Lesotho—Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
Category: Fiscal & MonetarySource: IMF World Economic Outlook ↗Global Rank: #7 of 192Updated August 2026
Latest Value
3.4%
2031
YoY Change
-8.1%
2030 → 2031
Global Rank
#7
of 192 countries
Maximum
11.6%
2006
Minimum
-9.8%
2011
Last
3.4%
Previous
3.7%
Highest
11.6%
Lowest
-9.8%
Unit
Percent of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
Lesotho's fiscal balance (% of GDP) was 4.2% in 2026, ranking #7 out of 192 countries. This represents a -8.1% change from 2030. Over the past 27 years, the highest recorded value was 11.6% (2006) and the lowest was -9.8% (2011). The IMF WEO projects 3.4% by 2031. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Actual
IMF Forecast
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2031 | 3.4% | -8.1% |
| 2030 | 3.7% | -7.5% |
| 2029 | 4.0% | -9.1% |
| 2028 | 4.4% | -2.2% |
| 2027 | 4.5% | +7.1% |
| 2026 | 4.2% | +90.9% |
| 2025 | 2.2% | -73.2% |
| 2024 | 8.2% | +10.8% |
| 2023 | 7.4% | +217.5% |
| 2022 | -6.3% | -31.3% |
| 2021 | -4.8% | -442.9% |
| 2020 | 1.4% | +127.5% |
| 2019 | -5.1% | -15.9% |
| 2018 | -4.4% | -120.0% |
| 2017 | -2.0% | +78.7% |
| 2016 | -9.4% | -571.4% |
| 2015 | -1.4% | -143.7% |
| 2014 | 3.2% | +223.1% |
| 2013 | -2.6% | -156.5% |
| 2012 | 4.6% | +146.9% |
| 2011 | -9.8% | -553.3% |
| 2010 | -1.5% | +64.3% |
| 2009 | -4.2% | -151.9% |
| 2008 | 8.1% | -25.0% |
| 2007 | 10.8% | -6.9% |
| 2006 | 11.6% | +157.8% |
| 2005 | 4.5% | -26.2% |
| 2004 | 6.1% | +577.8% |
| 2003 | 0.9% | +137.5% |
| 2002 | -2.4% | +14.3% |
| 2001 | -2.8% | -211.1% |
| 2000 | -0.9% |
IMF Forecast
Projections from the IMF World Economic Outlook. These are staff estimates, not guarantees.
| Year | Projected Value | Change from Previous |
|---|---|---|
| 2026Forecast | 4.2% | +90.9% |
| 2027Forecast | 4.5% | +7.1% |
| 2028Forecast | 4.4% | -2.2% |
| 2029Forecast | 4.0% | -9.1% |
| 2030Forecast | 3.7% | -7.5% |
| 2031Forecast | 3.4% | -8.1% |
Top Countries — Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuwait | 27.6% | 2026 |
| 2 | Naoero | 13.1% | 2026 |
| 3 | Norway | 10.2% | 2026 |
| 4 | Oman | 5.2% | 2026 |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | 4.9% | 2026 |
| 6 | Macao SAR, China | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 7 | Lesotho | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 8 | Singapore | 3.3% | 2026 |
| 9 | Lebanon | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 10 | Liechtenstein | 3.0% | 2026 |
About This Indicator
Definition
General government net lending/borrowing as a percentage of GDP. A positive value indicates a fiscal surplus; negative indicates a deficit.
Methodology
Revenue minus expenditure minus net acquisition of nonfinancial assets, as a percentage of GDP. A comprehensive measure of the fiscal balance.
Unit
Percent of GDP