🇱🇸 Lesotho
Population: 2,363,325 in 2025 for Lesotho (Africa), position 142 out of 213 worldwide. GDP per capita – Lesotho: $1,089 /inh. (2025), ranking 194 out of 211. Economic growth is 2 % (2025). The unemployment rate is 16.3 % (2025). Annual inflation stands at 4.3 % (2025).
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Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths – Lesotho, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Population living less than 5 m above sea level (1/212), Share of adults with the right to vote (1/173), Women's legal equality: property and inheritance (1/186).
Weaknesses – Lesotho, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Healthy life expectancy (182/183), Male suicide rate (182/183), Male life expectancy at birth (211/213).
Regional comparison
- GDP per capita: Lesotho has $1,089 /inh., below the regional median (Africa: $1,658 /inh.).
- Unemployment: Lesotho has 16.3 %, above the regional median (Africa: 6 %).
- Inflation (consumer prices): Lesotho has 4.3 %, above the regional median (Africa: 3.3 %).
- GDP growth: Lesotho has 2 %, below the regional median (Africa: 4.6 %).
Comparable countries
From closest to furthest. The proximity score (0 to 100) compares each country’s position across all the indicators they have in common: 100 = identical profiles.
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- 3🇧🇼Botswana246 indicators compared36/100
- 4🇱🇷Liberia235 indicators compared32/100
- 5🇸🇿Eswatini249 indicators compared29/100
- 6🇬🇲Gambia246 indicators compared28/100
- 7🇬🇾Guyana242 indicators compared27/100
- 8🇷🇼Rwanda249 indicators compared26/100
- 9🇿🇲Zambia247 indicators compared26/100
- 10🇹🇱Timor-Leste245 indicators compared26/100
- 11🇰🇮Kiribati199 indicators compared26/100
- 12🇬🇭Ghana247 indicators compared25/100
All indicators
·Wealth & Growth 9
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural resource rents | 4.3 % | 2021 | 80 of 211 |
| GDP growth | 2 % | 2025 | 145 of 211 |
| GDP per capita growth | 0.9 % | 2025 | 153 of 211 |
| Net national income per capita | $1,037 /inh. | 2021 | 154 of 184 |
| GDP, purchasing power parity | $7.5B | 2025 | 165 of 201 |
| Gross national income per capita (Atlas method) | $1,280 /inh. | 2025 | 180 of 205 |
| GDP | $2.6B | 2025 | 184 of 211 |
| GDP per capita, purchasing power parity | $3,184 /inh. | 2025 | 184 of 201 |
| GDP per capita | $1,089 /inh. | 2025 | 194 of 211 |
Prices, Inflation & Currency 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lending interest rate | 11.2 % | 2024 | 52 of 146 |
| Real interest rate | 4.9 % | 2024 | 74 of 146 |
| Inflation (GDP deflator) | 3 % | 2025 | 93 of 210 |
| Official exchange rate | 17.89 LCU/$ | 2025 | 97 of 211 |
| Broad money supply (M3) | 42.3 % | 2020 | 115 of 164 |
| Inflation (consumer prices) | 4.3 % | 2025 | 139 of 191 |
Employment 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment in industry | 33 % | 2025 | 9 of 184 |
| Employment in agriculture | 30.9 % | 2025 | 56 of 184 |
| Self-employed workers | 38.5 % | 2025 | 81 of 184 |
| Labor force participation rate (ages 15 and over) | 57.1 % | 2025 | 127 of 184 |
| Employment rate (ages 15 and over) | 47.8 % | 2025 | 151 of 184 |
| Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) | 24.7 % | 2025 | 154 of 184 |
| Employment in services | 36.1 % | 2025 | 162 of 184 |
| Unemployment | 16.3 % | 2025 | 172 of 184 |
Foreign Trade 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imports of goods and services | 104.5 % | 2025 | 7 of 192 |
| Trade openness | 154 % | 2025 | 21 of 192 |
| Exports of goods and services | 49.5 % | 2025 | 59 of 192 |
| Current account balance | 0.1 % | 2025 | 78 of 198 |
| Merchandise exports | $773M | 2025 | 159 of 205 |
| High-technology exports | 0.1 % | 2024 | 178 of 185 |
| Services exports | $18.7M | 2025 | 192 of 198 |
Investment, Tourism & Aid 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Migrant remittances received | 20.8 % | 2025 | 15 of 196 |
| Official development aid received | 6.6 % | 2023 | 35 of 160 |
| International tourist arrivals | 1,142,000 arr. | 2019 | 91 of 202 |
| Foreign direct investment inflows | 1.3 % | 2025 | 130 of 201 |
| Foreign direct investment inflows (amount) | $33.5M | 2025 | 167 of 203 |
| International tourism receipts | $23.1M | 1999 | 183 of 201 |
Public finances 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tax revenue | 35.4 % | 2024 | 1 of 161 |
| Central government debt | 3 % | 2020 | 3 of 109 |
| Budget balance | 7.2 % | 2024 | 4 of 158 |
| Government final consumption | 36.4 % | 2025 | 8 of 187 |
| Central government spending | 40.2 % | 2022 | 17 of 160 |
| Military spending | 1.6 % | 2025 | 89 of 165 |
| Share of income taxes in government revenue | 20.4 % | 2024 | 91 of 159 |
| Research and development spending | 0.1 % | 2023 | 131 of 155 |
Finance & Reserves 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reserves in months of imports | 5.5 months | 2024 | 60 of 177 |
| External debt | 65.4 % | 2024 | 88 of 121 |
| Domestic credit to the private sector | 24.3 % | 2024 | 128 of 184 |
| Total reserves (including gold) | $1B | 2024 | 145 of 180 |
Economic structure 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household final consumption | 96.8 % | 2025 | 11 of 189 |
| Gross capital formation | 31.2 % | 2025 | 30 of 185 |
| Manufacturing | 12.1 % | 2024 | 80 of 201 |
| Industry (including construction) | 25.2 % | 2025 | 86 of 205 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 6.5 % | 2025 | 100 of 203 |
| Services | 55.6 % | 2025 | 115 of 202 |
| Gross savings | 13.6 % | 2025 | 140 of 178 |
Population & Vital Statistics 13
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of women in the population | 51.2 % | 2025 | 50 of 213 |
| Share of 0-14 year olds | 34.1 % | 2025 | 52 of 213 |
| Age dependency ratio | 61.2 per 100 | 2025 | 64 of 213 |
| Adults with an official ID | 86.7 % | 2024 | 115 of 145 |
| Population | 2,363,325 inhab. | 2025 | 142 of 213 |
| Share of 15-64 year olds | 62 % | 2025 | 150 of 213 |
| Urban population | 44.7 % | 2025 | 160 of 213 |
| Births registered with civil authorities | 44.5 % | 2018 | 164 of 178 |
| Number of men per 100 women | 95.1 per 100 women | 2025 | 164 of 213 |
| Share of men in the population | 48.8 % | 2025 | 164 of 213 |
| Share of people aged 65 and over | 3.9 % | 2025 | 167 of 213 |
| Median age of the population | 21.4 yrs | 2023 | 176 of 226 |
| Boys per 100 girls at birth | 102.8 per 100 girls | 2024 | 198 of 213 |
Births, deaths and life expectancy 14
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death rate | 10.5 per 1,000 | 2024 | 29 of 213 |
| Birth rate | 23.8 per 1,000 | 2024 | 54 of 213 |
| Children per woman | 2.66 children/woman | 2024 | 66 of 213 |
| Population growth | 1.1 % | 2025 | 93 of 213 |
| Road traffic deaths | 31.9 per 100,000 | 2019 | 171 of 188 |
| Under-5 mortality | 60 per 1,000 | 2024 | 175 of 194 |
| Female suicide rate | 11 per 100,000 | 2023 | 176 of 183 |
| Suicide rate | 35 per 100,000 | 2023 | 181 of 183 |
| Healthy life expectancy | 47.9 yrs | 2023 | 182 of 183 |
| Male suicide rate | 66.5 per 100,000 | 2023 | 182 of 183 |
| Infant mortality | 56.3 per 1,000 | 2024 | 185 of 194 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 57.8 yrs | 2024 | 210 of 213 |
| Female life expectancy at birth | 60.4 yrs | 2024 | 210 of 213 |
| Male life expectancy at birth | 55 yrs | 2024 | 211 of 213 |
Health and healthcare system 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health expenditure | 12.6 % | 2023 | 8 of 191 |
| Share of health spending paid directly by patients | 13.2 % | 2023 | 41 of 191 |
| Measles vaccination | 90 % | 2024 | 92 of 191 |
| Hospital beds | 1.3 per 1,000 | 2006 | 134 of 190 |
| Nurses and midwives | 1.76 per 1,000 | 2022 | 144 of 196 |
| HIV prevalence | 17.1 % | 2024 | 150 of 152 |
| Physicians | 0.24 per 1,000 | 2022 | 159 of 193 |
| Access to basic drinking water | 78.1 % | 2024 | 176 of 211 |
| Access to basic sanitation | 47.9 % | 2024 | 178 of 211 |
| Open defecation | 14.8 % | 2024 | 186 of 211 |
| New tuberculosis cases | 548 per 100,000 | 2024 | 203 of 206 |
Body and lifestyle 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity among adult men | 6.3 % | 2024 | 32 of 196 |
| Diabetes prevalence | 6.2 % | 2024 | 48 of 207 |
| Mean body mass index of women | 27 kg/m² | 2016 | 62 of 190 |
| Tobacco use among women | 6.6 % | 2024 | 85 of 165 |
| Adult obesity | 22.2 % | 2024 | 96 of 196 |
| Alcohol consumption per capita | 4.2 L/person | 2024 | 104 of 202 |
| Tobacco use | 28 % | 2024 | 129 of 165 |
| Obesity among adult women | 36 % | 2024 | 139 of 196 |
| Tobacco use among men | 49.4 % | 2024 | 150 of 165 |
| Mean body mass index of men | 22.7 kg/m² | 2016 | 150 of 190 |
| Average height of women | 155.7 cm | 2014 | 160 of 198 |
| Average height of men | 165.6 cm | 2014 | 169 of 198 |
Origins, languages and religions 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of the population: Christians | 97.3 % | 2020 | 11 of 192 |
| Religious diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.72 | 2003 | 20 of 204 |
| Share of the population: Hindus | 0 % | 2020 | 79 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Jews | 0 % | 2020 | 94 of 192 |
| Share of the population: other religions (including folk religions) | 0.7 % | 2020 | 105 of 192 |
| Share of the population: people with no religious affiliation | 1.7 % | 2020 | 114 of 192 |
| Linguistic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.25 | 2003 | 115 of 203 |
| Ethnic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.26 | 2003 | 128 of 205 |
| Share of the population: Buddhists | 0 % | 2020 | 133 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Muslims | 0.2 % | 2020 | 146 of 192 |
| Share of immigrants in the population | 0.6 % | 2024 | 184 of 212 |
| Majority religion | Christians (over 50%) | 2020 | 114 countries out of 192 in the same category |
Inequality 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income share of the richest 10% | 32.9 % | 2017 | 29 of 169 |
| Gini index | 44.9 | 2017 | 151 of 169 |
| Extreme poverty | 41.9 % | 2017 | 153 of 169 |
| Income share of the poorest 20% | 4.6 % | 2017 | 154 of 169 |
Territory & Borders 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length of land borders | 1,106 km | 2026 | 118 of 230 |
| Population density | 77 inh./km² | 2024 | 126 of 212 |
| Land area | 30,360 km² | 2024 | 136 of 212 |
| Number of neighboring countries | 1 countries | 2026 | 137 of 223 |
| Total area | 30,360 km² | 2024 | 137 of 212 |
| Length of coastline | 0 km | 2026 | 184 of 227 |
| Latitude of the country's center | -29.6 ° | 2026 | 224 of 232 |
| Landlocked country | Landlocked | 2026 | 44 countries out of 227 in the same category |
Terrain, Water & Climate 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest point | 1,400 m | 2026 | 1 of 228 |
| Population living less than 5 m above sea level | 0 % | 2015 | 1 of 212 |
| Average elevation | 2,161 m | 2026 | 5 of 166 |
| Highest point | 3,482 m | 2026 | 52 of 229 |
| Renewable fresh water per person | 2,288 m³/inh. | 2022 | 97 of 181 |
| Average annual rainfall | 788 mm | 2022 | 106 of 180 |
Land & Nature 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural land | 92.9 % | 2024 | 2 of 207 |
| Arable land | 19 % | 2024 | 58 of 204 |
| Protected land areas | 23.4 % | 2025 | 61 of 210 |
| Forest cover | 1.1 % | 2024 | 193 of 210 |
Democracy & Elections 13
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of adults with the right to vote | 100 % | 2025 | 1 of 173 |
| Minimum voting age | 18 yrs | 2026 | 12 of 222 |
| Core civil society index | 0.92 | 2025 | 19 of 173 |
| Egalitarian democracy index | 0.49 | 2025 | 54 of 173 |
| Free and fair elections index | 0.79 | 2025 | 58 of 173 |
| Electoral democracy index | 0.66 | 2025 | 60 of 173 |
| Participatory democracy index | 0.4 | 2025 | 61 of 173 |
| Liberal democracy index | 0.51 | 2025 | 62 of 173 |
| Civil society participation index | 0.74 | 2025 | 70 of 173 |
| Head of the executive chosen through multiparty elections | Executive from multiparty elections | 2025 | 141 countries out of 173 in the same category |
| Multiparty legislative elections | Multiparty legislative elections | 2025 | 158 countries out of 167 in the same category |
| Multiparty national elections | Multiparty elections | 2025 | 148 countries out of 167 in the same category |
| Political regime | Electoral democracy | 2025 | 55 countries out of 173 in the same category |
Civil Liberties & Human Rights 9
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equality of civil liberties across social groups | 1.83 | 2025 | 32 of 173 |
| Freedom of association index | 0.87 | 2025 | 38 of 173 |
| Political civil liberties index | 0.86 | 2025 | 59 of 173 |
| Index of individual liberties and equality before the law | 0.83 | 2025 | 62 of 173 |
| Human rights index (V-Dem) | 0.84 | 2025 | 65 of 173 |
| Private civil liberties index | 0.82 | 2025 | 73 of 173 |
| Protection from physical violence by the state (V-Dem) | 0.84 | 2025 | 75 of 174 |
| Academic freedom index | 0.64 | 2025 | 83 of 173 |
| Freedom of expression index | 0.73 | 2025 | 84 of 173 |
Governance & Rule of Law 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absence of corruption in the judiciary | 1.11 | 2025 | 50 of 173 |
| Judicial constraints on the executive index | 0.82 | 2025 | 52 of 173 |
| Rule of law index (V-Dem) | 0.72 | 2025 | 65 of 173 |
| Political corruption index | 0.47 | 2025 | 82 of 173 |
| Voice and accountability (WGI) | 0.1 | 2025 | 97 of 203 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index | 37 pts | 2024 | 99 of 179 |
| Control of corruption (WGI) | -0.27 | 2025 | 112 of 205 |
| Political stability and absence of violence (WGI) | -0.01 | 2025 | 119 of 205 |
| Rule of law (WGI) | -0.47 | 2025 | 132 of 205 |
| Regulatory quality (WGI) | -0.49 | 2025 | 135 of 203 |
| Government effectiveness (WGI) | -0.64 | 2025 | 156 of 203 |
Women's rights 16
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year women gained the right to vote | 1,965 | 2025 | 39 of 189 |
