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Economy of Lesotho vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $14.3B for Rwanda, ranking 175/197 and 144/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $9.58B (67.2% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Lesotho vs Rwanda GDP by year

Lesotho
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Rwanda
2024 $2,271,759,455 $14,251,642,235
2023 $2,117,962,445 $14,331,722,703
2022 $2,354,980,960 $13,316,161,002
2021 $2,412,130,057 $11,078,787,090
2020 $2,053,699,864 $10,174,386,857
2019 $2,390,702,296 $10,349,300,277
2018 $2,556,247,292 $9,637,904,521
2017 $2,306,741,672 $9,252,833,891
2016 $2,114,426,452 $8,695,272,058
2015 $2,359,686,725 $8,543,760,200
2014 $2,441,063,054 $8,238,966,124
2013 $2,367,112,932 $7,819,964,030
2012 $2,477,702,216 $7,654,761,050
2011 $2,579,409,620 $6,884,913,658
2010 $2,234,754,242 $6,124,756,654
2009 $1,740,894,965 $5,674,476,969
2008 $1,766,902,709 $5,179,854,065
2007 $1,682,131,785 $4,070,507,895
2006 $1,800,092,564 $3,319,784,539
2005 $1,682,343,527 $2,933,819,766
2004 $1,511,236,656 $2,376,496,067
2003 $1,157,825,435 $2,138,237,279
2002 $775,777,239 $1,966,003,468
2001 $825,706,961 $1,966,600,715
2000 $887,291,688 $2,068,836,754
1999 $912,773,681 $2,157,108,263
1998 $928,460,893 $1,989,343,546
1997 $998,004,259 $1,851,558,197
1996 $946,112,493 $1,382,334,879
1995 $1,001,894,000 $1,293,535,193
1994 $878,250,945 $753,636,370
1993 $835,582,062 $1,971,525,712
1992 $831,029,862 $2,029,026,962
1991 $704,325,367 $1,911,600,237
1990 $596,410,264 $2,550,185,679
1989 $495,409,233 $2,405,022,593
1988 $470,395,801 $2,395,492,687
1987 $402,768,324 $2,157,432,668
1986 $318,858,423 $1,944,710,684
1985 $268,629,926 $1,715,626,331
1984 $333,163,670 $1,587,413,084
1983 $386,699,309 $1,479,687,587
1982 $348,741,684 $1,407,243,139
1981 $434,188,034 $1,407,062,527
1980 $431,542,537 $1,254,765,642
1979 $290,134,593 $1,109,346,131
1978 $266,570,067 $905,709,076
1977 $193,315,048 $746,650,613
1976 $147,660,037 $637,753,853
1975 $149,558,896 $571,863,500
1974 $150,851,317 $308,458,423
1973 $121,188,716 $290,746,157
1972 $80,913,200 $246,457,838
1971 $76,480,285 $222,952,504
1970 $68,739,973 $219,900,006
1969 $65,967,974 $188,700,037
1968 $61,445,975 $172,200,018
1967 $59,261,976 $159,560,018
1966 $56,699,977 $124,525,703
1965 $54,879,978 $148,799,980
1964 $51,939,979 $129,999,994
1963 $47,039,981 $128,000,000
1962 $41,859,983 $125,000,008
1961 $35,699,986 $122,000,016
1960 $34,579,986 $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Rwanda by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 $1,000 $3,711
2023 $916 $2,881 $1,027 $3,399
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $975 $3,099
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $830 $2,733
2020 $919 $2,559 $779 $2,285
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $810 $2,336
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $772 $2,125
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $758 $1,968
2016 $992 $2,942 $730 $1,866
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $734 $1,781
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $725 $1,678
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $705 $1,512
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $707 $1,455
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $651 $1,413
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $594 $1,314
2009 $879 $2,036 $564 $1,241
2008 $898 $2,064 $528 $1,191
2007 $861 $1,932 $426 $1,079
2006 $925 $1,813 $357 $1,002
2005 $861 $1,681 $324 $914
2004 $767 $1,561 $269.5 $832
2003 $583 $1,484 $249 $775
2002 $389 $1,385 $234 $760
2001 $413 $1,350 $237.3 $670
2000 $443 $1,273 $251.9 $609
1999 $456 $1,199 $264.7 $554
1998 $465 $1,179 $246.2 $528
1997 $502 $1,154 $238.7 $500
1996 $480 $1,103 $206 $499
1995 $513 $1,037 $228 $514
1994 $456 $995 $111 $311
1993 $439 $932 $247 $521
1992 $444 $893 $264.1 $575
1991 $382 $830 $254 $542
1990 $330 $764 $346 $549
1989 $279 - $335 -
1988 $270.4 - $344 -
1987 $236.5 - $320 -
1986 $191.4 - $297.7 -
1985 $165.4 - $271.6 -
1984 $211 - $259.9 -
1983 $252 - $250.6 -
1982 $233.9 - $246.4 -
1981 $299.8 - $254.6 -
1980 $307 - $234.4 -
1979 $212.4 - $213.8 -
1978 $200.8 - $179.9 -
1977 $149.9 - $152.7 -
1976 $117.8 - $134.4 -
1975 $123.2 - $124.1 -
1974 $128.7 - $68.9 -
1973 $107 - $66.9 -
1972 $74 - $58.4 -
1971 $72.4 - $54.4 -
1970 $67.4 - $55.2 -
1969 $67.1 - $48.9 -
1968 $64.8 - $46 -
1967 $64.8 - $44 -
1966 $64.3 - $35.4 -
1965 $64.3 - $43.5 -
1964 $62.6 - $39 -
1963 $58.4 - $39.3 -
1962 $53.5 - $39.2 -
1961 $47 - $39.3 -
1960 $47 - $39.4 -

