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Lesotho

LSOSub-Saharan Africa Lower middle incomeCapital: Maseru
Economy
Fiscal
People
Health
Education
Trade
Energy / Env
Tech
Governance
Equality
Infra
Labor
67/80 indicators · percentile vs world (IMF / WB / WHO)underover
GDP
$3
2027▲ 2.5%
Population
2.3M
2024▲ 1.1%
GDP per Capita
$1,037
2027▲ 1.2%
Life Expectancy
57.4 years
2023▲ 1.0%
Lesotho in world space2000–2023
1k10k100k505560657075808590GDP per capita (USD, log)Life expectancy (years)20002023
192 countries · log scale on X world Lesotho· trajectory line: 1980 → today
▶About Lesotho

Lesotho's GDP is $2.47B (2026), with a population of 2.3M, and GDP per capita of $1,024. Key indicators include real GDP growth of 1.1%, inflation at 4.8%, government debt at 57.1% of GDP, life expectancy of 57.4 years. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook and World Bank World Development Indicators.

Located in Sub-Saharan Africa, this lower middle-income economy is projected to have a GDP of $2.474 billion in 2026, with a modest growth rate of 1.1%. The GDP per capita is expected to be $1,024.099 in the same year. Inflation is anticipated to be 4.8%, while trade as a percentage of GDP was 141.51% in 2023. The unemployment rate is projected to be 16.32% in 2025. The capital city is Maseru. The population is estimated to be 2,337,423 in 2024, with a life expectancy of 57.38 years in 2023. The society faces significant challenges, including high levels of poverty and inequality. The economy is heavily reliant on remittances from workers in South Africa and the textile industry.

▶Economy29 indicators · 2020–2027 · IMF / WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
GDP (Current USD, Billions)$32027▲ 2.5%IMF
Real GDP Growth (%)0.8%2027▼ 27.3%IMF
GDP per Capita (USD)$1,0372027▲ 1.2%IMF
GDP, PPP (Billions Intl $)$82027▲ 2.5%IMF
GDP per Capita, PPP (Intl $)$3,1832027▲ 1.3%IMF
Share of World GDP, PPP (%)0.00%2027▲ 0.0%IMF
GNI (Current USD)$2.71B2024▲ 5.3%WB
GNI per Capita (USD)$1,1802024▼ 5.6%WB
GNI per Capita, PPP (USD)$3,5802024▲ 2.3%WB
Industry Value Added (% of GDP)30.9%2024▲ 7.7%WB
Services Value Added (% of GDP)48.0%2024▼ 5.0%WB
Agriculture Value Added (% of GDP)6.5%2024▼ 2.1%WB
Government Consumption (% of GDP)35.6%2023▲ 1.1%WB
Household Consumption (% of GDP)92.9%2023▲ 7.0%WB
Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP)27.2%2023▼ 0.6%WB
Gross Savings (% of GNI)19.9%2023▲ 21.5%WB
GDP Deflator (%)3.6%2024▲ 1077.3%WB
GDP per Person Employed (USD)$8,3942024▲ 1.1%WB
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)13.5%2024▼ 3.1%WB
Adjusted Net National Income per Capita (USD)$1,0372021▲ 11.9%WB
Adjusted Net Savings (% of GNI)5.8%2020—WB
External Balance on Goods & Services (% of GDP)-55.7%2023▼ 12.8%WB
Coal Rents (% of GDP)0.00%2021—WB
Mineral Rents (% of GDP)0.00%2021—WB
Oil Rents (% of GDP)0.00%2021—WB
Natural Gas Rents (% of GDP)0.00%2021—WB
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)4.3%2021▼ 5.2%WB
Forest Rents (% of GDP)4.32%2021▼ 5.2%WB
Industry Value Added (Current USD)$702.8M2024▲ 15.5%WB
