632,512
2001 $825,706,961 $6,477,790,688
2000 $887,291,688 $8,905,066,164
1999 $912,773,681 $8,486,832,801
1998 $928,460,893 $6,459,461,639
1997 $998,004,259 $4,722,288,496
1996 $946,112,493 $6,123,556,717
1995 $1,001,894,000 $5,289,174,943
1994 $878,250,945 $4,432,257,174
1993 $835,582,062 $3,163,020,035
1992 $831,029,862 $2,411,552,289
1991 $704,325,367 $2,069,832,687
1990 $596,410,264 $2,115,193,513
1989 $495,409,233 $2,013,448,229
1988 $470,395,801 $1,541,088,312
1987 $402,768,324 $1,562,448,077
1986 $318,858,423 $1,582,873,750
1985 $268,629,926 $1,478,908,173
1984 $333,163,670 $1,304,063,253
1983 $386,699,309 $1,381,573,615
1982 $348,741,684 $1,481,165,468
1981 $434,188,034 $1,111,000,765
1980 $431,542,537 $1,038,225,167
1979 $290,134,593 $952,265,043
1978 $266,570,067 $935,408,775
1977 $193,315,048 $873,579,932
1976 $147,660,037 $1,204,699,849
1975 $149,558,896 $1,061,107,354
1974 $150,851,317 $1,225,589,878
1973 $121,188,716 $719,754,655
1972 $80,913,200 $662,213,083
1971 $76,480,285 $587,448,405
1970 $68,739,973 $563,555,631
1969 $65,967,974 $571,854,215
1968 $61,445,975 $559,956,130
1967 $59,261,976 $420,359,036
1966 $56,699,977 $293,103,479
1965 $54,879,978 $367,053,117
1964 $51,939,979 $411,419,906
1963 $47,039,981 $598,998,419
1962 $41,859,983 $634,528,872
1961 $35,699,986 $605,581,577
1960 $34,579,986 $545,098,448

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

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

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Myanmar by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Myanmar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Myanmar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 $1,359 $5,997
2023 $916 $2,881 $1,233 $5,953
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $1,158 $5,732
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $1,243 $5,178
2020 $919 $2,559 $1,490 $5,741
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $1,426 $6,101
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $1,298 $5,581
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $1,273 $4,706
2016 $992 $2,942 $1,229 $4,460
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $1,167 $4,459
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $1,293 $4,376
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $1,199 $4,144
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $1,203 $3,845
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $1,214 $3,579
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $1,011 $3,348
2009 $879 $2,036 $758 $3,040
2008 $898 $2,064 $658 $2,748
2007 $861 $1,932 $419 $2,459
2006 $925 $1,813 $303 $2,153
2005 $861 $1,681 $252.7 $1,860
2004 $767 $1,561 $224.5 $1,601
2003 $583 $1,484 $224.3 $1,385
2002 $389 $1,385 $146.6 $1,204
2001 $413 $1,350 $141.5 $1,069
2000 $443 $1,273 $196.6 $949
1999 $456 $1,199 $189.5 $825
1998 $465 $1,179 $146 $742
1997 $502 $1,154 $108 $702
1996 $480 $1,103 $141.9 $661
1995 $513 $1,037 $124.1 $618
1994 $456 $995 $105.4 $573
1993 $439 $932 $76.2 $529
1992 $444 $893 $58.9 $494
1991 $382 $830 $51.2 $447
1990 $330 $764 $53.1 $441
1989 $279 - $51.3 -
1988 $270.4 - $39.9 -
1987 $236.5 - $41.1 -
1986 $191.4 - $42.4 -
1985 $165.4 - $40.4 -
1984 $211 - $36.3 -
1983 $252 - $39.3 -
1982 $233.9 - $43 -
1981 $299.8 - $32.8 -
1980 $307 - $31.2 -
1979 $212.4 - $29.2 -
1978 $200.8 - $29.3 -
1977 $149.9 - $27.9 -
1976 $117.8 - $39.2 -
1975 $123.2 - $35.2 -
1974 $128.7 - $41.4 -
1973 $107 - $24.8 -
1972 $74 - $23.3 -
1971 $72.4 - $21.1 -
1970 $67.4 - $20.7 -
1969 $67.1 - $21.5 -
1968 $64.8 - $21.5 -
1967 $64.8 - $16.5 -
1966 $64.3 - $11.8 -
1965 $64.3 - $15.1 -
1964 $62.6 - $17.3 -
1963 $58.4 - $25.8 -
1962 $53.5 - $27.9 -
1961 $47 - $27.3 -
1960 $47 - $25.1 -

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

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

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $1,359 in Myanmar, ranking 165/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Myanmar ranks 153rd at $5,997.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Myanmar
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$74.1B
2024
GDP rank
175/197
2024
85/197
2024
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$1,359
2024
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
165/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$5,997
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
153/197
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$44B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
59.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$806
2024
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
150/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$1,646
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
25.5%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
3.8%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
20.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
8.83%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
1.48%
2020
Population
2396633
55292116

