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Economy of Lesotho vs Niger compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $19.9B for Niger, ranking 175/197 and 130/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $9.39B (47.2% of GDP) in Niger.

Lesotho vs Niger GDP by year

Lesotho
Niger
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Niger
2024 $2,271,759,455 $19,876,128,486
2023 $2,117,962,445 $16,698,786,978
2022 $2,354,980,960 $15,433,852,712
2021 $2,412,130,057 $14,915,002,436
2020 $2,053,699,864 $13,744,653,103
2019 $2,390,702,296 $12,889,555,561
2018 $2,556,247,292 $12,837,307,497
2017 $2,306,741,672 $11,185,104,252
2016 $2,114,426,452 $10,398,861,982
2015 $2,359,686,725 $9,683,867,926
2014 $2,441,063,054 $10,862,943,544
2013 $2,367,112,932 $10,224,897,438
2012 $2,477,702,216 $9,426,912,648
2011 $2,579,409,620 $8,772,950,778
2010 $2,234,754,242 $7,851,192,502
2009 $1,740,894,965 $7,352,131,310
2008 $1,766,902,709 $7,297,600,226
2007 $1,682,131,785 $5,731,485,052
2006 $1,800,092,564 $4,756,361,252
2005 $1,682,343,527 $4,383,315,965
2004 $1,511,236,656 $3,760,443,738
2003 $1,157,825,435 $3,394,084,732
2002 $775,777,239 $2,782,192,879
2001 $825,706,961 $2,448,714,704
2000 $887,291,688 $2,241,753,193
1999 $912,773,681 $2,537,789,821
1998 $928,460,893 $2,643,363,519
1997 $998,004,259 $2,290,318,910
1996 $946,112,493 $2,405,686,940
1995 $1,001,894,000 $2,302,537,562
1994 $878,250,945 $1,938,058,175
1993 $835,582,062 $3,052,673,849
1992 $831,029,862 $3,386,232,579
1991 $704,325,367 $3,285,796,875
1990 $596,410,264 $3,512,356,508
1989 $495,409,233 $2,179,567,114
1988 $470,395,801 $2,280,356,193
1987 $402,768,324 $2,233,006,105
1986 $318,858,423 $1,904,096,998
1985 $268,629,926 $1,440,581,652
1984 $333,163,670 $1,461,243,326
1983 $386,699,309 $1,803,099,561
1982 $348,741,684 $2,017,612,216
1981 $434,188,034 $2,170,893,414
1980 $431,542,537 $2,508,524,721
1979 $290,134,593 $2,109,277,666
1978 $266,570,067 $1,774,365,590
1977 $193,315,048 $1,291,458,041
1976 $147,660,037 $1,064,517,601
1975 $149,558,896 $1,048,690,933
1974 $150,851,317 $1,026,137,111
1973 $121,188,716 $946,385,105
1972 $80,913,200 $742,779,661
1971 $76,480,285 $693,573,704
1970 $68,739,973 $649,916,621
1969 $65,967,974 $625,867,985
1968 $61,445,975 $641,214,226
1967 $59,261,976 $665,586,872
1966 $56,699,977 $702,296,079
1965 $54,879,978 $673,383,511
1964 $51,939,979 $582,816,396
1963 $47,039,981 $586,294,879
1962 $41,859,983 $531,736,599
1961 $35,699,986 $485,785,231
1960 $34,579,986 $449,526,873

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

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

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Niger by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Niger
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Niger
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 $735 $2,050
2023 $916 $2,881 $638 $1,875
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $610 $1,840
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $609 $1,586
2020 $919 $2,559 $580 $1,497
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $562 $1,419
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $579 $1,276
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $522 $1,208
2016 $992 $2,942 $503 $1,189
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $486 $1,172
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $565 $1,161
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $552 $1,138
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $529 $1,162
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $511 $1,064
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $474 $1,058
2009 $879 $2,036 $461 $999
2008 $898 $2,064 $475 $1,010
2007 $861 $1,932 $387 $955
2006 $925 $1,813 $333 $935
2005 $861 $1,681 $319 $888
2004 $767 $1,561 $283.5 $832
2003 $583 $1,484 $265.2 $837
2002 $389 $1,385 $225.3 $832
2001 $413 $1,350 $205.4 $809
2000 $443 $1,273 $194.8 $764
1999 $456 $1,199 $228.3 $783
1998 $465 $1,179 $246.1 $801
1997 $502 $1,154 $220.6 $745
1996 $480 $1,103 $239.5 $746
1995 $513 $1,037 $237 $757
1994 $456 $995 $206.2 $748
1993 $439 $932 $335 $742
1992 $444 $893 $384 $746
1991 $382 $830 $384 $738
1990 $330 $764 $424 $739
1989 $279 - $271.3 -
1988 $270.4 - $292.6 -
1987 $236.5 - $295.3 -
1986 $191.4 - $259.6 -
1985 $165.4 - $202.4 -
1984 $211 - $211.5 -
1983 $252 - $268.8 -
1982 $233.9 - $310 -
1981 $299.8 - $343 -
1980 $307 - $409 -
1979 $212.4 - $354 -
1978 $200.8 - $307 -
1977 $149.9 - $229.8 -
1976 $117.8 - $194.8 -
1975 $123.2 - $197.2 -
1974 $128.7 - $198.3 -
1973 $107 - $187.9 -
1972 $74 - $151.4 -
1971 $72.4 - $145.2 -
1970 $67.4 - $139.8 -
1969 $67.1 - $138.3 -
1968 $64.8 - $145.6 -
1967 $64.8 - $155.4 -
1966 $64.3 - $168.6 -
1965 $64.3 - $166.3 -
1964 $62.6 - $148.1 -
1963 $58.4 - $153.3 -
1962 $53.5 - $143.2 -
1961 $47 - $134.6 -
1960 $47 - $128.3 -

