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Photo: User:Kentstander derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.5 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Lesotho
Lesotho places highest on Government Spending on Education (top 4% worldwide) and lowest on Life Expectancy at Birth (bottom 1%).
Lesotho in the Nations Inquiry Country Index
At a glance
Population
2,311,472
people
since 1950
Land area
30,360
km²
since 1961
GDP per person
2,721
international $, PPP
since 1990
Life expectancy
57.37
years at birth
since 1950
Human development
0.55
HDI, 0–1
since 1990
Unemployment
16.32
% of the labour force
since 1991
The newest published figure for each, the year it describes and who published it, with a line showing how it has moved.
01The country
About Lesotho
Key facts about Lesotho
- Capital
- Maseru
- Official languages
- English, Sesotho
- Currencies
- loti (LSL), rand (ZAR)
- ISO code
- LSO · LS
- Domain · dialling
- .ls · +266
As Wikidata records them. Official languages are the least consistent — some countries list only a national language, others every regional one. Sources and licences.
02Country Index 2026
Where it stands, topic by topic
Strongest first. Each position is Lesotho’s place among the countries with a standing on that topic, built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things.
38thof 191
From 3 of 3 key statistics
53rdof 177
From 3 of 3 key statistics
92ndof 198
From 3 of 3 key statistics
121stof 182
From 4 of 4 key statistics
joint127thof 178
From 3 of 3 key statistics
144thof 193
From 5 of 5 key statistics
joint140thof 182
From 4 of 4 key statistics
118thof 150
From 2 of 3 key statistics
joint184thof 194
From 3 of 3 key statistics
192ndof 201
From 3 of 4 key statistics
No standing — Lesotho holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
No standing — Lesotho holds too few of this subject’s key statistics to be placed on it.
Each standing is built from a few key statistics chosen to measure different things. Select a subject for Lesotho’s readings on it, or see every statistic held for Lesotho in the table further down this page.
03Highs and lows
Where Lesotho stands out
The two ends of its own record: every statistic on which Lesotho sits within ten places of the best or worst in the world, plus its strongest and weakest readings overall. Each is turned into a percentile — its place among every country measured — which is what lets a hunger score and a press-freedom rank be compared at all.
Where Lesotho does best6
In the top third of all countries measured. 2 are within ten places of the best in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 1stDeaths in Organized Violencetop 35%
Position · derived 59th of 59 · 1 = worst · 0 · 2025
world median 0
- 6th
Position · derived 6th of 123 · 7.29 · 2023
world median 3.709 (better)
- Gender Development Indextop 10%
Position · derived 18th of 184 · 1.006 · 2023
world median 0.971 (better) · ▼ 6 pts since 2013
- Global Militarisation Indextop 14%
Rank 129th of 149 · 1 = worst · 59.42 · 2023
world median 100.66 (better) · ▲ 15 pts since 2013
- World Risk Indextop 14%
Position · derived 167th of 193 · 1 = worst · 1.41 · 2025
world median 4.17 (better) · ▼ 2 pts since 2015
Position · derived 26th of 179 · 30.04 · 2025
world median 19.16 (better)
Where Lesotho struggles most7
In the bottom third of all countries measured. 7 are within ten places of the worst in the world, in a field of at least 50 countries — marked with that place.
- 3rdLife Expectancy at Birthbottom 1%
Position · derived 220th of 222 · 57.37 · 2023
world median 74.63 (worse)
- 4thOut-of-School Rate, Primarybottom 3%
Position · derived 4th of 121 · 1 = worst · 32.17 · 2024
world median 3.691 (worse) · ▼ 9 pts since 2014
- 5thResearch and Development Spendingbottom 5%
Position · derived 80th of 84 · 0.095 · 2023
world median 0.814 (worse)
- 5th
Position · derived 5th of 97 · 1 = worst · 37.98 · 2024
world median 14.31 (worse)
- 7thBusiness Ready: Regulatory Frameworkbottom 12%
Position · derived 44th of 50 · 54.87 · 2024
world median 66.8 (worse)
- 8th
- 9thGlobal Violent Deathsbottom 4%
Position · derived 9th of 206 · 1 = worst · 47.21 · 2021
world median 4.02 (worse) · ▼ 2 pts since 2011
A band is a place among the countries each publisher scores, so Lesotho can move because other countries moved. See the Country Index for the full method.
