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Economy of Lesotho vs Tajikistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $14.2B for Tajikistan, ranking 175/197 and 145/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $3.54B (24.9% of GDP) in Tajikistan.

Lesotho vs Tajikistan GDP by year

Lesotho
Tajikistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Tajikistan
2024 $2,271,759,455 $14,204,575,549
2023 $2,117,962,445 $12,244,169,293
2022 $2,354,980,960 $10,713,525,200
2021 $2,412,130,057 $8,937,805,347
2020 $2,053,699,864 $8,133,963,551
2019 $2,390,702,296 $8,300,813,599
2018 $2,556,247,292 $7,764,999,999
2017 $2,306,741,672 $7,536,402,853
2016 $2,114,426,452 $6,992,416,097
2015 $2,359,686,725 $8,271,431,485
2014 $2,441,063,054 $9,112,605,459
2013 $2,367,112,932 $8,448,411,318
2012 $2,477,702,216 $7,633,036,903
2011 $2,579,409,620 $6,522,756,255
2010 $2,234,754,242 $5,642,221,099
2009 $1,740,894,965 $4,979,472,364
2008 $1,766,902,709 $5,161,299,725
2007 $1,682,131,785 $3,719,524,541
2006 $1,800,092,564 $2,830,213,849
2005 $1,682,343,527 $2,312,352,021
2004 $1,511,236,656 $2,076,176,869
2003 $1,157,825,435 $1,555,318,261
2002 $775,777,239 $1,221,106,220
2001 $825,706,961 $1,080,772,551
2000 $887,291,688 $860,541,842
1999 $912,773,681 $1,086,612,290
1998 $928,460,893 $1,320,199,582
1997 $998,004,259 $921,518,033
1996 $946,112,493 $1,043,654,822
1995 $1,001,894,000 $1,231,561,860
1994 $878,250,945 $1,522,001,206
1993 $835,582,062 $1,646,623,195
1992 $831,029,862 $1,908,554,572
1991 $704,325,367 $2,536,585,366
1990 $596,410,264 $2,629,395,066
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/tajikistan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Tajikistan by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tajikistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Tajikistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 $1,341 $5,406
2023 $916 $2,881 $1,178 $4,964
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $1,052 $4,514
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $897 $3,986
2020 $919 $2,559 $834 $3,654
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $871 $3,460
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $834 $3,069
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $829 $3,017
2016 $992 $2,942 $789 $2,914
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $957 $2,975
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $1,082 $3,152
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $1,028 $2,919
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $952 $2,679
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $834 $2,456
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $737 $2,291
2009 $879 $2,036 $665 $2,171
2008 $898 $2,064 $703 $2,120
2007 $861 $1,932 $517 $1,966
2006 $925 $1,813 $401 $1,810
2005 $861 $1,681 $334 $1,673
2004 $767 $1,561 $306 $1,550
2003 $583 $1,484 $233.6 $1,396
2002 $389 $1,385 $187 $1,257
2001 $413 $1,350 $168.7 $1,139
2000 $443 $1,273 $136.9 $1,036
1999 $456 $1,199 $175 $947
1998 $465 $1,179 $213.7 $905
1997 $502 $1,154 $150.1 $855
1996 $480 $1,103 $172 $836
1995 $513 $1,037 $207 $1,006
1994 $456 $995 $261.3 $1,148
1993 $439 $932 $287.6 $1,454
1992 $444 $893 $338 $1,721
1991 $382 $830 $458 $2,417
1990 $330 $764 $487 $2,583
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/tajikistan | CC BY

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $1,341 in Tajikistan, ranking 166/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Tajikistan ranks 157th at $5,406.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Tajikistan
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$14.2B
2024
GDP rank
175/197
2024
145/197
2024
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
8.4%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$1,341
2024
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
166/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$5,406
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
157/197
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$3.54B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
24.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$335
2024
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
175/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$2,591
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
28.2%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
2.9%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
27.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
3.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
0.08%
2016
Population
2396633
11038274

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Tajikistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Tajikistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 27.7% 24.9%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 28% 29.9%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 27.4% 31.8%
2021 53.8% 58% 27.6% 42%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 29.2% 50.9%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 28.8% 43.2%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 30.9% 46.3%
2017 50.4% 41% 33.8% 46.3%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 32.7% 42.2%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 31.9% 35%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 27.5% 27.9%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 27.7% 29.3%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 24.7% 32.5%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 24.3% 35.5%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 25.9% 36.8%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 23.6% 36.9%
2008 54.1% 47% 20.2% 30.2%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 20.3% 34.3%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 21.6% 36.8%
2005 37.6% 41% 22.9% 45.8%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 20.2% 49.4%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 19.1% 69.8%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 19.1% 98.3%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 17.3% 99.4%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 18.1% 111.4%
1999 50.8% 83% 17.5% 107.8%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 17.1% 96.6%
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/tajikistan | CC BY

