Skip to content

Economy of Lesotho vs Uruguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $81B for Uruguay, ranking 175/197 and 81/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $55.6B (68.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

Lesotho vs Uruguay GDP by year

Lesotho
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Uruguay
2024 $2,271,759,455 $80,961,511,074
2023 $2,117,962,445 $77,991,666,838
2022 $2,354,980,960 $70,594,110,920
2021 $2,412,130,057 $60,739,084,241
2020 $2,053,699,864 $53,559,359,262
2019 $2,390,702,296 $62,222,313,619
2018 $2,556,247,292 $65,344,577,416
2017 $2,306,741,672 $65,005,997,963
2016 $2,114,426,452 $57,480,787,465
2015 $2,359,686,725 $57,680,327,999
2014 $2,441,063,054 $61,496,186,974
2013 $2,367,112,932 $61,337,621,934
2012 $2,477,702,216 $54,232,266,359
2011 $2,579,409,620 $50,342,406,067
2010 $2,234,754,242 $41,950,361,212
2009 $1,740,894,965 $32,708,319,078
2008 $1,766,902,709 $31,119,602,539
2007 $1,682,131,785 $23,797,773,024
2006 $1,800,092,564 $19,741,420,740
2005 $1,682,343,527 $17,362,857,684
2004 $1,511,236,656 $13,686,329,890
2003 $1,157,825,435 $12,045,638,352
2002 $775,777,239 $13,606,515,723
2001 $825,706,961 $20,898,761,742
2000 $887,291,688 $22,823,270,892
1999 $912,773,681 $23,983,945,191
1998 $928,460,893 $25,385,886,978
1997 $998,004,259 $23,969,739,234
1996 $946,112,493 $20,515,458,114
1995 $1,001,894,000 $19,297,663,097
1994 $878,250,945 $17,474,588,896
1993 $835,582,062 $15,002,136,971
1992 $831,029,862 $12,878,148,791
1991 $704,325,367 $11,206,176,651
1990 $596,410,264 $9,298,807,850
1989 $495,409,233 $8,438,951,476
1988 $470,395,801 $8,213,538,369
1987 $402,768,324 $7,367,494,080
1986 $318,858,423 $5,880,112,788
1985 $268,629,926 $4,732,017,873
1984 $333,163,670 $4,850,238,550
1983 $386,699,309 $5,102,276,308
1982 $348,741,684 $9,178,780,077
1981 $434,188,034 $11,048,301,421
1980 $431,542,537 $10,163,020,116
1979 $290,134,593 $7,181,182,224
1978 $266,570,067 $4,910,254,566
1977 $193,315,048 $4,114,670,014
1976 $147,660,037 $3,667,161,241
1975 $149,558,896 $3,538,278,047
1974 $150,851,317 $4,090,209,682
1973 $121,188,716 $3,964,296,443
1972 $80,913,200 $2,189,418,689
1971 $76,480,285 $2,807,258,065
1970 $68,739,973 $2,137,096,774
1969 $65,967,974 $2,004,435,484
1968 $61,445,975 $1,593,674,185
1967 $59,261,976 $1,597,713,469
1966 $56,699,977 $1,809,185,094
1965 $54,879,978 $1,890,767,156
1964 $51,939,979 $1,975,701,816
1963 $47,039,981 $1,539,681,491
1962 $41,859,983 $1,710,004,407
1961 $35,699,986 $1,547,388,781
1960 $34,579,986 $1,242,289,239

