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Economy of Lesotho vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 175/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Lesotho vs Sudan GDP by year

Lesotho
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Sudan
2024 $2,271,759,455 $49,672,435,513
2023 $2,117,962,445 $39,898,289,821
2022 $2,354,980,960 $51,666,875,363
2021 $2,412,130,057 $34,229,513,775
2020 $2,053,699,864 $27,034,593,750
2019 $2,390,702,296 $32,338,079,165
2018 $2,556,247,292 $32,333,780,383
2017 $2,306,741,672 $41,283,617,976
2016 $2,114,426,452 $42,630,376,000
2015 $2,359,686,725 $51,726,758,677
2014 $2,441,063,054 $49,516,748,618
2013 $2,367,112,932 $43,024,018,082
2012 $2,477,702,216 $37,632,919,967
2011 $2,579,409,620 $55,018,567,211
2010 $2,234,754,242 $58,962,978,034
2009 $1,740,894,965 $51,621,044,077
2008 $1,766,902,709 $64,833,083,257
2007 $1,682,131,785 $59,440,139,775
2006 $1,800,092,564 $45,263,831,634
2005 $1,682,343,527 $35,182,711,988
2004 $1,511,236,656 $26,646,007,251
2003 $1,157,825,435 $21,355,298,460
2002 $775,777,239 $18,137,128,388
2001 $825,706,961 $15,716,361,792
2000 $887,291,688 $12,257,299,147
1999 $912,773,681 $10,682,028,340
1998 $928,460,893 $11,250,221,537
1997 $998,004,259 $11,681,175,864
1996 $946,112,493 $9,018,300,725
1995 $1,001,894,000 $13,830,363,900
1994 $878,250,945 $12,793,794,737
1993 $835,582,062 $8,881,005,436
1992 $831,029,862 $7,031,933,492
1991 $704,325,367 $44,171,194,366
1990 $596,410,264 $33,641,222,222
1989 $495,409,233 $21,408,111,111
1988 $470,395,801 $14,372,555,556
1987 $402,768,324 $12,093,333,333
1986 $318,858,423 $10,092,200,000
1985 $268,629,926 $8,075,259,600
1984 $333,163,670 $10,447,615,385
1983 $386,699,309 $8,230,153,846
1982 $348,741,684 $8,732,542,274
1981 $434,188,034 $10,753,888,154
1980 $431,542,537 $8,951,800,000
1979 $290,134,593 $8,418,407,787
1978 $266,570,067 $8,128,719,315
1977 $193,315,048 $7,499,005,639
1976 $147,660,037 $6,013,210,816
1975 $149,558,896 $4,823,090,192
1974 $150,851,317 $3,958,931,660
1973 $121,188,716 $3,077,254,460
1972 $80,913,200 $2,483,055,722
1971 $76,480,285 $2,288,340,041
1970 $68,739,973 $2,100,229,759
1969 $65,967,974 $1,847,501,441
1968 $61,445,975 $1,677,771,401
1967 $59,261,976 $1,607,409,539
1966 $56,699,977 $1,484,491,676
1965 $54,879,978 $1,446,869,619
1964 $51,939,979 $1,388,282,600
1963 $47,039,981 $1,351,234,926
1962 $41,859,983 $1,328,259,625
1961 $35,699,986 $1,222,860,429
1960 $34,579,986 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Sudan by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 $985 $2,116
2023 $916 $2,881 $797 $2,421
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $712 $3,249
2020 $919 $2,559 $578 $3,349
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $710 $3,914
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $731 $4,199
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $967 $4,252
2016 $992 $2,942 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $879 $2,036 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $898 $2,064 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $861 $1,932 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $925 $1,813 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $861 $1,681 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $767 $1,561 $872 $3,215
2003 $583 $1,484 $714 $3,058
2002 $389 $1,385 $621 $2,898
2001 $413 $1,350 $551 $2,769
2000 $443 $1,273 $441 $2,616
1999 $456 $1,199 $394 $2,475
1998 $465 $1,179 $425 $2,428
1997 $502 $1,154 $453 $2,358
1996 $480 $1,103 $357 $2,006
1995 $513 $1,037 $561 $1,902
1994 $456 $995 $532 $1,805
1993 $439 $932 $379 $1,794
1992 $444 $893 $307 $1,710
1991 $382 $830 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $330 $764 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $279 - $992 -
1988 $270.4 - $680 -
1987 $236.5 - $584 -
1986 $191.4 - $497 -
1985 $165.4 - $406 -
1984 $211 - $534 -
1983 $252 - $431 -
1982 $233.9 - $472 -
1981 $299.8 - $605 -
1980 $307 - $525 -
1979 $212.4 - $515 -
1978 $200.8 - $518 -
1977 $149.9 - $497 -
1976 $117.8 - $413 -
1975 $123.2 - $343 -
1974 $128.7 - $291.5 -
1973 $107 - $235.8 -
1972 $74 - $198.2 -
1971 $72.4 - $189 -
1970 $67.4 - $179.6 -
1969 $67.1 - $163.5 -
1968 $64.8 - $153.7 -
1967 $64.8 - $152.4 -
1966 $64.3 - $145.6 -
1965 $64.3 - $146.8 -
1964 $62.6 - $145.7 -
1963 $58.4 - $146.6 -
1962 $53.5 - $148.9 -
1961 $47 - $141.6 -
1960 $47 - $134.7 -

