World · permanent entity record · LT

Lesotho

Thirty-second orientation

Lesotho at a glance

Capital: Maseru; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 2,363,325; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 30,355 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural); adjective: Basotho; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: parliamentary constitutional monarchy; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: Sesotho (official), English (official), Phuthi, Xhosa, Zulu; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Lesotho through time

1966-10-17
Admitted to the United Nations
Lesotho became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	2,363,325World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 2,222,962 (2025 est.) male: 1,099,314 female: 1,123,648CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-18

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $2.6 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $1,089; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 57.8 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 44.7%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 60.6%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 51.8%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Maseru; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 30,355 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 2,363,325; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: maloti (LSL); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: Sesotho (official), English (official), Phuthi, Xhosa, Zulu; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural); adjective: Basotho; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: parliamentary constitutional monarchy; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1966-10-17; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: blue, white, green, black; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: mokorotio (Basotho hat); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana · 11,424 ft (3,482 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers · 4,593 ft (1,400 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-18Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-18 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Paramount chief MOSHOESHOE I consolidated what would become Basutoland in the early 19th century and made himself king in 1822. Continuing encroachments by Dutch settlers from the neighboring Orange Free State caused the king to enter into an 1868 agreement with the UK that made Basutoland first a British protectorate and, after 1884, a crown colony. After gaining independence in 1966, the country was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho. The Basotho National Party ruled the country during its first two decades. King MOSHOESHOE II was exiled in 1990, returned to Lesotho in 1992, was reinstated in 1995, and was then succeeded by his son, King LETSIE III, in 1996. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after seven years of military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody intervention by South African and Batswana military forces under the aegis of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Subsequent constitutional reforms restored relative political stability. Peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002, but the National Assembly elections in 2007 were hotly contested, and aggrieved parties disputed how seats were awarded. In 2012, competitive elections saw Prime Minister Motsoahae Thomas THABANE form a coalition government -- the first in the country's history -- that ousted the 14-year incumbent, Pakalitha MOSISILI, who peacefully transferred power the following month. MOSISILI returned to power in snap elections in 2015 after the collapse of THABANE’s coalition government and an alleged attempted military coup. In 2017, THABANE returned to become prime minister but stepped down in 2020 after being implicated in his estranged wife’s murder. He was succeeded by Moseketsi MAJORO. In 2022, Ntsokoane Samuel MATEKANE was inaugurated as prime minister and head of a three-party coalition.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Geography19 fields

Location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Geographic coordinates: 29 30 S, 28 30 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Map references: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Area: total : 30,355 sq km land: 30,355 sq km water: 0 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Land boundaries: total: 1,106 km border countries (1): South Africa 1,106 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Maritime claims: none (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Terrain: mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Elevation: highest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m mean elevation: 2,161 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Natural resources: water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay, building stone; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 77.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 11.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 65.9% (2023 est.) forest: 1.1% (2023 est.) other: 21.1% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Irrigated land: 12 sq km (2013); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Major rivers (by length in km): Orange river source (shared with South Africa and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Population distribution: relatively higher population density in the western half of the nation, with the capital of Maseru and the smaller cities of Mafeteng, Teyateyaneng, and Leribe attracting the most people, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Natural hazards: periodic droughts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Geography - note: landlocked, surrounded by South Africa; mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 m (5,900 ft) above sea level; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

People and Society35 fields

Population: total: 2,222,962 (2025 est.) male: 1,099,314 female: 1,123,648; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Nationality: noun: Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural) adjective: Basotho; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Ethnic groups: Sotho 99.7%, other 0.3% (includes Kwena, Nguni (Hlubi and Phuthi), Zulu); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Languages: Sesotho (official), English (official), Phuthi, Xhosa, Zulu; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 32% (male 358,137/female 353,618) 15-64 years: 62.7% (male 699,197/female 696,626) 65 years and over: 5.4% (2024 est.) (male 44,625/female 75,345); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 56.8 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 48.2 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 8.6 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 11.6 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Median age: total: 24 years (2025 est.) male: 23.4 years female: 24.3 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Population growth rate: 0.73% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Birth rate: 21.68 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Death rate: 10.2 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Net migration rate: -4.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Population distribution: relatively higher population density in the western half of the nation, with the capital of Maseru and the smaller cities of Mafeteng, Teyateyaneng, and Leribe attracting the most people, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 30.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Major urban areas - population: 202,000 MASERU (capital) (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.9 years (2014 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 478 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 52.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.2 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.2 years (2024 est.) male: 58.1 years female: 62.3 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Total fertility rate: 2.49 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.23 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 93% of population (2022 est.) rural: 65.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 74% of population (2022 est.) urban: 7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 34.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 26% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Health expenditure: 10.2% of GDP (2021) 13.1% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Physician density: 0.24 physicians/1,000 population (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 93.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 62.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 71.7% of population (2022 est.) urban: 6.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 37.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 28.3% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 16.6% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 3.56 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.98 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.44 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.31 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.82 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Tobacco use: total: 22.8% (2025 est.) male: 42.4% (2025 est.) female: 4.1% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 12.5% (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 46.9% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 1% (2018) women married by age 18: 16.4% (2018) men married by age 18: 1.9% (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Education expenditure: 6.6% of GDP (2024 est.) 10.4% national budget (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Literacy: total population: 90.4% (2024 est.) male: 83.2% (2024 est.) female: 96.6% (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years (2017 est.) male: 11 years (2017 est.) female: 11 years (2017 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Environment10 fields

