Lesotho has a GDP of $2.57B compared to $7.46B for Sierra Leone, ranking 175/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.
Lesotho has $1.26B in government debt (49.1% of GDP), compared to $3.38B (45.2% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.
Lesotho vs Sierra Leone GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
Lesotho
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
| 2025 | $2,573,572,920 | $7,464,157,904 |
| 2024 | $2,391,282,548 | $6,971,127,234 |
| 2023 | $2,129,871,530 | $6,415,852,766 |
| 2022 | $2,354,980,960 | $7,121,125,277 |
| 2021 | $2,412,130,057 | $7,166,931,483 |
| 2020 | $2,053,699,864 | $6,688,307,706 |
| 2019 | $2,390,702,296 | $6,523,577,590 |
| 2018 | $2,556,247,292 | $6,390,514,689 |
| 2017 | $2,306,741,672 | $5,749,846,528 |
| 2016 | $2,114,426,452 | $6,084,297,211 |
| 2015 | $2,359,686,725 | $6,788,352,975 |
| 2014 | $2,441,063,054 | $7,686,138,791 |
| 2013 | $2,367,112,932 | $7,502,762,863 |
| 2012 | $2,477,702,216 | $6,141,666,509 |
| 2011 | $2,579,409,620 | $4,861,632,885 |
| 2010 | $2,234,754,242 | $4,262,805,967 |
| 2009 | $1,740,894,965 | $3,953,403,098 |
| 2008 | $1,766,902,709 | $4,157,895,298 |
| 2007 | $1,682,131,785 | $3,632,957,611 |
| 2006 | $1,800,092,564 | $3,263,697,467 |
| 2005 | $1,682,343,527 | $2,545,275,313 |
| 2004 | $1,511,236,656 | $2,237,350,687 |
| 2003 | $1,157,825,435 | $2,142,618,046 |
| 2002 | $775,777,239 | $1,933,863,911 |
| 2001 | $825,706,961 | $1,681,473,894 |
| 2000 | $887,291,688 | $635,866,404 |
| 1999 | $912,773,681 | $669,386,624 |
| 1998 | $928,460,893 | $672,368,187 |
| 1997 | $998,004,259 | $850,232,760 |
| 1996 | $946,112,493 | $941,709,423 |
| 1995 | $1,001,894,000 | $870,740,292 |
| 1994 | $878,250,945 | $911,853,802 |
| 1993 | $835,582,062 | $768,867,883 |
| 1992 | $831,029,862 | $679,940,814 |
| 1991 | $704,325,367 | $779,981,987 |
| 1990 | $596,410,264 | $649,644,098 |
| 1989 | $495,409,233 | $932,974,420 |
| 1988 | $470,395,801 | $1,055,083,933 |
| 1987 | $402,768,324 | $660,106,336 |
| 1986 | $318,858,423 | $490,181,457 |
| 1985 | $268,629,926 | $856,890,459 |
| 1984 | $333,163,670 | $1,087,471,862 |
| 1983 | $386,699,309 | $995,104,305 |
| 1982 | $348,741,684 | $1,295,361,886 |
| 1981 | $434,188,034 | $1,114,830,472 |
| 1980 | $431,542,537 | $1,100,685,845 |
| 1979 | $290,134,593 | $1,109,374,911 |
| 1978 | $266,570,067 | $960,728,339 |
| 1977 | $193,315,048 | $691,777,584 |
| 1976 | $147,660,037 | $594,895,942 |
| 1975 | $149,558,896 | $679,336,344 |
| 1974 | $150,851,317 | $648,590,643 |
| 1973 | $121,188,716 | $575,230,724 |
| 1972 | $80,913,200 | $465,381,340 |
| 1971 | $76,480,285 | $419,549,305 |
| 1970 | $68,739,973 | $434,410,974 |
| 1969 | $65,967,974 | $408,690,163 |
| 1968 | $61,445,975 | $329,859,732 |
| 1967 | $59,261,976 | $348,795,303 |
| 1966 | $56,699,977 | $375,479,850 |
| 1965 | $54,879,978 | $359,379,856 |
| 1964 | $51,939,979 | $371,847,461 |
| 1963 | $47,039,981 | $348,547,279 |
| 1962 | $41,859,983 | $342,721,416 |
| 1961 | $35,699,986 | $327,834,191 |
