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Economy of Lesotho vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $918B for Poland, ranking 175/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $507B (55.3% of GDP) in Poland.

Lesotho vs Poland GDP by year

Lesotho
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Poland
2024 $2,271,759,455 $917,767,106,147
2023 $2,117,962,445 $812,451,193,396
2022 $2,354,980,960 $695,607,470,875
2021 $2,412,130,057 $689,170,230,665
2020 $2,053,699,864 $605,914,237,904
2019 $2,390,702,296 $602,683,770,145
2018 $2,556,247,292 $594,616,687,350
2017 $2,306,741,672 $528,356,676,667
2016 $2,114,426,452 $473,259,583,970
2015 $2,359,686,725 $480,054,118,583
2014 $2,441,063,054 $542,134,167,179
2013 $2,367,112,932 $518,179,836,405
2012 $2,477,702,216 $498,148,649,703
2011 $2,579,409,620 $527,848,543,023
2010 $2,234,754,242 $478,111,630,684
2009 $1,740,894,965 $440,891,472,247
2008 $1,766,902,709 $535,612,030,672
2007 $1,682,131,785 $429,715,132,138
2006 $1,800,092,564 $345,897,630,736
2005 $1,682,343,527 $306,999,913,151
2004 $1,511,236,656 $256,268,656,145
2003 $1,157,825,435 $218,561,225,998
2002 $775,777,239 $199,694,463,256
2001 $825,706,961 $191,823,200,371
2000 $887,291,688 $172,953,527,033
1999 $912,773,681 $170,704,452,715
1998 $928,460,893 $175,282,269,667
1997 $998,004,259 $159,893,964,917
1996 $946,112,493 $160,813,026,223
1995 $1,001,894,000 $142,838,527,115
1994 $878,250,945 $110,803,635,288
1993 $835,582,062 $96,043,157,273
1992 $831,029,862 $94,337,050,693
1991 $704,325,367 $85,500,935,935
1990 $596,410,264 $65,977,748,211
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/poland | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Poland by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $916 $2,881 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $919 $2,559 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $992 $2,942 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $879 $2,036 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $898 $2,064 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $861 $1,932 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $925 $1,813 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $861 $1,681 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $767 $1,561 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $583 $1,484 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $389 $1,385 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $413 $1,350 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $443 $1,273 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $456 $1,199 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $465 $1,179 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $502 $1,154 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $480 $1,103 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $513 $1,037 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $456 $995 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $439 $932 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $444 $893 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $382 $830 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $330 $764 $1,731 $6,185
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/poland | CC BY

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $25,104 in Poland, ranking 48/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Poland
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$918B
2024
GDP rank
175/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
3.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$25,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
48/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$507B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
55.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$13,874
2024
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
41/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$20,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$197B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
10
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
3.78%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
2.81%
2024
Population
2396633
35806942

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 49.4% 55.3%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 53.8% 58% 43.6% 53%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 41% 48.2%
2017 50.4% 41% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 46% 53.7%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 54.1% 47% 44% 46.6%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 37.6% 41% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 43.3% 44.9%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 45.5% 46.4%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 45.1% 41.6%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 44.7% 37.2%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 43.1% 36.4%
1999 50.8% 83% 42.5% 39.4%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 44% 38.7%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 46.1% 42.7%
1996 41.5% 71.6% 50.7% 43.2%
1995 42.1% 62.8% 47.5% 48.7%
1994 40.2% 67% - 64.3%
1993 36% 71.2% - 83.9%
1992 35.3% 64.4% - 81.9%
1991 31.3% 11.9% - 76.9%
1990 32.9% 18% - 89.7%
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% - -
1981 - - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - 35.6% -
1978 - - 35.8% -
1977 - - 35.6% -
1976 - - 34.8% -
1975 - - 34.1% -
1974 - - 28.6% -
1973 - - 24.5% -
1972 - - 24.1% -
1971 - - 24.1% -
1970 - - 25.8% -
1969 - - 26.3% -
1968 - - 27.3% -
1967 - - 29.6% -
1966 - - 31.7% -
1965 - - 31.8% -
1964 - - 33.5% -
1963 - - 33.3% -
1962 - - 43% -
1961 - - 42.8% -
1960 - - 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while Poland spent $453B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 55.3% in Poland, ranking 92/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Poland
2024 9.04% -6.59%
2023 7.31% -5.27%
2022 -6.41% -3.44%
2021 -4.95% -1.75%
2020 1.18% -6.85%
2019 -5.72% -0.73%
2018 -4.41% -0.24%
2017 -2.02% -1.49%
2016 -9.43% -2.38%
2015 -1.38% -2.59%
2014 3.16% -3.66%
2013 -2.58% -4.25%
2012 4.56% -3.8%
2011 -9.85% -4.97%
2010 -1.49% -7.43%
2009 -4.16% -7.24%
2008 8.1% -3.6%
2007 10.8% -1.88%
2006 11.6% -3.53%
2005 4.46% -3.93%
2004 6.05% -4.99%
2003 0.89% -6.02%
2002 -2.44% -4.8%
2001 -2.76% -4.73%
2000 -0.95% -4%
1999 -15.3% -2.3%
1998 -11.8% -4.25%
1997 0.27% -4.61%
1996 2.11% -4.84%
1995 5.13% -4.39%
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/poland | 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 Poland's deficit of $60.4B, or 6.59% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual deficit equal to 0.37% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.02% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Poland
2024 6.11% 3.78%
2023 6.34% 11.5%
2022 8.27% 14.4%
2021 6.05% 5.06%
2020 4.98% 3.37%
2019 5.19% 2.23%
2018 4.75% 1.81%
2017 4.45% 2.08%
2016 6.6% -0.66%
2015 3.22% -0.87%
2014 5.37% 0.05%
2013 4.87% 0.99%
2012 6.05% 3.56%
2011 5.04% 4.24%
2010 -2.41% 2.58%
2009 -16.9% 3.8%
2008 10.7% 4.16%
2007 8.01% 2.46%
2006 6.07% 1.28%
2005 3.44% 2.18%
2004 5.02% 3.38%
2003 6.63% 0.68%
2002 33.8% 1.91%
2001 -9.62% 5.41%
2000 6.13% 9.9%
1999 - 7.15%
1998 - 11.6%
1997 - 14.9%

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.13%, compared with 3.57% in Poland. In 2024, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 3.78% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

Lesotho
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $80K
Poland
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $855K
Machinery & equipment $216K
Metals $103K
Chemicals & pharma $27K
Raw materials & minerals $10K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Lesotho Poland
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
$2.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
40/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
+0.3%
2024
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$367B
2024
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$361B
2024
Service imports
$415M
2024
$74.9B
2024
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$118B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
48.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
52.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Poland
Economic freedom 54.9 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 46/197
Property rights 41.7 71.8
Government integrity 39.6 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 62.5
Tax burden 76.4 72.7
Government spending 21.3 35.1
Fiscal health 93.5 74.8
Business freedom 50.6 77.5
Labor freedom 57 53.7
Monetary freedom 74.8 73.8
Trade freedom 65.4 79.4
Investment freedom 55 80
Financial freedom 40 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Poland
2026 54.9 68.5
2025 54.1 67.1
2024 51.9 66
2023 51.6 67.7
2022 48.1 68.7
2021 53.5 69.7
2020 54.5 69.1
2019 53.1 67.8
2018 53.9 68.5
2017 53.9 68.3
2016 50.6 69.3
2015 49.6 68.6
2014 49.5 67
2013 47.9 66
2012 46.6 64.2
2011 47.5 64.1
2010 48.1 63.2
2009 49.7 60.3
2008 52.1 60.3
2007 53.2 58.1
2006 54.7 59.3
2005 53.9 59.6
2004 50.3 58.7
2003 52 61.8
2002 48.9 65
2001 50.6 61.8
2000 48.4 60
1999 48.2 59.6
1998 48.4 59.2
1997 47.2 56.8
1996 47 57.8
1995 - 50.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Poland
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
59.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
27.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$789B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$49,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$223B
2024
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
17/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
-$10.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$10B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
17.8%
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/poland | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.