04Over time
Which way it is moving
The published rank in widely quoted reports, edition by edition — each end with the size of that year’s field — and the statistics, not already named above, on which it has gained or lost the most ground.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
108th
of 141 · 1990
167th
of 193 · 2023
Ranked in 34 of 34 editions
Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International
63rd
of 173 · 2012
99th
of 181 · 2025
Ranked in 14 of 14 editions
Gender Inequality Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
80th
of 101 · 1995
144th
of 172 · 2023
Ranked in 29 of 34 editions
Government AI Readiness Index
Oxford Insights
106th
of 172 · 2020
131st
of 195 · 2025
Ranked in 6 of 6 editions
Gaining ground
Where Lesotho has climbed against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Cost of Sending Remittances+82 pts since 2016
- Physical Violence Index+33 pts since 2015
Losing ground
Where Lesotho has slipped against the rest of the world, in percentile points.
- Livestock Production Index-69 pts since 2012
- Food Production Index-64 pts since 2012
- ICT Goods Exports-38 pts since 2014
05In context
Lesotho and its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place in the world ranking of 174, not within the region.
Shares a land border with
Placed either side in the Country Index 2026
Across Southern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its position in the world (of 174 placed).
- 94
South Africa - =102
Botswana - 113
Namibia - 128Lesotho
- 138
Eswatini
06The evidence
Every statistic we hold for Lesotho
Grouped by topic. Each row gives the newest edition’s rank or position, the published value and the year the numbers describe — select a row for the world median, the best in the world and the trend.
Governance & Institutions25
Agriculture Orientation Index59th of 132position · derived0.35Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size)2024
Middle · top 45% of 132 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size)
Lesotho 0.35 · world median 0.305 (better)
Best in the world 5.38 (Singapore)
▼ -23 percentile points since 2014
Business Ready: Operational Efficiency24th of 50position · derived66.06Operational efficiency score (0–100)2024
Middle · top 47% of 50 countries measured
World Bank Group · Operational efficiency score (0–100)
Lesotho 66.06 · world median 65.82 (better)
Best in the world 87.33 (Singapore)
No earlier reading to compare
Business Ready: Public Services39th of 50position · derived37.89Public services score (0–100)2024
Lower middle · bottom 22% of 50 countries measured
World Bank Group · Public services score (0–100)
Lesotho 37.89 · world median 50.13 (worse)
Best in the world 73.31 (Estonia)
No earlier reading to compare
Business Ready: Regulatory Framework44th of 50position · derived54.87Regulatory framework score (0–100)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 12% of 50 countries measured
World Bank Group · Regulatory framework score (0–100)
Lesotho 54.87 · world median 66.8 (worse)
Best in the world 78.34 (Hungary)
No earlier reading to compare
Civic Space Ratings83rd of 198position · derived59.67Civic space score (0–100)2025
Middle · top 42% of 198 countries measured
CIVICUS · Civic space score (0–100)
Lesotho 59.67 · world median 50.46 (better)
Best in the world 100 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
Completeness of Birth Registrationbottom 21%80.1Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)2025
Lower middle · bottom 21% of 185 countries measured
UNICEF · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%)
Lesotho 80.1 · world median 98.4 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (53 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Corruption Perceptions Index99th of 181rank37CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)2025
Middle · bottom 45% of 182 countries measured · 182 share 181 positions
Transparency International · CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
Lesotho 37 · world median 39 (worse)
Best in the world 89 (Denmark)
▼ -18 percentile points since 2015
Country Policy and Institutional Assessment35th of 78position · derived3.267IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high)2025
Middle · top 44% of 78 countries measured
World Bank Group · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high)
Lesotho 3.267 · world median 3.246 (better)
Best in the world 4.225 (Rwanda)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2015
Debt Service on External Debt92nd of 109position · derived · 1 = worst6.886Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income)2024
Top fifth · top 16% of 109 countries measured
World Bank Group · Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income)
Lesotho 6.886 · world median 12.93 (better)
Best in the world 0.285 (Iran)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2014
External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)31st of 110position · derived · 1 = worst65.35External debt stocks (% of GNI)2024
Lower middle · bottom 28% of 110 countries measured
World Bank Group · External debt stocks (% of GNI)
Lesotho 65.35 · world median 43.94 (worse)
Best in the world 2.213 (Iran)
▼ -25 percentile points since 2014
General Government Consumption2nd of 132position · derived36.43General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)2025
Top fifth · top 1% of 132 countries measured
World Bank Group · General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)
Lesotho 36.43 · world median 16.21
Highest 38.94 (Ukraine)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2015
Government AI Readiness Index131st of 195rank28.95AI readiness score (0–100)2025
Lower middle · bottom 33% of 195 countries measured
Oxford Insights · AI readiness score (0–100)
Lesotho 28.95 · world median 40.19 (worse)
Best in the world 88.36 (United States)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2020
Government Effectiveness156th of 209position · derived-0.647Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)2024
