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Economy of Lesotho vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.57B compared to $99.7B for Venezuela, ranking 175/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.26B in government debt (49.1% of GDP), compared to $308B (309% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Lesotho vs Venezuela GDP by year

Lesotho
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Venezuela
2025 $2,573,572,920 $99,661,244,156
2024 $2,391,282,548 $120,566,112,397
2023 $2,129,871,530 $102,377,501,186
2022 $2,354,980,960 $89,013,251,021
2021 $2,412,130,057 $56,615,026,263
2020 $2,053,699,864 $42,837,965,907
2019 $2,390,702,296 $73,014,157,108
2018 $2,556,247,292 $101,987,075,929
2017 $2,306,741,672 $115,892,475,743
2016 $2,114,426,452 $112,948,035,495
2015 $2,359,686,725 $125,249,941,854
2014 $2,441,063,054 $214,838,755,022
2013 $2,367,112,932 $258,512,396,298
2012 $2,477,702,216 $371,846,610,182
2011 $2,579,409,620 $316,482,190,800
2010 $2,234,754,242 $393,192,354,511
2009 $1,740,894,965 $329,787,628,928
2008 $1,766,902,709 $315,953,388,511
2007 $1,682,131,785 $230,364,012,576
2006 $1,800,092,564 $183,477,522,124
2005 $1,682,343,527 $145,513,489,652
2004 $1,511,236,656 $112,451,400,425
2003 $1,157,825,435 $83,620,628,582
2002 $775,777,239 $92,893,587,734
2001 $825,706,961 $122,911,036,747
2000 $887,291,688 $117,146,466,003
1999 $912,773,681 $97,972,842,462
1998 $928,460,893 $91,336,763,255
1997 $998,004,259 $85,837,678,560
1996 $946,112,493 $70,543,211,119
1995 $1,001,894,000 $77,389,487,770
1994 $878,250,945 $58,418,666,667
1993 $835,582,062 $60,037,460,783
1992 $831,029,862 $60,416,519,620
1991 $704,325,367 $53,453,444,787
1990 $596,410,264 $48,606,952,195
1989 $495,409,233 $43,536,709,104
1988 $470,395,801 $60,226,413,793
1987 $402,768,324 $48,029,034,483
1986 $318,858,423 $60,516,123,711
1985 $268,629,926 $61,965,466,667
1984 $333,163,670 $59,867,743,468
1983 $386,699,309 $67,556,279,070
1982 $348,741,684 $67,736,744,186
1981 $434,188,034 $66,327,441,860
1980 $431,542,537 $59,116,511,628
1979 $290,134,593 $48,310,930,233
1978 $266,570,067 $39,316,279,070
1977 $193,315,048 $36,210,697,674
1976 $147,660,037 $31,419,534,884
1975 $149,558,896 $27,464,651,163
1974 $150,851,317 $26,100,930,233
1973 $121,188,716 $17,035,581,395
1972 $80,913,200 $13,977,727,273
1971 $76,480,285 $12,986,590,909
1970 $68,739,973 $11,561,111,111
1969 $65,967,974 $10,285,111,111
1968 $61,445,975 $10,034,444,444
1967 $59,261,976 $9,250,000,000
1966 $56,699,977 $8,781,333,333
1965 $54,879,978 $8,427,777,778
1964 $51,939,979 $8,192,413,793
1963 $47,039,981 $9,608,717,288
1962 $41,859,983 $8,814,309,884
1961 $35,699,986 $8,067,267,031
1960 $34,579,986 $7,663,938,303

