Lesotho

World Book Index

Introduction

Basutoland became Lesotho after gaining independence from the UK in 1966. Constitutional reforms in the late 1990s restored relative political stability.

Neighboring country

South Africa

Geography

Area
total: 30,355 sq km
land: 30,355 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate
temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers

Natural resources
water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay, building stone

People and Society

Population
total: 2,227,548 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
Sotho 99.7%, other 0.3% (includes Kwena, Nguni (Hlubi and Phuthi), Zulu)

Languages
Sesotho (official), English (official), Phuthi, Xhosa, Zulu

Religions
Protestant 47.8% (Pentecostal 23.1%, Lesotho Evangelical 17.3%, Anglican 7.4%), Roman Catholic 39.3%, other Christian 9.1%, non-Christian 1.4%, none 2.3% (2014 est.)

Population growth rate
0.76% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Capital
name: Maseru

Executive branch
chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Ntsokoane Samuel MATEKANE (28 October 2022)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Tumisang MOSOTHO (since 16 September 2022)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Thomas HINES (since August 2024)

Economy

Economic overview
lower middle-income economy surrounded by South Africa; environmentally fragile and politically unstable; key infrastructure and renewable energy investments; dire poverty; urban job and income losses due to COVID-19; systemic corruption

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$6.166 billion (2024 est.)
$6 billion (2023 est.)
$5.893 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$2,600 (2024 est.)
$2,600 (2023 est.)
$2,600 (2022 est.)

Exports
$983.027 million (2024 est.)
$885.789 million (2023 est.)
$1.07 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
South Africa 31%, Belgium 26%, USA 20%, UAE 8%, India 8% (2023)

Exports - commodities
diamonds, garments, wool, power equipment, bedding (2023)

Imports
$2.083 billion (2024 est.)
$2.077 billion (2023 est.)
$2.247 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
South Africa 78%, China 10%, Taiwan 3%, Japan 1%, India 1% (2023)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, fabric, trucks, garments, cotton fabric (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.550, ranking it 167th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 153th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 3.341. (more information)