Skip to content

Economy of Lesotho vs Senegal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $32.8B for Senegal, ranking 175/197 and 109/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $42.1B (128.4% of GDP) in Senegal.

Lesotho vs Senegal GDP by year

Lesotho
Senegal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Senegal
2024 $2,271,759,455 $32,808,056,601
2023 $2,117,962,445 $30,696,331,296
2022 $2,354,980,960 $27,783,332,223
2021 $2,412,130,057 $27,520,784,130
2020 $2,053,699,864 $24,530,513,038
2019 $2,390,702,296 $23,403,995,992
2018 $2,556,247,292 $23,116,701,556
2017 $2,306,741,672 $20,996,562,944
2016 $2,114,426,452 $19,040,312,333
2015 $2,359,686,725 $17,774,766,696
2014 $2,441,063,054 $19,797,253,440
2013 $2,367,112,932 $18,918,667,725
2012 $2,477,702,216 $17,660,870,412
2011 $2,579,409,620 $17,814,283,639
2010 $2,234,754,242 $16,121,315,909
2009 $1,740,894,965 $16,145,867,495
2008 $1,766,902,709 $16,853,989,628
2007 $1,682,131,785 $13,994,218,413
2006 $1,800,092,564 $11,697,918,243
2005 $1,682,343,527 $11,009,033,438
2004 $1,511,236,656 $10,076,816,667
2003 $1,157,825,435 $8,768,721,563
2002 $775,777,239 $7,006,402,320
2001 $825,706,961 $6,507,824,829
2000 $887,291,688 $6,013,185,004
1999 $912,773,681 $6,592,834,933
1998 $928,460,893 $6,505,607,909
1997 $998,004,259 $6,041,478,726
1996 $946,112,493 $6,559,712,166
1995 $1,001,894,000 $6,326,342,633
1994 $878,250,945 $5,034,588,196
1993 $835,582,062 $7,367,986,241
1992 $831,029,862 $7,769,817,840
1991 $704,325,367 $7,255,210,470
1990 $596,410,264 $7,390,967,360
1989 $495,409,233 $6,366,039,373
1988 $470,395,801 $6,418,419,389
1987 $402,768,324 $6,487,353,103
1986 $318,858,423 $5,392,093,446
1985 $268,629,926 $3,818,944,918
1984 $333,163,670 $3,485,165,432
1983 $386,699,309 $3,569,356,125
1982 $348,741,684 $4,013,951,443
1981 $434,188,034 $4,095,892,781
1980 $431,542,537 $4,510,108,291
1979 $290,134,593 $4,084,877,823
1978 $266,570,067 $3,280,354,921
1977 $193,315,048 $2,938,046,463
1976 $147,660,037 $2,869,777,884
1975 $149,558,896 $2,830,388,405
1974 $150,851,317 $2,099,325,229
1973 $121,188,716 $1,863,398,590
1972 $80,913,200 $1,620,857,104
1971 $76,480,285 $1,339,549,033
1970 $68,739,973 $1,297,407,655
1969 $65,967,974 $1,245,234,931
1968 $61,445,975 $1,309,384,862
1967 $59,261,976 $1,246,480,766
1966 $56,699,977 $1,246,908,186
1965 $54,879,978 $1,210,058,228
1964 $51,939,979 $1,188,930,645
1963 $47,039,981 $1,122,139,862
1962 $41,859,983 $1,085,475,791
1961 $35,699,986 $1,058,975,257
1960 $34,579,986 $1,003,692,370

