Photo: User:Kentstander derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.5 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Lesotho: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Lesotho is placed joint 140th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 47.8 (2025); Labour Income Share 54.58 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
joint140th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Lesotho on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
47.8
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Lesotho: 47.8. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Southern Africa
- 51.96 Botswana
- Land neighbours
- South Africa 37.58
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
16.32
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Lesotho: 16.32. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Southern Africa
- 16.32 Lesotho
- Land neighbours
- South Africa 32.39
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
32.64
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Lesotho: 32.64. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Southern Africa
- 11.66 South Africa
- Land neighbours
- South Africa 11.66
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.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
LesothoWorld median
Lesotho fell from 60.7 in 2000 to 47.8 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Lesotho World median 2025 47.80 57.720 2024 48.04 57.694 2023 48.07 58.158 2022 47.94 57.688 2021 46.45 56.066 2020 46.61 55.691 2019 47.93 57.871 2018 49.16 56.911 2017 50.38 56.738 2016 51.59 56.845 2015 52.59 56.788 2014 53.73 56.774 2013 54.85 56.229 2012 55.45 56.289 2011 55.70 56.297 2010 56.21 56.212 2009 56.66 56.255 2008 57.31 57.308 2007 57.72 56.933 2006 58.10 56.685 2005 58.58 56.129 2004 58.94 55.465 2003 59.46 55.630 2002 59.89 55.843 2001 60.33 56.018 2000 60.70 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
LesothoWorld median
Lesotho rose from 53.31 in 2004 to 54.58 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Lesotho World median 2025 54.58 46.230 2024 54.35 46.060 2023 54.38 45.900 2022 54.42 45.615 2021 54.61 45.433 2020 56.53 47.267 2019 55.50 46.277 2018 55.52 46.187 2017 56.05 46.467 2016 53.89 46.798 2015 54.05 46.876 2014 54.52 47.281 2013 54.51 46.887 2012 51.82 46.231 2011 49.89 45.679 2010 50.97 46.024 2009 50.89 47.071 2008 46.70 45.312 2007 46.77 45.246 2006 48.71 45.670 2005 51.35 46.265 2004 53.31 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
LesothoWorld median
Lesotho rose from 16.17 in 2000 to 16.32 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Lesotho World median 2025 16.315 5.08 2024 16.340 5.15 2023 16.348 5.21 2022 16.623 5.34 2021 18.214 6.04 2020 18.385 6.38 2019 16.876 5.36 2018 16.614 5.35 2017 16.379 5.59 2016 16.138 5.90 2015 16.223 6.41 2014 16.066 6.58 2013 15.926 6.71 2012 15.761 6.79 2011 16.115 6.90 2010 16.068 7.04 2009 16.115 6.67 2008 15.851 5.79 2007 15.942 6.00 2006 16.054 6.50 2005 16.031 7.09 2004 16.154 6.80 2003 16.056 6.95 2002 16.079 6.91 2001 16.081 6.96 2000 16.169 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
LesothoWorld median
Lesotho fell from 37.47 in 2000 to 32.64 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Lesotho World median 2025 32.64 28.67 2024 32.76 29.04 2023 32.86 29.33 2022 32.74 29.67 2021 32.65 30.01 2020 33.25 30.54 2019 33.22 29.98 2018 33.11 30.15 2017 33.19 29.93 2016 33.18 29.91 2015 33.28 30.26 2014 33.48 30.47 2013 33.76 31.14 2012 33.91 31.00 2011 34.15 31.41 2010 34.52 32.37 2009 34.73 32.59 2008 34.65 31.76 2007 35.07 33.47 2006 35.45 34.27 2005 35.90 34.66 2004 36.25 35.51 2003 36.53 35.90 2002 36.79 35.96 2001 37.06 35.27 2000 37.47 35.67
03In context
Lesotho beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Lesotho and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 South Africa | =134th | 37.58 | 52.64 | 32.39 | 11.66 |
| Lesotho | =140th | 47.8 | 54.58 | 16.32 | 32.64 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Lesotho in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Lesotho is ahead of the world, and behind
31 more statistics filed under work & labour, 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 median2
Statistics on which Lesotho does better than the middle country measured.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1630.0419.16No earlier reading
Lesotho: 30.04 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 26th of 179 · derived.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0733.1132.07No earlier reading
Lesotho: 33.11 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Behind the world median20
Statistics on which Lesotho does worse than the middle country measured.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.611.991.61▼ Worsened since 2015
Lesotho: 1.99 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8632.9235.86▼ Worsened since 2019
Lesotho: 32.92 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 57th of 86 · derived.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3648.0953.36▼ Worsened since 2015
Lesotho: 48.09 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 123rd of 182 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6657.1261.66▼ Worsened since 2015
Lesotho: 57.12 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 127th of 182 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8155.441.81No earlier reading
Lesotho: 55.4 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 50th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 988498▼ Worsened since 2015
Lesotho: 84 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.88533.634.885▼ Worsened since 2015