▶Fiscal & Monetary23 indicators · 2020–2027 · IMF / WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Inflation, Consumer Prices (%)5.0%2027▲ 4.2%IMF
Govt Gross Debt (% of GDP)57.4%2027▲ 0.5%IMF
Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)3.5%2027▼ 7.9%IMF
Current Account Balance (% of GDP)-2.7%2027▼ 8.0%IMF
Total Investment (% of GDP)31.8%2026▲ 4.5%IMF
Gross National Savings (% of GDP)29.4%2026▲ 10.6%IMF
Inflation, CPI (%, World Bank)6.1%2024▼ 3.7%WB
Real Interest Rate (%)7.3%2024▼ 36.1%WB
Lending Interest Rate (%)11.2%2024▲ 1.1%WB
Deposit Interest Rate (%)2.5%2024▲ 1.0%WB
Government Debt (% of GDP)3.0%2020—WB
Government Revenue (% of GDP)44.2%2024▼ 7.2%WB
Government Expenditure (% of GDP)40.2%2022▲ 5.6%WB
Tax Revenue (% of GDP)37.3%2024▼ 7.3%WB
Taxes on Goods & Services (% of revenue)32.7%2024▼ 1.6%WB
Taxes on International Trade (% of revenue)13.0%2024▲ 0.9%WB
Taxes on Income, Profits & Capital Gains (% of rev)20.4%2024▲ 0.9%WB
Net Investment in Nonfinancial Assets (% of GDP)8.1%2024▼ 11.2%WB
Total Reserves incl. Gold (USD)$1.01B2024▲ 18.0%WB
Total Reserves (months of imports)5.52024▲ 17.7%WB
Official Exchange Rate (per USD)18.332024▼ 0.7%WB
PPP Conversion Factor5.942024▲ 1.2%WB
Broad Money (% of GDP)42.3%2020—WB
▶Trade14 indicators · 2023–2024 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Trade (% of GDP)141.5%2023▼ 0.6%WB
Exports of Goods & Services (% of GDP)42.9%2023▼ 7.7%WB
Imports of Goods & Services (% of GDP)98.6%2023▲ 2.8%WB
Exports of Goods & Services (USD)$909.1M2023▼ 17.0%WB
Imports of Goods & Services (USD)$2.09B2023▼ 7.5%WB
Merchandise Exports (USD)$992.0M2024▲ 20.2%WB
Merchandise Imports (USD)$1.85B2024▲ 7.6%WB
FDI Inflows (% of GDP)-0.6%2024▲ 54.3%WB
FDI Net Inflows (USD)$-12.6M2024▲ 51.0%WB
Personal Remittances Received (USD)$475.8M2024▼ 0.8%WB
Personal Remittances Received (% of GDP)20.9%2024▼ 7.5%WB
High-Tech Exports (% of manufactured)0.1%2024▲ 20.6%WB
Current Account Balance (% of GDP)3.9%2024▲ 154.9%WB
Current Account Balance (USD)$89.2M2024▲ 158.9%WB
▶External Debt7 indicators · 2023–2024 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
External Debt (% of GNI)65.4%2024▼ 5.2%WB
External Debt Stocks (USD)$1.77B2024▼ 0.1%WB
Total Debt Service (% of GNI)4.1%2024▼ 20.0%WB
Present Value of External Debt (USD)$786.4M2024—WB
Use of IMF Credit (USD)$145.3M2024▼ 17.8%WB
Net ODA Received (% of GNI)6.7%2023▲ 23.0%WB
Net ODA Received (USD)$172.3M2023▲ 12.1%WB
▶Finance7 indicators · 2023–2024 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Domestic Credit to Private Sector (% of GDP)25.6%2024▲ 2.9%WB
Bank Capital to Assets Ratio (%)9.5%2023▼ 23.5%WB
Bank Nonperforming Loans (%)3.8%2023▼ 11.0%WB
Account Ownership at Financial Institution (%)61.6%2024▼ 3.2%WB
Account Ownership, Female (%)60.4%2024▼ 3.1%WB
Account Ownership, Male (%)62.9%2024▼ 3.3%WB
Firms Using Banks to Finance Investment (%)20.4%2023—WB
▶Business Environment1 indicator · 2023 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Time to Get Electricity (days)522023—WB
▶Private Sector6 indicators · 2023 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Firms Expected to Pay Bribes (%)10.2%2023—WB
Firms with Female Top Manager (%)55.4%2023—WB