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Myanmar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Myanmar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 20.7% 59.3%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 21.4% 59.1%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 21.3% 56.1%
2021 53.8% 58% 20.9% 63.4%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 21.3% 49.1%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 20.5% 37.6%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 18.7% 39.9%
2017 50.4% 41% 19.7% 41.9%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 21.3% 35.7%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 23.7% 36.6%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 24.7% 34.5%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 23.9% 44.8%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 20% 48%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 15.6% 49.9%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 15.8% 54.4%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 14.4% 56.4%
2008 54.1% 47% 14.4% 59.8%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 15.7% 77.4%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 15.6% 103.1%
2005 37.6% 41% 14.6% 119%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 14.6% 126.6%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 14.3% 146%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 15.3% 190.6%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 19.1% 262%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 21.4% 164.5%
1999 50.8% 83% 22.8% 150.7%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 25.2% 208.6%
1997 44.6% 65.7% - -
1996 41.5% 71.6% - -
1995 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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while Myanmar spent $15.3B, or 20.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 59.3% in Myanmar, ranking 92/185 and 81/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Myanmar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Myanmar
2024 9.04% -5.06%
2023 7.31% -5.18%
2022 -6.41% -2.82%
2021 -4.95% -2.47%
2020 1.18% -6.5%
2019 -5.72% -4.7%
2018 -4.41% -2.77%
2017 -2.02% -3.42%
2016 -9.43% -2.53%
2015 -1.38% -4.33%
2014 3.16% -1.06%
2013 -2.58% -1.53%
2012 4.56% -2.7%
2011 -9.85% -4.82%
2010 -1.49% -5.4%
2009 -4.16% -3.55%
2008 8.1% -2.73%
2007 10.8% -3.52%
2006 11.6% -3.42%
2005 4.46% -3.49%
2004 6.05% -4.62%
2003 0.89% -4.24%
2002 -2.44% -4.01%
2001 -2.76% -6.34%
2000 -0.95% -6.03%
1999 -15.3% -4.46%
1998 -11.8% -4.89%
1997 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 -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/lesotho/myanmar | CC BY

In 2024, Lesotho's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $205M, equivalent to 9.04% of GDP. This compares to Myanmar's deficit of $3.75B, or 5.06% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Myanmar ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual deficit equal to 0.69% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.95% of GDP for Myanmar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Myanmar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Myanmar
2024 6.11% -
2023 6.34% -
2022 8.27% -
2021 6.05% -
2020 4.98% -
2019 5.19% 8.83%
2018 4.75% 6.87%
2017 4.45% 4.57%
2016 6.6% 6.93%
2015 3.22% 9.45%
2014 5.37% 4.95%
2013 4.87% 5.64%
2012 6.05% 1.47%
2011 5.04% 5.02%
2010 -2.41% 7.72%
2009 -16.9% 1.47%
2008 10.7% 26.8%
2007 8.01% 35%
2006 6.07% 20%
2005 3.44% 9.37%
2004 5.02% 4.53%
2003 6.63% 36.6%
2002 33.8% 57.1%
2001 -9.62% 21.1%
2000 6.13% -0.11%
1999 - 18.4%
1998 - 51.5%
1997 - 29.7%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.82%, compared with 13.7% in Myanmar. In 2019, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 8.83% in Myanmar.

Top exports between countries

Lesotho
Export category Export value
Myanmar
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $19K

Balance of trade

Lesotho Myanmar
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
$67.7M
2019
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
71/190
2019
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
+0.09%
2019
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$13.7B
2019
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$10.8B
2019
Service imports
$415M
2024
$3.66B
2019
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$6.68B
2019
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
24.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Myanmar
Economic freedom 54.9 44.5
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 180/197
Property rights 41.7 5.7
Government integrity 39.6 18.1
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 3.9
Tax burden 76.4 88.6
Government spending 21.3 86.6
Fiscal health 93.5 62.7
Business freedom 50.6 37.9
Labor freedom 57 53.2
Monetary freedom 74.8 57.5
Trade freedom 65.4 69.4
Investment freedom 55 30
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Myanmar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Myanmar
2026 54.9 44.5
2025 54.1 43.7
2024 51.9 42.2
2023 51.6 46.5
2022 48.1 49.6
2021 53.5 55.2
2020 54.5 54
2019 53.1 53.6
2018 53.9 53.9
2017 53.9 52.5
2016 50.6 48.7
2015 49.6 46.9
2014 49.5 46.5
2013 47.9 39.2
2012 46.6 38.7
2011 47.5 37.8
2010 48.1 36.7
2009 49.7 37.7
2008 52.1 39.5
2007 53.2 41
2006 54.7 40
2005 53.9 40.5
2004 50.3 43.6
2003 52 44.9
2002 48.9 45.5
2001 50.6 46.1
2000 48.4 47.9
1999 48.2 46.4
1998 48.4 45.7
1997 47.2 45.4
1996 47 45.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 44.5 for Myanmar, ranking 180/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Myanmar
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
41.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
37.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
20.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$65.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$5,890
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$9.34B
2023
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
81/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
-$1.74B
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
1.31%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
24.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
n/a

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/lesotho/myanmar | 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 (1996–2026, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2020, 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.