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

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

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Sudan
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
175/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$1,704
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
7.53%
2022
Population
2396633
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 53.8% 58% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 50.4% 41% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 18.8% 71%
2008 54.1% 47% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 37.6% 41% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 50.8% 83% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 41.5% 71.6% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 42.1% 62.8% 12.9% 239%
1994 40.2% 67% 19.6% 386%
1993 36% 71.2% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 35.3% 64.4% 50.4% 495%
1991 31.3% 11.9% 45.7% -
1990 32.9% 18% 31% -
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/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 92/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Sudan
2024 9.04% -3.46%
2023 7.31% -3.7%
2022 -6.41% -2.15%
2021 -4.95% -0.29%
2020 1.18% -6.03%
2019 -5.72% -10.8%
2018 -4.41% -7.92%
2017 -2.02% -6.07%
2016 -9.43% -3.92%
2015 -1.38% -3.87%
2014 3.16% -4.72%
2013 -2.58% -5.76%
2012 4.56% -7.37%
2011 -9.85% -2.33%
2010 -1.49% 0.11%
2009 -4.16% -3.8%
2008 8.1% 0.49%
2007 10.8% -2.84%
2006 11.6% -1.32%
2005 4.46% -1.88%
2004 6.05% 0.16%
2003 0.89% 0.77%
2002 -2.44% -0.69%
2001 -2.76% -0.77%
2000 -0.95% -0.7%
1999 -15.3% -0.8%
1998 -11.8% -0.56%
1997 0.27% -0.59%
1996 2.11% -2.61%
1995 5.13% -3.48%
1994 5.69% -3.03%
1993 7.55% -8.04%
1992 4.65% -24.5%
1991 9.74% -26.5%
1990 8.78% -16.2%
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/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual surplus equal to 0.73% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Sudan
2024 6.11% -
2023 6.34% -
2022 8.27% 138.8%
2021 6.05% 359%
2020 4.98% 163.3%
2019 5.19% 51%
2018 4.75% 63.3%
2017 4.45% 32.4%
2016 6.6% 17.8%
2015 3.22% 16.9%
2014 5.37% 36.9%
2013 4.87% 36.5%
2012 6.05% 35.6%
2011 5.04% 18.1%
2010 -2.41% 13%
2009 -16.9% 11.3%
2008 10.7% 14.3%
2007 8.01% 14.8%
2006 6.07% 7.2%
2005 3.44% 8.51%
2004 5.02% 9.66%
2003 6.63% 6.49%
2002 33.8% 22.2%
2001 -9.62% 1.94%
2000 6.13% 7.12%
1999 - 17.2%
1998 - 24.6%
1997 - 47.2%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.03%, compared with 47.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Lesotho
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Metals $2K
Wood & paper products $2K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Sudan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Lesotho Sudan
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$415M
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Sudan
Economic freedom 54.9 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 191/197
Property rights 41.7 6.5
Government integrity 39.6 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 2.4
Tax burden 76.4 84.7
Government spending 21.3 96.5
Fiscal health 93.5 64.6
Business freedom 50.6 27.3
Labor freedom 57 33.6
Monetary freedom 74.8 6.2
Trade freedom 65.4 29.6
Investment freedom 55 5
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Sudan
2026 54.9 32.5
2025 54.1 35.3
2024 51.9 33.9
2023 51.6 32.8
2022 48.1 32
2021 53.5 39.1
2020 54.5 45
2019 53.1 47.7
2018 53.9 49.4
2017 53.9 48.8
2016 50.6 -
2015 49.6 -
2014 49.5 -
2013 47.9 -
2012 46.6 -
2011 47.5 -
2010 48.1 -
2009 49.7 -
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 47.2
1999 48.2 39.6
1998 48.4 38.3
1997 47.2 39.9
1996 47 39.2
1995 - 39.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Sudan
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
2.89%
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/sudan | 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 (1995–2026, 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, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.