Firms with Female Participation in Ownership (%)30.0%2023—WB
Firms Offering Training (%)33.1%2023—WB
Average Firm Age (years)15 years2023—WB
Firms Using Computers (%)55.4%2023—WB
▶People23 indicators · 2023–2025 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Population2.3M2024▲ 1.1%WB
Population Growth (%)1.1%2024▲ 1.2%WB
Population Density (per km²)762023▲ 1.1%WB
Surface Area (sq km)30,3602023▲ 0.0%WB
Land Area (sq km)30,3602023▲ 0.0%WB
Urban Population (%)43.7%2024▲ 2.3%WB
Urban Population (total)1.0M2024▲ 3.5%WB
Rural Population (%)56.3%2024▼ 1.7%WB
Life Expectancy at Birth57.4 years2023▲ 1.0%WB
Life Expectancy, Male54.6 years2023▲ 1.0%WB
Life Expectancy, Female60.0 years2023▲ 1.0%WB
Fertility Rate (births per woman)2.72023▼ 0.8%WB
Birth Rate (per 1,000)24.12023▼ 1.2%WB
Death Rate (per 1,000)10.62023▼ 2.5%WB
Net Migration-5,1922025▼ 1.7%WB
Population Ages 0–14 (%)34.5%2024▼ 1.2%WB
Population Ages 15–64 (%)61.6%2024▲ 0.6%WB
Population Ages 65+ (%)3.9%2024▲ 0.8%WB
Age Dependency Ratio (%)62.3%2024▼ 1.6%WB
Old-Age Dependency Ratio (%)6.3%2024▲ 0.2%WB
Youth Dependency Ratio (%)56.0%2024▼ 1.8%WB
Mortality Rate, Adult Male (per 1,000)470.62023▼ 2.4%WB
Mortality Rate, Adult Female (per 1,000)361.62023▼ 3.3%WB
▶Labor20 indicators · 2024–2025 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Total Labor Force889,5302025▲ 1.2%WB
Labor Force Participation (%)57.1%2025▼ 0.5%WB
Female Labor Force Participation (%)48.1%2025▼ 0.8%WB
Male Labor Force Participation (%)66.9%2025▼ 0.4%WB
Unemployment (%)16.3%2025▼ 0.2%WB
Female Unemployment (%)18.4%2025▼ 0.7%WB
Male Unemployment (%)14.7%2025▲ 0.4%WB
Youth Unemployment (%)24.7%2025▼ 0.3%WB
Employment in Agriculture (%)30.9%2025▼ 0.8%WB
Employment in Industry (%)33.0%2025▼ 0.2%WB
Employment in Services (%)36.1%2025▲ 0.9%WB
Self-Employed (%)65.4%2024—WB
Vulnerable Employment (%)32.6%2025▼ 0.4%WB
Wage & Salaried Workers (% of total)61.5%2025▲ 0.2%WB
Part-Time Employment (%)15.0%2024—WB
Employers (% of total employment)5.9%2025▼ 0.1%WB
Labor Force, Female (% of total)43.8%2025▼ 0.3%WB
Employment to Population Ratio (%)47.8%2025▼ 0.5%WB
Self-Employed (% of total)38.5%2025▼ 0.3%WB
NEET Youth (% not in education/employment)38.0%2024—WB
▶Education20 indicators · 2017–2024 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Education Spending (% of GDP)6.6%2024▼ 9.2%WB
Education Spending (% of govt expenditure)10.4%2024▼ 5.7%WB
Adult Literacy Rate (%)90.4%2024—WB
Female Literacy Rate (%)96.6%2024—WB
Male Literacy Rate (%)83.2%2024—WB
Youth Literacy Rate (%)96.5%2024—WB
Primary School Enrollment (%)80.2%2024▼ 1.8%WB
Secondary School Enrollment (%)59.4%2017—WB
Primary Completion Rate (%)67.0%2023▼ 5.1%WB
Lower Secondary Completion Rate (%)45.0%2024▲ 10.9%WB
Out-of-School Children, Primary124,1752024▲ 5.8%WB
Out-of-School Girls, Primary60,9972024▲ 5.9%WB
Primary School Teachers10,3882024▲ 3.7%WB
Secondary School Teachers5,6722023▲ 2.2%WB
Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Primary332017—WB
Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Secondary252017—WB
Expenditure per Student, Primary (% of GDP/cap)56.0%2018—WB
