Skip to content

Economy of Lesotho vs Peru compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.57B compared to $335B for Peru, ranking 175/197 and 47/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.26B in government debt (49.1% of GDP), compared to $101B (30.2% of GDP) in Peru.

Lesotho vs Peru GDP by year

Lesotho
Peru
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Peru
2025 $2,573,572,920 $334,854,659,182
2024 $2,391,282,548 $291,751,523,019
2023 $2,129,871,530 $268,025,009,709
2022 $2,354,980,960 $246,169,867,863
2021 $2,412,130,057 $226,406,075,009
2020 $2,053,699,864 $201,409,694,756
2019 $2,390,702,296 $228,346,006,004
2018 $2,556,247,292 $222,597,009,739
2017 $2,306,741,672 $211,007,984,081
2016 $2,114,426,452 $191,898,104,390
2015 $2,359,686,725 $189,802,976,286
2014 $2,441,063,054 $200,786,250,583
2013 $2,367,112,932 $201,175,543,571
2012 $2,477,702,216 $192,650,021,649
2011 $2,579,409,620 $171,761,737,047
2010 $2,234,754,242 $147,527,631,521
2009 $1,740,894,965 $120,822,986,521
2008 $1,766,902,709 $120,550,599,815
2007 $1,682,131,785 $102,170,981,144
2006 $1,800,092,564 $88,643,193,062
2005 $1,682,343,527 $76,060,606,061
2004 $1,511,236,656 $66,768,703,498
2003 $1,157,825,435 $58,731,030,122
2002 $775,777,239 $54,777,553,515
2001 $825,706,961 $52,030,158,775
2000 $887,291,688 $51,744,749,133
1999 $912,773,681 $50,187,324,568
1998 $928,460,893 $55,501,467,877
1997 $998,004,259 $58,147,522,523
1996 $946,112,493 $55,252,414,130
1995 $1,001,894,000 $53,312,793,687
1994 $878,250,945 $44,882,079,767
1993 $835,582,062 $34,832,077,221
1992 $831,029,862 $35,966,302,303
1991 $704,325,367 $34,341,465,998
1990 $596,410,264 $26,410,386,963
1989 $495,409,233 $22,499,558,526
1988 $470,395,801 $15,439,408,447
1987 $402,768,324 $36,889,706,593
1986 $318,858,423 $21,859,448,586
1985 $268,629,926 $15,078,736,875
1984 $333,163,670 $17,600,400,385
1983 $386,699,309 $17,345,260,564
1982 $348,741,684 $21,794,535,621
1981 $434,188,034 $21,648,214,893
1980 $431,542,537 $18,136,838,538
1979 $290,134,593 $15,954,012,439
1978 $266,570,067 $12,491,876,743
1977 $193,315,048 $14,544,913,961
1976 $147,660,037 $16,131,958,851
1975 $149,558,896 $16,931,162,355
1974 $150,851,317 $13,858,441,211
1973 $121,188,716 $10,994,381,895
1972 $80,913,200 $9,189,413,409
1971 $76,480,285 $8,289,582,884
1970 $68,739,973 $7,432,223,177
1969 $65,967,974 $6,420,909,790
1968 $61,445,975 $5,736,083,835
1967 $59,261,976 $6,194,340,080
1966 $56,699,977 $6,109,048,737
1965 $54,879,978 $5,163,008,077
1964 $51,939,979 $4,353,664,867
1963 $47,039,981 $3,598,272,493
1962 $41,859,983 $3,284,322,201
1961 $35,699,986 $2,897,852,693
1960 $34,579,986 $2,571,986,572

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

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

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Peru by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Peru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Peru
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,089 - $9,684 -
2024 $1,023 $3,001 $8,526 $17,802
2023 $921 $2,881 $7,919 $17,011
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $7,354 $16,669
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $6,829 $15,281
2020 $919 $2,559 $6,133 $12,563
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $7,037 $13,564
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $6,978 $13,078
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $6,736 $12,592
2016 $992 $2,942 $6,217 $12,067
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $6,232 $11,600
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $6,667 $11,518
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $6,747 $11,291
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $6,519 $10,757
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $5,861 $10,463
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $5,072 $9,713
2009 $879 $2,036 $4,181 $8,917
2008 $898 $2,064 $4,198 $8,820
2007 $861 $1,932 $3,581 $7,982
2006 $925 $1,813 $3,130 $7,214
2005 $861 $1,681 $2,707 $6,560
2004 $767 $1,561 $2,397 $6,038
2003 $583 $1,484 $2,129 $5,657
2002 $389 $1,385 $2,007 $5,383
2001 $413 $1,350 $1,930 $5,086
2000 $443 $1,273 $1,945 $5,012
1999 $456 $1,199 $1,917 $4,847
1998 $465 $1,179 $2,156 $4,791
1997 $502 $1,154 $2,301 $4,844
1996 $480 $1,103 $2,227 $4,556
1995 $513 $1,037 $2,190 $4,435
1994 $456 $995 $1,879 $4,123
1993 $439 $932 $1,488 $3,666
1992 $444 $893 $1,567 $3,472
1991 $382 $830 $1,527 $3,484
1990 $330 $764 $1,200 $3,367
1989 $279 - $1,045 -
1988 $270.4 - $733 -
1987 $236.5 - $1,792 -
1986 $191.4 - $1,087 -
1985 $165.4 - $767 -
1984 $211 - $918 -
1983 $252 - $927 -
1982 $233.9 - $1,194 -
1981 $299.8 - $1,216 -
1980 $307 - $1,045 -
1979 $212.4 - $942 -
1978 $200.8 - $756 -
1977 $149.9 - $903 -
1976 $117.8 - $1,026 -
1975 $123.2 - $1,104 -
1974 $128.7 - $927 -
1973 $107 - $754 -
1972 $74 - $647 -
1971 $72.4 - $599 -
1970 $67.4 - $550 -
1969 $67.1 - $488 -
1968 $64.8 - $448 -
1967 $64.8 - $498 -
1966 $64.3 - $505 -
1965 $64.3 - $439 -
1964 $62.6 - $381 -
1963 $58.4 - $324 -
1962 $53.5 - $305 -
1961 $47 - $276.6 -
1960 $47 - $252.8 -

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

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

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $1,089, ranking 179/197, compared to $9,684 in Peru, ranking 90/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Peru ranks 104th at $17,802.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Peru
Gross domestic product
$2.57B
2025
$335B
2025
GDP rank
175/197
2025
47/197
2025
GDP growth
1.98%
2024-2025
3.43%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,089
2025
$9,684
2025
GDP per capita rank
179/197
2025
90/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$17,802
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
104/197
2024
Government debt
$1.26B
2025
$101B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.1%
2025
30.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$535
2025
$2,927
2025
Government debt per person rank
165/185
2025
107/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,455
2026
$7,143
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$105B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
30.3%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
54.2%
2025
21.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.27%
2024-2025
1.53%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
4.32%
2025
Population
2402837
35105331

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Peru
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Peru
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 54.2% 49.1% 21.4% 30.2%
2024 52.5% 52.8% 22.2% 32.1%
2023 49% 61.1% 22.1% 32.4%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 23.1% 33.5%
2021 53.6% 58% 23.1% 35.5%
2020 54.2% 54.7% 25.7% 34.3%
2019 52.9% 58.2% 20.8% 26.5%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 21% 25.7%
2017 50.4% 41% 20.6% 24.8%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 20.5% 23.9%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 22% 23.7%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 22.4% 20.5%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 21.5% 19.9%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 20.3% 20.7%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 19.8% 23.1%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 21% 25.1%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 21.3% 28.2%
2008 54.1% 47% 19.9% 28.1%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 18.6% 31.9%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 19.2% 34.9%
2005 37.6% 41% 20.4% 40.4%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 19.6% 46.7%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 20.1% 49.4%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 19.6% 45.5%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 20.9% 43.8%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 21.7% 44.9%
1999 50.8% 83% 17.8% 41.1%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 16.3% 36.8%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 15.6% 34.5%
1996 41.5% 71.6% 16.5% 37.4%
1995 42.1% 62.8% 17.5% 36.8%
1994 40.2% 67% 16.9% 41.9%
1993 36% 71.2% 18.2% 49.9%
1992 35.3% 64.4% 19.1% 46.8%
1991 31.3% 11.9% 15.7% 48.3%
1990 32.9% 18% 20.4% 56.3%
1989 35.8% 112.5% 12.1% 34.9%
1988 35.3% 105.2% 12.8% 42.8%
1987 40.3% 97.4% 15.5% 39.1%
1986 33.2% 92.5% 16.6% 48.6%
1985 32.8% 86.3% 17.2% 63.4%
1984 26.8% 57.2% 18.3% 56.7%
1983 27.2% 56.7% 19.4% 56.2%
1982 29.9% 61.4% 17.6% 34.2%
1981 - - 18.4% 30.6%
1980 - - 19.3% 36.3%
1979 - - 16.4% 45.9%
1978 - - 19% 56%
1977 - - 19.4% 44.8%
1976 - - 21.1% 34.5%
1975 - - 19.8% 27%
1974 - - 17.7% 24%
1973 - - 19.5% 22.6%
1972 - - 15.3% 20.6%
1971 - - 15% 19%
1970 - - 14.3% 20%
1969 - - 16.4% -
1968 - - 18.4% 15.2%
1967 - - 19.1% 12.1%
1966 - - 18.6% 17%
1965 - - 18.7% 14.5%
1964 - - 16.9% 14.1%
1963 - - 16.2% -
1962 - - 14.6% -
1961 - - 14.8% 16%
1960 - - 13.3% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Lesotho's government spending was $1.4B, accounting for 54.2% of its GDP, while Peru spent $71.7B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 49.1% in Lesotho and 30.2% in Peru, ranking 106/185 and 154/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Peru
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Peru
2025 2.15% -2.36%
2024 8.17% -3.53%
2023 7.36% -2.74%
2022 -6.33% -1.38%
2021 -4.79% -2.49%
2020 1.45% -8.19%
2019 -5.09% -1.37%
2018 -4.41% -1.94%
2017 -2.02% -2.79%
2016 -9.43% -2.12%
2015 -1.38% -2.02%
2014 3.16% -0.19%
2013 -2.58% 0.75%
2012 4.56% 2.07%
2011 -9.85% 2.05%
2010 -1.49% -0.02%
2009 -4.16% -1.48%
2008 8.1% 2.48%
2007 10.8% 3.35%
2006 11.6% 2.03%
2005 4.46% -0.44%
2004 6.05% -1.03%
2003 0.89% -1.62%
2002 -2.44% -1.4%
2001 -2.76% -2.15%
2000 -0.95% -2.12%
1999 -15.3% -2.93%
1998 -11.8% -0.2%
1997 0.27% 0.47%
1996 2.11% -0.25%
1995 5.13% -2.05%
1994 5.69% -1.9%
1993 7.55% -2.82%
1992 4.65% -3.55%
1991 9.74% -1.98%
1990 8.78% -7.99%
1989 3.88% -1.3%
1988 -1.87% -3.57%
1987 -2.85% -6.26%
1986 0.87% -4.08%
1985 1.68% -2.41%
1984 4.82% -4.45%
1983 1.85% -7.52%
1982 -2.03% -3.22%
1981 - -3.98%
1980 - -2.36%
1979 - -0.54%
1978 - -5.07%
1977 - -6.52%
1976 - -8.37%
1975 - -6.54%
1974 - -4.47%
1973 - -6.68%
1972 - -2.04%
1971 - -1.89%
1970 - -0.42%
1969 - -1.1%
1968 - -3.28%
1967 - -3.76%
1966 - -5.41%
1965 - -4.79%
1964 - -3.37%
1963 - -1.86%
1962 - 2.16%
1961 - 2.46%
1960 - 3.32%
1959 - -1.46%
1958 - -2.63%
1957 - -2.23%
1956 - -0.93%
1955 - 0.06%
1954 - -0.66%
1953 - -2.35%
1952 - 0.04%
1951 - 0.61%
1950 - 0.08%
1949 - 0.26%
1948 - -0.84%
1947 - -0.54%
1946 - -1.39%
1945 - 0%
1944 - 0%
1943 - 0.18%
1942 - -2.38%
1941 - -1.76%
1940 - 0.27%
1939 - -1.01%
1938 - -1.57%
1937 - 0.18%
1936 - 0.18%
1935 - 0.09%
1934 - 0.11%
1933 - 0.02%
1932 - -0.57%
1931 - -0.28%
1930 - -0.67%
1929 - 0.008%
1928 - -1.88%
1927 - 0%
1926 - -1.84%
1925 - -1.69%
1924 - -1.31%
1923 - -0.85%
1922 - -1.24%
1921 - -1.53%
1920 - -0.4%
1919 - -0.26%
1918 - -0.34%
1917 - -0.25%
1916 - 0.27%
1915 - -0.74%
1914 - -1.59%
1913 - -3.04%
1912 - -0.45%
1911 - 0.32%
1910 - 0.16%
1909 - -0.33%
1908 - -0.18%
1907 - 0.18%
1906 - 0.38%
1905 - 0.2%
1904 - 0.22%
1903 - 0.24%
1902 - 0.26%
1901 - 0.26%
1900 - 0%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1900–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/peru | 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 Peru's deficit of $7.9B, or 2.36% of GDP.

Over the past 44 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Peru ran a deficit in 37 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual surplus equal to 0.78% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.92% of GDP for Peru.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Peru
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Peru
2025 4.27% 1.53%
2024 6.11% 2.01%
2023 6.34% 6.46%
2022 8.27% 8.33%
2021 6.05% 4.27%
2020 4.98% 2%
2019 5.19% 2.25%
2018 4.75% 1.51%
2017 4.45% 2.99%
2016 6.6% 3.56%
2015 3.22% 3.4%
2014 5.37% 3.41%
2013 4.87% 2.77%
2012 6.05% 3.61%
2011 5.04% 3.37%
2010 -2.41% 1.53%
2009 -16.9% 2.94%
2008 10.7% 5.79%
2007 8.01% 1.78%
2006 6.07% 2%
2005 3.44% 1.62%
2004 5.02% 3.66%
2003 6.63% 2.26%
2002 33.8% 0.19%
2001 -9.62% 1.98%
2000 6.13% 3.76%
1999 - 3.47%
1998 - 7.25%
1997 - 8.56%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 26 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.1%, compared with 3.04% in Peru. In 2025, inflation was 4.27% in Lesotho and 1.53% in Peru.

Top exports between countries

Lesotho
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Peru
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Lesotho Peru
Current account balance
-$3.94M
2025
$12B
2025
Current account balance ranking
71/190
2025
23/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.15%
2025
+3.58%
2025
Goods imports
$1.69B
2025
$58.6B
2025
Goods exports
$933M
2025
$94B
2025
Service imports
$467M
2025
$15.9B
2025
Service exports
$16M
2025
$7.64B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
104.5%
2025
21.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
49.5%
2025
30%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Peru
Economic freedom 54.9 66.3
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 62/197
Property rights 41.7 44
Government integrity 39.6 35
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 47.8
Tax burden 76.4 79.4
Government spending 21.3 84.8
Fiscal health 93.5 87.4
Business freedom 50.6 73.1
Labor freedom 57 64.7
Monetary freedom 74.8 77.6
Trade freedom 65.4 81.6
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Peru
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Peru
2026 54.9 66.3
2025 54.1 65.9
2024 51.9 64.8
2023 51.6 66.5
2022 48.1 66.5
2021 53.5 67.7
2020 54.5 67.9
2019 53.1 67.8
2018 53.9 68.7
2017 53.9 68.9
2016 50.6 67.4
2015 49.6 67.7
2014 49.5 67.4
2013 47.9 68.2
2012 46.6 68.7
2011 47.5 68.6
2010 48.1 67.6
2009 49.7 64.6
2008 52.1 63.8
2007 53.2 62.7
2006 54.7 60.5
2005 53.9 61.3
2004 50.3 64.7
2003 52 64.6
2002 48.9 64.8
2001 50.6 69.6
2000 48.4 68.7
1999 48.2 69.2
1998 48.4 65
1997 47.2 63.8
1996 47 62.5
1995 - 56.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 66.3 for Peru, ranking 62/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Peru
Services, % of GDP
55.6%
2025
50.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.2%
2025
34.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.49%
2025
7.47%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.03B
2025
$291B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,900
2025
$17,540
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$90.4B
2025
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
32/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$5.77M
2025
-$8.93B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$6.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.14B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.79%
2024
5.54%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
27.6%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.2%
2025
20.3%
2025

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/peru | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1900–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2021, 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.