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Economy of Lesotho vs Oman compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.57B compared to $110B for Oman, ranking 175/197 and 70/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.26B in government debt (49.1% of GDP), compared to $39.2B (35.8% of GDP) in Oman.

Lesotho vs Oman GDP by year

Lesotho
Oman
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Oman
2025 $2,573,572,920 $109,604,780,696
2024 $2,391,282,548 $107,137,198,700
2023 $2,129,871,530 $106,174,707,932
2022 $2,354,980,960 $109,852,795,839
2021 $2,412,130,057 $87,323,797,139
2020 $2,053,699,864 $75,909,492,848
2019 $2,390,702,296 $88,060,858,257
2018 $2,556,247,292 $91,505,851,756
2017 $2,306,741,672 $80,856,697,009
2016 $2,114,426,452 $75,128,738,622
2015 $2,359,686,725 $78,710,793,238
2014 $2,441,063,054 $92,699,089,727
2013 $2,367,112,932 $89,936,020,806
2012 $2,477,702,216 $87,408,842,653
2011 $2,579,409,620 $77,497,529,259
2010 $2,234,754,242 $64,993,498,049
2009 $1,740,894,965 $55,454,096,229
2008 $1,766,902,709 $69,804,681,404
2007 $1,682,131,785 $48,300,390,117
2006 $1,800,092,564 $42,577,633,290
2005 $1,682,343,527 $35,506,892,068
2004 $1,511,236,656 $28,378,933,680
2003 $1,157,825,435 $24,733,680,104
2002 $775,777,239 $23,065,539,662
2001 $825,706,961 $22,205,721,717
2000 $887,291,688 $22,259,557,867
1999 $912,773,681 $17,832,769,831
1998 $928,460,893 $16,044,213,264
1997 $998,004,259 $18,039,791,938
1996 $946,112,493 $17,402,080,624
1995 $1,001,894,000 $15,722,236,671
1994 $878,250,945 $14,715,214,564
1993 $835,582,062 $14,230,429,129
1992 $831,029,862 $14,183,615,085
1991 $704,325,367 $12,918,335,501
1990 $596,410,264 $13,310,273,082
1989 $495,409,233 $9,372,171,651
1988 $470,395,801 $8,386,215,865
1987 $402,768,324 $7,811,183,095
1986 $318,858,423 $7,324,167,369
1985 $268,629,926 $10,005,645,420
1984 $333,163,670 $8,821,443,151
1983 $386,699,309 $7,932,541,691
1982 $348,741,684 $7,554,719,456
1981 $434,188,034 $7,259,120,151
1980 $431,542,537 $5,981,760,278
1979 $290,134,593 $3,733,352,635
1978 $266,570,067 $2,740,301,390
1977 $193,315,048 $2,741,169,948
1976 $147,660,037 $2,560,220,035
1975 $149,558,896 $2,096,699,189
1974 $150,851,317 $1,645,917,776
1973 $121,188,716 $483,066,991
1972 $80,913,200 $366,883,548
1971 $76,480,285 $301,010,587
1970 $68,739,973 $256,319,795
1969 $65,967,974 $239,999,808
1968 $61,445,975 $188,879,849
1967 $59,261,976 $107,151,832
1966 $56,699,977 $67,759,973
1965 $54,879,978 $63,279,975
1964 $51,939,979 $61,872,526
1963 $47,039,981 $59,912,763
1962 $41,859,983 $56,273,202
1961 $35,699,986 $45,634,487
1960 $34,579,986 $44,234,656