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

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

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Uruguay by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 $23,907 $36,418
2023 $916 $2,881 $23,019 $34,471
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $20,819 $33,001
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $919 $2,559 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $992 $2,942 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $879 $2,036 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $898 $2,064 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $861 $1,932 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $925 $1,813 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $861 $1,681 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $767 $1,561 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $583 $1,484 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $389 $1,385 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $413 $1,350 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $443 $1,273 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $456 $1,199 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $465 $1,179 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $502 $1,154 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $480 $1,103 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $513 $1,037 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $456 $995 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $439 $932 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $444 $893 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $382 $830 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $330 $764 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $279 - $2,734 -
1988 $270.4 - $2,677 -
1987 $236.5 - $2,416 -
1986 $191.4 - $1,939 -
1985 $165.4 - $1,568 -
1984 $211 - $1,615 -
1983 $252 - $1,707 -
1982 $233.9 - $3,085 -
1981 $299.8 - $3,728 -
1980 $307 - $3,443 -
1979 $212.4 - $2,443 -
1978 $200.8 - $1,678 -
1977 $149.9 - $1,414 -
1976 $117.8 - $1,268 -
1975 $123.2 - $1,232 -
1974 $128.7 - $1,433 -
1973 $107 - $1,397 -
1972 $74 - $776 -
1971 $72.4 - $1,000 -
1970 $67.4 - $766 -
1969 $67.1 - $723 -
1968 $64.8 - $579 -
1967 $64.8 - $585 -
1966 $64.3 - $668 -
1965 $64.3 - $705 -
1964 $62.6 - $745 -
1963 $58.4 - $587 -
1962 $53.5 - $659 -
1961 $47 - $604 -
1960 $47 - $491 -

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

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

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $23,907 in Uruguay, ranking 52/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$81B
2024
GDP rank
175/197
2024
81/197
2024
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
3.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$23,907
2024
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
68.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$16,421
2024
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
38/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$12,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$284M
1996
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
31.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
4.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
8.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
8.21%
2024
Population
2396633
3382789

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 31.1% 68.7%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 30.5% 64%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 30% 59.9%
2021 53.8% 58% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 50.4% 41% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 28.8% 50%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 54.1% 47% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 37.6% 41% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 26.6% 30.5%
1999 50.8% 83% 27.2% 24.1%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 27.3% 19.4%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 27.6% 18.8%
1996 41.5% 71.6% 26.5% 18.3%
1995 42.1% 62.8% 26.2% 18.5%
1994 40.2% 67% 29.5% 19.3%
1993 36% 71.2% 27.7% 20%
1992 35.3% 64.4% 23.6% 22.2%
1991 31.3% 11.9% 22.2% 20.4%
1990 32.9% 18% 21.1% 26.2%
1989 35.8% 112.5% 37% -
1988 35.3% 105.2% 26% 34.8%
1987 40.3% 97.4% 24.4% 37.3%
1986 33.2% 92.5% 25.1% 34.6%
1985 32.8% 86.3% 24.6% 29%
1984 26.8% 57.2% 25.6% 39.5%
1983 27.2% 56.7% 26.5% 21.2%
1982 29.9% 61.4% 29.5% 13.5%
1981 - - 25% 4.32%
1980 - - 21.8% 4.59%
1979 - - 20.2% 3.98%
1978 - - 22.9% 5.64%
1977 - - 23.5% 7.26%
1976 - - 24.2% 8.67%
1975 - - 23% 8.13%
1974 - - 23.8% 7.61%
1973 - - 22.6% 7%
1972 - - 24.6% 9.12%
1971 - - 20.1% 9.3%
1970 - - 15.1% 6.11%
1969 - - 14.6% -
1968 - - 14.1% -
1967 - - 14.7% -
1966 - - 14.1% -
1965 - - 15.6% -
1964 - - 14.3% -
1963 - - 14.6% -
1962 - - 16% -
1961 - - 13% -
1960 - - 9.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $25.2B, or 31.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 68.7% in Uruguay, ranking 92/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Uruguay
2024 9.04% -3.22%
2023 7.31% -3.13%
2022 -6.41% -2.52%
2021 -4.95% -2.61%
2020 1.18% -4.64%
2019 -5.72% -2.71%
2018 -4.41% -1.89%
2017 -2.02% -2.51%
2016 -9.43% -2.68%
2015 -1.38% -1.86%
2014 3.16% -2.6%
2013 -2.58% -1.72%
2012 4.56% -2.17%
2011 -9.85% -0.33%
2010 -1.49% -0.39%
2009 -4.16% -1.39%
2008 8.1% -1.31%
2007 10.8% -0.16%
2006 11.6% -0.64%
2005 4.46% -0.28%
2004 6.05% -0.87%
2003 0.89% -2.19%
2002 -2.44% -3.19%
2001 -2.76% -2.85%
2000 -0.95% -2.76%
1999 -15.3% -2.76%
1998 -11.8% -0.76%
1997 0.27% -0.97%
1996 2.11% -1.32%
1995 5.13% -1.08%
1994 5.69% -2.37%
1993 7.55% -0.47%
1992 4.65% 0.6%
1991 9.74% 0.88%
1990 8.78% 0.49%
1989 3.88% -13.1%
1988 -1.87% -1.47%
1987 -2.85% -0.66%
1986 0.87% -0.34%
1985 1.68% -1.88%
1984 4.82% -4.94%
1983 1.85% -3.54%
1982 -2.03% -8.22%
1981 - -1.15%
1980 - 0.43%
1979 - 0.99%
1978 - -0.47%
1977 - -0.69%
1976 - -2.01%
1975 - -4.38%
1974 - -3.74%
1973 - -1.09%
1972 - -2.25%
1971 - -5.86%
1970 - -1.33%
1969 - -2.37%
1968 - -2.93%
1967 - -4.12%
1966 - -2.01%
1965 - -5.14%
1964 - -3.61%
1963 - -4.4%
1962 - -5.02%
1961 - -0.86%
1960 - 0.79%
1959 - 0.64%
1958 - -1.38%
1957 - -0.72%
1956 - 0.04%
1955 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/uruguay | 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 Uruguay's deficit of $2.6B, or 3.22% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Uruguay ran a deficit in 40 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual surplus equal to 0.74% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.15% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Uruguay
2024 6.11% 4.85%
2023 6.34% 5.87%
2022 8.27% 9.1%
2021 6.05% 7.75%
2020 4.98% 9.76%
2019 5.19% 7.88%
2018 4.75% 7.61%
2017 4.45% 6.22%
2016 6.6% 9.64%
2015 3.22% 8.67%
2014 5.37% 8.88%
2013 4.87% 8.58%
2012 6.05% 8.1%
2011 5.04% 8.09%
2010 -2.41% 6.7%
2009 -16.9% 7.06%
2008 10.7% 7.88%
2007 8.01% 8.11%
2006 6.07% 6.4%
2005 3.44% 4.7%
2004 5.02% 9.16%
2003 6.63% 19.4%
2002 33.8% 14%
2001 -9.62% 4.36%
2000 6.13% 4.76%
1999 - 5.66%
1998 - 10.8%
1997 - 19.8%

