Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Lesotho
Lesotho: Central government revenues as a share of GDP was 42.0% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Lesotho, 1984–2024
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
In 2024, central government revenues as a share of gdp in Lesotho stood at 42.0%.
That represents a change of down 11.3% on the previous year and down 0.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government revenues as a share of gdp in Lesotho peaked at 47.4% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 27.7%, in 1999.
Lesotho ranks 11th of 157 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 39 years of available data.
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 44.0% | — |
| 1986 | 35.7% | -18.9% |
| 1987 | 36.6% | +2.4% |
| 1988 | 34.1% | -6.8% |
| 1989 | 40.4% | +18.6% |
| 1991 | 34.5% | -14.7% |
| 1992 | 30.9% | -10.5% |
| 1993 | 33.7% | +9.1% |
| 1994 | 35.0% | +3.8% |
| 1995 | 35.7% | +2.1% |
| 1996 | 32.7% | -8.4% |
| 1997 | 34.2% | +4.5% |
| 1998 | 30.7% | -10.1% |
| 1999 | 27.7% | -9.8% |
| 2000 | 29.4% | +6.2% |
| 2001 | 30.0% | +2.1% |
| 2002 | 29.6% | -1.5% |
| 2003 | 32.9% | +11.3% |
| 2004 | 33.4% | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 32.8% | -1.8% |
| 2006 | 38.8% | +18.3% |
| 2007 | 45.2% | +16.4% |
| 2008 | 45.0% | -0.4% |
| 2009 | 45.7% | +1.6% |
| 2010 | 41.3% | -9.6% |
| 2011 | 37.2% | -10.0% |
| 2012 | 43.8% | +17.7% |
| 2013 | 42.4% | -3.2% |
| 2014 | 42.0% | -0.8% |
| 2015 | 39.2% | -6.8% |
| 2016 | 35.4% | -9.6% |
| 2017 | 38.3% | +8.2% |
| 2018 | 37.0% | -3.4% |
| 2019 | 36.8% | -0.6% |
| 2020 | 41.4% | +12.5% |
| 2021 | 37.6% | -9.2% |
| 2022 | 36.0% | -4.3% |
| 2023 | 47.4% | +31.8% |
| 2024 | 42.0% | -11.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 38.1% | 34.1% | 44.0% | 5 |
| 1990s | 32.8% | 27.7% | 35.7% | 9 |
| 2000s | 36.3% | 29.4% | 45.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 39.3% | 35.4% | 43.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 40.9% | 36.0% | 47.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More economy & growth data for Lesotho
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 0 BoP, current US$ (1989)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (1989)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 0 BoP, current US$ per person (1989)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled -5.77 million BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 54.09 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0022 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -2.44 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 18 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), per unit of GDP 0.4215 includes gold, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), per capita 431.19 includes gold, current US$ per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is central government revenues as a share of gdp in Lesotho?
- Central government revenues as a share of gdp in Lesotho was 42.0% in 2024, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 47.4% in 2023.
- What is the lowest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 27.7% in 1999.
- How does Lesotho rank for central government revenues as a share of gdp?
- Lesotho ranks 11th out of 157 countries with data for 2024.
- Is central government revenues as a share of gdp rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Central government revenues as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Taxes, social contributions, and other revenues such as fines, fees, rent, and income from property or sales included. Grants excluded.