Pupil-Teacher Ratio (Primary)69.92022—WB
Education Spending, Secondary (% of govt)30.1%2018—WB
Education Spending, Tertiary (% of govt)7.4%2018—WB
▶Health39 indicators · 2019–2024 · WHO
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Health Spending (% of GDP)12.6%2023▼ 2.2%WHO
Health Spending per Capita (USD)$1232023▼ 8.0%WHO
Government Health Spending (% of GDP)5.8%2023▼ 10.8%WHO
Out-of-Pocket Health Spending (% of total)13.2%2023▲ 3.5%WHO
Physicians (per 1,000 people)0.22022—WHO
Nurses & Midwives (per 1,000)1.82022—WHO
Infant Mortality (per 1,000 live births)58.92023▼ 4.2%WHO
Neonatal Mortality (per 1,000)28.72023▼ 2.4%WHO
Maternal Mortality (per 100,000)4782023▲ 0.2%WHO
Under-5 Mortality, Female (per 1,000)52.82023▼ 4.3%WHO
Under-5 Mortality, Male (per 1,000)64.82023▼ 4.0%WHO
Cause of Death, Communicable (%)42.2%2019—WHO
Cause of Death, Non-Communicable (%)45.1%2019—WHO
Cause of Death, Injury (%)12.7%2019—WHO
Measles Immunization (% of children)90.0%2024▲ 18.4%WHO
DPT Immunization (% of children)86.0%2024▼ 4.4%WHO
HIV Incidence (per 1,000)1.92024▼ 17.4%WHO
Tuberculosis Incidence (per 100,000)5482024▼ 6.2%WHO
Stunting, Children Under 5 (%)35.6%2024—WHO
Overweight, Children Under 5 (%)7.7%2024—WHO
Smoking Prevalence, Males (%)43.6%2022▼ 0.9%WHO
Smoking Prevalence, Females (%)5.1%2022▼ 5.6%WHO
Suicide Mortality Rate (per 100,000)28.72021▼ 14.1%WHO
Alcohol Consumption (liters per capita)4.32020—WHO
Maternal Deaths2662023▲ 0.2%WHO
Tuberculosis Incidence (per 100K)5482024▼ 6.2%WHO
People Living with HIV260,0002024▼ 3.7%WHO
DTP3 Immunization Coverage (%)86%2024▼ 4.4%WHO
Measles Immunization Coverage (%)90%2024▲ 18.4%WHO
Hepatitis B Immunization Coverage (%)86%2024▼ 4.4%WHO
Physicians (total)22024▼ 21.7%WHO
Nursing & Midwifery Personnel342024—WHO
Dentists (total)4,7002024—WHO
Pharmacists (total)3,2442024—WHO
Child Wasting (<5 years, %)1.6%2024—WHO
Child Underweight (<5 years, %)12.5%2024—WHO
Universal Health Coverage Index552023▲ 0.0%WHO
Road Traffic Death Rate (per 100K)4922021—WHO
Health Expenditure per Capita (WHO, USD)$1232023▼ 8.0%WHO
▶Energy & Environment13 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB / WHO
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
CO₂ Emissions (tonnes per capita)0.42024▼ 0.2%WB
CO₂ Emissions (total kilotonnes)12024▲ 0.9%WB
Renewable Electricity Output (%)99.8%2021▼ 0.1%WB
Renewable Energy Consumption (%)34.9%2022▲ 3.9%WB
Access to Electricity (%)57.3%2023▲ 14.6%WB
Access to Clean Fuels for Cooking (%)53.8%2023▲ 3.9%WB
PM2.5 Air Pollution (µg/m³)23.42020—WB
Forest Area (%)1.1%2023▲ 0.0%WB
Forest Area (sq km)3452023▲ 0.0%WB
Arable Land (%)11.8%2023▲ 31.4%WB
Terrestrial Protected Areas (%)23.4%2024▲ 9.9%WB
Access to Basic Drinking Water (%)78.1%2024▲ 0.8%WHO
Access to Basic Sanitation (%)47.9%2024▲ 2.7%WHO
▶Agriculture10 indicators · 2022–2023 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Agricultural Land (%)77.8%2023▲ 3.8%WB
Cereal Yield (kg per hectare)8042023▲ 10.3%WB
Food Production Index (2014–2016=100)98.72022▼ 3.4%WB
Crop Production Index (2014–2016=100)107.62022▼ 9.7%WB
Livestock Production Index (2014–2016=100)93.82022▲ 1.3%WB