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while Tajikistan spent $3.93B, or 27.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 24.9% in Tajikistan, ranking 92/185 and 166/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Tajikistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Tajikistan
2024 9.04% 0.28%
2023 7.31% -0.93%
2022 -6.41% -0.23%
2021 -4.95% -0.64%
2020 1.18% -4.34%
2019 -5.72% -2.04%
2018 -4.41% -2.69%
2017 -2.02% -5.65%
2016 -9.43% -2.91%
2015 -1.38% -1.96%
2014 3.16% 0.92%
2013 -2.58% -0.73%
2012 4.56% 0.41%
2011 -9.85% 0.6%
2010 -1.49% -2.71%
2009 -4.16% -0.2%
2008 8.1% 1.94%
2007 10.8% 2.13%
2006 11.6% 2%
2005 4.46% -2.83%
2004 6.05% -2.32%
2003 0.89% -1.74%
2002 -2.44% -2.4%
2001 -2.76% -2.11%
2000 -0.95% -4.51%
1999 -15.3% -4.03%
1998 -11.8% -5.09%
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/tajikistan | 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 Tajikistan's surplus of $39.2M, or 0.28% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Tajikistan ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual deficit equal to 0.69% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.55% of GDP for Tajikistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Tajikistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Tajikistan
2024 6.11% 3.5%
2023 6.34% 3.7%
2022 8.27% 6.6%
2021 6.05% 9%
2020 4.98% 8.6%
2019 5.19% 7.8%
2018 4.75% 3.8%
2017 4.45% 7.3%
2016 6.6% 5.9%
2015 3.22% 5.8%
2014 5.37% 6.1%
2013 4.87% 5%
2012 6.05% 5.8%
2011 5.04% 12.4%
2010 -2.41% 6.5%
2009 -16.9% 6.4%
2008 10.7% 20.4%
2007 8.01% 13.2%
2006 6.07% 10%
2005 3.44% 7.3%
2004 5.02% 7.2%
2003 6.63% 16.4%
2002 33.8% 12.2%
2001 -9.62% 38.6%
2000 6.13% 32.9%
1999 - 27.5%
1998 - 43.2%
1997 - 88%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 25 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.13%, compared with 10.5% in Tajikistan. In 2024, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 3.5% in Tajikistan.

Balance of trade

Lesotho Tajikistan
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
$887M
2024
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
54/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
+6.24%
2024
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$5.94B
2024
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$1.42B
2024
Service imports
$415M
2024
$971M
2024
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$195M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
48.4%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
17.2%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Tajikistan
Economic freedom 54.9 52.5
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 147/197
Property rights 41.7 28.4
Government integrity 39.6 18.5
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 10.1
Tax burden 76.4 94.2
Government spending 21.3 77
Fiscal health 93.5 98.6
Business freedom 50.6 60.6
Labor freedom 57 43.4
Monetary freedom 74.8 72.6
Trade freedom 65.4 72.2
Investment freedom 55 25
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Tajikistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Tajikistan
2026 54.9 52.5
2025 54.1 51.5
2024 51.9 51.3
2023 51.6 50.6
2022 48.1 49.7
2021 53.5 55.2
2020 54.5 52.2
2019 53.1 55.6
2018 53.9 58.3
2017 53.9 58.2
2016 50.6 51.3
2015 49.6 52.7
2014 49.5 52
2013 47.9 53.4
2012 46.6 53.4
2011 47.5 53.5
2010 48.1 53
2009 49.7 54.6
2008 52.1 54.4
2007 53.2 53.6
2006 54.7 52.6
2005 53.9 50.4
2004 50.3 48.7
2003 52 46.5
2002 48.9 47.3
2001 50.6 46.8
2000 48.4 44.8
1999 48.2 41.2
1998 48.4 41.1
1997 47.2 -
1996 47 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 52.5 for Tajikistan, ranking 147/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Tajikistan
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
34.7%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
33.6%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
22.9%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$17.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$7,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$3.3B
2023
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
117/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
-$190M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$291M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$101M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
3.07%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
19.8%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
31.7%
2023

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/tajikistan | 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.