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Economy of Lesotho vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $90.1B for Serbia, ranking 175/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $40.1B (44.5% of GDP) in Serbia.

Lesotho vs Serbia GDP by year

Lesotho
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Serbia
2024 $2,271,759,455 $90,097,765,959
2023 $2,117,962,445 $81,343,999,280
2022 $2,354,980,960 $66,809,895,701
2021 $2,412,130,057 $66,159,884,073
2020 $2,053,699,864 $55,874,017,669
2019 $2,390,702,296 $53,864,693,665
2018 $2,556,247,292 $52,787,520,249
2017 $2,306,741,672 $45,972,834,714
2016 $2,114,426,452 $42,225,495,910
2015 $2,359,686,725 $41,297,410,635
2014 $2,441,063,054 $49,114,321,280
2013 $2,367,112,932 $50,455,529,604
2012 $2,477,702,216 $45,103,269,969
2011 $2,579,409,620 $51,251,098,408
2010 $2,234,754,242 $43,536,629,233
2009 $1,740,894,965 $46,955,984,410
2008 $1,766,902,709 $54,220,641,202
2007 $1,682,131,785 $44,888,028,946
2006 $1,800,092,564 $33,298,057,362
2005 $1,682,343,527 $28,334,256,181
2004 $1,511,236,656 $26,845,632,342
2003 $1,157,825,435 $23,593,044,418
2002 $775,777,239 $17,930,583,571
2001 $825,706,961 $13,599,378,662
2000 $887,291,688 $7,326,373,882
1999 $912,773,681 $20,878,694,851
1998 $928,460,893 $21,004,077,441
1997 $998,004,259 $27,153,408,995
1996 $946,112,493 $23,277,430,168
1995 $1,001,894,000 $17,921,892,655
1994 $878,250,945 -
1993 $835,582,062 -
1992 $831,029,862 -
1991 $704,325,367 -
1990 $596,410,264 -
1989 $495,409,233 -
1988 $470,395,801 -
1987 $402,768,324 -
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/serbia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Serbia by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 $13,679 $32,832
2023 $916 $2,881 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $919 $2,559 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $992 $2,942 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $879 $2,036 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $898 $2,064 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $861 $1,932 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $925 $1,813 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $861 $1,681 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $767 $1,561 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $583 $1,484 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $389 $1,385 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $413 $1,350 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $443 $1,273 $975 $6,416
1999 $456 $1,199 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $465 $1,179 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $502 $1,154 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $480 $1,103 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $513 $1,037 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $456 $995 - -
1993 $439 $932 - -
1992 $444 $893 - -
1991 $382 $830 - -
1990 $330 $764 - -
1989 $279 - - -
1988 $270.4 - - -
1987 $236.5 - - -
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/serbia | CC BY

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $13,679 in Serbia, ranking 73/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Serbia
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$90.1B
2024
GDP rank
175/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
3.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$13,679
2024
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$40.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
44.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$6,084
2024
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
73/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$12,252
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.06B
2011
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
24.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
2.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
42.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
4.67%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
7.24%
2024
Population
2396633
6494521

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 42.7% 44.5%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 53.8% 58% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 46% 54.3%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 39% 51.1%
2017 50.4% 41% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 40.3% 65%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 41% 67.1%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 40.6% 54.1%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 43.3% 51.7%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 40% 42%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 41.2% 38.2%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 41.1% 32.6%
2008 54.1% 47% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 40.6% 30%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 41.3% 37%
2005 37.6% 41% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 28% 200.6%
1999 50.8% 83% - -
1998 51.4% 79.4% - -
1997 44.6% 65.7% - -
1996 41.5% 71.6% - -
1995 42.1% 62.8% - -
1994 40.2% 67% - -
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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $38.4B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 44.5% in Serbia, ranking 92/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Serbia
2024 9.04% -1.75%
2023 7.31% -1.21%
2022 -6.41% -0.14%
2021 -4.95% -3.16%
2020 1.18% -6.91%
2019 -5.72% -0.004%
2018 -4.41% 0.78%
2017 -2.02% 1.32%
2016 -9.43% -1.08%
2015 -1.38% -3.25%
2014 3.16% -5.61%
2013 -2.58% -4.79%
2012 4.56% -6.11%
2011 -9.85% -3.75%
2010 -1.49% -3.35%
2009 -4.16% -3.3%
2008 8.1% -4.25%
2007 10.8% -0.8%
2006 11.6% -0.9%
2005 4.46% 1.02%
2004 6.05% 0.06%
2003 0.89% -2.39%
2002 -2.44% -2.33%
2001 -2.76% 0.32%
2000 -0.95% -0.15%
1999 -15.3% -
1998 -11.8% -
1997 0.27% -
1996 2.11% -
1995 5.13% -
1994 5.69% -
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/serbia | 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 Serbia's deficit of $1.58B, or 1.75% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual surplus equal to 0.34% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Serbia
2024 6.11% 4.67%
2023 6.34% 12.4%
2022 8.27% 12%
2021 6.05% 4.09%
2020 4.98% 1.58%
2019 5.19% 1.85%
2018 4.75% 1.96%
2017 4.45% 3.13%
2016 6.6% 1.12%
2015 3.22% 1.39%
2014 5.37% 2.08%
2013 4.87% 7.69%
2012 6.05% 7.33%
2011 5.04% 11.1%
2010 -2.41% 6.14%
2009 -16.9% 8.12%
2008 10.7% 12.4%
2007 8.01% 6.39%
2006 6.07% 11.7%
2005 3.44% 16.1%
2004 5.02% 11%
2003 6.63% 9.88%
2002 33.8% 19.5%
2001 -9.62% 95%
2000 6.13% 71.1%
1999 - 42.5%
1998 - 30.2%
1997 - 23.3%

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.13%, compared with 13.6% in Serbia. In 2024, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 4.67% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Lesotho
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $167K
Textiles & consumer goods $40K
Miscellaneous $17K
Serbia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $42K
Raw agricultural goods $3K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Lesotho Serbia
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
-$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
162/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
-4.56%
2024
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$39.6B
2024
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$32.2B
2024
Service imports
$415M
2024
$12.6B
2024
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$15.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
53.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Serbia
Economic freedom 54.9 65
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 68/197
Property rights 41.7 57.2
Government integrity 39.6 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 50.1
Tax burden 76.4 88
Government spending 21.3 48.2
Fiscal health 93.5 94.3
Business freedom 50.6 73.6
Labor freedom 57 61.8
Monetary freedom 74.8 73
Trade freedom 65.4 76.6
Investment freedom 55 70
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Serbia
2026 54.9 65
2025 54.1 64.4
2024 51.9 62.7
2023 51.6 63.5
2022 48.1 65.2
2021 53.5 67.2
2020 54.5 66
2019 53.1 63.9
2018 53.9 62.5
2017 53.9 58.9
2016 50.6 62.1
2015 49.6 60
2014 49.5 59.4
2013 47.9 58.6
2012 46.6 58
2011 47.5 58
2010 48.1 56.9
2009 49.7 56.6
2008 52.1 -
2007 53.2 -
2006 54.7 -
2005 53.9 -
2004 50.3 -
2003 52 43.5
2002 48.9 46.6
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 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Serbia
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
3.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$76.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$30,770
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$30.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
55/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
-$4.93B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
19.7%
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/serbia | 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 (2021–2024, 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.