Land Under Cereal Production (hectares)177,9332023▲ 57.3%WB
Total Fisheries Production (metric tonnes)02023▼ 100.0%WB
Fertilizer Consumption (kg per hectare)8.72023▲ 6.1%WB
Annual Freshwater Withdrawals (% of internal)0.8%2022▲ 0.0%WB
Cereal Production (metric tons)143,0802023▲ 73.5%WB
▶Technology9 indicators · 2019–2024 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Internet Users (%)48.0%2023▲ 3.2%WB
Mobile Subscriptions (per 100 people)692023▲ 1.8%WB
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions (per 100)0.42023▼ 3.5%WB
Secure Internet Servers (per million)862024▼ 3.5%WB
Patent Applications, Residents12019—WB
Scientific Journal Articles482022▲ 9.1%WB
High-Technology Exports (USD)$622,8012024▲ 29.6%WB
ICT Service Exports (% of service exports)0.1%2024▲ 12.1%WB
ICT Service Exports (USD)$15,2842024▲ 0.7%WB
▶Infrastructure3 indicators · 2018–2021 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Logistics Performance Index (1–5)2.282018—WB
Electricity from Oil (%)0.1%2021▼ 41.4%WB
Electricity from Nuclear (%)0.0%2021—WB
▶Gender8 indicators · 2017–2025 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Women in Parliament (%)25.0%2024▼ 5.5%WB
Female Labor Force Participation, 15+ (%)57.5%2024—WB
Female Wage & Salaried Workers (%)66.4%2025▲ 0.4%WB
Girls Out-of-School Rate (%)113.8%2017—WB
Adolescent Fertility Rate (per 1,000)70.62023▼ 1.6%WB
Gender Parity Index, Primary119.702017—WB
Gender Parity Index, Secondary1.242019—WB
Gender Parity in Primary Education0.952019—WB
▶Governance10 indicators · 2023 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Control of Corruption-0.512023▼ 38.2%WB
Government Effectiveness-0.952023▼ 7.4%WB
Political Stability-0.312023▼ 4.4%WB
Regulatory Quality-0.592023▲ 4.1%WB
Rule of Law-0.482023▼ 1.4%WB
Voice & Accountability0.032023▼ 40.3%WB
Control of Corruption (percentile rank)33.5%2023▼ 18.4%WB
Government Effectiveness (percentile rank)16.5%2023▼ 7.9%WB
Rule of Law (percentile rank)34.0%2023▼ 5.3%WB
Political Stability (percentile rank)35.5%2023▼ 0.8%WB
▶Military5 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Military Spending (% of GDP)1.6%2024▼ 3.6%WB
Military Expenditure (USD)$36.3M2024▲ 5.4%WB
Armed Forces Personnel2,0002020—WB
Armed Forces (% of labor force)0.2%2020—WB
Military Spending (% of govt expenditure)2.5%2024▼ 22.4%WB
▶Social Protection4 indicators · 2010–2020 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Human Capital Index (0–1)0.402020—WB
Human Capital Index, Female0.362010—WB
Human Capital Index, Male0.322010—WB
Learning-Adjusted Years of School6.3 years2020—WB
▶Tourism2 indicators · 2019–2020 · WB
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
International Tourism, Arrivals1.1M2019—WB
Tourism Expenditures (USD)$277.0M2020—WB
▶Urban Development5 indicators · 2022–2024 · WB / WHO
IndicatorValueYearΔ YoYSrc
Urban Population Growth (%)3.4%2024▼ 1.7%WB
Population in Slums (% of urban)25.6%2022▲ 0.0%WB
Rural Population Growth (%)-0.6%2024▼ 0.6%WB
Access to Safely Managed Drinking Water (%)31.3%2024▲ 3.2%WHO
Access to Safely Managed Sanitation (%)43.8%2024▲ 2.3%WHO

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