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

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

Over the past 25 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.13%, compared with 8.14% in Uruguay. In 2024, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 4.85% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

Lesotho
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Uruguay
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Lesotho Uruguay
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$13B
2024
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$16.3B
2024
Service imports
$415M
2024
$6.22B
2024
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$7.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
23.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
28.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Uruguay
Economic freedom 54.9 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 39/197
Property rights 41.7 87.4
Government integrity 39.6 79
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 80.9
Tax burden 76.4 73.3
Government spending 21.3 72
Fiscal health 93.5 76.6
Business freedom 50.6 83.8
Labor freedom 57 61.7
Monetary freedom 74.8 70.2
Trade freedom 65.4 73.2
Investment freedom 55 50
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Uruguay
2026 54.9 69.8
2025 54.1 70.2
2024 51.9 69.8
2023 51.6 70.2
2022 48.1 70
2021 53.5 69.3
2020 54.5 69.1
2019 53.1 68.6
2018 53.9 69.2
2017 53.9 69.7
2016 50.6 68.8
2015 49.6 68.6
2014 49.5 69.3
2013 47.9 69.7
2012 46.6 69.9
2011 47.5 70
2010 48.1 69.8
2009 49.7 69.1
2008 52.1 67.9
2007 53.2 68.4
2006 54.7 65.3
2005 53.9 66.9
2004 50.3 66.7
2003 52 69.8
2002 48.9 68.7
2001 50.6 70.7
2000 48.4 69.3
1999 48.2 68.5
1998 48.4 68.6
1997 47.2 67.5
1996 47 63.7
1995 - 62.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
65.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
16.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
6.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$73.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$34,170
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
66/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
15.6%
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/uruguay | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2021, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.