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Economy of Lesotho vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.57B compared to $2.66B for Saint Lucia, ranking 175/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.26B in government debt (49.1% of GDP), compared to $2.05B (77.1% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Lesotho vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Lesotho
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Saint Lucia
2025 $2,573,572,920 $2,656,444,444
2024 $2,391,282,548 $2,605,148,148
2023 $2,129,871,530 $2,441,259,259
2022 $2,354,980,960 $2,319,888,889
2021 $2,412,130,057 $1,871,111,111
2020 $2,053,699,864 $1,521,740,741
2019 $2,390,702,296 $2,090,074,074
2018 $2,556,247,292 $2,060,955,556
2017 $2,306,741,672 $1,998,503,704
2016 $2,114,426,452 $1,868,544,444
2015 $2,359,686,725 $1,807,640,741
2014 $2,441,063,054 $1,749,185,185
2013 $2,367,112,932 $1,660,392,593
2012 $2,477,702,216 $1,598,207,407
2011 $2,579,409,620 $1,568,370,370
2010 $2,234,754,242 $1,482,385,185
2009 $1,740,894,965 $1,401,507,889
2008 $1,766,902,709 $1,437,731,111
2007 $1,682,131,785 $1,336,088,815
2006 $1,800,092,564 $1,268,319,185
2005 $1,682,343,527 $1,135,555,556
2004 $1,511,236,656 $1,066,666,667
2003 $1,157,825,435 $987,407,407
2002 $775,777,239 $900,000,000
2001 $825,706,961 $892,592,593
2000 $887,291,688 $932,592,593
1999 $912,773,681 $921,851,852
1998 $928,460,893 $877,407,407
1997 $998,004,259 $805,925,926
1996 $946,112,493 $788,888,889
1995 $1,001,894,000 $762,962,963
1994 $878,250,945 $713,703,704
1993 $835,582,062 $684,814,815
1992 $831,029,862 $674,074,074
1991 $704,325,367 $613,703,704
1990 $596,410,264 $579,629,630
1989 $495,409,233 $486,666,667
1988 $470,395,801 $429,629,630
1987 $402,768,324 $375,555,556
1986 $318,858,423 $340,000,000
1985 $268,629,926 $284,444,444
1984 $333,163,670 $251,481,481
1983 $386,699,309 $197,037,037
1982 $348,741,684 $183,333,333
1981 $434,188,034 $194,444,444
1980 $431,542,537 $170,370,370
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Saint Lucia by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,089 - $14,746 -
2024 $1,023 $3,001 $14,494 $27,567
2023 $921 $2,881 $13,617 $25,975
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $12,976 $24,599
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $10,481 $19,101
2020 $919 $2,559 $8,537 $14,912
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $11,764 $18,710
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $992 $2,942 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $879 $2,036 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $898 $2,064 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $861 $1,932 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $925 $1,813 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $861 $1,681 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $767 $1,561 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $583 $1,484 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $389 $1,385 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $413 $1,350 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $443 $1,273 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $456 $1,199 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $465 $1,179 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $502 $1,154 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $480 $1,103 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $513 $1,037 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $456 $995 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $439 $932 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $444 $893 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $382 $830 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $330 $764 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $279 - $3,565 -
1988 $270.4 - $3,182 -
1987 $236.5 - $2,819 -
1986 $191.4 - $2,591 -
1985 $165.4 - $2,202 -
1984 $211 - $1,979 -
1983 $252 - $1,576 -
1982 $233.9 - $1,489 -
1981 $299.8 - $1,605 -
1980 $307 - $1,428 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/saint-lucia | CC BY

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $1,089, ranking 179/197, compared to $14,746 in Saint Lucia, ranking 72/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$2.57B
2025
$2.66B
2025
GDP rank
175/197
2025
173/197
2025
GDP growth
1.98%
2024-2025
-0.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,089
2025
$14,746
2025
GDP per capita rank
179/197
2025
72/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$1.26B
2025
$2.05B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.1%
2025
77.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$535
2025
$11,365
2025
Government debt per person rank
165/185
2025
53/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,455
2026
$12,464
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
54.2%
2025
25.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.27%
2024-2025
2.03%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
7.66%
2025
Population
2402837
180676

