Lesotho

1980

2026

2030

1980

2026

2030

Lesotho Economic Statistics (2026)

GDP per capita (PPP) in 2026: $3,142—below global average.

The government runs a fiscal surplus, providing room for future investment or debt reduction.

GDP per capita (PPP)

$3,142

GDP growth

+1.1%

Inflation rate

4.8%

Key terms

GDP: — Gross Domestic Product—the total value of goods and services produced in a country annually.
GDP PPP: — GDP adjusted for purchasing power parity—what money actually buys in each country.
GDP per capita: — GDP divided by population—a measure of average economic output per person.
Inflation rate: — Annual percentage increase in the general price level of goods and services.
Fiscal balance: — Government revenue minus expenditure. Surplus if positive, deficit if negative.
Current account: — Net flow of goods, services, and transfers with the rest of the world.

Total economic output and annual growth rate

Total GDP is $2 billion, with slow growth of 1.1% in 2026.

Average economic output per person

GDP per capita is $1,024 in nominal terms, but $3,142 when adjusted for local purchasing power—indicating lower prices than in the US.

Consumer price inflation and labor market conditions

Inflation is 4.8% in 2026.

Government debt, revenue, and expenditure as percentage of GDP

Government debt is moderate at 57% of GDP. The government collects more than it spends (revenue: 58.8%, expenditure: 55.1% of GDP).

Fiscal balance and current account as percentage of GDP

The country is running a fiscal surplus of 3.8% and a current account deficit of 2.5% of GDP.

Lesotho is a lower-income economy with GDP per capita (PPP) of $3,142. The government is running a fiscal surplus.