Lower middle · bottom 25% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
Lesotho -0.647 · world median 0.01 (worse)
Best in the world 2.28 (Singapore)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2014
Government Spending on Education6th of 123position · derived7.29Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)2023
Top fifth · top 4% of 123 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Lesotho 7.29 · world median 3.709 (better)
Best in the world 16.39 (Kiribati)
No real change since 2015
Open Data Inventory129th of 168rank44ODIN overall score (0–100)2024
Lower middle · bottom 23% of 168 countries measured
Open Data Watch · ODIN overall score (0–100)
Lesotho 44 · world median 59 (worse)
Best in the world 90 (2 countries tied)
▼ -28 percentile points since 2015
Public Sector Employment72nd of 135position · derived13.64Public sector employment (% of total employment)2022
Middle · bottom 47% of 135 countries measured
World Bank Group · Public sector employment (% of total employment)
Lesotho 13.64 · world median 15.01
Highest 47.1 (Maldives)
No earlier reading to compare
Public Sector Wage Bill4th of 168position · derived19.53Public sector wage bill (% of GDP)2022
Top fifth · top 2% of 168 countries measured
World Bank Group · Public sector wage bill (% of GDP)
Lesotho 19.53 · world median 7.975
Highest 42.65 (Nauru)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2012
Regulatory Quality137th of 209position · derived-0.485Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Lower middle · bottom 35% of 209 countries measured
World Bank Group · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5)
Lesotho -0.485 · world median -0.09 (worse)
Best in the world 2.132 (Singapore)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2014
Rule of Law132nd of 211position · derived-0.407Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Lower middle · bottom 38% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Lesotho -0.407 · world median -0.1 (worse)
Best in the world 2.021 (Finland)
▼ -15 percentile points since 2014
Statistical Performance Indicators141st of 188position · derived58.24SPI overall score (0–100)2024
Lower middle · bottom 25% of 188 countries measured
World Bank Group · SPI overall score (0–100)
Lesotho 58.24 · world median 69.3 (worse)
Best in the world 94.14 (Norway)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2016
Trade Union Density128th of 139position · derived4.753Employees who are trade union members (%)2020
Bottom fifth · bottom 8% of 139 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employees who are trade union members (%)
Lesotho 4.753 · world median 16.68 (worse)
Best in the world 91.42 (Iceland)
No earlier reading to compare
V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index60th of 176position · derived0.661Electoral democracy index (0–1)2025
Upper middle · top 34% of 176 countries measured
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · Electoral democracy index (0–1)
Lesotho 0.661 · world median 0.497 (better)
Best in the world 0.913 (Denmark)
▲ +9 percentile points since 2015
Voice and Accountability116th of 208position · derived-0.155Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Middle · bottom 44% of 208 countries measured
World Bank Group · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Lesotho -0.155 · world median -0.02 (worse)
Best in the world 1.929 (Norway)
No real change since 2014
Women, Business and the Law97th of 190position · derived80.63WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)2024
Middle · bottom 48% of 190 countries measured
World Bank Group · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity)
Lesotho 80.63 · world median 81.25 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (14 countries tied)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2014
Economy & Innovation25
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution86th of 139position · derived61.57Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)2024
Lower middle · bottom 38% of 139 countries measured
World Bank Group · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Lesotho 61.57 · world median 72.83 (worse)
Best in the world 99.85 (Iceland)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2017
Agricultural Land8th of 209position · derived77.76Agricultural land (% of land area)2023
Top fifth · top 3% of 209 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Agricultural land (% of land area)
Lesotho 77.76 · world median 37.96
Highest 86.48 (Côte d’Ivoire)
No real change since 2013
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)80th of 158position · derived6.486Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP)2025
Middle · bottom 50% of 158 countries measured
World Bank Group · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP)
Lesotho 6.486 · world median 6.572
Highest 47.59 (Niger)
▲ +15 percentile points since 2015
Cereal Yield167th of 179position · derived804.1Cereal yield (kg per hectare)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 7% of 179 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Cereal yield (kg per hectare)
Lesotho 804.1 · world median 3,072 (worse)
Best in the world 29,147 (Oman)
No real change since 2013
Crop Production Index87th of 195position · derived107.64Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Middle · top 44% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Lesotho 107.64 · world median 106.23 (better)
Best in the world 189.93 (Senegal)
▼ -31 percentile points since 2012
Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)38th of 138position · derived49.53Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)2025
Upper middle · top 27% of 138 countries measured
World Bank Group · Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Lesotho 49.53 · world median 36.34
Highest 199.76 (Hong Kong)
▲ +7 percentile points since 2015
Fertilizer Consumption per Hectare159th of 188position · derived8.698Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 17% of 191 countries measured · 191 share 188 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land)