Lesotho: 33.63 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 303▼ Worsened since 2015
Lesotho: 0 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8324.6712.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Lesotho: 24.67 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 31st of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
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.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7684.1236.76No earlier reading
Lesotho: 84.12 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 14th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,3848,63947,384No real change since 2015
Lesotho: 8,639 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 151st of 168 · derived.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.684.75316.68No earlier reading
Lesotho: 4.753 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 128th of 139 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.163.322.16No real change since 2015
Lesotho: 3.3 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 168th of 182 · derived.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.5632.5112.56No real change since 2019
Lesotho: 32.51 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 6th of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,742602.086,742▲ Improved since 2015
Lesotho: 602.08 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 144th of 151 · derived.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.8939.4717.89▼ Worsened since 2019
Lesotho: 39.47 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 4th of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3137.9814.31No real change since 2019
Lesotho: 37.98 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 5th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,636406.31,636▼ Worsened since 2019
Lesotho: 406.3 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 72nd of 75 · derived.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.6430.337▼ Worsened since 2019
Lesotho: 0.643 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 1st of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
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 end8
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8949.9838.89Moved since 2015
Lesotho: 49.98 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 2nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8833.0418.88No real change since 2015
Lesotho: 33.04 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 9th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3830.8814.38Moved since 2015
Lesotho: 30.88 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 55th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4517.1113.45Moved since 2019
Lesotho: 17.11 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8438.5231.84Moved since 2015
Lesotho: 38.52 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 80th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0113.6415.01No earlier reading
Lesotho: 13.64 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 72nd of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95306.4657.95Moved since 2014
Lesotho: 306.4 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5136.0959.51Moved since 2015
Lesotho: 36.09 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 160th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Lesotho
Employment Injury Protection Coverage, Fatal Occupational Injuries and Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons. 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
Work & Labour among Lesotho’s 14 topics
Work & Labour is Lesotho’s 8th 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 work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Lesotho can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Nigeria16th4/4 keysHighest in Southern Africa
South Africa=134th4/4 keysThis page
Lesotho=140th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 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 work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Lesotho on work & labour: 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 work & labour?
Lesotho is placed joint 140th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Lesotho?
47.8 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Lesotho?
54.58 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Lesotho compare with South Africa on work & labour?
South Africa is placed joint 134th of 182, and Lesotho joint 140th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: South Africa 37.58, Lesotho 47.8; Labour Income Share: South Africa 52.64, Lesotho 54.58; Unemployment Rate: South Africa 32.39, Lesotho 16.32; Vulnerable Employment: South Africa 11.66, Lesotho 32.64.
How have Lesotho’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 60.7 in 2000 to 47.8 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 53.31 in 2004 to 54.58 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 16.17 in 2000 to 16.32 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 37.47 in 2000 to 32.64 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Lesotho?
No current reading is published for Lesotho on Employment Injury Protection Coverage, Fatal Occupational Injuries and Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons. 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
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 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 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 31 statistics on this page come from 2 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
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Lesotho: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/lesotho/work