Lesotho flag

Lesotho

Kingdom of Lesotho

Capital

Maseru

Region

Africa

Population

2,116,427

Area (km²)

30,355

💡Quick Summary

Lesotho, a landlocked kingdom in southern Africa completely surrounded by South Africa, has a population of around 2.1 million and spans 30,355 km², with Maseru as its bustling capital. Often called the "Kingdom in the Sky" due to its mountainous terrain—the only country entirely above 1,000 meters elevation—it features stunning highlands and a rich Basotho cultural heritage. While GDP data isn't available here, the economy centers on agriculture, textiles, and water exports to neighboring regions.

Key Insights

Urbanization vs. Rural Divide: A Growing Trend

Lesotho shows a significant urban population percentage at 42.678%, indicating a steady shift from rural to urban living. This trend can bring both opportunities for economic development and challenges related to infrastructure, housing, and service provision in urban centers.

Limited Access to Electricity: A Development Bottleneck

Only 57.300% of Lesotho's population has access to electricity, which is relatively low for a country in the 21st century. This limited access can hinder economic development, educational opportunities, and overall quality of life, especially in rural areas, and is a key infrastructure challenge.

Economic Struggles: High Unemployment and Low GDP Per Capita

Lesotho's economy is characterized by a low GDP per capita of $916.28 and a high unemployment rate of 16.457%. These figures highlight significant economic challenges, indicating limited job opportunities and a low standard of living for a substantial portion of the population, despite a modest GDP growth of 1.827%.

Stark Contrast: Low Life Expectancy Amidst Moderate Fertility

Lesotho faces a significant challenge with one of the lowest life expectancies globally at just 57.38 years. This is particularly striking when considering its fertility rate of 2.69, which is not exceptionally high compared to other countries with similarly low life expectancies, suggesting other severe health or social factors are at play.

Economic Indicators
Latest economic data from World Bank

GDP (Current US$)

$2.12B

Year: 2023

GDP Per Capita

$916.28

GDP Growth (%)

1.83%

Inflation (%)

6.34%

Unemployment (%)

16.46%

Debt to GDP (%)

N/A%

Source: World Bank • Last updated: 12/24/2025

Historical Trends & Data Visualizations

GDP Growth Rate
Annual percentage change in GDP over time
2014201520162017201820192020202120222023-12.00%-8.00%-4.00%0.00%4.00%
  • GDP Growth (%)
Population Growth
Total population over time
20142015201620172018201920202021202220230600,0001,200,0001,800,0002,400,000
  • Population
Life Expectancy
Average life expectancy at birth (years)
20142015201620172018201920202021202220230.0years15.0years30.0years45.0years60.0years
  • Life Expectancy (years)
Renewable Energy Consumption
Percentage of total energy from renewable sources
2014201520162017201820192020202120220.0%15.0%30.0%45.0%60.0%
  • Renewable Energy (%)
GDP Per Capita
Economic output per person (current US$)
2014201520162017201820192020202120222023$0$300$600$900$1,200
  • GDP Per Capita ($)

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