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Economy of Lesotho vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 175/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Lesotho vs Romania GDP by year

Lesotho
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Romania
2024 $2,271,759,455 $382,564,217,989
2023 $2,117,962,445 $347,757,995,759
2022 $2,354,980,960 $295,319,437,557
2021 $2,412,130,057 $285,071,280,114
2020 $2,053,699,864 $250,625,048,304
2019 $2,390,702,296 $250,080,428,512
2018 $2,556,247,292 $241,791,427,224
2017 $2,306,741,672 $210,147,385,855
2016 $2,114,426,452 $185,290,759,249
2015 $2,359,686,725 $177,885,131,240
2014 $2,441,063,054 $199,722,319,676
2013 $2,367,112,932 $189,798,603,751
2012 $2,477,702,216 $179,117,323,107
2011 $2,579,409,620 $192,623,977,894
2010 $2,234,754,242 $170,064,350,672
2009 $1,740,894,965 $174,110,532,659
2008 $1,766,902,709 $214,315,932,061
2007 $1,682,131,785 $174,588,782,939
2006 $1,800,092,564 $122,023,735,993
2005 $1,682,343,527 $98,454,380,120
2004 $1,511,236,656 $74,973,656,852
2003 $1,157,825,435 $57,806,384,143
2002 $775,777,239 $46,065,502,703
2001 $825,706,961 $40,395,116,581
2000 $887,291,688 $37,253,739,511
1999 $912,773,681 $35,953,156,754
1998 $928,460,893 $41,696,091,974
1997 $998,004,259 $35,575,214,078
1996 $946,112,493 $36,937,074,278
1995 $1,001,894,000 $37,430,162,103
1994 $878,250,945 $30,072,805,104
1993 $835,582,062 $26,361,160,450
1992 $831,029,862 $25,121,666,667
1991 $704,325,367 $28,850,634,900
1990 $596,410,264 $38,247,882,300
1989 $495,409,233 $41,450,777,202
1988 $470,395,801 $40,424,528,302
1987 $402,768,324 $38,067,567,568
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/romania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Romania by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $916 $2,881 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $919 $2,559 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $992 $2,942 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $879 $2,036 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $898 $2,064 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $861 $1,932 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $925 $1,813 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $861 $1,681 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $767 $1,561 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $583 $1,484 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $389 $1,385 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $413 $1,350 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $443 $1,273 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $456 $1,199 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $465 $1,179 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $502 $1,154 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $480 $1,103 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $513 $1,037 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $456 $995 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $439 $932 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $444 $893 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $382 $830 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $330 $764 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $279 - $1,790 -
1988 $270.4 - $1,753 -
1987 $236.5 - $1,659 -
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/romania | CC BY

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Romania
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
175/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
5.43%
2024
Population
2396633
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 53.8% 58% 37% 51.5%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 50.4% 41% 31% 37.1%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 35% 32.6%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 54.1% 47% 35.3% 13%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 37.6% 41% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 35% 29.6%
1999 50.8% 83% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 33.5% 15%
1996 41.5% 71.6% 33.5% 11%
1995 42.1% 62.8% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 40.2% 67% 33.1% -
1993 36% 71.2% 33.5% -
1992 35.3% 64.4% 41.5% -
1991 31.3% 11.9% 38.3% -
1990 32.9% 18% 38.4% -
1989 35.8% 112.5% 40.1% -
1988 35.3% 105.2% 36.6% -
1987 40.3% 97.4% 40.7% -
1986 33.2% 92.5% 42.5% -
1985 32.8% 86.3% 41.6% -
1984 26.8% 57.2% 28.6% -
1983 27.2% 56.7% 25.8% -
1982 29.9% 61.4% 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 92/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Romania
2024 9.04% -8.68%
2023 7.31% -5.61%
2022 -6.41% -5.83%
2021 -4.95% -6.7%
2020 1.18% -9.54%
2019 -5.72% -4.55%
2018 -4.41% -2.74%
2017 -2.02% -2.86%
2016 -9.43% -2.5%
2015 -1.38% -1.35%
2014 3.16% -1.76%
2013 -2.58% -2.44%
2012 4.56% -2.39%
2011 -9.85% -4.14%
2010 -1.49% -6.22%
2009 -4.16% -6.86%
2008 8.1% -4.6%
2007 10.8% -3.05%
2006 11.6% -1.36%
2005 4.46% -0.69%
2004 6.05% -3.39%
2003 0.89% -2.29%
2002 -2.44% -2.59%
2001 -2.76% -3.2%
2000 -0.95% -3.99%
1999 -15.3% -3.58%
1998 -11.8% -5.33%
1997 0.27% -5.19%
1996 2.11% -4.74%
1995 5.13% -3.32%
1994 5.69% -2.2%
1993 7.55% -0.35%
1992 4.65% -4.55%
1991 9.74% 3.23%
1990 8.78% 1.03%
1989 3.88% -2.87%
1988 -1.87% 8.4%
1987 -2.85% 2.37%
1986 0.87% 5.72%
1985 1.68% 6.36%
1984 4.82% 15.2%
1983 1.85% 9.35%
1982 -2.03% 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 38 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual surplus equal to 0.65% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Romania
2024 6.11% 5.6%
2023 6.34% 10.4%
2022 8.27% 13.8%
2021 6.05% 5%
2020 4.98% 2.6%
2019 5.19% 3.8%
2018 4.75% 4.6%
2017 4.45% 1.3%
2016 6.6% -1.6%
2015 3.22% -0.6%
2014 5.37% 1.1%
2013 4.87% 4%
2012 6.05% 3.3%
2011 5.04% 5.8%
2010 -2.41% 6.1%
2009 -16.9% 5.6%
2008 10.7% 7.8%
2007 8.01% 4.8%
2006 6.07% 6.6%
2005 3.44% 9%
2004 5.02% 11.9%
2003 6.63% 15.4%
2002 33.8% 22.5%
2001 -9.62% 34.5%
2000 6.13% 45.7%
1999 - 45.8%
1998 - 59.1%
1997 - 154.8%

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/romania | CC BY

Over the past 25 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.13%, compared with 9.16% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Lesotho
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $26K
Textiles & consumer goods $13K
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $10K

Balance of trade

Lesotho Romania
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$415M
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Romania
Economic freedom 54.9 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 64/197
Property rights 41.7 81
Government integrity 39.6 50
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 67
Tax burden 76.4 89.1
Government spending 21.3 56.7
Fiscal health 93.5 21.4
Business freedom 50.6 74.4
Labor freedom 57 63.6
Monetary freedom 74.8 72.7
Trade freedom 65.4 79.4
Investment freedom 55 70
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Romania
2026 54.9 65.4
2025 54.1 66.5
2024 51.9 64.4
2023 51.6 64.5
2022 48.1 67.1
2021 53.5 69.5
2020 54.5 69.7
2019 53.1 68.6
2018 53.9 69.4
2017 53.9 69.7
2016 50.6 65.6
2015 49.6 66.6
2014 49.5 65.5
2013 47.9 65.1
2012 46.6 64.4
2011 47.5 64.7
2010 48.1 64.2
2009 49.7 63.2
2008 52.1 61.7
2007 53.2 61.2
2006 54.7 58.2
2005 53.9 52.1
2004 50.3 50
2003 52 50.6
2002 48.9 48.7
2001 50.6 50
2000 48.4 52.1
1999 48.2 50.1
1998 48.4 54.4
1997 47.2 50.8
1996 47 46.2
1995 - 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Romania
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
25%
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/romania | 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 (1962–1999, 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 (2021–2022, 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.