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 54.2% 49.1% 25.2% 77.1%
2024 52.5% 52.8% 24.4% 76.7%
2023 49% 61.1% 25.3% 75.2%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 23.8% 73.9%
2021 53.6% 58% 26.7% 81.9%
2020 54.2% 54.7% 33.1% 94.4%
2019 52.9% 58.2% 24.6% 62.1%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 23.2% 60.3%
2017 50.4% 41% 23% 59.9%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 22.6% 60.2%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 22.1% 60.6%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 22.6% 61.9%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 24.3% 61.2%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 27.1% 60.2%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 26.9% 54.9%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 25.6% 52.2%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 24.2% 50.2%
2008 54.1% 47% 22.3% 46.9%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 22.2% 48.2%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 24.4% 48%
2005 37.6% 41% 25.3% 50.4%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 22.5% 48.8%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 22.5% 44.7%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 23% 47.7%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 22% 38%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 20.9% 32.8%
1999 50.8% 83% 20.9% 28.8%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 18.6% 29.1%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 19% 26.6%
1996 41.5% 71.6% 18.8% 23.9%
1995 42.1% 62.8% 19% 22.7%
1994 40.2% 67% 18.7% 23.4%
1993 36% 71.2% 21.6% 22.7%
1992 35.3% 64.4% 18.3% 22.1%
1991 31.3% 11.9% 18% 19.3%
1990 32.9% 18% 16.5% 16.7%
1989 35.8% 112.5% 19% 18.1%
1988 35.3% 105.2% 18.2% 18.6%
1987 40.3% 97.4% 19.9% 19.6%
1986 33.2% 92.5% 21.1% 17.2%
1985 32.8% 86.3% 20.4% 17.1%
1984 26.8% 57.2% - -
1983 27.2% 56.7% - -
1982 29.9% 61.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2025, Lesotho's government spending was $1.4B, accounting for 54.2% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $671M, or 25.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 49.1% in Lesotho and 77.1% in Saint Lucia, ranking 106/185 and 48/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Saint Lucia
2025 2.15% -2.88%
2024 8.17% -1.81%
2023 7.36% -3.18%
2022 -6.33% -2.48%
2021 -4.79% -5.35%
2020 1.45% -11.5%
2019 -5.09% -2.95%
2018 -4.41% -1.22%
2017 -2.02% -2.09%
2016 -9.43% -1.53%
2015 -1.38% -1.18%
2014 3.16% -2.29%
2013 -2.58% -3.98%
2012 4.56% -6.93%
2011 -9.85% -5.35%
2010 -1.49% -4.11%
2009 -4.16% -2.63%
2008 8.1% -0.72%
2007 10.8% -1.59%
2006 11.6% -5.01%
2005 4.46% -6%
2004 6.05% -2.58%
2003 0.89% -3.17%
2002 -2.44% -3.03%
2001 -2.76% -3.07%
2000 -0.95% -1.17%
1999 -15.3% 1.61%
1998 -11.8% 2.22%
1997 0.27% -1.1%
1996 2.11% -0.57%
1995 5.13% -0.13%
1994 5.69% -0.02%
1993 7.55% -0.25%
1992 4.65% -0.66%
1991 9.74% -0.42%
1990 8.78% 0.29%
1989 3.88% 0.89%
1988 -1.87% 2.02%
1987 -2.85% 0.56%
1986 0.87% -1.61%
1985 1.68% -1.5%
1984 4.82% -
1983 1.85% -
1982 -2.03% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $76.5M, or 2.88% of GDP.

Over the past 41 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual surplus equal to 0.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.11% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Saint Lucia
2025 4.27% 2.03%
2024 6.11% -0.67%
2023 6.34% 3.82%
2022 8.27% 9.65%
2021 6.05% 2.41%
2020 4.98% -1.76%
2019 5.19% 0.54%
2018 4.75% 1.94%
2017 4.45% 0.1%
2016 6.6% -3.08%
2015 3.22% -0.98%
2014 5.37% 3.52%
2013 4.87% 1.47%
2012 6.05% 4.18%
2011 5.04% 2.77%
2010 -2.41% 3.25%
2009 -16.9% -0.16%
2008 10.7% 5.55%
2007 8.01% 2.82%
2006 6.07% 2.4%
2005 3.44% 3.9%
2004 5.02% 1.46%
2003 6.63% 1.03%
2002 33.8% -0.26%
2001 -9.62% 5.31%
2000 6.13% 3.71%
1999 - 3.5%
1998 - 3.2%
1997 - -0.006%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.1%, compared with 2.11% in Saint Lucia. In 2025, inflation was 4.27% in Lesotho and 2.03% in Saint Lucia.

Balance of trade

Lesotho Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$3.94M
2025
-$166M
2025
Current account balance ranking
71/190
2025
89/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.15%
2025
-6.26%
2025
Goods imports
$1.69B
2025
$834M
2025
Goods exports
$933M
2025
$144M
2025
Service imports
$467M
2025
$672M
2025
Service exports
$16M
2025
$1.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
104.5%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
49.5%
2025
19%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 54.9 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 57/197
Property rights 41.7 64.3
Government integrity 39.6 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 77.3
Tax burden 76.4 77.7
Government spending 21.3 82.6
Fiscal health 93.5 80
Business freedom 50.6 71.9
Labor freedom 57 65.2
Monetary freedom 74.8 81
Trade freedom 65.4 60
Investment freedom 55 50
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Saint Lucia
2026 54.9 67.5
2025 54.1 67
2024 51.9 62.2
2023 51.6 60.7
2022 48.1 64.3
2021 53.5 67.5
2020 54.5 68.2
2019 53.1 68.7
2018 53.9 67.6
2017 53.9 65
2016 50.6 70
2015 49.6 70.2
2014 49.5 70.7
2013 47.9 70.4
2012 46.6 71.3
2011 47.5 70.8
2010 48.1 70.5
2009 49.7 68.8
2008 52.1 -
2007 53.2 -
2006 54.7 -
2005 53.9 -
2004 50.3 -
2003 52 -
2002 48.9 -
2001 50.6 -
2000 48.4 -
1999 48.2 -
1998 48.4 -
1997 47.2 -
1996 47 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
55.6%
2025
73.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.2%
2025
10.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.49%
2025
1.66%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.03B
2025
$2.42B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,900
2025
$26,180
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$447M
2025
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
160/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$5.77M
2025
-$175M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.79%
2024
3.35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.2%
2025
n/a

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/saint-lucia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, 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)

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.