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Venezuela by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,089 - $3,495 -
2024 $1,023 $3,001 $4,244 -
2023 $921 $2,881 $3,617 -
2022 $1,030 $2,761 $3,155 -
2021 $1,067 $2,545 $2,005 -
2020 $919 $2,559 $1,506 -
2019 $1,082 $2,568 $2,523 -
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $3,422 -
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $3,792 -
2016 $992 $2,942 $3,671 -
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $4,097 -
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $7,101 -
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $8,642 -
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $12,582 -
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $879 $2,036 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $898 $2,064 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $861 $1,932 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $925 $1,813 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $861 $1,681 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $767 $1,561 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $583 $1,484 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $389 $1,385 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $413 $1,350 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $443 $1,273 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $456 $1,199 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $465 $1,179 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $502 $1,154 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $480 $1,103 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $513 $1,037 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $456 $995 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $439 $932 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $444 $893 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $382 $830 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $330 $764 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $279 - $2,250 -
1988 $270.4 - $3,191 -
1987 $236.5 - $2,611 -
1986 $191.4 - $3,376 -
1985 $165.4 - $3,549 -
1984 $211 - $3,520 -
1983 $252 - $4,079 -
1982 $233.9 - $4,202 -
1981 $299.8 - $4,228 -
1980 $307 - $3,874 -
1979 $212.4 - $3,257 -
1978 $200.8 - $2,727 -
1977 $149.9 - $2,585 -
1976 $117.8 - $2,309 -
1975 $123.2 - $2,078 -
1974 $128.7 - $2,034 -
1973 $107 - $1,367 -
1972 $74 - $1,155 -
1971 $72.4 - $1,106 -
1970 $67.4 - $1,015 -
1969 $67.1 - $932 -
1968 $64.8 - $938 -
1967 $64.8 - $893 -
1966 $64.3 - $876 -
1965 $64.3 - $869 -
1964 $62.6 - $874 -
1963 $58.4 - $1,060 -
1962 $53.5 - $1,007 -
1961 $47 - $954 -
1960 $47 - $939 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $1,089, ranking 179/197, compared to $3,495 in Venezuela, ranking 138/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$2.57B
2025
$99.7B
2025
GDP rank
175/197
2025
78/197
2025
GDP growth
1.98%
2024-2025
1.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,089
2025
$3,495
2025
GDP per capita rank
179/197
2025
138/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$1.26B
2025
$308B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.1%
2025
309%
2025
Government debt per person
$535
2025
$10,790
2025
Government debt per person rank
165/185
2025
58/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,455
2026
$2,659
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
54.2%
2025
20.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.27%
2024-2025
252%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
58.9%
2026
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
7.53%
2020
Population
2402837
28692435

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 54.2% 49.1% 20.3% 309%
2024 52.5% 52.8% 17.5% 169.1%
2023 49% 61.1% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 53.6% 58% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 54.2% 54.7% 11.2% 337%
2019 52.9% 58.2% 21% 206%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 50.4% 41% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 38% 58.4%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 54.1% 47% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 37.6% 41% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 32.2% 56%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 31% 48.2%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 50.8% 83% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 31% 34.8%
1996 41.5% 71.6% 27.7% 45.9%
1995 42.1% 62.8% 32.9% 45.9%
1994 40.2% 67% 42.2% 63.9%
1993 36% 71.2% 27.7% 57.7%
1992 35.3% 64.4% 30.6% 54.8%
1991 31.3% 11.9% 33.9% 62.2%
1990 32.9% 18% 31.9% 63.3%
1989 35.8% 112.5% 32.5% 61.8%
1988 35.3% 105.2% 33.2% 46.3%
1987 40.3% 97.4% 25.1% 58.3%
1986 33.2% 92.5% 21.5% 45.9%
1985 32.8% 86.3% 20.3% 34.1%
1984 26.8% 57.2% 19.7% 36.4%
1983 27.2% 56.7% 25.3% 21.4%
1982 29.9% 61.4% 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Lesotho's government spending was $1.4B, accounting for 54.2% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $20.2B, or 20.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 49.1% in Lesotho and 309% in Venezuela, ranking 106/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Venezuela
2025 2.15% -5.84%
2024 8.17% -3.67%
2023 7.36% -1.25%
2022 -6.33% -5.29%
2021 -4.79% -5.85%
2020 1.45% -6.63%
2019 -5.09% -10.9%
2018 -4.41% -31%
2017 -2.02% -13.3%
2016 -9.43% -8.46%
2015 -1.38% -8.06%
2014 3.16% -9.81%
2013 -2.58% -10.4%
2012 4.56% -9.86%
2011 -9.85% -8.24%
2010 -1.49% -4.74%
2009 -4.16% -8.69%
2008 8.1% -3.46%
2007 10.8% -2.82%
2006 11.6% -1.6%
2005 4.46% 4.09%
2004 6.05% 2.47%
2003 0.89% 0.17%
2002 -2.44% -1.48%
2001 -2.76% -4.59%
2000 -0.95% 4.45%
1999 -15.3% 0.74%
1998 -11.8% -4.49%
1997 0.27% 2.58%
1996 2.11% 7.94%
1995 5.13% -5.86%
1994 5.69% -11.2%
1993 7.55% -2.92%
1992 4.65% -6.37%
1991 9.74% -2.28%
1990 8.78% 3.84%
1989 3.88% -0.91%
1988 -1.87% -9.24%
1987 -2.85% -7.47%
1986 0.87% 0.82%
1985 1.68% 6.97%
1984 4.82% 5.33%
1983 1.85% 1.24%
1982 -2.03% -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/lesotho/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $5.82B, or 5.84% of GDP.