Environmental issues: overgrazing; severe soil erosion; soil exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and redirects water to South Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 77.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 11.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 65.9% (2023 est.) forest: 1.1% (2023 est.) other: 21.1% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 30.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 1.148 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 175,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 973,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 17.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 73,500 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 11.9% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 20 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 20 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 3.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Total renewable water resources: 3.022 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Government25 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho conventional short form: Lesotho local long form: Kingdom of Lesotho local short form: Lesotho former: Basutoland etymology: the name comes from the Sotho people, whose name means "dark-skinned;" Le- is a singular noun prefix; the former name, Basutoland, uses the plural noun prefix, Ba-; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Capital: name: Maseru geographic coordinates: 29 19 S, 27 29 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name means "[place of] red sandstones" in the Sesotho language; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Legal system: mixed system of English common law and Roman-Dutch law; High Court and Court of Appeal review legislative acts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Constitution: history: previous 1959, 1967; latest adopted 2 April 1993 (effectively restoring the 1967 version) amendment process: proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments affecting constitutional provisions, including fundamental rights and freedoms, sovereignty of the kingdom, the office of the king, and powers of Parliament, requires a majority vote by the National Assembly, approval by the Senate, approval in a referendum by a majority of qualified voters, and assent of the king; passage of amendments other than those specified provisions requires at least a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Parliament; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Ntsokoane Samuel MATEKANE (28 October 2022) cabinet: consists of the prime minister (appointed by the King on the advice of the Council of State), the deputy prime minister, and 18 other ministers; the prime minister is the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the National Assembly election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary but has no executive or legislative powers under the constitution; under traditional law, the College of Chiefs has the power to depose the monarch, determine next in line of succession, or serve as regent in the event that a successor is not of mature age note: King LETSIE III previously occupied the throne from November 1990 to February 1995 while his father was in exile; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: bicameral; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Legislative branch - lower chamber: chamber name: National Assembly number of seats: 122 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 11/2/2022 parties elected and seats per party: Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) (56); Democratic Congress (DC) (29); All Basotho Convention (ABC) (8); Basotho Action Party (BAP) (6); Other (20) percentage of women in chamber: 25% expected date of next election: October 2027; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Legislative branch - upper chamber: chamber name: Senate number of seats: 33 (11 appointed) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 10/7/2022 percentage of women in chamber: 21.2% expected date of next election: November 2027; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, such number of justices of appeal as set by Parliament, and the Chief Justice and the puisne judges of the High Court ex officio); High Court (consists of the chief justice and such number of puisne judges as set by Parliament) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and High Court chief justice appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; puisne judges appointed by the monarch on advice of the Judicial Service Commission, an independent body of judicial officers and officials designated by the monarch; judges of both courts can serve until age 75 subordinate courts: Magistrate Courts; customary or traditional courts; military courts note: both the Court of Appeal and the High Court have jurisdiction in constitutional issues; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Political parties: All Basotho Convention or ABC Alliance of Democrats or AD Basotho Action Party or BAP Basotho National Party or BNP Democratic Congress or DC Democratic Party of Lesotho or DPL Lesotho People's Congress or LPC Movement of Economic Change or MEC National Independent Party or NIP Popular Front for Democracy of PFD Reformed Congress of Lesotho or RCL; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tumisang MOSOTHO (since 16 September 2022) chancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-5533 FAX: [1] (202) 234-6815 email address and website: lesothoembassy@verizon.net https://www.gov.ls/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Thomas HINES (since August 2024) embassy: 254 Kingsway Avenue, Maseru mailing address: 2340 Maseru Place, Washington DC 20521-2340 telephone: [266] 22312666 FAX: [266] 22310116 email address and website: USConsularMaseru@state.gov https://ls.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Independence: 4 October 1966 (from the UK); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 4 October (1966); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Flag: description: three horizontal stripes of blue (top), white, and green; centered on the white stripe is a black mokorotlo, a traditional Basotho straw hat and national symbol meaning: blue stands for rain, white for peace, and green for prosperity history: the redesigned flag was introduced in 2006 to celebrate 40 years of independence; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
National symbol(s): mokorotio (Basotho hat); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
National color(s): blue, white, green, black; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Lesotho fatse la bo ntat'a rona" (Lesotho, Land of Our Fathers) lyrics/music: Francois COILLARD/Ferdinand-Samuel LAUR history: adopted 1967; music derives from an 1823 Swiss songbook; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Maloti-Drakensberg Park; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Economy31 fields