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

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

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Senegal by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Senegal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Senegal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 $1,773 $5,071
2023 $916 $2,881 $1,698 $4,778
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $1,574 $4,530
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $1,598 $4,174
2020 $919 $2,559 $1,461 $3,753
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $1,431 $3,648
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $1,453 $3,380
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $1,357 $3,234
2016 $992 $2,942 $1,266 $3,101
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $1,218 $2,994
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $1,399 $2,854
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $1,380 $2,769
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $1,327 $2,764
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $1,375 $2,685
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $1,276 $2,663
2009 $879 $2,036 $1,309 $2,606
2008 $898 $2,064 $1,399 $2,581
2007 $861 $1,932 $1,189 $2,499
2006 $925 $1,813 $1,017 $2,422
2005 $861 $1,681 $980 $2,350
2004 $767 $1,561 $918 $2,236
2003 $583 $1,484 $818 $2,131
2002 $389 $1,385 $669 $2,027
2001 $413 $1,350 $637 $2,044
2000 $443 $1,273 $603 $1,963
1999 $456 $1,199 $678 $1,893
1998 $465 $1,179 $685 $1,798
1997 $502 $1,154 $651 $1,719
1996 $480 $1,103 $723 $1,679
1995 $513 $1,037 $715 $1,656
1994 $456 $995 $584 $1,578
1993 $439 $932 $878 $1,588
1992 $444 $893 $951 $1,573
1991 $382 $830 $913 $1,561
1990 $330 $764 $957 $1,513
1989 $279 - $849 -
1988 $270.4 - $880 -
1987 $236.5 - $916 -
1986 $191.4 - $784 -
1985 $165.4 - $571 -
1984 $211 - $536 -
1983 $252 - $564 -
1982 $233.9 - $652 -
1981 $299.8 - $683 -
1980 $307 - $772 -
1979 $212.4 - $716 -
1978 $200.8 - $589 -
1977 $149.9 - $540 -
1976 $117.8 - $541 -
1975 $123.2 - $547 -
1974 $128.7 - $417 -
1973 $107 - $381 -
1972 $74 - $342 -
1971 $72.4 - $291.1 -
1970 $67.4 - $290.5 -
1969 $67.1 - $287.3 -
1968 $64.8 - $311 -
1967 $64.8 - $305 -
1966 $64.3 - $315 -
1965 $64.3 - $314 -
1964 $62.6 - $318 -
1963 $58.4 - $309 -
1962 $53.5 - $307 -
1961 $47 - $308 -
1960 $47 - $300 -

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

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

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $1,773 in Senegal, ranking 159/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Senegal ranks 158th at $5,071.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Senegal
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$32.8B
2024
GDP rank
175/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$1,773
2024
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
159/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$5,071
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
158/197
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$42.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
128.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$2,277
2024
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
115/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$2,194
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
28.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
33.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
0.8%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
5.78%
2024
Population
2396633
19491599

