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Economy of Lesotho vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a GDP of $2.27B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 175/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Lesotho has $1.29B in government debt (56.8% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Lesotho vs Yemen GDP by year

Lesotho
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Lesotho Yemen
2024 $2,271,759,455 -
2023 $2,117,962,445 -
2022 $2,354,980,960 -
2021 $2,412,130,057 -
2020 $2,053,699,864 -
2019 $2,390,702,296 -
2018 $2,556,247,292 $21,606,160,663
2017 $2,306,741,672 $26,842,229,045
2016 $2,114,426,452 $31,317,825,274
2015 $2,359,686,725 $42,444,490,074
2014 $2,441,063,054 $43,228,585,321
2013 $2,367,112,932 $40,415,233,436
2012 $2,477,702,216 $35,401,331,610
2011 $2,579,409,620 $32,726,417,878
2010 $2,234,754,242 $30,906,749,533
2009 $1,740,894,965 $25,130,278,213
2008 $1,766,902,709 $26,910,855,807
2007 $1,682,131,785 $21,650,528,674
2006 $1,800,092,564 $19,063,143,370
2005 $1,682,343,527 $16,731,566,717
2004 $1,511,236,656 $13,867,634,371
2003 $1,157,825,435 $11,777,532,662
2002 $775,777,239 $10,693,430,511
2001 $825,706,961 $9,852,990,693
2000 $887,291,688 $9,679,316,770
1999 $912,773,681 $7,639,325,296
1998 $928,460,893 $6,322,175,566
1997 $998,004,259 $6,838,298,531
1996 $946,112,493 $6,496,163,616
1995 $1,001,894,000 $12,796,345,679
1994 $878,250,945 $28,019,483,764
1993 $835,582,062 $21,736,802,664
1992 $831,029,862 $17,959,367,194
1991 $704,325,367 $14,665,445,462
1990 $596,410,264 $12,643,821,569
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/yemen | CC BY

GDP per capita in Lesotho vs Yemen by year

Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Lesotho Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $972 $3,001 - -
2023 $916 $2,881 - -
2022 $1,030 $2,761 - -
2021 $1,067 $2,545 - -
2020 $919 $2,559 - -
2019 $1,082 $2,568 - -
2018 $1,171 $2,632 $634 -
2017 $1,069 $2,619 $811 -
2016 $992 $2,942 $975 -
2015 $1,121 $3,035 $1,362 -
2014 $1,174 $2,771 $1,430 -
2013 $1,151 $2,538 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $1,218 $2,291 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $1,281 $2,279 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $1,119 $2,153 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $879 $2,036 $969 $3,411
2008 $898 $2,064 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $861 $1,932 $890 $3,294
2006 $925 $1,813 $810 $3,205
2005 $861 $1,681 $734 $3,113
2004 $767 $1,561 $628 $2,949
2003 $583 $1,484 $549 $2,844
2002 $389 $1,385 $513 $2,768
2001 $413 $1,350 $487 $2,702
2000 $443 $1,273 $493 $2,624
1999 $456 $1,199 $401 $2,492
1998 $465 $1,179 $343 $2,442
1997 $502 $1,154 $383 $2,351
1996 $480 $1,103 $375 $2,268
1995 $513 $1,037 $764 $2,201
1994 $456 $995 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $439 $932 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $444 $893 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $382 $830 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $330 $764 $910 $1,742
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/yemen | CC BY

Lesotho's GDP per capita is $972, ranking 181/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Lesotho Yemen
Gross domestic product
$2.27B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
175/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
2.85%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
181/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
180/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
164/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$1,127
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.11%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
13.5%
2014
Population
2396633
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Lesotho
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Lesotho Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 53.5% 56.8% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 49.4% 61.5% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 50.8% 64.4% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 53.8% 58% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 54.4% 54.7% 10.6% 87%
2019 53.6% 58.2% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 51.9% 48.2% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 50.4% 41% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 54.1% 41.5% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 51.7% 45.8% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 50.1% 41.5% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 58.4% 41.2% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 58.1% 39.8% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 60.2% 36.2% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 55.3% 33.8% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 66.4% 35.9% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 54.1% 47% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 48.1% 49.6% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 43.2% 43.7% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 37.6% 41% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 36.3% 49.4% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 39.8% 52.6% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 41.2% 79.6% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 41.4% 108.7% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 39.3% 88.5% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 50.8% 83% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 51.4% 79.4% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 44.6% 65.7% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 41.5% 71.6% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 42.1% 62.8% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 40.2% 67% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 36% 71.2% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 35.3% 64.4% 24.6% 78%
1991 31.3% 11.9% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 32.9% 18% 26.6% 91.6%
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 (1982–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Lesotho's government spending was $1.22B, accounting for 53.5% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.8% in Lesotho and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 92/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Lesotho

