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Economy of Lesotho vs North Macedonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $17B for North Macedonia, ranking 175/197 and 138/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $9.3B (54.8% of GDP) in North Macedonia.

Lesotho vs North Macedonia GDP by year

Lesotho
North Macedonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho North Macedonia
2024 $2,271,759,455 $16,951,682,245
2023 $2,117,962,445 $15,855,131,189
2022 $2,354,980,960 $13,932,436,550
2021 $2,412,130,057 $14,000,283,827
2020 $2,053,699,864 $12,361,036,914
2019 $2,390,702,296 $12,606,338,449
2018 $2,556,247,292 $12,683,068,114
2017 $2,306,741,672 $11,307,067,070
2016 $2,114,426,452 $10,672,467,073
2015 $2,359,686,725 $10,064,519,963
2014 $2,441,063,054 $11,362,265,253
2013 $2,367,112,932 $10,817,702,346
2012 $2,477,702,216 $9,745,261,301
2011 $2,579,409,620 $10,494,626,768
2010 $2,234,754,242 $9,407,170,321
2009 $1,740,894,965 $9,401,736,825
2008 $1,766,902,709 $9,909,552,435
2007 $1,682,131,785 $8,336,474,974
2006 $1,800,092,564 $6,861,226,972
2005 $1,682,343,527 $6,258,602,873
2004 $1,511,236,656 $5,682,784,472
2003 $1,157,825,435 $4,946,296,599
2002 $775,777,239 $4,018,365,747
2001 $825,706,961 $3,709,636,031
2000 $887,291,688 $3,772,859,034
1999 $912,773,681 $3,863,619,285
1998 $928,460,893 $3,765,745,023
1997 $998,004,259 $3,912,986,091
1996 $946,112,493 $4,642,021,256
1995 $1,001,894,000 $4,707,041,315
1994 $878,250,945 $3,559,608,640
1993 $835,582,062 $2,682,456,897
1992 $831,029,862 $2,436,849,342
1991 $704,325,367 $4,938,775,510
1990 $596,410,264 $4,699,646,643
1989 $495,409,233 -
1988 $470,395,801 -
1987 $402,768,324 -
1986 $318,858,423 -
1985 $268,629,926 -
1984 $333,163,670 -
1983 $386,699,309 -
1982 $348,741,684 -
1981 $434,188,034 -
1980 $431,542,537 -
1979 $290,134,593 -
1978 $266,570,067 -
1977 $193,315,048 -
1976 $147,660,037 -
1975 $149,558,896 -
1974 $150,851,317 -
1973 $121,188,716 -
1972 $80,913,200 -
1971 $76,480,285 -
1970 $68,739,973 -
1969 $65,967,974 -
1968 $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/lesotho/north-macedonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs North Macedonia by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho North Macedonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 $9,292 $26,995
2023 $916 $2,881 $8,674 $25,354
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $7,606 $24,212
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $7,621 $22,144
2020 $919 $2,559 $6,660 $19,962
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $6,719 $20,223
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $6,714 $18,460
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $5,955 $17,161
2016 $992 $2,942 $5,598 $16,458
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $5,263 $15,034
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $5,925 $14,485
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $5,626 $13,663
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $5,050 $12,726
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $5,417 $12,421
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $4,833 $11,992
2009 $879 $2,036 $4,800 $11,532
2008 $898 $2,064 $5,026 $10,924
2007 $861 $1,932 $4,204 $9,639
2006 $925 $1,813 $3,440 $8,888
2005 $861 $1,681 $3,121 $7,972
2004 $767 $1,561 $2,819 $7,229
2003 $583 $1,484 $2,445 $6,608
2002 $389 $1,385 $1,989 $6,395
2001 $413 $1,350 $1,823 $6,051
2000 $443 $1,273 $1,862 $6,154
1999 $456 $1,199 $1,915 $5,724
1998 $465 $1,179 $1,876 $5,448
1997 $502 $1,154 $1,960 $5,227
1996 $480 $1,103 $2,307 $5,026
1995 $513 $1,037 $2,355 $4,912
1994 $456 $995 $1,786 $4,880
1993 $439 $932 $1,337 $4,829
1992 $444 $893 $1,199 $5,033
1991 $382 $830 $2,402 $5,207
1990 $330 $764 $2,277 $5,348
1989 $279 - - -
1988 $270.4 - - -
1987 $236.5 - - -
1986 $191.4 - - -
1985 $165.4 - - -
1984 $211 - - -
1983 $252 - - -
1982 $233.9 - - -
1981 $299.8 - - -
1980 $307 - - -
1979 $212.4 - - -
1978 $200.8 - - -
1977 $149.9 - - -
1976 $117.8 - - -
1975 $123.2 - - -
1974 $128.7 - - -
1973 $107 - - -
1972 $74 - - -
1971 $72.4 - - -
1970 $67.4 - - -
1969 $67.1 - - -
1968 $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/lesotho/north-macedonia | CC BY

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $9,292 in North Macedonia, ranking 88/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995.