| 1960 | $34,579,986 | $322,009,962 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/sierra-leone | CC BY 
GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Sierra Leone by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lesotho
|
Sierra Leone
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2025 | $1,089 | - | $846 | - |
| 2024 | $1,023 | $3,001 | $807 | $3,522 |
| 2023 | $921 | $2,881 | $758 | $3,368 |
| 2022 | $1,030 | $2,761 | $860 | $3,144 |
| 2021 | $1,067 | $2,545 | $885 | $2,849 |
| 2020 | $919 | $2,559 | $845 | $2,719 |
| 2019 | $1,082 | $2,568 | $844 | $2,704 |
| 2018 | $1,171 | $2,632 | $846 | $2,640 |
| 2017 | $1,069 | $2,619 | $779 | $2,501 |
| 2016 | $992 | $2,942 | $844 | $2,635 |
| 2015 | $1,121 | $3,035 | $965 | $2,560 |
| 2014 | $1,174 | $2,771 | $1,118 | $2,762 |
| 2013 | $1,151 | $2,538 | $1,117 | $2,701 |
| 2012 | $1,218 | $2,291 | $938 | $2,317 |
| 2011 | $1,281 | $2,279 | $761 | $2,043 |
| 2010 | $1,119 | $2,153 | $685 | $1,900 |
| 2009 | $879 | $2,036 | $653 | $1,814 |
| 2008 | $898 | $2,064 | $705 | $1,824 |
| 2007 | $861 | $1,932 | $632 | $1,770 |
| 2006 | $925 | $1,813 | $580 | $1,698 |
| 2005 | $861 | $1,681 | $463 | $1,615 |
| 2004 | $767 | $1,561 | $418 | $1,541 |
| 2003 | $583 | $1,484 | $414 | $1,458 |
| 2002 | $389 | $1,385 | $389 | $1,360 |
| 2001 | $413 | $1,350 | $358 | $1,121 |
| 2000 | $443 | $1,273 | $143.7 | $1,242 |
| 1999 | $456 | $1,199 | $155 | $1,167 |
| 1998 | $465 | $1,179 | $156.5 | $1,180 |
| 1997 | $502 | $1,154 | $199.9 | $1,157 |
| 1996 | $480 | $1,103 | $224.3 | $1,225 |
| 1995 | $513 | $1,037 | $208.4 | $1,187 |
| 1994 | $456 | $995 | $218.5 | $1,266 |
| 1993 | $439 | $932 | $185 | $1,269 |
| 1992 | $444 | $893 | $163.2 | $1,220 |
| 1991 | $382 | $830 | $183.7 | $1,445 |
| 1990 | $330 | $764 | $154.8 | $1,382 |
| 1989 | $279 | - | $231.3 | - |
| 1988 | $270.4 | - | $268.2 | - |
| 1987 | $236.5 | - | $172.4 | - |
| 1986 | $191.4 | - | $131.5 | - |
| 1985 | $165.4 | - | $235.5 | - |
| 1984 | $211 | - | $306 | - |
| 1983 | $252 | - | $285.8 | - |
| 1982 | $233.9 | - | $380 | - |
| 1981 | $299.8 | - | $334 | - |
| 1980 | $307 | - | $336 | - |
| 1979 | $212.4 | - | $346 | - |
| 1978 | $200.8 | - | $305 | - |
| 1977 | $149.9 | - | $224.2 | - |
| 1976 | $117.8 | - | $196.4 | - |
| 1975 | $123.2 | - | $228.4 | - |
| 1974 | $128.7 | - | $222.1 | - |
| 1973 | $107 | - | $200.6 | - |
| 1972 | $74 | - | $165.4 | - |
| 1971 | $72.4 | - | $151.8 | - |
| 1970 | $67.4 | - | $160.2 | - |
| 1969 | $67.1 | - | $153.6 | - |
| 1968 | $64.8 | - | $126.3 | - |
| 1967 | $64.8 | - | $136.1 | - |
| 1966 | $64.3 | - | $149.3 | - |
| 1965 | $64.3 | - | $145.6 | - |
| 1964 | $62.6 | - | $153.4 | - |
| 1963 | $58.4 | - | $146.3 | - |
| 1962 | $53.5 | - | $146.3 | - |
| 1961 | $47 | - | $142.3 | - |
| 1960 | $47 | - | $142 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/sierra-leone | CC BY
Lesotho's GDP per capita is $1,089, ranking 179/197, compared to $846 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.
