Lesotho—Female Unemployment (%)
Category: LaborSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #17 of 187Updated May 2026
Latest Value
18.4%
2025
YoY Change
-0.7%
2024 → 2025
Global Rank
#17
of 187 countries
Maximum
20.6%
2020
Minimum
17.8%
2012
CAGR
+0.1%
26 years
Last
18.4%
Previous
18.6%
Highest
20.6%
Lowest
17.8%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
Lesotho's female unemployment (%) was 18.4% in 2025, ranking #17 out of 187 countries. This represents a -0.7% change from 2024. Over the past 26 years, the highest recorded value was 20.6% (2020) and the lowest was 17.8% (2012). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18.4% | -0.7% |
| 2024 | 18.6% | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 18.6% | -1.6% |
| 2022 | 18.9% | -7.5% |
| 2021 | 20.4% | -0.8% |
| 2020 | 20.6% | +7.8% |
| 2019 | 19.1% | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 18.8% | +1.5% |
| 2017 | 18.5% | +1.5% |
| 2016 | 18.2% | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 18.3% | +1.0% |
| 2014 | 18.1% | +0.9% |
| 2013 | 18.0% | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 17.8% | -2.1% |
| 2011 | 18.2% | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 18.1% | -0.2% |
| 2009 | 18.2% | +1.7% |
| 2008 | 17.9% | -0.5% |
| 2007 | 18.0% | -0.6% |
| 2006 | 18.1% | +0.2% |
| 2005 | 18.0% | -0.7% |
| 2004 | 18.2% | +0.6% |
| 2003 | 18.0% | -0.1% |
| 2002 | 18.1% | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 18.1% | -0.5% |
| 2000 | 18.1% |
Top Countries — Female Unemployment (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Bank and Gaza | 40.0% | 2022 |
| 2 | Eswatini | 36.0% | 2025 |
| 3 | Djibouti | 35.4% | 2025 |
| 4 | South Africa | 34.0% | 2025 |
| 5 | Yemen, Rep. | 30.3% | 2025 |
| 6 | Iraq | 30.1% | 2025 |
| 7 | Gabon | 28.6% | 2025 |
| 8 | Botswana | 27.9% | 2025 |
| 9 | Syrian Arab Republic | 26.1% | 2025 |
| 10 | Libya | 25.2% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.
Methodology
Data compiled by ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), uri: https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/bulk/, publisher: ILOSTAT, type: external database, date accessed: January 17, 2026.