Lesotho 8.698 · world median 87.36
Highest 2,926 (Malaysia)
▼ -9 percentile points since 2013
Food Production Index151st of 195position · derived98.67Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Lower middle · bottom 23% of 195 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Lesotho 98.67 · world median 106.08 (worse)
Best in the world 177.49 (Senegal)
▼ -64 percentile points since 2012
GDP Growth135th of 186position · derived1.983GDP growth (annual %)2025
Lower middle · bottom 28% of 186 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP growth (annual %)
Lesotho 1.983 · world median 3.396 (worse)
Best in the world 19.34 (Guyana)
▼ -25 percentile points since 2015
GDP per Capita (PPP)171st of 185position · derived2,721GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 8% of 185 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Lesotho 2,721 · world median 17,265 (worse)
Best in the world 139,593 (Singapore)
▼ -5 percentile points since 2015
Global Innovation Index132nd of 139rank14.93GII score (0–100)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 5% of 139 countries measured
World Intellectual Property Organization · GII score (0–100)
Lesotho 14.93 · world median 28.52 (worse)
Best in the world 65.96 (Switzerland)
No earlier reading to compare
GNI per Capita (PPP)85th of 102position · derived3,220GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 17% of 102 countries measured
World Bank Group · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Lesotho 3,220 · world median 14,273 (worse)
Best in the world 116,633 (Singapore)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2015
Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP)19th of 131position · derived31.23Gross capital formation (% of GDP)2025
Top fifth · top 14% of 131 countries measured
World Bank Group · Gross capital formation (% of GDP)
Lesotho 31.23 · world median 22.93
Highest 45.27 (Algeria)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2015
Gross Savings (% of GDP)79th of 146position · derived21.34Gross savings (% of GDP)2024
Middle · bottom 46% of 146 countries measured
World Bank Group · Gross savings (% of GDP)
Lesotho 21.34 · world median 22.06
Highest 47.82 (Macau)
▼ -20 percentile points since 2014
Household Consumption4th of 131position · derived96.76Household and NPISH final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)2025
Top fifth · top 2% of 131 countries measured
World Bank Group · Household and NPISH final consumption expenditure (% of GDP)
Lesotho 96.76 · world median 62.04
Highest 133.34 (Somalia)
▲ +17 percentile points since 2015
ICT Goods Exports105th of 119position · derived0.05ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 11% of 120 countries measured · 120 share 119 positions
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) · ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports)
Lesotho 0.05 · world median 0.975 (worse)
Best in the world 61.45 (Hong Kong)
▼ -38 percentile points since 2014
Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)4th of 138position · derived104.45Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)2025
Top fifth · top 2% of 138 countries measured
World Bank Group · Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)
Lesotho 104.45 · world median 41.72
Highest 196.89 (Hong Kong)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2015
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)74th of 158position · derived25.16Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP)2025
Middle · top 46% of 158 countries measured
World Bank Group · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP)
Lesotho 25.16 · world median 24.65
Highest 75.09 (Guyana)
▼ -29 percentile points since 2015
Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index143rd of 169position · derived0.357IHDI (0–1)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 15% of 169 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · IHDI (0–1)
Lesotho 0.357 · world median 0.609 (worse)
Best in the world 0.923 (Iceland)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2013
Livestock Density155th of 188position · derived0.21Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 17% of 188 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land
Lesotho 0.21 · world median 0.535
Highest 43.97 (Singapore)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2013
Livestock Production Index163rd of 194position · derived93.82Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)2022
Bottom fifth · bottom 16% of 194 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100)
Lesotho 93.82 · world median 107.06 (worse)
Best in the world 190.08 (Malawi)
▼ -69 percentile points since 2012
Net Official Development Assistance Received32nd of 130position · derived6.617Net ODA received (% of GNI)2023
Upper middle · top 24% of 130 countries measured
OECD Development Assistance Committee · Net ODA received (% of GNI)
Lesotho 6.617 · world median 2.579
Highest 101.78 (Tuvalu)
▼ -9 percentile points since 2013
Research and Development Spending80th of 84position · derived0.095Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 5% of 84 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP)
Lesotho 0.095 · world median 0.814 (worse)
Best in the world 6.346 (Israel)
No real change since 2015
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)74th of 180position · derived4.318Natural resources rents (% of GDP)2021
Upper middle · top 37% of 197 countries measured · 197 share 180 positions
World Bank Group · Natural resources rents (% of GDP)
Lesotho 4.318 · world median 1.708
Highest 61.03 (Libya)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2011
Trade (% of GDP)13th of 138position · derived153.98Exports plus imports (% of GDP)2025
Top fifth · top 9% of 138 countries measured
World Bank Group · Exports plus imports (% of GDP)
Lesotho 153.98 · world median 79.68
Highest 396.65 (Hong Kong)
▲ +7 percentile points since 2015
Work & Labour19
Average Weekly Hours Worked2nd of 182position · derived49.98Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person2025
Top fifth · top 1% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person
Lesotho 49.98 · world median 38.89
Highest 54.7 (Bhutan)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Agriculture55th of 182position · derived30.88Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)2025
Upper middle · top 30% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)
Lesotho 30.88 · world median 14.38
Highest 85.34 (Burundi)
▲ +7 percentile points since 2015
Employment in Industry9th of 182position · derived33.04Employment in industry (% of total employment)2025
Top fifth · top 4% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in industry (% of total employment)
Lesotho 33.04 · world median 18.88
Highest 39.44 (Oman)
No real change since 2015
Employment in Services160th of 182position · derived36.09Employment in services (% of total employment)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 12% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employment in services (% of total employment)
Lesotho 36.09 · world median 59.51
Highest 92.17 (Djibouti)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2015
Employment-to-Population Ratio151st of 182position · derived47.8Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 17% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Lesotho 47.8 · world median 57.72 (worse)
Best in the world 86.9 (Qatar)
▼ -15 percentile points since 2015
Female Labour Force Participation Rate123rd of 182position · derived48.09Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
Lower middle · bottom 33% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Lesotho 48.09 · world median 53.36 (worse)
Best in the world 82.91 (Madagascar)
▼ -24 percentile points since 2015
Female Share of Senior and Middle Management57th of 86position · derived32.92Women in senior and middle management (% of managers)2024
Lower middle · bottom 34% of 86 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers)
Lesotho 32.92 · world median 35.86 (worse)
Best in the world 56.69 (Nauru)
▼ -11 percentile points since 2019
Firms with a Female Top Manager26th of 179position · derived30.04Firms with a female top manager (%)2025
Top fifth · top 14% of 179 countries measured
World Bank Group · Firms with a female top manager (%)
Lesotho 30.04 · world median 19.16 (better)
Best in the world 62.9 (Kiribati)
No earlier reading to compare
GDP per Person Employed151st of 168position · derived8,639GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 10% of 168 countries measured
World Bank Group · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $)
Lesotho 8,639 · world median 47,384 (worse)
Best in the world 262,554 (Luxembourg)
No real change since 2015
Informal Employment Rate15th of 97position · derived · 1 = worst84.12Informal employment (% of total employment)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 15% of 97 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Informal employment (% of total employment)
Lesotho 84.12 · world median 36.83 (worse)
Best in the world 0.857 (Hungary)
No earlier reading to compare
Labour Force Participation Rate127th of 182position · derived57.12Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)2025
Lower middle · bottom 30% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%)
Lesotho 57.12 · world median 61.66 (worse)
Best in the world 87.01 (Qatar)
▼ -28 percentile points since 2015
Labour Productivity per Hour Worked168th of 182position · derived3.3Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 8% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP)
Lesotho 3.3 · world median 22.16 (worse)
Best in the world 164.65 (Ireland)
No real change since 2015
Self-Employment Rate80th of 182position · derived38.52Self-employed (% of total employment)2025
Middle · top 44% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Self-employed (% of total employment)
Lesotho 38.52 · world median 31.84
Highest 91.56 (Chad)
▲ +2 percentile points since 2015
Unemployment Rate13th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst16.32Unemployment (% of labour force)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 7% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lesotho 16.32 · world median 5.084 (worse)
Best in the world 0.13 (Qatar)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2015
Vulnerable Employment84th of 182position · derived · 1 = worst32.64Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)2025
Middle · bottom 46% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lesotho 32.64 · world median 28.67 (worse)
Best in the world 0.456 (Qatar)
No real change since 2015
Working Poverty Ratebottom 21%33.63Employed people living in extreme poverty (%)2025
Lower middle · bottom 21% of 113 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%)
Lesotho 33.63 · world median 4.885 (worse)
Best in the world 0.007 (Bhutan)
▼ -4 percentile points since 2015
Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training5th of 97position · derived · 1 = worst37.98Youth not in education, employment or training (%)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 4% of 97 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Youth not in education, employment or training (%)
Lesotho 37.98 · world median 14.31 (worse)
Best in the world 3.975 (Iceland)
No real change since 2019
Youth Unemployment Rate31st of 182position · derived · 1 = worst24.67Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)2025
Bottom fifth · bottom 17% of 182 countries measured
International Labour Organization (ILO) · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force)
Lesotho 24.67 · world median 12.83 (worse)
Best in the world 0.457 (Niger)
▼ -10 percentile points since 2015
Education & Knowledge7
Adult Literacy Rate102nd of 172position · derived90.45Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)2024
Middle · bottom 41% of 172 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%)