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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $6.166 billion (2024 est.) $6 billion (2023 est.) $5.893 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 2.8% (2024 est.) 1.8% (2023 est.) 2.4% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Real GDP per capita: $2,600 (2024 est.) $2,600 (2023 est.) $2,600 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $2.272 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.1% (2024 est.) 6.3% (2023 est.) 8.3% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 6.5% (2024 est.) industry: 31% (2024 est.) services: 48% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 92.9% (2023 est.) government consumption: 35.6% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 28.3% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: -1.1% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 42.9% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -98.6% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Agricultural products: milk, potatoes, maize, vegetables, fruits, sorghum, wheat, game meat, beans, wool (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Industries: food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts, construction, tourism; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 2.6% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Labor force: 884,200 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Unemployment rate: 16.2% (2024 est.) 16.5% (2023 est.) 16.7% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 24.2% (2024 est.) male: 17.7% (2024 est.) female: 36.2% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Population below poverty line: 49.7% (2017 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 44.9 (2017 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7% (2017 est.) highest 10%: 32.9% (2017 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Remittances: 22% of GDP (2024 est.) 22.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 22.6% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Budget: revenues: $1.13 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $1.256 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Public debt: 3% of GDP (2020 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 30.4% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Current account balance: $84.393 million (2024 est.) -$151.577 million (2023 est.) -$268.876 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Exports: $983.027 million (2024 est.) $885.789 million (2023 est.) $1.07 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Exports - partners: South Africa 31%, Belgium 26%, USA 20%, UAE 8%, India 8% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Exports - commodities: diamonds, garments, wool, power equipment, bedding (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Imports: $2.083 billion (2024 est.) $2.077 billion (2023 est.) $2.247 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Imports - partners: South Africa 78%, China 10%, Taiwan 3%, Japan 1%, India 1% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, fabric, trucks, garments, cotton fabric (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.008 billion (2024 est.) $854.089 million (2023 est.) $771.278 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Debt - external: $928.019 million (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Exchange rates: maloti (LSL) per US dollar - 18.329 (2024 est.) 18.45 (2023 est.) 16.356 (2022 est.) 14.779 (2021 est.) 16.459 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Energy6 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 50% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 83.6% electrification - rural areas: 37.7%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 104,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 833.009 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 453.992 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 102.88 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 99.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Coal: production: 57,000 metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 81,000 metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 1 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 24,000 metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 7,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 8.117 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 7,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 1.64 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 70 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Broadcast media: 1 state-owned TV station and 2 state-owned radio stations; most private broadcast media transmitters are connected to government radio signal towers; satellite TV subscription service available; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters obtainable (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Internet country code: .ls; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 48% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 9,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Transportation2 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 7P; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Airports: 34 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Military and Security6 fields

Military and security forces: Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) (2025) note: the Lesotho Mounted Police Service is responsible for internal security and reports to the Minister of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 2,000 active Defense Forces (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the LDF is lightly armed and has a small inventory of mostly older or secondhand equipment of European, South African, and US origin (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Military service age and obligation: 20-30 years of age for voluntary military service for both men and women (2026); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source
Military - note: the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) is responsible for the maintenance of the country's sovereignty and the preservation of internal security; in practice, external security is guaranteed by South Africa; the LDF is a small force that began in 1964 as the Police Mobile Unit (PMU); the PMU was designated as the Lesotho Paramilitary Force in 1980 and became the Royal Lesotho Defense Force in 1986; it was renamed the Lesotho Defense Force in 1993 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

Transnational Issues1 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 610 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-18 · source

The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.

Lesotho at a glance

Lesotho through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile