Photo: User:Kentstander derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.5 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Lesotho: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
Lesotho is placed 178th of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 11.7 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 478.02 (2023).
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Development & Human Capital
178th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Lesotho on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
478.02
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
Lesotho: 478.02. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in Southern Africa
- 117.57 South Africa
- Land neighbours
- South Africa 117.57
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.55
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 167th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
Lesotho: 0.55. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in Southern Africa
- 0.741 South Africa
- Land neighbours
- South Africa 0.741
02Over time
Which way Lesotho is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
LesothoWorld median
Lesotho rose from 412.62 in 2000 to 478.02 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year Lesotho World median 2023 478 46.7 2022 477 53.0 2021 577 76.6 2020 529 56.0 2019 467 48.4 2018 491 49.3 2017 468 47.2 2016 518 50.6 2015 594 51.9 2014 707 52.8 2013 855 53.3 2012 1,000 54.6 2011 1,210 55.0 2010 1,311 56.1 2009 1,387 56.3 2008 1,205 55.8 2007 891 56.8 2006 696 58.1 2005 549 60.1 2004 499 63.0 2003 508 66.8 2002 484 66.0 2001 465 68.1 2000 413 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
LesothoWorld median
Lesotho rose from 0.462 in 2000 to 0.55 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year Lesotho World median 2023 0.550 0.7620 2022 0.547 0.7610 2021 0.532 0.7450 2020 0.537 0.7425 2019 0.541 0.7515 2018 0.538 0.7520 2017 0.531 0.7480 2016 0.526 0.7500 2015 0.517 0.7430 2014 0.509 0.7410 2013 0.502 0.7390 2012 0.496 0.7350 2011 0.485 0.7250 2010 0.478 0.7250 2009 0.468 0.7220 2008 0.463 0.7180 2007 0.458 0.7100 2006 0.451 0.7045 2005 0.454 0.6960 2004 0.454 0.6960 2003 0.456 0.6910 2002 0.455 0.6845 2001 0.457 0.6770 2000 0.462 0.6720
03In context
Lesotho beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
Lesotho and the countries it borders
Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 South Africa | 116th | 49.3 | 117.57 | 0.741 |
| Lesotho | 178th | 11.7 | 478.02 | 0.55 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below Lesotho in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Lesotho is ahead of the world, and behind
44 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median7
Statistics on which Lesotho does better than the middle country measured.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9711.0060.971▼ Worsened since 2013
Lesotho: 1.006 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 18th of 184 · derived.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.810080.8No earlier reading
Lesotho: 100 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7460.7440.74No earlier reading
Lesotho: 60.74 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 21st of 136 · derived.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5461.6423.546No earlier reading
Lesotho: 1.642 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 131st of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7567.223.75No earlier reading
Lesotho: 67.2 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.113.417.1No earlier reading
Lesotho: 13.4 · world median 17.1 · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.3; lower is better.
Position 88th of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.
Country Policy and Institutional AssessmentWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.2463.2673.246▲ Improved since 2015
Lesotho: 3.267 · world median 3.246 · IDA Resource Allocation Index (1 = low to 6 = high). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.617 to 4.225; higher is better.
Position 35th of 78 · derived.
Behind the world median33
Statistics on which Lesotho does worse than the middle country measured.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.6517.8718.65No earlier reading
Lesotho: 17.87 · world median 18.65 · Benefits received as a share of beneficiaries' total income or consumption (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.455 to 90.86; higher is better.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 918891▲ Improved since 2015
Lesotho: 88 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.1060.039▼ Worsened since 2018
Lesotho: 0.106 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 44th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 72.8361.5772.83▲ Improved since 2017
Lesotho: 61.57 · world median 72.83 · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14.83 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 86th of 139 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9337.739.933▲ Improved since 2013
Lesotho: 7.73 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 129th of 193 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6738.7946.67No real change since 2012
Lesotho: 38.79 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 137th of 195 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 908090▼ Worsened since 2015
Lesotho: 80 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.358.2469.3▼ Worsened since 2016
Lesotho: 58.24 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 141st of 188 · derived.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2114.4510.21No real change since 2010
Lesotho: 14.45 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 37th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.480.198.4No earlier reading
Lesotho: 80.1 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8588.2312.858No real change since 2014
Lesotho: 8.231 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 40th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Foundational ID OwnershipWorld Bank Group (ID4D) · 2024 · world median 94.486.6994.4▲ Improved since 2017
Lesotho: 86.69 · world median 94.4 · Adults who own a foundational ID (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group (ID4D), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 42.62 to 100; higher is better.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3410.9913.34▼ Worsened since 2013
Lesotho: 10.99 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 158th of 195 · derived.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0533.6617.05▲ Improved since 2013
Lesotho: 33.66 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 30th of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 14,2733,22014,273▲ Improved since 2015
Lesotho: 3,220 · world median 14,273 · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,181 to 116,633; higher is better.
Position 85th of 102 · derived.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.25247.714.252No earlier reading
Lesotho: 47.71 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 27th of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.5340.351No real change since 2013
Lesotho: 0.534 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 144th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.40.564▲ Improved since 2010
Lesotho: 0.4 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 144th of 172 · derived.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.3570.609▲ Improved since 2013
Lesotho: 0.357 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 143rd of 169 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,2306,43025,230▼ Worsened since 2010
Lesotho: 6,430 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 128th of 151 · derived.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,8902,31312,890No real change since 2012
Lesotho: 2,313 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 141st of 166 · derived.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10060.6100▲ Improved since 2014
Lesotho: 60.6 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10041.4100No real change since 2014
Lesotho: 41.4 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.144.892.1No real change since 2014
Lesotho: 44.89 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.5459.9614.54No real change since 2014
Lesotho: 59.96 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 21st of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.835.5713.8No earlier reading
Lesotho: 35.57 · world median 13.8 · Children under 5 who are stunted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.518 to 52.8; lower is better.
Position 17th of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,2652,72117,265▼ Worsened since 2015
Lesotho: 2,721 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 171st of 185 · derived.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,4869,68246,486▼ Worsened since 2010
Lesotho: 9,682 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 139th of 150 · derived.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.16322.678.163No real change since 2013
Lesotho: 22.67 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 15th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,072804.13,072No real change since 2013
Lesotho: 804.1 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.
Position 167th of 179 · derived.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.13428.498.134No real change since 2014
Lesotho: 28.49 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 14th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2656.3412.26No real change since 2014
Lesotho: 56.34 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 10th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6357.3774.63No real change since 2013
Lesotho: 57.37 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 220th of 222 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare2
Violent Discipline of ChildrenUNICEF · 2025 · world median 75.875.875.8No earlier reading
Lesotho: 75.8 · world median 75.8 · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 37.6 to 94; lower is better.
Position 45th of 90 · derived, 1st = worst.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Lesotho: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end2
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.5796.6172.579Moved since 2013
Lesotho: 6.617 · world median 2.579 · Net ODA received (% of GNI). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -0.001 to 101.78.
Position 32nd of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Children with Functional DifficultiesUNICEF · 2024 · world median 13813No earlier reading
Lesotho: 8 · world median 13 · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.9 to 35.2.
No current reading for Lesotho
Disability Benefit Coverage, Employment Injury Protection Coverage, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP) (last 2024), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI, Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day (last 2017), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day (last 2017), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day (last 2017), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day (last 2017), Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day (last 2017) and Prosperity Gap (last 2017). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among Lesotho’s 14 topics
Development & Human Capital is Lesotho’s 12th best-placed topic of 14. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 22nd of 1862/4 keys
- Peace & Security57th of 1774/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 62nd of 1834/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 73rd of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience111th of 1934/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 115th of 1944/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 132nd of 1763/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 140th of 1824/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge154th of 1984/4 keys
- Digital & Technology158th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 158th of 1843/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital178th of 1963/3 keys
- Poverty & Inequality151st of 1593/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing194th of 2004/4 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade, Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders Lesotho can most readily be measured against.
1
Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Seychelles74th3/3 keysHighest in Southern Africa
South Africa116th3/3 keysThis page
Lesotho178th3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Lesotho and development & human capital
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
Lesotho on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Lesotho rank on development & human capital?
Lesotho is placed 178th of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for Lesotho?
11.7 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for Lesotho?
478.02 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How does Lesotho compare with South Africa on development & human capital?
South Africa is placed 116th of 196, and Lesotho 178th. Social Protection Coverage: South Africa 49.3, Lesotho 11.7; Maternal Mortality Ratio: South Africa 117.57, Lesotho 478.02; Human Development Index: South Africa 0.741, Lesotho 0.55.
How have Lesotho’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio rose from 412.62 in 2000 to 478.02 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.462 in 2000 to 0.55 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for Lesotho?
No current reading is published for Lesotho on Disability Benefit Coverage, Employment Injury Protection Coverage, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP), Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI), Planetary pressures-adjusted HDI, Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day, Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day and Prosperity Gap. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 44 statistics on this page come from 15 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Lesotho’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Lesotho (banner) — User:Kentstander derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.5
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Lesotho: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/lesotho/development