| Share of women in parliament | 25 % | 2025 | 100 of 192 |
| Share of women among ministers | 11.8 % | 2025 | 145 of 192 |
| Paid maternity leave | Paid leave of less than 98 days | 2025 | 59 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Paid paternity leave | No paid leave | 2025 | 65 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to vote | Right to vote granted to all women | 2025 | 189 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Women's right to take a job without permission | Same right as men | 2025 | 168 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to travel abroad | Same right as men | 2025 | 171 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal inheritance between sons and daughters | Equal rights for sons and daughters | 2025 | 146 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal pay for work of equal value | Written into law | 2025 | 98 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal property ownership rights | Equal rights for men and women | 2025 | 165 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Ban on gender discrimination in employment | Discrimination prohibited by law | 2025 | 157 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Femicide law | No specific provision | 2025 | 151 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Law on sexual harassment | One to three areas covered | 2025 | 151 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Law on domestic violence | Law covering some forms of violence | 2025 | 38 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal quota for women on company boards | No mandatory quota | 2025 | 147 countries out of 186 in the same category |
Women's Legal Equality (Indices) 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's legal equality: property and inheritance | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: marriage | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: pay and occupations | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: entrepreneurship | 75 /100 | 2025 | 12 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: retirement | 83.3 /100 | 2025 | 60 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: overall index | 66.7 /100 | 2025 | 105 of 186 |
| Legal protection of women against violence | 25 /100 | 2025 | 123 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: mobility | 87.5 /100 | 2025 | 124 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: access to employment | 50 /100 | 2025 | 128 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: childcare | 0 /100 | 2025 | 147 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: parental leave and pregnancy | 46.5 /100 | 2025 | 150 of 186 |
LGBTQ+ rights 17
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| LGBT rights index (composite policy index) | 3.8 pts | 2025 | 72 of 194 |
| Joint adoption by a same-sex couple | Not allowed | 2025 | 155 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Age of sexual consent: same-sex couples | Same as for different-sex couples | 2025 | 120 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal change of gender marker | Not legally possible | 2025 | 125 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Anti-LGBT hate crimes: aggravating circumstance | Not covered | 2025 | 126 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on incitement to anti-LGBT hatred | Not prohibited | 2025 | 141 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on non-consensual surgeries on intersex children | Not banned | 2025 | 182 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on conversion therapies | Not banned | 2025 | 169 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Laws limiting public LGBT expression (“propaganda”) | No restrictions | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex marriage and civil union | No legal provision | 2025 | 45 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Death penalty for same-sex relations | No death penalty provided for | 2025 | 185 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection against employment discrimination (sexual orientation, gender identity) | Sexual orientation and gender identity protected | 2025 | 52 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection from discrimination in goods and services (LGBT) | No protection | 2025 | 125 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection of sexual orientation and gender identity in the constitution | Not mentioned | 2025 | 180 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal recognition of a third gender | Not recognized | 2025 | 174 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex sexual relations | Legal | 2025 | 130 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Gender-affirming care: coverage and restrictions | Neither coverage nor national restriction | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Justice and security 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 38.2 per 100,000 | 2008 | 182 of 192 |
| United Nations Convention against Torture | State party | 2026 | 171 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) | State party | 2026 | 172 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Civilian access to handguns | Prohibited for civilians | 2026 | 60 countries out of 113 in the same category |
| Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court | State party | 2026 | 117 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Legal status of the death penalty | Retained and applied | 2026 | 53 countries out of 195 in the same category |
| Legal status of cannabis (medical use) | Prohibited | 2026 | 126 countries out of 180 in the same category |
| Legal status of cannabis (recreational use) | Prohibited but rarely prosecuted | 2026 | 16 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Health and reproductive rights 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family planning needs met by modern methods | 81.7 % | 2024 | 5 of 78 |
| Use of modern contraceptives | 65.3 % | 2024 | 32 of 181 |
| Unmet need for contraception | 12.6 % | 2024 | 53 of 150 |
| Births attended by skilled health personnel | 86.6 % | 2018 | 155 of 204 |
| Adolescent birth rate | 69.6 per 1,000 | 2024 | 175 of 213 |
| Maternal mortality | 478 per 100,000 | 2023 | 183 of 192 |
| Abortion: grounds allowed by law | Allowed for health reasons, rape or fetal impairment | 2026 | 70 countries out of 191 in the same category |
Work and social rights 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children in child labor (ages 5-17) | 8.5 % | 2018 | 24 of 64 |
| Non-respect of freedom of association and collective bargaining | 2 /10 | 2024 | 107 of 186 |
| Statutory monthly minimum wage in purchasing power parity | $306 | 2024 | 119 of 168 |
| Legal monthly minimum wage | $103 | 2024 | 126 of 168 |
| Trade union membership rate | 4.8 % | 2019 | 127 of 137 |
| Population covered by at least one social benefit | 11.7 % | 2021 | 179 of 210 |
Family & Nationality 10
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of civil majority | 21 yrs | 2026 | 1 of 187 |
| Women married before age 18 | 13.4 % | 2024 | 58 of 144 |
| Years of residence required for naturalization | 5 yrs | 2026 | 66 of 152 |
| Dual nationality | Not recognised | 2026 | 98 countries out of 191 in the same category |
| Women's right to be head of household | Same right as men | 2025 | 157 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to divorce | Same right as men | 2025 | 142 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal framework on child marriage | At least one condition is missing | 2025 | 141 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Nationality acquired by birth on the territory | Nationality acquired automatically by birth in the country | 2026 | 38 countries out of 192 in the same category |
| Wife's legal duty of obedience to her husband | No duty of obedience in the law | 2025 | 168 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal status of polygamy | Recognized only by customary law | 2026 | 8 countries out of 167 in the same category |
Civic duties 3
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of entry into primary school | 6 yrs | 2025 | 33 of 207 |
| Duration of compulsory schooling | 7 yrs | 2025 | 165 of 194 |
| Compulsory voting | Voluntary voting | 2026 | 199 countries out of 226 in the same category |
Frequently asked questions
How many people live in Lesotho?
Lesotho has about 2,363,325 inhabitants (2025), ranking 142 worldwide out of 213 countries.
What is the GDP per capita of Lesotho?
GDP per capita is $1,089 /inh. (2025): Lesotho ranks 194 out of 211 countries.
What is the inflation rate in Lesotho?
Annual inflation is 4.3 % (2025); Lesotho ranks 139 out of 191 (ranked from lowest to highest).
What is the unemployment rate in Lesotho?
The unemployment rate is 16.3 % (2025); Lesotho ranks 172 out of 184 (ranked from lowest to highest).
Where does Lesotho stand in its region (Africa)?
GDP per capita: Lesotho has $1,089 /inh., below the regional median (Africa: $1,658 /inh.).
Where do the figures on Lesotho come from?
The data comes from public sources (World Bank, CIA World Factbook…), cited on each indicator page, with the year of each value.
Rank is the position in the world ranking for each indicator (the ranking direction is given on the indicator's page). Sources and update dates are on each indicator's page.