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Senegal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Senegal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 33.5% 128.4%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 35.5% 118.4%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 36.2% 105%
2021 53.8% 58% 33.6% 98.6%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 29.6% 90.2%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 34.3% 81.5%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 22.6% 61.5%
2017 50.4% 41% 22.5% 61.1%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 24% 47.5%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 22.9% 44.5%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 23.1% 42.4%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 22.1% 36.9%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 23% 34.5%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 23.3% 32.9%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 21.7% 34.6%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 21.1% 29.9%
2008 54.1% 47% 20.9% 19.1%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 22.2% 19%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 21.3% 17.5%
2005 37.6% 41% 18.7% 36.1%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 18.1% 38%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 17.1% 42.9%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 15.5% 52%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 15.7% 53.2%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 14% 57.5%
1999 50.8% 83% 14.6% 15%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 13.5% 18.8%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 14.1% 67.8%
1996 41.5% 71.6% 15.4% 0.07%
1995 42.1% 62.8% 14.4% 65.3%
1994 40.2% 67% 15.9% 77.3%
1993 36% 71.2% - -
1992 35.3% 64.4% - -
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 (1982–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while Senegal spent $11B, or 33.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 128.4% in Senegal, ranking 92/185 and 11/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Senegal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Senegal
2024 9.04% -13.4%
2023 7.31% -14.8%
2022 -6.41% -16.1%
2021 -4.95% -13.7%
2020 1.18% -9.64%
2019 -5.72% -13.9%
2018 -4.41% -3.66%
2017 -2.02% -2.97%
2016 -9.43% -3.27%
2015 -1.38% -3.66%
2014 3.16% -3.9%
2013 -2.58% -4.34%
2012 4.56% -4.18%
2011 -9.85% -4.92%
2010 -1.49% -3.94%
2009 -4.16% -3.66%
2008 8.1% -3.53%
2007 10.8% -2.8%
2006 11.6% -3.67%
2005 4.46% -0.26%
2004 6.05% 0.18%
2003 0.89% -0.52%
2002 -2.44% 0.19%
2001 -2.76% -1.44%
2000 -0.95% 0.78%
1999 -15.3% -0.62%
1998 -11.8% 0.93%
1997 0.27% 0.98%
1996 2.11% 0.92%
1995 5.13% 2.41%
1994 5.69% 5.9%
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/senegal | 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 Senegal's deficit of $4.4B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Senegal ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual deficit equal to 0.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.89% of GDP for Senegal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Senegal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Senegal
2024 6.11% 0.8%
2023 6.34% 5.94%
2022 8.27% 9.7%
2021 6.05% 2.18%
2020 4.98% 2.54%
2019 5.19% 1.76%
2018 4.75% 0.46%
2017 4.45% 1.32%
2016 6.6% 0.84%
2015 3.22% 0.14%
2014 5.37% -1.09%
2013 4.87% 0.71%
2012 6.05% 1.42%
2011 5.04% 3.4%
2010 -2.41% 1.23%
2009 -16.9% -2.25%
2008 10.7% 7.35%
2007 8.01% 5.85%
2006 6.07% 2.11%
2005 3.44% 1.71%
2004 5.02% 0.51%
2003 6.63% -0.05%
2002 33.8% 2.34%
2001 -9.62% 2.97%
2000 6.13% 0.73%
1999 - 0.83%
1998 - 1.16%
1997 - 1.75%

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.13%, compared with 2.11% in Senegal. In 2024, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 0.8% in Senegal.

Top exports between countries

Lesotho
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $10K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Senegal
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Lesotho Senegal
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
-$6.07B
2023
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
170/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
-19.8%
2023
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$10.8B
2023
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$5.52B
2023
Service imports
$415M
2024
$4.08B
2023
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$1.48B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
43.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
24.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Senegal
Economic freedom 54.9 53.2
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 140/197
Property rights 41.7 57.4
Government integrity 39.6 47.3
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 50.5
Tax burden 76.4 68.8
Government spending 21.3 63.1
Fiscal health 93.5 0
Business freedom 50.6 55.2
Labor freedom 57 54.4
Monetary freedom 74.8 74.3
Trade freedom 65.4 67
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Senegal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Senegal
2026 54.9 53.2
2025 54.1 56.4
2024 51.9 55.4
2023 51.6 57.7
2022 48.1 60
2021 53.5 58
2020 54.5 58
2019 53.1 56.3
2018 53.9 55.7
2017 53.9 55.9
2016 50.6 58.1
2015 49.6 57.8
2014 49.5 55.4
2013 47.9 55.5
2012 46.6 55.4
2011 47.5 55.7
2010 48.1 54.6
2009 49.7 56.3
2008 52.1 58.3
2007 53.2 58.1
2006 54.7 56.2
2005 53.9 57.9
2004 50.3 58.9
2003 52 58.1
2002 48.9 58.6
2001 50.6 58.7
2000 48.4 58.9
1999 48.2 60.6
1998 48.4 59.7
1997 47.2 58.1
1996 47 58.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 53.2 for Senegal, ranking 140/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Senegal
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
48.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
25%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
16.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$31.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$4,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
-$4.72B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$2.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$48.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
10.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
37.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
37.5%
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/senegal | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1982–1995, 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.