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

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

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $735 in Niger, ranking 187/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Niger ranks 186th at $2,050.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Niger
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$19.9B
2024
GDP rank
175/197
2024
130/197
2024
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
10.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$735
2024
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
187/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$2,050
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
186/197
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$9.39B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
47.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$347
2024
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
173/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$1,163
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
27.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
3.8%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
13.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
9.07%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
0.4%
2022
Population
2396633
29080898

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Niger
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Niger
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 13.4% 47.2%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 15.8% 51.8%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 21.6% 50.6%
2021 53.8% 58% 24.3% 51.3%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 22.4% 45%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 21.6% 39.8%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 21.2% 37%
2017 50.4% 41% 19.5% 36.5%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 19.4% 32.8%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 24.2% 29.9%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 23.6% 22.1%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 20.4% 19.6%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 16.6% 18.1%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 15.3% 14.7%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 14.3% 15.1%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 17.7% 15.9%
2008 54.1% 47% 16.9% 14.2%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 17.4% 17.8%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 15.2% 18.3%
2005 37.6% 41% 15.6% 49.5%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 16.1% 55%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 14% 60.6%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 14.4% 69%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 13.7% 74%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 13.5% 82.1%
1999 50.8% 83% 15% 63.3%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 13.6% 61.3%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 12.9% 69.1%
1996 41.5% 71.6% 10.9% 63.5%
1995 42.1% 62.8% 12.5% 69.4%
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/niger | CC BY

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while Niger spent $2.67B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 47.2% in Niger, ranking 92/185 and 114/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Niger
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Niger
2024 9.04% -4.27%
2023 7.31% -5.37%
2022 -6.41% -6.77%
2021 -4.95% -6.1%
2020 1.18% -4.82%
2019 -5.72% -3.56%
2018 -4.41% -3.01%
2017 -2.02% -4.12%
2016 -9.43% -4.46%
2015 -1.38% -6.75%
2014 3.16% -6.12%
2013 -2.58% -1.93%
2012 4.56% -0.83%
2011 -9.85% -2.19%
2010 -1.49% -0.99%
2009 -4.16% -3.93%
2008 8.1% 1.11%
2007 10.8% -0.75%
2006 11.6% 31%
2005 4.46% -1.53%
2004 6.05% -2.76%
2003 0.89% -2.17%
2002 -2.44% -2.21%
2001 -2.76% -2.59%
2000 -0.95% -2.83%
1999 -15.3% -4.27%
1998 -11.8% -2.23%
1997 0.27% -2.39%
1996 2.11% -0.36%
1995 5.13% -3.19%
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/niger | 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 Niger's deficit of $848M, or 4.27% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Niger ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual deficit equal to 0.37% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.01% of GDP for Niger.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Niger
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Niger
2024 6.11% 9.07%
2023 6.34% 3.7%
2022 8.27% 4.23%
2021 6.05% 3.84%
2020 4.98% 2.9%
2019 5.19% -2.49%
2018 4.75% 2.97%
2017 4.45% 2.8%
2016 6.6% 1.65%
2015 3.22% -0.58%
2014 5.37% -0.93%
2013 4.87% 2.3%
2012 6.05% 0.46%
2011 5.04% 2.94%
2010 -2.41% 0.8%
2009 -16.9% 0.58%
2008 10.7% 11.3%
2007 8.01% 0.05%
2006 6.07% 0.04%
2005 3.44% 7.8%
2004 5.02% 0.26%
2003 6.63% -1.61%
2002 33.8% 2.63%
2001 -9.62% 4.01%
2000 6.13% 2.9%
1999 - -2.3%
1998 - 4.55%
1997 - 2.93%

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.13%, compared with 2.46% in Niger. In 2024, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 9.07% in Niger.

Balance of trade

Lesotho Niger
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
-$2.33B
2023
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
146/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
-14%
2023
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$2.59B
2023
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$992M
2023
Service imports
$415M
2024
$1.22B
2023
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$231M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
22.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
27.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Niger
Economic freedom 54.9 51
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 156/197
Property rights 41.7 16.6
Government integrity 39.6 33.9
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 28
Tax burden 76.4 78.2
Government spending 21.3 91.4
Fiscal health 93.5 47.6
Business freedom 50.6 32.4
Labor freedom 57 54.7
Monetary freedom 74.8 67.9
Trade freedom 65.4 65.8
Investment freedom 55 55
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Niger
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Niger
2026 54.9 51
2025 54.1 51.5
2024 51.9 52.3
2023 51.6 53.7
2022 48.1 54.9
2021 53.5 57.3
2020 54.5 54.7
2019 53.1 51.6
2018 53.9 49.5
2017 53.9 50.8
2016 50.6 54.3
2015 49.6 54.6
2014 49.5 55.1
2013 47.9 53.9
2012 46.6 54.3
2011 47.5 54.3
2010 48.1 52.9
2009 49.7 53.8
2008 52.1 52.9
2007 53.2 53.2
2006 54.7 52.5
2005 53.9 54.1
2004 50.3 54.6
2003 52 54.2
2002 48.9 48.2
2001 50.6 48.9
2000 48.4 45.9
1999 48.2 48.6
1998 48.4 47.5
1997 47.2 46.6
1996 47 45.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 51 for Niger, ranking 156/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Niger
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
45%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
17.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
34.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$18.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$2,030
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
-$1.02B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$358M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$20.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
41.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
22.1%
2024

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/niger | 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)

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.