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Economy of Lesotho vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $372B for Pakistan, ranking 175/197 and 43/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $262B (70.4% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Lesotho vs Pakistan GDP by year

Lesotho
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Pakistan
2024 $2,271,759,455 $371,570,000,121
2023 $2,117,962,445 $336,686,348,609
2022 $2,354,980,960 $374,890,295,667
2021 $2,412,130,057 $348,516,647,445
2020 $2,053,699,864 $300,425,609,818
2019 $2,390,702,296 $320,909,472,771
2018 $2,556,247,292 $356,128,166,705
2017 $2,306,741,672 $339,205,534,861
2016 $2,114,426,452 $313,630,000,130
2015 $2,359,686,725 $299,963,590,535
2014 $2,441,063,054 $271,390,474,858
2013 $2,367,112,932 $258,657,231,672
2012 $2,477,702,216 $250,106,966,105
2011 $2,579,409,620 $230,586,581,060
2010 $2,234,754,242 $196,709,621,850
2009 $1,740,894,965 $187,337,783,856
2008 $1,766,902,709 $202,203,748,584
2007 $1,682,131,785 $184,140,869,997
2006 $1,800,092,564 $161,871,385,506
2005 $1,682,343,527 $145,208,562,961
2004 $1,511,236,656 $132,216,048,339
2003 $1,157,825,435 $112,371,913,741
2002 $775,777,239 $97,923,302,809
2001 $825,706,961 $97,145,618,480
2000 $887,291,688 $99,484,802,345
1999 $912,773,681 $62,973,857,069
1998 $928,460,893 $62,191,955,814
1997 $998,004,259 $62,433,340,468
1996 $946,112,493 $63,320,170,084
1995 $1,001,894,000 $60,636,071,684
1994 $878,250,945 $52,293,470,813
1993 $835,582,062 $51,809,999,353
1992 $831,029,862 $48,884,671,947
1991 $704,325,367 $45,625,336,680
1990 $596,410,264 $40,010,423,970
1989 $495,409,233 $40,171,106,279
1988 $470,395,801 $38,472,742,808
1987 $402,768,324 $33,351,529,275
1986 $318,858,423 $31,899,070,056
1985 $268,629,926 $31,144,920,844
1984 $333,163,670 $31,151,825,467
1983 $386,699,309 $28,691,889,764
1982 $348,741,684 $30,725,971,564
1981 $434,188,034 $28,100,606,061
1980 $431,542,537 $23,654,444,444
1979 $290,134,593 $19,688,383,838
1978 $266,570,067 $17,811,515,152
1977 $193,315,048 $15,126,060,606
1976 $147,660,037 $13,168,080,808
1975 $149,558,896 $11,230,606,061
1974 $150,851,317 $8,899,191,919
1973 $121,188,716 $6,383,429,490
1972 $80,913,200 $9,415,016,360
1971 $76,480,285 $10,665,896,682
1970 $68,739,973 $10,027,509,450
1969 $65,967,974 $8,683,116,338
1968 $61,445,975 $8,041,999,160
1967 $59,261,976 $7,464,510,710
1966 $56,699,977 $6,561,108,778
1965 $54,879,978 $5,929,231,415
1964 $51,939,979 $5,204,955,901
1963 $47,039,981 $4,630,827,383
1962 $41,859,983 $4,310,163,797
1961 $35,699,986 $4,118,647,627
1960 $34,579,986 $3,749,265,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Pakistan by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $916 $2,881 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $919 $2,559 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $992 $2,942 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $987 $3,786
2009 $879 $2,036 $964 $3,777
2008 $898 $2,064 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $861 $1,932 $998 $3,672
2006 $925 $1,813 $901 $3,515
2005 $861 $1,681 $828 $3,293
2004 $767 $1,561 $772 $3,048
2003 $583 $1,484 $672 $2,822
2002 $389 $1,385 $600 $2,688
2001 $413 $1,350 $610 $2,644
2000 $443 $1,273 $642 $2,565
1999 $456 $1,199 $418 $2,475
1998 $465 $1,179 $424 $2,419
1997 $502 $1,154 $438 $2,398
1996 $480 $1,103 $457 $2,401
1995 $513 $1,037 $451 $2,315
1994 $456 $995 $400 $2,224
1993 $439 $932 $408 $2,160
1992 $444 $893 $396 $2,132
1991 $382 $830 $380 $1,992
1990 $330 $764 $344 $1,895
1989 $279 - $358 -
1988 $270.4 - $354 -
1987 $236.5 - $317 -
1986 $191.4 - $314 -
1985 $165.4 - $317 -
1984 $211 - $327 -
1983 $252 - $311 -
1982 $233.9 - $345 -
1981 $299.8 - $328 -
1980 $307 - $287.4 -
1979 $212.4 - $249.2 -
1978 $200.8 - $233.4 -
1977 $149.9 - $204.7 -
1976 $117.8 - $183.9 -
1975 $123.2 - $161.7 -
1974 $128.7 - $132 -
1973 $107 - $97.5 -
1972 $74 - $148.1 -
1971 $72.4 - $172.5 -
1970 $67.4 - $166.7 -
1969 $67.1 - $148.5 -
1968 $64.8 - $141.6 -
1967 $64.8 - $135.2 -
1966 $64.3 - $122.2 -
1965 $64.3 - $113.6 -
1964 $62.6 - $102.5 -
1963 $58.4 - $93.7 -
1962 $53.5 - $89.5 -
1961 $47 - $87.8 -
1960 $47 - $82 -