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

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

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Oman by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Oman
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Oman
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,089 - $19,947 -
2024 $1,023 $3,001 $20,285 $41,740
2023 $921 $2,881 $21,028 $41,945
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $23,224 $42,616
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $19,403 $38,719
2020 $919 $2,559 $16,785 $35,163
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $19,180 $37,251
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $19,902 $37,780
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $17,820 $33,619
2016 $992 $2,942 $17,110 $33,334
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $18,808 $36,058
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $23,161 $44,236
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $23,458 $47,013
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $24,642 $49,989
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $25,188 $52,393
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $23,570 $55,667
2009 $879 $2,036 $20,656 $55,127
2008 $898 $2,064 $26,577 $52,841
2007 $861 $1,932 $18,793 $48,627
2006 $925 $1,813 $16,931 $46,091
2005 $861 $1,681 $14,435 $43,673
2004 $767 $1,561 $11,801 $42,142
2003 $583 $1,484 $10,464 $40,935
2002 $389 $1,385 $9,869 $41,511
2001 $413 $1,350 $9,612 $41,679
2000 $443 $1,273 $9,754 $39,443
1999 $456 $1,199 $7,915 $36,792
1998 $465 $1,179 $7,219 $36,666
1997 $502 $1,154 $8,235 $36,809
1996 $480 $1,103 $8,068 $34,661
1995 $513 $1,037 $7,414 $33,598
1994 $456 $995 $7,068 $31,925
1993 $439 $932 $7,039 $30,987
1992 $444 $893 $7,318 $29,773
1991 $382 $830 $6,977 $28,109
1990 $330 $764 $7,546 $26,904
1989 $279 - $5,591 -
1988 $270.4 - $5,279 -
1987 $236.5 - $5,204 -
1986 $191.4 - $5,182 -
1985 $165.4 - $7,549 -
1984 $211 - $7,070 -
1983 $252 - $6,714 -
1982 $233.9 - $6,759 -
1981 $299.8 - $6,866 -
1980 $307 - $5,974 -
1979 $212.4 - $3,934 -
1978 $200.8 - $3,044 -
1977 $149.9 - $3,205 -
1976 $117.8 - $3,143 -
1975 $123.2 - $2,692 -
1974 $128.7 - $2,203 -
1973 $107 - $670 -
1972 $74 - $524 -
1971 $72.4 - $442 -
1970 $67.4 - $387 -
1969 $67.1 - $372 -
1968 $64.8 - $300 -
1967 $64.8 - $174.7 -
1966 $64.3 - $113.2 -
1965 $64.3 - $108.1 -
1964 $62.6 - $108.1 -
1963 $58.4 - $106.8 -
1962 $53.5 - $102.3 -
1961 $47 - $84.5 -
1960 $47 - $83.4 -

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

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

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $1,089, ranking 179/197, compared to $19,947 in Oman, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Oman ranks 55th at $41,740.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Oman
Gross domestic product
$2.57B
2025
$110B
2025
GDP rank
175/197
2025
70/197
2025
GDP growth
1.98%
2024-2025
2.4%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,089
2025
$19,947
2025
GDP per capita rank
179/197
2025
60/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$41,740
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
55/197
2024
Government debt
$1.26B
2025
$39.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.1%
2025
35.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$535
2025
$7,132
2025
Government debt per person rank
165/185
2025
70/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,455
2026
$19,851
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$41.3B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
54.2%
2025
28.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.27%
2024-2025
1%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
4.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
3.3%
2024
Population
2402837
5775345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Oman
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Oman
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 54.2% 49.1% 28.9% 35.8%
2024 52.5% 52.8% 28.7% 35.5%
2023 49% 61.1% 27.5% 37.4%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 31.1% 41.7%
2021 53.6% 58% 36.5% 61.9%
2020 54.2% 54.7% 44.5% 67.9%
2019 52.9% 58.2% 38.8% 52.5%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 38.3% 44.7%
2017 50.4% 41% 39.4% 40.1%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 44.6% 29.3%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 44.5% 13.9%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 41.4% 4.04%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 39.3% 4.66%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 38.6% 4.59%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 34.5% 4.44%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 30.6% 5.46%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 33.4% 5.8%
2008 54.1% 47% 25.6% 3.2%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 30.7% 4.44%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 30.1% 7.56%
2005 37.6% 41% 30.6% 8.39%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 34.1% 14.5%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 34% 13%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 34.1% 15.9%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 33.3% 22.5%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 31.2% 21.7%
1999 50.8% 83% 34.2% 28.9%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 36.1% 30.9%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 32.1% 20.8%
1996 41.5% 71.6% 33.5% 21.2%
1995 42.1% 62.8% 38.2% 21.9%
1994 40.2% 67% 39.7% 23.6%
1993 36% 71.2% 40.1% 22.2%
1992 35.3% 64.4% 40.1% 23.1%
1991 31.3% 11.9% 37.4% 22.6%
1990 32.9% 18% 36.5% 17.8%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Lesotho's government spending was $1.4B, accounting for 54.2% of its GDP, while Oman spent $31.7B, or 28.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 49.1% in Lesotho and 35.8% in Oman, ranking 106/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Oman
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Oman
2025 2.15% 1.04%
2024 8.17% 3.22%
2023 7.36% 6.72%
2022 -6.33% 10.3%
2021 -4.79% -3.17%
2020 1.45% -15.7%
2019 -5.09% -4.83%
2018 -4.41% -6.72%
2017 -2.02% -10.5%
2016 -9.43% -19.6%
2015 -1.38% -13.5%
2014 3.16% -1.58%
2013 -2.58% 2.78%
2012 4.56% 4.07%
2011 -9.85% 8.24%
2010 -1.49% 4.95%
2009 -4.16% -0.27%
2008 8.1% 14.7%
2007 10.8% 10.5%
2006 11.6% 12.2%
2005 4.46% 11.2%
2004 6.05% 5.43%
2003 0.89% 5.92%
2002 -2.44% 5.31%
2001 -2.76% 7.55%
2000 -0.95% 12.2%
1999 -15.3% 0.3%
1998 -11.8% -4.37%
1997 0.27% 4.77%
1996 2.11% 2.22%
1995 5.13% -3.9%
1994 5.69% -7.47%
1993 7.55% -6.84%
1992 4.65% -4.85%
1991 9.74% 0.12%
1990 8.78% 4.78%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Lesotho's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $55.4M, equivalent to 2.15% of GDP. This compares to Oman's surplus of $1.14B, or 1.04% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Oman ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual surplus equal to 0.77% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.98% of GDP for Oman.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Oman
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Oman
2025 4.27% 1%
2024 6.11% 0.6%
2023 6.34% 1%
2022 8.27% 2.5%
2021 6.05% 1.7%
2020 4.98% -0.4%
2019 5.19% 0.5%
2018 4.75% 0.7%
2017 4.45% 1.5%
2016 6.6% 0.9%
2015 3.22% 0.1%
2014 5.37% 1.2%
2013 4.87% 1.3%
2012 6.05% 2.9%
2011 5.04% 4.1%
2010 -2.41% 3.3%
2009 -16.9% 3.5%
2008 10.7% 12.6%
2007 8.01% 5.9%
2006 6.07% 3.2%
2005 3.44% 1.9%
2004 5.02% 0.8%
2003 6.63% 0.2%
2002 33.8% -0.3%
2001 -9.62% -0.8%
2000 6.13% -1.2%
1999 - 0.5%
1998 - 0.4%
1997 - -0.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 26 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.1%, compared with 1.87% in Oman. In 2025, inflation was 4.27% in Lesotho and 1% in Oman.

