Lesotho in figures

Every measured figure this catalogue holds for Lesotho, with the date each one was measured and the body that published it.

GDP

$2.6 bn

2025

from $887.3 m in 2000

GDP per person

$1 089

2025

from $443 in 2000

Real growth

2.0%

2025

from 3.9% in 2000

Inflation

4.3%

2025

from 6.1% in 2000

Unemployment

16.3%

2025

from 16.2% in 2000

Government debt

49.1%of GDP

2025

from 88.5% in 2000

Sections

Economy

How large Lesotho's economy is, how fast it grows and what it is made of

GDP, current US dollars

$2.6 bn2025

World Bank

Data

Year	GDP, current US dollars
2025	$2.6 bn
2024	$2.4 bn
2023	$2.1 bn
2022	$2.4 bn
2021	$2.4 bn
2020	$2.1 bn
2019	$2.4 bn
2018	$2.6 bn
2017	$2.3 bn
2016	$2.1 bn
2015	$2.4 bn
2014	$2.4 bn
2013	$2.4 bn
2012	$2.5 bn
2011	$2.6 bn
2010	$2.2 bn
2009	$1.7 bn
2008	$1.8 bn
2007	$1.7 bn
2006	$1.8 bn
2005	$1.7 bn
2004	$1.5 bn
2003	$1.2 bn
2002	$775.8 m
2001	$825.7 m
2000	$887.3 m

Series World Bank NY.GDP.MKTP.CD

Real GDP growth

2.0%2025

World Bank · IMF World Economic Outlook

Data

Year	Growth
2031 (projection)	1.5%
2030 (projection)	1.5%
2029 (projection)	1.5%
2028 (projection)	1.4%
2027 (projection)	0.8%
2026 (projection)	1.1%
2025	2.0%
2024	5.2%
2023	1.7%
2022	2.4%
2021	2.3%
2020	−8.2%
2019	−1.4%
2018	−1.5%
2017	−3.1%
2016	3.6%
2015	3.1%
2014	1.7%
2013	1.8%
2012	6.3%
2011	4.6%
2010	5.3%
2009	−1.3%
2008	5.5%
2007	4.2%
2006	4.2%
2005	3.5%
2004	1.7%
2003	4.6%
2002	0.7%
2001	3.6%
2000	3.9%

Series World Bank NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG · IMF World Economic Outlook NGDP_RPCH

GDP per person

$1 0892025

At market exchange ratesAt purchasing power parity

World Bank

Data

Year	GDP per person	At purchasing power
2025	$1 089	$3 184
2024	$1 023	$3 071
2023	$921	$2 880
2022	$1 030	$2 761
2021	$1 067	$2 545
2020	$919	$2 559
2019	$1 082	$2 568
2018	$1 171	$2 632
2017	$1 069	$2 619
2016	$992	$2 942
2015	$1 121	$3 035
2014	$1 174	$2 771
2013	$1 151	$2 538
2012	$1 218	$2 291
2011	$1 281	$2 279
2010	$1 119	$2 153
2009	$879	$2 036
2008	$898	$2 064
2007	$861	$1 932
2006	$925	$1 813
2005	$861	$1 681
2004	$767	$1 561
2003	$583	$1 484
2002	$389	$1 385
2001	$413	$1 350
2000	$443	$1 273

Series World Bank NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · World Bank NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD

Value added, share of GDP

Manufacturing has its own band and is left out of other industry. The remainder is taxes on products less subsidies, which the national accounts add to reach GDP.

200051%14%22%

202556%25%13%

Services
Manufacturing
Other industry and construction
Agriculture, forestry, fishing
Taxes less subsidies

World Bank

Prices and work

What prices and jobs did

Inflation, consumer prices

4.3%2025

World Bank · IMF World Economic Outlook

Data

Year	Inflation
2031 (projection)	4.0%
2030 (projection)	4.0%
2029 (projection)	4.0%
2028 (projection)	4.0%
2027 (projection)	3.9%
2026 (projection)	4.2%
2025	4.3%
2024	6.1%
2023	6.3%
2022	8.3%
2021	6.0%
2020	5.0%
2019	5.2%
2018	4.8%
2017	4.5%
2016	6.6%
2015	3.2%
2014	5.4%
2013	4.9%
2012	6.0%
2011	5.0%
2010	−2.4%
2009	−16.9%
2008	10.7%
2007	8.0%
2006	6.1%
2005	3.4%
2004	5.0%
2003	6.6%
2002	33.8%
2001	−9.6%
2000	6.1%

Series World Bank FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG · IMF World Economic Outlook PCPIPCH

Unemployment

16.3%2025

All agesAges 15 to 24

World Bank

Data

Year	Unemployment	Ages 15 to 24
2025	16.3%	24.7%
2024	16.3%	24.7%
2023	16.4%	24.7%
2022	16.6%	25.1%
2021	18.2%	27.2%
2020	18.4%	28.2%
2019	16.9%	25.3%
2018	16.6%	24.9%
2017	16.4%	24.5%
2016	16.1%	24.1%
2015	16.2%	24.0%
2014	16.1%	23.6%
2013	15.9%	23.3%
2012	15.8%	22.9%
2011	16.1%	23.2%
2010	16.1%	23.0%
2009	16.1%	22.9%
2008	15.8%	22.5%
2007	15.9%	22.5%
2006	16.1%	22.6%
2005	16.0%	22.5%
2004	16.1%	22.6%
2003	16.1%	22.4%
2002	16.1%	22.4%
2001	16.1%	22.4%
2000	16.2%	22.4%

Series World Bank SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS · World Bank SL.UEM.1524.ZS

Trade

How open the economy is

Exports and imports, share of GDP

49.5%2025

ExportsImports

World Bank

Data

Year	Exports of goods and services	Imports
2025	49.5%	104.5%
2024	49.4%	103.1%
2023	42.7%	98.0%
2022	46.5%	95.9%
2021	46.1%	93.0%
2020	44.5%	96.7%
2019	46.2%	94.3%
2018	49.8%	94.6%
2017	47.5%	98.9%
2016	45.8%	90.5%
2015	42.9%	86.8%
2014	38.1%	88.1%
2013	38.3%	95.1%
2012	41.8%	108.4%
2011	47.7%	102.1%
2010	42.1%	108.0%
2009	44.8%	114.1%
2008	52.9%	108.2%
2007	53.3%	111.8%

Series World Bank NE.EXP.GNFS.ZS · World Bank NE.IMP.GNFS.ZS

Current account balance, share of GDP

−0.1%2025

World Bank

Data

Year	Current account balance
2025	−0.1%
2024	3.7%
2023	−7.1%
2022	−11.4%
2021	−8.1%
2020	−5.9%
2019	−7.5%
2018	−5.6%
2017	−9.0%
2016	−10.5%
2015	−5.7%
2014	−8.4%
2013	−10.8%
2012	−18.8%
2011	−11.9%
2010	−11.0%
2009	−3.0%
2008	15.7%
2007	18.1%
2006	12.0%
2005	5.7%
2004	1.8%
2003	−1.5%
2002	8.2%
2001	3.5%
2000	−8.7%

Series World Bank BN.CAB.XOKA.GD.ZS

Foreign direct investment, net inflows, share of GDP

−0.2%2025

World Bank

Data

Year	Foreign direct investment, net inflows
2025	−0.2%
2024	−0.5%
2023	−1.2%
2022	−0.3%
2021	−0.5%
2020	1.4%
2019	1.5%
2018	1.6%
2017	1.8%
2016	3.8%
2015	4.8%
2014	3.9%
2013	2.1%
2012	2.3%
2011	2.4%
2010	0.4%
2009	5.3%
2008	0.6%
2007	4.5%
2006	1.4%
2005	1.6%
2004	3.7%
2003	3.8%
2002	3.7%
2001	3.6%
2000	3.6%

Series World Bank BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS

Public finances

What the state owes and borrows

General government gross debt, share of GDP

49.1%2025

IMF World Economic Outlook

Data

Year	General government gross debt
2031 (projection)	50.0%
2030 (projection)	48.6%
2029 (projection)	47.9%
2028 (projection)	48.1%
2027 (projection)	48.6%
2026 (projection)	49.0%
2025	49.1%
2024	52.8%
2023	61.1%
2022	64.4%
2021	58.0%
2020	54.7%
2019	58.2%
2018	48.2%
2017	41.0%
2016	41.5%
2015	45.8%
2014	41.5%
2013	41.2%
2012	39.8%
2011	36.2%
2010	33.8%
2009	35.9%
2008	47.0%
2007	49.6%
2006	43.7%
2005	41.0%
2004	49.4%
2003	52.6%
2002	79.6%
2001	108.7%
2000	88.5%

Series IMF World Economic Outlook GGXWDG_NGDP

Government net lending or borrowing, share of GDP

2.2%2025

Below zero the government borrowed.

IMF World Economic Outlook

Data

Year	General government net lending or borrowing
2031 (projection)	3.4%
2030 (projection)	3.7%
2029 (projection)	4.0%
2028 (projection)	4.4%
2027 (projection)	4.5%
2026 (projection)	4.2%
2025	2.2%
2024	8.2%
2023	7.4%
2022	−6.3%
2021	−4.8%
2020	1.4%
2019	−5.1%
2018	−4.4%
2017	−2.0%
2016	−9.4%
2015	−1.4%
2014	3.2%
2013	−2.6%
2012	4.6%
2011	−9.8%
2010	−1.5%
2009	−4.2%
2008	8.1%
2007	10.8%
2006	11.6%
2005	4.5%
2004	6.1%
2003	0.9%
2002	−2.4%
2001	−2.8%
2000	−0.9%

Series IMF World Economic Outlook GGXCNL_NGDP

Tax revenue, share of GDP

35.4%2024

World Bank

Data

Year	Tax revenue
2024	35.4%
2023	40.0%
2022	30.4%
2021	31.9%
2020	36.0%
2019	32.5%
2018	31.8%
2017	33.0%
2016	29.3%
2015	33.8%
2014	36.3%
2013	35.9%
2012	38.1%
2011	30.2%
2010	30.3%
2009	40.0%
2008	38.3%
2007	39.3%
2006	33.9%
2005	28.6%
2004	29.0%
2003	27.1%
2002	24.2%
2001	25.8%
2000	22.9%

Series World Bank GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS

People

Who lives in Lesotho

Population

2.36 m2025

The axis does not start at zero, so the change looks larger than it is.

World Bank

Data

Year	Population
2025	2.36 m
2024	2.34 m
2023	2.31 m
2022	2.29 m
2021	2.26 m
2020	2.24 m
2019	2.21 m
2018	2.18 m
2017	2.16 m
2016	2.13 m
2015	2.10 m
2014	2.08 m
2013	2.06 m
2012	2.03 m
2011	2.01 m
2010	2.00 m
2009	1.98 m
2008	1.97 m
2007	1.95 m
2006	1.95 m
2005	1.95 m
2004	1.97 m
2003	1.99 m
2002	1.99 m
2001	2.00 m
2000	2.00 m

Series World Bank SP.POP.TOTL

Age structure, share of the population

World Bank

Data

Year	Aged 0 to 14	15 to 64	65 and over
2025	34.1%	62.0%	3.9%
2024	34.5%	61.6%	3.9%
2023	34.9%	61.3%	3.8%
2022	35.3%	60.9%	3.8%
2021	35.6%	60.6%	3.8%
2020	35.8%	60.4%	3.8%
2019	36.1%	60.1%	3.8%
2018	36.3%	59.9%	3.8%
2017	36.5%	59.7%	3.8%
2016	36.6%	59.5%	3.8%
2015	36.6%	59.5%	3.9%
2014	36.6%	59.5%	3.9%
2013	36.5%	59.5%	4.0%
2012	36.5%	59.5%	4.0%
2011	36.5%	59.4%	4.1%
2010	36.5%	59.2%	4.2%
2009	36.6%	59.0%	4.3%
2008	36.7%	58.9%	4.5%
2007	36.8%	58.6%	4.6%
2006	37.1%	58.3%	4.7%
2005	37.4%	57.9%	4.7%
2004	37.7%	57.6%	4.7%
2003	38.1%	57.2%	4.7%
2002	38.6%	56.8%	4.6%
2001	39.1%	56.3%	4.6%
2000	39.6%	55.9%	4.5%

Series World Bank SP.POP.0014.TO.ZS · World Bank SP.POP.1564.TO.ZS · World Bank SP.POP.65UP.TO.ZS

Births per woman

2.662024

World Bank

Data

Year	Births per woman
2024	2.66
2023	2.69
2022	2.72
2021	2.77
2020	2.85
2019	2.92
2018	3.02
2017	3.11
2016	3.18
2015	3.22
2014	3.24
2013	3.28
2012	3.30
2011	3.34
2010	3.25
2009	3.31
2008	3.39
2007	3.44
2006	3.41
2005	3.43
2004	3.51
2003	3.62
2002	3.68
2001	3.63
2000	3.61

Series World Bank SP.DYN.TFRT.IN

Life expectancy at birth

57.8 years2024

World Bank

Data

Year	Life expectancy at birth
2024	57.8 years
2023	57.4 years
2022	56.8 years
2021	54.2 years
2020	55.1 years
2019	55.3 years
2018	54.6 years
2017	53.9 years
2016	52.9 years
2015	51.8 years
2014	50.8 years
2013	49.5 years
2012	48.2 years
2011	46.9 years
2010	46.0 years
2009	45.1 years
2008	44.3 years
2007	43.7 years
2006	43.2 years
2005	43.6 years
2004	44.0 years
2003	44.9 years
2002	46.0 years
2001	47.1 years
2000	48.8 years

Series World Bank SP.DYN.LE00.IN

Net migration

−5 1922025

People arriving less people leaving, each year.

World Bank

Data

Year	Net migration
2025	−5 192
2024	−5 107
2023	−5 168
2022	−6 023
2021	−3 449
2020	−3 449
2019	−6 896
2018	−6 892
2017	−6 850
2016	−6 766
2015	−7 087
2014	−6 877
2013	−6 659
2012	−6 425
2011	−6 118
2010	−5 886
2009	−5 599
2008	−5 392
2007	−5 179
2006	−11 416
2005	−35 679
2004	−33 530
2003	−31 723
2002	−29 924
2001	−27 874
2000	−26 220

Series World Bank SM.POP.NETM

Living standards

Health, schooling, the internet and inequality

Health spending, share of GDP

12.6%2023

World Bank

Data

Year	Health spending
2023	12.6%
2022	12.9%
2021	10.7%
2020	10.4%
2019	21.9%
2018	11.1%
2017	10.5%
2016	9.2%
2015	9.3%
2014	10.0%
2013	11.0%
2012	10.0%
2011	9.0%
2010	7.4%
2009	8.9%
2008	7.7%
2007	7.2%
2006	5.4%
2005	4.7%
2004	5.3%
2003	5.3%
2002	5.9%
2001	6.6%
2000	5.2%

Series World Bank SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS

Public spending on education, share of GDP

6.6%2024

World Bank

Data

Year	Public spending on education
2024	6.6%
2023	7.3%
2018	7.3%
2017	8.2%
2016	7.5%
2015	7.6%
2008	12.3%
2006	11.3%
2005	12.1%
2004	11.1%
2003	13.2%
2002	10.1%
2001	9.4%
2000	10.1%

Series World Bank SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS

Using the internet

51.8%2024

World Bank

Data

Year	Using the internet
2024	51.8%
2023	49.0%
2022	48.1%
2021	45.1%
2020	43.7%
2019	42.3%
2018	40.8%
2017	39.0%
2016	32.5%
2015	25.0%
2014	22.0%
2013	15.0%
2012	10.0%
2011	7.0%
2010	3.9%
2009	3.7%
2008	3.6%
2007	3.5%
2006	3.0%
2005	2.6%
2004	2.2%
2003	1.5%
2002	1.1%
2001	0.3%
2000	0.2%