Economic indicators
|
Lesotho
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$2.57B
2025 |
$7.46B
2025 |
| GDP rank |
175/197
2025 |
160/197
2025 |
| GDP growth |
1.98%
2024-2025 |
4.61%
2024-2025 |
| GDP per capita |
$1,089
2025 |
$846
2025 |
| GDP per capita rank |
179/197
2025 |
186/197
2025 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$3,001
2024 |
$3,522
2024 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
180/197
2024 |
171/197
2024 |
| Government debt |
$1.26B
2025 |
$3.38B
2025 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
49.1%
2025 |
45.2%
2025 |
| Government debt per person |
$535
2025 |
$383
2025 |
| Government debt per person rank |
165/185
2025 |
173/185
2025 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,455
2026 |
$1,418
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
32.9%
2017 |
29.4%
2018 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
1.7%
2017 |
3.4%
2018 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
54.2%
2025 |
16.5%
2025 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
4.27%
2024-2025 |
7.6%
2024-2025 |
| Central bank interest rate |
6.5%
2025 |
16.8%
2025 |
| Unemployment rate |
18.7%
2024 |
1.65%
2018 |
| Population |
2402837
|
9090531
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lesotho
|
Sierra Leone
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2025 | 54.2% | 49.1% | 16.5% | 45.2% |
| 2024 | 52.5% | 52.8% | 17.6% | 46.7% |
| 2023 | 49% | 61.1% | 15.4% | 49.4% |
| 2022 | 50.8% | 64.4% | 16.7% | 54% |
| 2021 | 53.6% | 58% | 16.8% | 47.1% |
| 2020 | 54.2% | 54.7% | 15.6% | 46.4% |
| 2019 | 52.9% | 58.2% | 13.3% | 45.3% |
| 2018 | 51.9% | 48.2% | 13.7% | 44.2% |
| 2017 | 50.4% | 41% | 15% | 44.2% |
| 2016 | 54.1% | 41.5% | 14.9% | 38.9% |
| 2015 | 51.7% | 45.8% | 13.1% | 28.4% |
| 2014 | 50.1% | 41.5% | 13.5% | 26.8% |
| 2013 | 58.4% | 41.2% | 11.4% | 22.3% |
| 2012 | 58.1% | 39.8% | 13.5% | 24.1% |
| 2011 | 60.2% | 36.2% | 13.2% | 25.8% |
| 2010 | 55.3% | 33.8% | 12.5% | 28.9% |
| 2009 | 66.4% | 35.9% | 11.3% | 31.1% |
| 2008 | 54.1% | 47% | 10.3% | 46.1% |
| 2007 | 48.1% | 49.6% | 8.1% | 26.4% |
| 2006 | 43.2% | 43.7% | 9.97% | 61.9% |
| 2005 | 37.6% | 41% | 10.9% | 78.9% |
| 2004 | 36.3% | 49.4% | 11.1% | 93.2% |
| 2003 | 39.8% | 52.6% | 11.7% | 99.8% |
| 2002 | 41.2% | 79.6% | 12.6% | 99.8% |
| 2001 | 41.4% | 108.7% | 12% | 113.5% |
| 2000 | 39.3% | 88.5% | 10.3% | - |
| 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/sierra-leone | CC BY
In 2025, Lesotho's government spending was $1.4B, accounting for 54.2% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.23B, or 16.5% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 49.1% in Lesotho and 45.2% in Sierra Leone, ranking 106/185 and 115/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Lesotho
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
| 2025 | 2.15% | -4.2% |
| 2024 | 8.17% | -5.16% |
| 2023 | 7.36% | -4.99% |
| 2022 | -6.33% | -5.93% |
| 2021 | -4.79% | -4.35% |
| 2020 | 1.45% | -3.5% |
| 2019 | -5.09% | -1.95% |
| 2018 | -4.41% | -3.57% |
| 2017 | -2.02% | -5.61% |
| 2016 | -9.43% | -5.41% |
| 2015 | -1.38% | -2.86% |
| 2014 | 3.16% | -2.77% |
| 2013 | -2.58% | -1.74% |
| 2012 | 4.56% | -3.41% |
| 2011 | -9.85% | -2.78% |
| 2010 | -1.49% | -3.09% |
| 2009 | -4.16% | -1.51% |
| 2008 | 8.1% | -2.22% |
| 2007 | 10.8% | 12.6% |
| 2006 | 11.6% | -0.93% |
| 2005 | 4.46% | -1.17% |
| 2004 | 6.05% | -1.46% |
| 2003 | 0.89% | -2.78% |
| 2002 | -2.44% | -3.03% |
| 2001 | -2.76% | -3.22% |
| 2000 | -0.95% | -1.94% |
| 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $313M, or 4.2% of GDP.