Balance of trade

Lesotho Oman
Current account balance
-$3.94M
2025
$3.07B
2024
Current account balance ranking
71/190
2025
37/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.15%
2025
+2.86%
2024
Goods imports
$1.69B
2025
$39.5B
2024
Goods exports
$933M
2025
$65.2B
2024
Service imports
$467M
2025
$12.8B
2024
Service exports
$16M
2025
$5.64B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
104.5%
2025
48.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
49.5%
2025
66.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Oman
Economic freedom 54.9 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 45/197
Property rights 41.7 71.8
Government integrity 39.6 49.4
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 28
Tax burden 76.4 97.6
Government spending 21.3 74.7
Fiscal health 93.5 97.5
Business freedom 50.6 67.8
Labor freedom 57 47.7
Monetary freedom 74.8 79.2
Trade freedom 65.4 78.4
Investment freedom 55 70
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Oman
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Oman
2026 54.9 68.5
2025 54.1 65.4
2024 51.9 62.9
2023 51.6 58.5
2022 48.1 56.6
2021 53.5 64.6
2020 54.5 63.6
2019 53.1 61
2018 53.9 61
2017 53.9 62.1
2016 50.6 67.1
2015 49.6 66.7
2014 49.5 67.4
2013 47.9 68.1
2012 46.6 67.9
2011 47.5 69.8
2010 48.1 67.7
2009 49.7 67
2008 52.1 67.3
2007 53.2 65.8
2006 54.7 63.7
2005 53.9 66.5
2004 50.3 66.9
2003 52 64.6
2002 48.9 64
2001 50.6 67.7
2000 48.4 64.1
1999 48.2 64.9
1998 48.4 64.9
1997 47.2 64.5
1996 47 65.4
1995 - 70.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 68.5 for Oman, ranking 45/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Oman
Services, % of GDP
55.6%
2025
47.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.2%
2025
52.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.49%
2025
2.81%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.03B
2025
$103B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,900
2025
$39,390
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
68/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$5.77M
2025
-$12.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$12.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$143M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.79%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.2%
2025
24.8%
2024

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/lesotho/oman | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.