Lesotho 90.45 · world median 93.99 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Expected Years of Schooling158th of 195position · derived10.99Expected years of schooling2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 19% of 195 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Expected years of schooling
Lesotho 10.99 · world median 13.34 (worse)
Best in the world 21.69 (Monaco)
▼ -10 percentile points since 2013
Mean Years of Schooling129th of 193position · derived7.73Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)2023
Lower middle · bottom 33% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+)
Lesotho 7.73 · world median 9.933 (worse)
Best in the world 14.3 (Germany)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2013
Out-of-School Rate, Primary4th of 121position · derived · 1 = worst32.17Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 3% of 121 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lesotho 32.17 · world median 3.691 (worse)
Best in the world 0.004 (United Arab Emirates)
▼ -9 percentile points since 2014
Primary Completion Rate124th of 165position · derived79.78Primary completion rate (%)2025
Lower middle · bottom 25% of 165 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Primary completion rate (%)
Lesotho 79.78 · world median 97.43 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (5 countries tied)
▲ +7 percentile points since 2015
Upper Secondary Completion Rate125th of 164position · derived28.44Upper secondary completion rate (%)2025
Lower middle · bottom 24% of 164 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Lesotho 28.44 · world median 64.87 (worse)
Best in the world 99.27 (South Korea)
No real change since 2015
Youth Literacy Ratebottom 42%96.4815–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)2024
Middle · bottom 42% of 174 countries measured
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%)
Lesotho 96.48 · world median 98.22 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (6 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Health & Wellbeing16
Children with Functional Difficultiesbottom 23%8Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%)2024
Lower middle · bottom 23% of 62 countries measured
UNICEF · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%)
Lesotho 8 · world median 13
Highest 35.2 (Afghanistan)
No earlier reading to compare
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Months21st of 136position · derived60.74Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%)2024
Top fifth · top 15% of 136 countries measured
UNICEF · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%)
Lesotho 60.74 · world median 40.74 (better)
Best in the world 83.3 (Burundi)
No earlier reading to compare
Gender Inequality Index144th of 172rank0.534GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 16% of 172 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality)
Lesotho 0.534 · world median 0.351 (worse)
Best in the world 0.003 (Denmark)
No real change since 2013
Global Multidimensional Poverty Index44th of 109position · derived · 1 = worst0.106MPI (0–1)2025
Lower middle · bottom 40% of 109 countries measured
Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) · MPI (0–1)
Lesotho 0.106 · world median 0.039 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (Serbia)
▼ -7 percentile points since 2018
Global Report on Food Crises15th of 44position · derived · 1 = worst27In IPC Phase 3+ (% of analysed population)2024
Lower middle · bottom 33% of 44 countries measured
Food Security Information Network (FSIN) · In IPC Phase 3+ (% of analysed population)
Lesotho 27 · world median 22 (worse)
Best in the world 3 (El Salvador)
▲ +14 percentile points since 2016
Global Violent Deaths9th of 206position · derived · 1 = worst47.21Violent deaths per 100,000 people2021
Bottom fifth · bottom 4% of 209 countries measured · 209 share 206 positions
Small Arms Survey · Violent deaths per 100,000 people
Lesotho 47.21 · world median 4.02 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (4 countries tied)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2011
Human Capital Index144th of 172position · derived0.4HCI score (0–1)2020
Bottom fifth · bottom 16% of 172 countries measured
World Bank Group · HCI score (0–1)
Lesotho 0.4 · world median 0.564 (worse)
Best in the world 0.879 (Singapore)
▲ +12 percentile points since 2010
Human Development Index167th of 193rank0.55HDI score (0–1)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 14% of 193 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · HDI score (0–1)
Lesotho 0.55 · world median 0.762 (worse)
Best in the world 0.972 (Iceland)
No real change since 2013
INFORM Severity Index65th of 81position · derived · 1 = worst2.2INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis)2025
Top fifth · top 18% of 81 countries measured
ACAPS · INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis)
Lesotho 2.2 · world median 3.1 (better)
Best in the world 1.3 (Trinidad and Tobago)
▲ +3 percentile points since 2020
Life Expectancy at Birth220th of 222position · derived57.37Years a newborn would live at current death rates2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 1% of 222 countries measured
UN DESA Population Division · Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Lesotho 57.37 · world median 74.63 (worse)
Best in the world 86.37 (Monaco)
No real change since 2013
Maternal Mortality Ratio11th of 195position · derived · 1 = worst478.02Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 5% of 195 countries measured
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG) · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lesotho 478.02 · world median 46.65 (worse)
Best in the world 0.11 (Cook Islands)
▲ +4 percentile points since 2013
Pesticide Use per Hectare66th of 178position · derived3.44Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland)2024
Upper middle · top 36% of 181 countries measured · 181 share 178 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland)
Lesotho 3.44 · world median 1.73
Highest 37.72 (Antigua and Barbuda)
▲ +57 percentile points since 2014
Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity15th of 127position · derived · 1 = worst24.7Population in severe food insecurity (%)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 11% of 133 countries measured · 133 share 127 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Population in severe food insecurity (%)
Lesotho 24.7 · world median 4.7 (worse)
Best in the world 0 (7 countries tied)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2018
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five17th of 162position · derived · 1 = worst35.57Children under 5 who are stunted (%)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 10% of 162 countries measured
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Lesotho 35.57 · world median 13.8 (worse)
Best in the world 0.518 (Latvia)
No earlier reading to compare
Under-Five Mortality Rate21st of 200position · derived · 1 = worst59.96Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 10% of 200 countries measured
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Lesotho 59.96 · world median 14.54 (worse)
Best in the world 1.26 (San Marino)
No real change since 2014
Violent Discipline of Children45th of 90position · derived · 1 = worst75.8Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%)2025
Middle · top 50% of 90 countries measured
UNICEF · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%)
Lesotho 75.8 · world median 75.8
Best in the world 37.6 (Qatar)
No earlier reading to compare
Development & Human Capital10
Access to Electricitybottom 13%60.6Population with electricity access (%)2024
Bottom fifth · bottom 13% of 215 countries measured
World Bank Group · Population with electricity access (%)
Lesotho 60.6 · world median 100 (worse)
Best in the world 100 (122 countries tied)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2014
Agricultural Irrigated Land117th of 121position · derived0.053Irrigated share of agricultural land (%)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 3% of 121 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%)
Lesotho 0.053 · world median 3.66
Highest 89.04 (Bangladesh)
No earlier reading to compare
Arable Land per Person79th of 206position · derived0.154Arable land (hectares per person)2023
Upper middle · top 38% of 206 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Arable land (hectares per person)
Lesotho 0.154 · world median 0.109
Highest 1.459 (Kazakhstan)
▲ +14 percentile points since 2013
Cereal Import Dependency Ratiotop 33%68.4Share of the cereal supply that is imported (%)2022
Upper middle · top 33% of 161 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Share of the cereal supply that is imported (%)
Lesotho 68.4 · world median 42.8
Highest 100 (16 countries tied)
▼ -12 percentile points since 2012
Child Marriage88th of 143position · derived · 1 = worst13.4Women 20–24 married before 18 (%)2025
Upper middle · top 39% of 145 countries measured · 145 share 143 positions
UNICEF · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%)
Lesotho 13.4 · world median 17.1 (better)
Best in the world 0 (3 countries tied)
No earlier reading to compare
Coefficient of Human Inequality30th of 169position · derived · 1 = worst33.66Coefficient of Human Inequality (%)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 17% of 169 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%)
Lesotho 33.66 · world median 17.05 (worse)
Best in the world 4.865 (Slovenia)
▲ +10 percentile points since 2013
Cost of Sending Remittances78th of 93position · derived · 1 = worst1.82Average cost of sending $200 home (% of the amount)2023
Top fifth · top 16% of 93 countries measured
World Bank Group · Average cost of sending $200 home (% of the amount)
Lesotho 1.82 · world median 3.225 (better)
Best in the world -49.69 (Malawi)
▲ +82 percentile points since 2016
Gender Development Index18th of 184position · derived1.006Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)2023
Top fifth · top 10% of 184 countries measured
UNDP Human Development Report Office · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity)
Lesotho 1.006 · world median 0.971 (better)
Best in the world 1 (2 countries tied)
▼ -6 percentile points since 2013
Land Under Cereal Production124th of 179position · derived177,933Land under cereal production (hectares)2023
Lower middle · bottom 31% of 180 countries measured · 180 share 179 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Land under cereal production (hectares)
Lesotho 177,933 · world median 689,278
Highest 103,715,108 (India)
▲ +5 percentile points since 2013
Water Withdrawal by Sector144th of 171position · derived8.676Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)2022
Bottom fifth · bottom 17% of 173 countries measured · 173 share 171 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total)
Lesotho 8.676 · world median 62.14
Highest 99.48 (Somalia)
No real change since 2012
Environment & Sustainability5
Agricultural Emissions144th of 193position · derived1,226Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)2023
Lower middle · bottom 27% of 198 countries measured · 198 share 193 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq)
Lesotho 1,226 · world median 8,635
Highest 1,044,508 (India)
No real change since 2013
Forest Area193rd of 210position · derived1.137Forest area (% of land area)2023
Bottom fifth · bottom 9% of 213 countries measured · 213 share 210 positions
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Forest area (% of land area)
Lesotho 1.137 · world median 31.08
Highest 94.45 (Suriname)
No real change since 2013
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per Capita98th of 181position · derived2,288Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)2022
Middle · bottom 46% of 181 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person)
Lesotho 2,288 · world median 2,528 (worse)
Best in the world 445,023 (Iceland)
▼ -3 percentile points since 2012
Water Stress138th of 177position · derived · 1 = worst2.57Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)2023
Upper middle · top 22% of 177 countries measured