Over the past 26 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual surplus equal to 0.42% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.58% of GDP for Sierra Leone.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Lesotho
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
| 2025 | 4.27% | 7.6% |
| 2024 | 6.11% | 28.4% |
| 2023 | 6.34% | 47.7% |
| 2022 | 8.27% | 27.2% |
| 2021 | 6.05% | 11.9% |
| 2020 | 4.98% | 13.4% |
| 2019 | 5.19% | 14.8% |
| 2018 | 4.75% | 16% |
| 2017 | 4.45% | 18.2% |
| 2016 | 6.6% | 10.9% |
| 2015 | 3.22% | 6.7% |
| 2014 | 5.37% | 4.6% |
| 2013 | 4.87% | 5.5% |
| 2012 | 6.05% | 6.6% |
| 2011 | 5.04% | 6.8% |
| 2010 | -2.41% | 7.2% |
| 2009 | -16.9% | 7.5% |
| 2008 | 10.7% | 8.2% |
| 2007 | 8.01% | 17% |
| 2006 | 6.07% | 10.5% |
| 2005 | 3.44% | 13.7% |
| 2004 | 5.02% | 12.9% |
| 2003 | 6.63% | 4% |
| 2002 | 33.8% | 0.1% |
| 2001 | -9.62% | 2.6% |
| 2000 | 6.13% | -0.9% |
| 1999 | - | 34.1% |
| 1998 | - | 36% |
| 1997 | - | 14.6% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/sierra-leone | CC BY
Over the past 26 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.1%, compared with 11.9% in Sierra Leone. In 2025, inflation was 4.27% in Lesotho and 7.6% in Sierra Leone.
Top exports between countries
|
Lesotho
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $2K |
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
Balance of trade
|
Lesotho
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
-$3.94M
2025 |
-$984M
2024 |
| Current account balance ranking |
71/190
2025 |
115/190
2024 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-0.15%
2025 |
-14.1%
2024 |
| Goods imports |
$1.69B
2025 |
$2.4B
2024 |
| Goods exports |
$933M
2025 |
$1.55B
2024 |
| Service imports |
$467M
2025 |
$514M
2024 |
| Service exports |
$16M
2025 |
$49.6M
2024 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
104.5%
2025 |
28.2%
2025 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
49.5%
2025 |
20.9%
2025 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
Lesotho
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 54.9 | 49.6 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 130/197 | 165/197 |
| Property rights | 41.7 | 32.9 |
| Government integrity | 39.6 | 35.8 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 43.6 | 42 |
| Tax burden | 76.4 | 88.2 |
| Government spending | 21.3 | 92.4 |
| Fiscal health | 93.5 | 54.1 |
| Business freedom | 50.6 | 44.8 |
| Labor freedom | 57 | 38.2 |
| Monetary freedom | 74.8 | 53.6 |
| Trade freedom | 65.4 | 63.6 |
| Investment freedom | 55 | 30 |
| Financial freedom | 40 | 20 |
Economic freedom comparison by year
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
Lesotho
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
| 2026 | 54.9 | 49.6 |
| 2025 | 54.1 | 48 |
| 2024 | 51.9 | 44.6 |
| 2023 | 51.6 | 50.2 |
| 2022 | 48.1 | 52 |
| 2021 | 53.5 | 51.7 |
| 2020 | 54.5 | 48 |
| 2019 | 53.1 | 47.5 |
| 2018 | 53.9 | 51.8 |
| 2017 | 53.9 | 52.6 |
| 2016 | 50.6 | 52.3 |
| 2015 | 49.6 | 51.7 |
| 2014 | 49.5 | 50.5 |
| 2013 | 47.9 | 48.3 |
| 2012 | 46.6 | 49.1 |
| 2011 | 47.5 | 49.6 |
| 2010 | 48.1 | 47.9 |
| 2009 | 49.7 | 47.8 |
| 2008 | 52.1 | 48.3 |
| 2007 | 53.2 | 47 |
| 2006 | 54.7 | 45.2 |
| 2005 | 53.9 | 44.8 |
| 2004 | 50.3 | 43.6 |
| 2003 | 52 | 42.2 |
| 2002 | 48.9 | - |
| 2001 | 50.6 | - |
| 2000 | 48.4 | 44.2 |
| 1999 | 48.2 | 47.2 |
| 1998 | 48.4 | 47.7 |
| 1997 | 47.2 | 45 |
| 1996 | 47 | 52.3 |
| 1995 | - | 49.8 |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/sierra-leone | CC BY
The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.
Other economic metrics
|
Lesotho
|
Sierra Leone
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
55.6%
2025 |
41.6%
2025 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
25.2%
2025 |
25.7%
2025 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
6.49%
2025 |
29.5%
2025 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$3.03B
2025 |
$7.34B
2025 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$3,900
2025 |
$3,690
2025 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$1.01B
2024 |
$433M
2024 |
| Total reserves ranking |
142/177
2024 |
161/177
2024 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
$5.77M
2025 |
-$122M
2024 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
-$12.6M
2024 |
$122M
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$0
2024 |
$0
2024 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
3.79%
2024 |
2.22%
2024 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
49.7%
2017 |
56.8%
2018 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
31.2%
2025 |
23.2%
2025 |
GDP per capita map
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/sierra-leone | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- TradeMap (2021, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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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.