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

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

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $1,000 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$14.3B
2024
GDP rank
175/197
2024
144/197
2024
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
8.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$1,000
2024
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$9.58B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
67.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$672
2024
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
157/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.75B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
28.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
1.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
11.3%
2024
Population
2396633
14975051

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 28.8% 67.2%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 27% 63.4%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 29.7% 60.9%
2021 53.8% 58% 31.6% 67.3%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 33.5% 68.7%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 28.2% 53.6%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 26.4% 49.2%
2017 50.4% 41% 25.1% 45.6%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 25.1% 41.1%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 26.6% 33.1%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 27.5% 29.1%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 26.2% 26.7%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 24.6% 19.1%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 24.7% 18.7%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 23.8% 18.8%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 22.3% 18.5%
2008 54.1% 47% 22.5% 18.3%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 22.4% 22.1%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 20.6% 22.5%
2005 37.6% 41% 19.9% 58.9%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 17.9% 80.9%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 18.5% 79.5%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 20.5% 92%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 19.1% 84%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 18.2% 86%
1999 50.8% 83% 22.4% 78.4%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 16.4% 70.1%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 17% 72.2%
1996 41.5% 71.6% 19.5% 83.4%
1995 42.1% 62.8% 18% 100.8%
1994 40.2% 67% 13.3% -
1993 36% 71.2% 20.3% -
1992 35.3% 64.4% 21.5% -
1991 31.3% 11.9% - -
1990 32.9% 18% - -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $4.1B, or 28.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 67.2% in Rwanda, ranking 92/185 and 65/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Rwanda
2024 9.04% -6.57%
2023 7.31% -5.04%
2022 -6.41% -5.74%
2021 -4.95% -7%
2020 1.18% -9.54%
2019 -5.72% -5.08%
2018 -4.41% -2.57%
2017 -2.02% -2.52%
2016 -9.43% -2.27%
2015 -1.38% -2.68%
2014 3.16% -3.92%
2013 -2.58% -1.27%
2012 4.56% -2.38%
2011 -9.85% -0.86%
2010 -1.49% -0.64%
2009 -4.16% 0.26%
2008 8.1% 0.83%
2007 10.8% -1.56%
2006 11.6% -0.03%
2005 4.46% 1.12%
2004 6.05% 2.27%
2003 0.89% -1.23%
2002 -2.44% -2.03%
2001 -2.76% -1.8%
2000 -0.95% -0.22%
1999 -15.3% -4.41%
1998 -11.8% -2.59%
1997 0.27% -2.22%
1996 2.11% -5.01%
1995 5.13% -2.04%
1994 5.69% -9.54%
1993 7.55% -6.6%
1992 4.65% -7.21%
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/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $936M, or 6.57% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual surplus equal to 0.21% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.03% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Rwanda
2024 6.11% 1.77%
2023 6.34% 19.8%
2022 8.27% 17.7%
2021 6.05% -0.39%
2020 4.98% 9.85%
2019 5.19% 3.35%
2018 4.75% -0.31%
2017 4.45% 8.28%
2016 6.6% 7.17%
2015 3.22% 2.53%
2014 5.37% 2.35%
2013 4.87% 5.92%
2012 6.05% 10.3%
2011 5.04% 3.08%
2010 -2.41% -0.25%
2009 -16.9% 12.9%
2008 10.7% 15.4%
2007 8.01% 9.08%
2006 6.07% 8.88%
2005 3.44% 9.01%
2004 5.02% 12.3%
2003 6.63% 7.45%
2002 33.8% 1.99%
2001 -9.62% 3.34%
2000 6.13% 3.9%
1999 - -2.41%
1998 - 6.21%
1997 - 12%

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.13%, compared with 7.02% in Rwanda. In 2024, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 1.77% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Lesotho
Export category Export value
Metals $156K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $3K

Balance of trade

Lesotho Rwanda
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
140/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
-12.7%
2024
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$415M
2024
$991M
2024
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
39.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
30.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Rwanda
Economic freedom 54.9 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 121/197
Property rights 41.7 60.3
Government integrity 39.6 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 27.5
Tax burden 76.4 80.6
Government spending 21.3 75.7
Fiscal health 93.5 37.5
Business freedom 50.6 60.1
Labor freedom 57 49.1
Monetary freedom 74.8 72.3
Trade freedom 65.4 61.8
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Rwanda
2026 54.9 56.5
2025 54.1 54.8
2024 51.9 51.6
2023 51.6 52.2
2022 48.1 57.1
2021 53.5 68.3
2020 54.5 70.9
2019 53.1 71.1
2018 53.9 69.1
2017 53.9 67.6
2016 50.6 63.1
2015 49.6 64.8
2014 49.5 64.7
2013 47.9 64.1
2012 46.6 64.9
2011 47.5 62.7
2010 48.1 59.1
2009 49.7 54.2
2008 52.1 54.2
2007 53.2 52.4
2006 54.7 52.8
2005 53.9 51.7
2004 50.3 53.3
2003 52 47.8
2002 48.9 50.4
2001 50.6 45.4
2000 48.4 42.3
1999 48.2 39.8
1998 48.4 39.1
1997 47.2 38.3
1996 47 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
47.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
21%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$14.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$3,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$2.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
123/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
25.9%
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/rwanda | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.