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) · Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Lesotho 2.57 · world median 10 (better)
Best in the world 0.03 (Republic of the Congo)
No real change since 2013
World Risk Index167th of 193position · derived · 1 = worst1.41WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)2025
Top fifth · top 14% of 193 countries measured
Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk)
Lesotho 1.41 · world median 4.17 (better)
Best in the world 0.18 (Monaco)
▼ -2 percentile points since 2015
Gender & Equality1
Social Institutions and Gender Index49th of 140position · derived · 1 = worst32.8SIGI score (0 = no discrimination, 100 = absolute)2023
Lower middle · bottom 35% of 140 countries measured
OECD · SIGI score (0 = no discrimination, 100 = absolute)
Lesotho 32.8 · world median 25.2 (worse)
Best in the world 6.7 (Norway)
No earlier reading to compare
Peace & Security5
Deaths in Organized Violence59th of 59position · derived · 1 = worst0Deaths in organized violence (people)2025
Upper middle · top 35% of 196 countries measured · 196 share 59 positions
Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) · Deaths in organized violence (people)
Lesotho 0 · world median 0
Best in the world 0 (138 countries tied)
No real change since 2015
Global Militarisation Index129th of 149rank · 1 = worst59.42GMI score (higher means a heavier military weight)2023
Top fifth · top 14% of 149 countries measured
Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC) · GMI score (higher means a heavier military weight)
Lesotho 59.42 · world median 100.66 (better)
Best in the world 3.512 (Haiti)
▲ +15 percentile points since 2013
INFORM Risk Index79th of 191position · derived · 1 = worst4.2INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)2025
Middle · bottom 42% of 191 countries measured
European Commission Joint Research Centre, with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee · INFORM Risk score (0–10, where 10 is the highest risk)
Lesotho 4.2 · world median 3.7 (worse)
Best in the world 0.7 (Singapore)
No real change since 2016
Physical Violence Index75th of 176position · derived0.839Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)2025
Middle · top 42% of 176 countries measured
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · Freedom from political killings and torture (0–1)
Lesotho 0.839 · world median 0.79 (better)
Best in the world 0.989 (2 countries tied)
▲ +33 percentile points since 2015
Political Stability and Absence of Violence132nd of 211position · derived-0.259Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)2024
Lower middle · bottom 38% of 211 countries measured
World Bank Group · Political Stability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5)
Lesotho -0.259 · world median 0.04 (worse)
Best in the world 1.582 (Liechtenstein)
No real change since 2014
Not currently covered
The newest edition of these reports does not include Lesotho. Usually the publisher does not cover it; sometimes it has dropped out of a ranking it used to appear in.
- Adjusted Net Savings · last seen 2020
- Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff · last seen 2018
- Container Port Traffic
- Dietary Energy Supply
- Ecological Footprint
- Economic Complexity Index
- Fatal Occupational Injuries
- Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence
- Gender Social Norms Index
- Gini Index · last seen 2017
- Government Funding per Primary Student · last seen 2018
- Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary · last seen 2018
- Income Share Held by Lowest 20% · last seen 2017
- Internal Displacements by Disaster · last seen 2023
- Liner Shipping Connectivity Index
- Logistics Performance Index · last seen 2018
- Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP) · last seen 2024
- Organic Agricultural Area · last seen 2018
- PISA Mathematics Performance
- PISA Reading Performance
- PISA Science Performance
- Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI
- Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day · last seen 2017
- Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day · last seen 2017
- Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day · last seen 2017
- Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate · last seen 2020
- Prevalence of Undernourishment
- Prosperity Gap · last seen 2017
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation · last seen 2022
- School Life Expectancy · last seen 2017
- Secondary School Enrolment · last seen 2017
- Tertiary Enrolment Ratio · last seen 2018
- Upper Secondary Attainment · last seen 2018
- World Energy Trilemma Index
07Keep reading
Explore further
08Method
Sources and how to read them
How to read this page
- The scores and ranks belong to their publishers. Nothing is adjusted, rescaled or re-ranked; each is reproduced from the edition named beside it. Where a row says position · derived, the publisher ranks nobody on that measure and the position is ours, made by ordering the published score.
- Each statistic shows its newest edition, which is not always the edition the Country Index uses: the index pins every source to one data year so its average compares like with like.
How a standing is built from percentiles, why Lesotho can move because other countries moved, and why publishers measure between 120 and 215 countries each are set out in full in how a standing is made and what a standing cannot tell you.
Sources
- Statistics: 27 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
- Capital, languages, currency, codes: Wikidata, public domain (CC0).
- Map and land borders: Natural Earth, public domain. Borders are de facto — where administration actually changes — not claimed.
Photographs
The photograph of Lesotho on this page comes from Wikimedia Commons and is shown in greyscale. The photographer and the licence are named beside each one.
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Lesotho: country statistics, rankings and trends. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/lesotho