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Lesotho Yemen
2024 9.04% -2.48%
2023 7.31% -5.63%
2022 -6.41% -2.15%
2021 -4.95% -0.89%
2020 1.18% -4.3%
2019 -5.72% -5.89%
2018 -4.41% -7.85%
2017 -2.02% -4.9%
2016 -9.43% -8.51%
2015 -1.38% -8.75%
2014 3.16% -4.14%
2013 -2.58% -6.9%
2012 4.56% -6.32%
2011 -9.85% -4.51%
2010 -1.49% -4.06%
2009 -4.16% -10.2%
2008 8.1% -4.53%
2007 10.8% -7.18%
2006 11.6% 1.19%
2005 4.46% -1.82%
2004 6.05% -2.15%
2003 0.89% -4.2%
2002 -2.44% -0.56%
2001 -2.76% 2.79%
2000 -0.95% 6.09%
1999 -15.3% 0.06%
1998 -11.8% -7.77%
1997 0.27% -1.5%
1996 2.11% -0.92%
1995 5.13% -5.74%
1994 5.69% -14%
1993 7.55% -12.8%
1992 4.65% -10.9%
1991 9.74% -5.76%
1990 8.78% -10.3%
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/yemen | CC BY

In 2018, Lesotho's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $113M, equivalent to 4.41% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Lesotho recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Lesotho posted an annual surplus equal to 0.86% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.04% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Lesotho

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Lesotho Yemen
2024 6.11% 33.9%
2023 6.34% 0.9%
2022 8.27% 29.5%
2021 6.05% 31.5%
2020 4.98% 21.7%
2019 5.19% 15.7%
2018 4.75% 33.6%
2017 4.45% 30.4%
2016 6.6% 21.3%
2015 3.22% 22%
2014 5.37% 8.2%
2013 4.87% 11%
2012 6.05% 9.9%
2011 5.04% 19.5%
2010 -2.41% 11.2%
2009 -16.9% 3.7%
2008 10.7% 19%
2007 8.01% 7.9%
2006 6.07% 10.8%
2005 3.44% 9.9%
2004 5.02% 12.5%
2003 6.63% 10.8%
2002 33.8% 12.2%
2001 -9.62% 11.9%
2000 6.13% 11%
1999 - 7.9%
1998 - 11.5%
1997 - 4.6%

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/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 25 years, Lesotho has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.13%, compared with 16.4% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 6.11% in Lesotho and 33.9% in Yemen.

Balance of trade

Lesotho Yemen
Current account balance
$89.2M
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
68/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.93%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$1.67B
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$965M
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$415M
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$15.4M
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
98.6%
2023
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.9%
2023
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Lesotho Yemen
Economic freedom 54.9 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 130/197 138/197
Property rights 41.7 3.5
Government integrity 39.6 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 43.6 9.9
Tax burden 76.4 93.7
Government spending 21.3 0
Fiscal health 93.5 71.2
Business freedom 50.6 31.3
Labor freedom 57 31.2
Monetary freedom 74.8 48.1
Trade freedom 65.4 67.4
Investment freedom 55 50
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Lesotho
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Lesotho Yemen
2026 54.9 -
2025 54.1 -
2024 51.9 -
2023 51.6 -
2022 48.1 -
2021 53.5 -
2020 54.5 -
2019 53.1 -
2018 53.9 -
2017 53.9 -
2016 50.6 -
2015 49.6 53.7
2014 49.5 55.5
2013 47.9 55.9
2012 46.6 55.3
2011 47.5 54.2
2010 48.1 54.4
2009 49.7 56.9
2008 52.1 53.8
2007 53.2 54.1
2006 54.7 52.6
2005 53.9 53.8
2004 50.3 50.5
2003 52 50.3
2002 48.9 48.6
2001 50.6 44.3
2000 48.4 44.5
1999 48.2 43.3
1998 48.4 46.1
1997 47.2 48.4
1996 47 49.6
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Lesotho is 54.9, ranking 130/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Lesotho Yemen
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.5%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,580
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
142/177
2024
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
$12.6M
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$12.6M
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
49.7%
2017
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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)

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.