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

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

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $1,479 in Pakistan, ranking 163/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$372B
2024
GDP rank
175/197
2024
43/197
2024
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
3.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$1,479
2024
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$262B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
70.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$1,041
2024
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
140/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$1,668
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$52.1B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
25.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
4.2%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
12.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
10.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
6.96%
2025
Population
2396633
260356147

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 19.5% 70.4%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 20% 77.3%
2021 53.8% 58% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 50.4% 41% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 54.1% 47% 18% 49.5%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 37.6% 41% 13% 47.9%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 13.8% 61.7%
1999 50.8% 83% 13.2% 60.7%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 14.1% 53.8%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 13.7% 52.8%
1996 41.5% 71.6% 15% 52.5%
1995 42.1% 62.8% 14% 52.3%
1994 40.2% 67% 14.5% 58.5%
1993 36% 71.2% 17% 57.9%
1992 35.3% 64.4% 22.6% 53.3%
1991 31.3% 11.9% 21.4% 55.8%
1990 32.9% 18% 23.9% 48.3%
1989 35.8% 112.5% 26.1% 46.6%
1988 35.3% 105.2% 27.9% 45%
1987 40.3% 97.4% 29.5% 44.4%
1986 33.2% 92.5% 27.6% 43.1%
1985 32.8% 86.3% 28.3% 37%
1984 26.8% 57.2% 25.4% 33.4%
1983 27.2% 56.7% 24.8% 33.6%
1982 29.9% 61.4% 24.5% 33.8%
1981 - - 21.6% 29.7%
1980 - - 22% 33.3%
1979 - - 25.3% 36.8%
1978 - - 25.5% 36.1%
1977 - - 20.4% 36.4%
1976 - - 21% 35.8%
1975 - - 20.4% 32.1%
1974 - - 15.3% 38%
1973 - - 13.9% 43.4%
1972 - - 13.5% 88.7%
1971 - - 22.1% 33.2%
1970 - - 23.6% 31.6%
1969 - - 15.6% 29.1%
1968 - - 13.7% 27.5%
1967 - - 12.9% 25.9%
1966 - - 12.2% 25.1%
1965 - - 11.2% 22.7%
1964 - - 12.1% 21.3%
1963 - - 14.7% 19.2%
1962 - - 11.8% 16.6%
1961 - - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 - - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $72.4B, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 70.4% in Pakistan, ranking 92/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Pakistan
2024 9.04% -6.81%
2023 7.31% -7.76%
2022 -6.41% -7.84%
2021 -4.95% -6.04%
2020 1.18% -7.03%
2019 -5.72% -7.79%
2018 -4.41% -5.67%
2017 -2.02% -5.17%
2016 -9.43% -3.92%
2015 -1.38% -4.74%
2014 3.16% -4.37%
2013 -2.58% -7.48%
2012 4.56% -7.74%
2011 -9.85% -6.23%
2010 -1.49% -5.42%
2009 -4.16% -4.53%
2008 8.1% -5.94%
2007 10.8% -4.23%
2006 11.6% -2.79%
2005 4.46% -2.29%
2004 6.05% -1.29%
2003 0.89% -0.12%
2002 -2.44% -2.64%
2001 -2.76% -2.45%
2000 -0.95% -3.21%
1999 -15.3% -3.07%
1998 -11.8% -4.46%
1997 0.27% -3.87%
1996 2.11% -4.33%
1995 5.13% -3.9%
1994 5.69% -3.63%
1993 7.55% -5.53%
1992 4.65% -11.3%
1991 9.74% -10.8%
1990 8.78% -11.9%
1989 3.88% -7.01%
1988 -1.87% -9.35%
1987 -2.85% -11.7%
1986 0.87% -9.79%
1985 1.68% -10.6%
1984 4.82% -8.9%
1983 1.85% -7.55%
1982 -2.03% -8.24%
1981 - -5.83%
1980 - -5.32%
1979 - -11.6%
1978 - -12.4%
1977 - -8.74%
1976 - -9.05%
1975 - -8.97%
1974 - -4.45%
1973 - -3.99%
1972 - -3.16%
1971 - -7.45%
1970 - -10.8%
1969 - -7.08%
1968 - -5.56%
1967 - -4.27%
1966 - -4.48%
1965 - -3.28%
1964 - -4.89%
1963 - -6.55%
1962 - -3.39%
1961 - -4.6%
1960 - -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/pakistan | 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 Pakistan's deficit of $25.3B, or 6.81% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 43 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual surplus equal to 0.74% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.03% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Pakistan
2024 6.11% 12.6%
2023 6.34% 30.8%
2022 8.27% 19.9%
2021 6.05% 9.5%
2020 4.98% 9.74%
2019 5.19% 10.6%
2018 4.75% 5.08%
2017 4.45% 4.09%
2016 6.6% 3.77%
2015 3.22% 2.53%
2014 5.37% 7.19%
2013 4.87% 7.69%
2012 6.05% 9.68%
2011 5.04% 11.9%
2010 -2.41% 12.9%
2009 -16.9% 13.6%
2008 10.7% 20.3%
2007 8.01% 7.6%
2006 6.07% 7.92%
2005 3.44% 9.06%
2004 5.02% 7.44%
2003 6.63% 2.91%
2002 33.8% 3.29%
2001 -9.62% 3.15%
2000 6.13% 4.37%
1999 - 4.14%
1998 - 6.23%
1997 - 11.4%