Economic indicators

Lesotho North Macedonia
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$17B
2024
GDP rank
175/197
2024
138/197
2024
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
2.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$9,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
88/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$26,995
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
78/197
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$9.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
54.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$5,095
2024
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
77/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$7,534
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
22.9%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
36.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
3.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
5.35%
2025
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
12.3%
2024
Population
2396633
1805954

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho North Macedonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 36.7% 54.8%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 35.5% 50.8%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 35% 50.4%
2021 53.8% 58% 35.3% 52.7%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 36.4% 50.8%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 31.4% 40.4%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 30.3% 40.4%
2017 50.4% 41% 31.8% 39.4%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 31.1% 39.7%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 32.2% 38%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 31.7% 38%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 31.7% 34%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 33.3% 33.7%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 31.9% 27.7%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 32.5% 24.3%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 33.6% 23.7%
2008 54.1% 47% 33.8% 20.6%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 31.4% 23.5%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 31.5% 30.6%
2005 37.6% 41% 32.5% 36.7%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 34.1% 34.6%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 36% 36.5%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 38.2% 40.5%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 37.4% 45.2%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 32% 45.6%
1999 50.8% 83% 33.2% 30.4%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 32.8% 33.1%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 32.9% 29.3%
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 (1982–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/north-macedonia | CC BY

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while North Macedonia spent $6.23B, or 36.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 54.8% in North Macedonia, ranking 92/185 and 96/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

North Macedonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho North Macedonia
2024 9.04% -4.45%
2023 7.31% -4.61%
2022 -6.41% -5.23%
2021 -4.95% -5.32%
2020 1.18% -8.05%
2019 -5.72% -1.97%
2018 -4.41% -1.76%
2017 -2.02% -2.73%
2016 -9.43% -2.7%
2015 -1.38% -3.48%
2014 3.16% -4.19%
2013 -2.58% -3.84%
2012 4.56% -3.81%
2011 -9.85% -2.47%
2010 -1.49% -2.41%
2009 -4.16% -2.63%
2008 8.1% -0.93%
2007 10.8% 0.58%
2006 11.6% -0.51%
2005 4.46% 0.21%
2004 6.05% 0.37%
2003 0.89% -0.07%
2002 -2.44% -5.24%
2001 -2.76% -5.88%
2000 -0.95% 2.37%
1999 -15.3% 0.03%
1998 -11.8% -1.63%
1997 0.27% -0.36%
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/north-macedonia | 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 North Macedonia's deficit of $754M, or 4.45% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while North Macedonia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual deficit equal to 0.65% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.52% of GDP for North Macedonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

North Macedonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho North Macedonia
2024 6.11% 3.5%
2023 6.34% 9.4%
2022 8.27% 14.2%
2021 6.05% 3.2%
2020 4.98% 1.2%
2019 5.19% 0.8%
2018 4.75% 1.5%
2017 4.45% 1.4%
2016 6.6% -0.2%
2015 3.22% -0.3%
2014 5.37% -0.3%
2013 4.87% 2.8%
2012 6.05% 3.3%
2011 5.04% 3.9%
2010 -2.41% 1.5%
2009 -16.9% -0.7%
2008 10.7% 8.3%
2007 8.01% 2.3%
2006 6.07% 3.2%
2005 3.44% 0.5%
2004 5.02% -0.4%
2003 6.63% 0.9%
2002 33.8% 1.1%
2001 -9.62% 5.2%
2000 6.13% 6.6%
1999 - -1.3%
1998 - 0.5%
1997 - 1.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/north-macedonia | CC BY

Over the past 25 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.13%, compared with 2.92% in North Macedonia. In 2024, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 3.5% in North Macedonia.

Top exports between countries

Lesotho
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $451K
Raw agricultural goods $17K
North Macedonia
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Lesotho North Macedonia
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
-$356M
2024
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
102/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
-2.1%
2024
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$10.6B
2024
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$7.3B
2024
Service imports
$415M
2024
$2.01B
2024
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$3.16B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
74.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
61.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho North Macedonia
Economic freedom 54.9 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 81/197
Property rights 41.7 56.2
Government integrity 39.6 43.2
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 49.5
Tax burden 76.4 94.9
Government spending 21.3 61.7
Fiscal health 93.5 57.7
Business freedom 50.6 72.2
Labor freedom 57 51.4
Monetary freedom 74.8 69.6
Trade freedom 65.4 77.8
Investment freedom 55 65
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
North Macedonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho North Macedonia
2026 54.9 63.3
2025 54.1 63.2
2024 51.9 61.4
2023 51.6 63.7
2022 48.1 65.7
2021 53.5 68.6
2020 54.5 69.5
2019 53.1 71.1
2018 53.9 71.3
2017 53.9 70.7
2016 50.6 67.5
2015 49.6 67.1
2014 49.5 68.6
2013 47.9 68.2
2012 46.6 68.5
2011 47.5 66
2010 48.1 65.7
2009 49.7 61.2
2008 52.1 61.1
2007 53.2 60.6
2006 54.7 59.2
2005 53.9 56.1
2004 50.3 56.8
2003 52 60.1
2002 48.9 58
2001 50.6 -
2000 48.4 -
1999 48.2 -
1998 48.4 -
1997 47.2 -
1996 47 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/north-macedonia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 63.3 for North Macedonia, ranking 81/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho North Macedonia
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
56.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
24.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
6.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$15.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$25,610
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$5.25B
2024
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
97/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
-$1.12B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$1.06B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$64.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
9.59%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
22.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
30.6%
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/north-macedonia | 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 (1982–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (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.