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Economy of Lesotho vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $1.18B for Samoa, ranking 175/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $296M (25.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Lesotho vs Samoa GDP by year

Lesotho
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Samoa
2024 $2,271,759,455 $1,175,749,786
2023 $2,117,962,445 $1,044,909,500
2022 $2,354,980,960 $889,554,712
2021 $2,412,130,057 $859,724,936
2020 $2,053,699,864 $868,884,903
2019 $2,390,702,296 $912,950,466
2018 $2,556,247,292 $878,448,433
2017 $2,306,741,672 $884,844,384
2016 $2,114,426,452 $843,924,797
2015 $2,359,686,725 $824,150,499
2014 $2,441,063,054 $796,683,520
2013 $2,367,112,932 $797,736,334
2012 $2,477,702,216 $773,141,661
2011 $2,579,409,620 $744,097,050
2010 $2,234,754,242 $680,260,907
2009 $1,740,894,965 $628,006,115
2008 $1,766,902,709 $641,346,192
2007 $1,682,131,785 $573,548,460
2006 $1,800,092,564 $499,923,758
2005 $1,682,343,527 $476,801,793
2004 $1,511,236,656 $407,747,565
2003 $1,157,825,435 $333,426,188
2002 $775,777,239 $281,790,134
2001 $825,706,961 $266,299,591
2000 $887,291,688 $258,856,140
1999 $912,773,681 $255,408,060
1998 $928,460,893 $269,485,244
1997 $998,004,259 $285,475,592
1996 $946,112,493 $249,907,869
1995 $1,001,894,000 $224,865,731
1994 $878,250,945 $221,098,107
1993 $835,582,062 $133,122,897
1992 $831,029,862 $132,303,041
1991 $704,325,367 $125,597,205
1990 $596,410,264 $125,766,270
1989 $495,409,233 $122,888,610
1988 $470,395,801 $133,016,065
1987 $402,768,324 $111,713,922
1986 $318,858,423 $100,947,849
1985 $268,629,926 $95,572,173
1984 $333,163,670 $109,200,934
1983 $386,699,309 $111,862,824
1982 $348,741,684 $121,221,652
1981 $434,188,034 $118,190,655
1980 $431,542,537 $125,747,038
1979 $290,134,593 $122,257,393
1978 $266,570,067 $108,223,444
1977 $193,315,048 $98,295,671
1976 $147,660,037 $85,003,078
1975 $149,558,896 $93,489,283
1974 $150,851,317 $93,549,611
1973 $121,188,716 $82,452,985
1972 $80,913,200 $62,566,116
1971 $76,480,285 $53,719,569
1970 $68,739,973 $45,208,338
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/samoa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Samoa by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $916 $2,881 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $919 $2,559 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $992 $2,942 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $879 $2,036 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $898 $2,064 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $861 $1,932 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $925 $1,813 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $861 $1,681 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $767 $1,561 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $583 $1,484 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $389 $1,385 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $413 $1,350 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $443 $1,273 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $456 $1,199 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $465 $1,179 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $502 $1,154 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $480 $1,103 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $513 $1,037 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $456 $995 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $439 $932 $775 $2,323
1992 $444 $893 $777 $2,198
1991 $382 $830 $742 $2,166
1990 $330 $764 $744 $2,148
1989 $279 - $728 -
1988 $270.4 - $790 -
1987 $236.5 - $666 -
1986 $191.4 - $604 -
1985 $165.4 - $573 -
1984 $211 - $655 -
1983 $252 - $671 -
1982 $233.9 - $728 -
1981 $299.8 - $713 -
1980 $307 - $765 -
1979 $212.4 - $751 -
1978 $200.8 - $671 -
1977 $149.9 - $615 -
1976 $117.8 - $541 -
1975 $123.2 - $610 -
1974 $128.7 - $626 -
1973 $107 - $563 -
1972 $74 - $433 -
1971 $72.4 - $377 -
1970 $67.4 - $322 -
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/samoa | CC BY

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $5,393 in Samoa, ranking 117/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Samoa
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$1.18B
2024
GDP rank
175/197
2024
185/197
2024
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
4.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$5,393
2024
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
117/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$296M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
25.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$1,357
2024
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
135/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$3,750
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
26.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
2.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
0.37%
2024
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
5.05%
2022
Population
2396633
220932

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 31.1% 41%
2021 53.8% 58% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 30% 49.4%
2017 50.4% 41% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 27.3% 49%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 54.1% 47% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 37.6% 41% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 30% 53.8%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 50.8% 83% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 31% -
1996 41.5% 71.6% 38.9% -
1995 42.1% 62.8% 42.2% -
1994 40.2% 67% 54.1% -
1993 36% 71.2% 49.5% -
1992 35.3% 64.4% 43.4% -
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/samoa | CC BY

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $310M, or 26.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 25.2% in Samoa, ranking 92/185 and 165/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Samoa
2024 9.04% 9.29%
2023 7.31% 2.7%
2022 -6.41% 5.03%
2021 -4.95% 1.71%
2020 1.18% 5.41%
2019 -5.72% 1.51%
2018 -4.41% 0.06%
2017 -2.02% -1.98%
2016 -9.43% -0.35%
2015 -1.38% -3.79%
2014 3.16% -5.38%
2013 -2.58% -3.82%
2012 4.56% -7.43%
2011 -9.85% -5.25%
2010 -1.49% -5.49%
2009 -4.16% -2.98%
2008 8.1% -0.36%
2007 10.8% 0.55%
2006 11.6% -0.44%
2005 4.46% 0.23%
2004 6.05% -0.74%
2003 0.89% -0.51%
2002 -2.44% -1.77%
2001 -2.76% -1.96%
2000 -0.95% -0.62%
1999 -15.3% 0.27%
1998 -11.8% 1.64%
1997 0.27% 1.92%
1996 2.11% 1.21%
1995 5.13% -5.82%
1994 5.69% -9.51%
1993 7.55% -13.2%
1992 4.65% -9.89%
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/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $109M, or 9.29% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual surplus equal to 0.21% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.51% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Samoa
2024 6.11% 2.17%
2023 6.34% 7.92%
2022 8.27% 11%
2021 6.05% 3.13%
2020 4.98% -1.57%
2019 5.19% 0.98%
2018 4.75% 4.2%
2017 4.45% 1.75%
2016 6.6% 1.3%
2015 3.22% 0.72%
2014 5.37% -0.41%
2013 4.87% 0.61%
2012 6.05% 2.05%
2011 5.04% 5.24%
2010 -2.41% 0.78%
2009 -16.9% 6.32%
2008 10.7% 11.6%
2007 8.01% 5.58%
2006 6.07% 3.7%
2005 3.44% 1.86%
2004 5.02% 16.3%
2003 6.63% 0.12%
2002 33.8% 8.05%
2001 -9.62% 3.84%
2000 6.13% 0.97%
1999 - 0.27%
1998 - 2.22%
1997 - 6.86%

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.13%, compared with 3.93% in Samoa. In 2024, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 2.17% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

Lesotho Samoa
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
$65.6M
2024
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
72/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
+5.58%
2024
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$448M
2024
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$42.2M
2024
Service imports
$415M
2024
$128M
2024
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$327M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
48.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
30.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Samoa
Economic freedom 54.9 68
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 52/197
Property rights 41.7 77.1
Government integrity 39.6 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 77.6
Tax burden 76.4 79.3
Government spending 21.3 75.2
Fiscal health 93.5 98.7
Business freedom 50.6 63.7
Labor freedom 57 73.7
Monetary freedom 74.8 69.4
Trade freedom 65.4 67.2
Investment freedom 55 40
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Samoa
2026 54.9 68
2025 54.1 66.6
2024 51.9 67.2
2023 51.6 68.3
2022 48.1 68.3
2021 53.5 61.9
2020 54.5 62.1
2019 53.1 62.2
2018 53.9 61.5
2017 53.9 58.4
2016 50.6 63.5
2015 49.6 61.9
2014 49.5 61.1
2013 47.9 57.1
2012 46.6 60.5
2011 47.5 60.6
2010 48.1 60.4
2009 49.7 59.5
2008 52.1 -
2007 53.2 -
2006 54.7 -
2005 53.9 -
2004 50.3 -
2003 52 -
2002 48.9 -
2001 50.6 63.1
2000 48.4 60.8
1999 48.2 58.7
1998 48.4 49.9
1997 47.2 51.5
1996 47 47.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Samoa
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
69.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
10.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
9.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$1.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$8,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$508M
2024
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
155/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
-$1.69M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
29%
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/samoa | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.