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.13%, compared with 9.51% in Pakistan. In 2024, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 12.6% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Lesotho
Export category Export value
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $218K
Chemicals & pharma $35K
Machinery & equipment $30K
Weapons & explosives $27K
Raw agricultural goods $5K
Metals $3K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Lesotho Pakistan
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
$496M
2024
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
63/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
+0.13%
2024
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$32.1B
2024
Service imports
$415M
2024
$11.2B
2024
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$8.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
10.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Pakistan
Economic freedom 54.9 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 168/197
Property rights 41.7 25.7
Government integrity 39.6 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 27.6
Tax burden 76.4 78.2
Government spending 21.3 88.5
Fiscal health 93.5 10.1
Business freedom 50.6 54.4
Labor freedom 57 51.7
Monetary freedom 74.8 54.1
Trade freedom 65.4 70.4
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Pakistan
2026 54.9 48.9
2025 54.1 49.1
2024 51.9 49.5
2023 51.6 49.4
2022 48.1 48.8
2021 53.5 51.7
2020 54.5 54.8
2019 53.1 55
2018 53.9 54.4
2017 53.9 52.8
2016 50.6 55.9
2015 49.6 55.6
2014 49.5 55.2
2013 47.9 55.1
2012 46.6 54.7
2011 47.5 55.1
2010 48.1 55.2
2009 49.7 57
2008 52.1 55.6
2007 53.2 57.2
2006 54.7 57.9
2005 53.9 53.3
2004 50.3 54.9
2003 52 55
2002 48.9 55.8
2001 50.6 56
2000 48.4 56.4
1999 48.2 53
1998 48.4 53.2
1997 47.2 56
1996 47 58.4
1995 - 57.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
20.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
23.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$358B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$6,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$18.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
63/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
-$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
13.2%
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/pakistan | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.