Over the past 44 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual surplus equal to 0.78% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Venezuela
2025 4.27% 252%
2024 6.11% 49.4%
2023 6.34% 338%
2022 8.27% 186.5%
2021 6.05% 1,589%
2020 4.98% 2,355%
2019 5.19% 19,906%
2018 4.75% 65,374%
2017 4.45% 438%
2016 6.6% 254.9%
2015 3.22% 121.7%
2014 5.37% 62.2%
2013 4.87% 40.6%
2012 6.05% 21.1%
2011 5.04% 26.1%
2010 -2.41% 28.2%
2009 -16.9% 26%
2008 10.7% 31.4%
2007 8.01% 18.7%
2006 6.07% 13.7%
2005 3.44% 16%
2004 5.02% 21.7%
2003 6.63% 31.1%
2002 33.8% 22.4%
2001 -9.62% 12.5%
2000 6.13% 16.2%
1999 - 23.6%
1998 - 35.8%
1997 - 50%

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/venezuela | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.1%, compared with 3,510% in Venezuela. In 2025, inflation was 4.27% in Lesotho and 252% in Venezuela.

Balance of trade

Lesotho Venezuela
Current account balance
-$3.94M
2025
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
71/190
2025
155/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.15%
2025
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$1.69B
2025
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$933M
2025
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$467M
2025
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$16M
2025
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
104.5%
2025
10.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
49.5%
2025
14.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Venezuela
Economic freedom 54.9 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 194/197
Property rights 41.7 0
Government integrity 39.6 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 5.1
Tax burden 76.4 73.4
Government spending 21.3 93
Fiscal health 93.5 29.1
Business freedom 50.6 31.1
Labor freedom 57 35.5
Monetary freedom 74.8 0
Trade freedom 65.4 43.2
Investment freedom 55 0
Financial freedom 40 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Venezuela
2026 54.9 27.3
2025 54.1 27.6
2024 51.9 28.1
2023 51.6 25.8
2022 48.1 24.8
2021 53.5 24.7
2020 54.5 25.2
2019 53.1 25.9
2018 53.9 25.2
2017 53.9 27
2016 50.6 33.7
2015 49.6 34.3
2014 49.5 36.3
2013 47.9 36.1
2012 46.6 38.1
2011 47.5 37.6
2010 48.1 37.1
2009 49.7 39.9
2008 52.1 44.7
2007 53.2 47.9
2006 54.7 44.6
2005 53.9 45.2
2004 50.3 46.7
2003 52 54.8
2002 48.9 54.7
2001 50.6 54.6
2000 48.4 57.4
1999 48.2 56.1
1998 48.4 54
1997 47.2 52.8
1996 47 54.5
1995 - 59.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
55.6%
2025
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
25.2%
2025
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.49%
2025
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$3.03B
2025
$110B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,900
2025
$20,840
2011
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
80/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$5.77M
2025
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.79%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.2%
2025
5.93%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

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/venezuela | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.