Series World Bank IT.NET.USER.ZS

Gini coefficient

44.92017

World Bank

Data

Year	Gini coefficient
2017	44.9
2002	51.2

Series World Bank SI.POV.GINI

Living in towns and cities

44.7%2025

World Bank

Data

Year	Living in towns and cities
2025	44.7%
2024	43.7%
2023	42.7%
2022	41.7%
2021	40.7%
2020	39.6%
2019	38.6%
2018	37.6%
2017	36.5%
2016	35.5%
2015	34.1%
2014	32.6%
2013	31.2%
2012	29.9%
2011	28.6%
2010	27.4%
2009	26.3%
2008	25.2%
2007	24.2%
2006	23.3%
2005	22.5%
2004	21.8%
2003	21.1%
2002	20.5%
2001	19.9%
2000	19.3%

Series World Bank SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS

Energy and environment

Energy, emissions and forest

Electricity from renewable sources

99.8%2021

−0.1 points since 2000, between 99.8% and 99.9% in every year

200099.9%

202199.8%

World Bank

Data

Year	Electricity from renewable sources
2021	99.8%
2020	99.9%
2019	99.9%
2018	99.9%
2017	99.9%
2016	99.9%
2015	99.9%
2014	99.9%
2013	99.9%
2012	99.9%
2011	99.9%
2010	99.9%
2009	99.9%
2008	99.9%
2007	99.9%
2006	99.9%
2005	99.9%
2004	99.9%
2003	99.9%
2002	99.9%
2001	99.9%
2000	99.9%

Series World Bank EG.ELC.RNEW.ZS

Renewable share of final energy use

34.9%2022

World Bank

Data

Year	Renewable share of final energy use
2022	34.9%
2021	33.6%
2020	43.2%
2019	41.6%
2018	42.5%
2017	41.5%
2016	45.1%
2015	46.0%
2014	43.2%
2013	46.1%
2012	40.8%
2011	42.3%
2010	53.0%
2009	54.0%
2008	55.0%
2007	55.3%
2006	55.5%
2005	55.3%
2004	55.4%
2003	55.9%
2002	56.2%
2001	56.5%
2000	56.7%

Series World Bank EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS

CO2 emissions per person

0.4 t2024

World Bank

Data

Year	CO2 emissions per person
2024	0.4 t
2023	0.4 t
2022	0.4 t
2021	0.3 t
2020	0.3 t
2019	0.3 t
2018	0.3 t
2017	0.3 t
2016	0.3 t
2015	0.3 t
2014	0.3 t
2013	0.3 t
2012	0.3 t
2011	0.3 t
2010	0.3 t
2009	0.3 t
2008	0.2 t
2007	0.3 t
2006	0.2 t
2005	0.2 t
2004	0.2 t
2003	0.2 t
2002	0.2 t
2001	0.2 t
2000	0.2 t

Series World Bank EN.GHG.CO2.PC.CE.AR5

Forest cover

1.1%2023

+0.0 points since 2000, between 1.1% and 1.1% in every year

20001.1%

20231.1%

World Bank

Data

Year	Forest cover
2023	1.1%
2022	1.1%
2021	1.1%
2020	1.1%
2019	1.1%
2018	1.1%
2017	1.1%
2016	1.1%
2015	1.1%
2014	1.1%
2013	1.1%
2012	1.1%
2011	1.1%
2010	1.1%
2009	1.1%
2008	1.1%
2007	1.1%
2006	1.1%
2005	1.1%
2004	1.1%
2003	1.1%
2002	1.1%
2001	1.1%
2000	1.1%

Series World Bank AG.LND.FRST.ZS

Codes

Lesotho's codes and memberships

The state

Status: Sovereign state
State since: 1966
Government: constitutional monarchy
Official languages: English, Sesotho
United Nations: Member

Identifiers

LSISO alpha-2

LSOISO alpha-3

426ISO numeric

Calling code: +266
Internet domain: .ls
Time zone: UTC+02:00

Memberships

Also a member, joining year not on record

Record generated 2026-08-31, series 2026-09-27 · Q1013 · World Bank data · Africa