Country Profile: Lesotho

Lesotho is a landlocked country nestled within South Africa, characterized by its mountainous terrain which constitutes over 80% of its land above 1,800 meters in elevation. With a population estimated at around 2.2 million, the nation has a predominantly Sotho ethnic demographic, and its official languages are Sesotho and English. Lesotho's economy, classified as lower middle-income, is marked by challenges such as high levels of poverty and unemployment but is bolstered by a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and remittances from abroad. The political landscape has seen considerable evolution since its independence in 1966, currently functioning as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.

Geography

Lesotho is situated in Southern Africa, completely surrounded by South Africa. The country is characterized by highland plateaus and mountains, with Thabana Ntlenyana being the highest point at 3,482 meters. It has a temperate climate with dry winters and hot, wet summers. As a landlocked nation, it lacks a coastline, and its primary natural resources include water, diamonds, and agricultural land.

• 30,355 sq km: Total land area, slightly smaller than Maryland.
• 1,106 km: Total land boundaries with South Africa.
• 74.8%: Percentage of land used for agriculture (2022 est.).
• 1.1%: Percentage of forested land (2022 est.).
• >80%: Proportion of the country over 1,800 m above sea level.
• 3.02 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2020 est.).

People and Society

The population of Lesotho is estimated at 2.2 million in 2024, with a nearly equal gender distribution. The majority of citizens belong to the Sotho ethnic group, and the median age is around 23.9 years. The country exhibits a relatively low urbanization rate of 30.4% and has a high dependency ratio, reflecting a youthful demographic. Education and health indicators show a mixed landscape, with a literacy rate of 86.2% and a life expectancy at birth of 60.2 years.

• 22.9 births/1,000 population: Birth rate (2024 est.).
• 60.2 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).
• 49.7%: Population living below the poverty line (2017 est.).
• 10.5%: Children under 5 years who are underweight (2018).
• 16.2%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.).
• 82.6%: Total population with access to improved drinking water (2020 est.).

Economy

Lesotho's economy is classified as lower middle-income and relies heavily on agriculture, remittances, and services. The real GDP is projected to reach $6.166 billion in 2024, with a growth rate of 2.8%. However, the nation faces challenges, including systemic corruption and high rates of poverty. The labor force is approximately 884,200, and the majority of economic activity is concentrated in the services and industry sectors.

• $6.166 billion: Real GDP (PPP) for 2024.
• 16.2%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.).
• 22% of GDP: Share of remittances in the economy (2024 est.).
• 49.7%: Population below the poverty line (2017 est.).
• 2.6%: Industrial production growth rate (2024 est.).
• 92.9%: Household consumption as a percentage of GDP (2023 est.).

Government

Lesotho is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with the King acting as the head of state and a Prime Minister leading the government. The current Prime Minister is Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane, inaugurated in October 2022. The country has undergone various political shifts, particularly following its independence in 1966, and it features a mixed legal system based on English common law and Roman-Dutch law.

• 1: National heritage site (Maloti-Drakensberg Park).
• 10: Number of administrative districts.
• 122: Total seats in the National Assembly.
• 25%: Percentage of women in the National Assembly (2022).
• 18 years: Minimum voting age for universal suffrage.

Military and Security

The Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) is the country's military, responsible for sovereignty and internal security. It is a small force with approximately 2,000 active personnel and generally relies on South Africa for external security. Military expenditures account for about 1.5% of GDP.

• 2,000: Active personnel in the Lesotho Defense Force (2025).
• 1.5% of GDP: Military expenditures for 2024.
• 18-30 years: Eligibility age for voluntary military service.
• 0: Conscription policy; military service is voluntary.

Energy

Electricity access in Lesotho remains limited, with only about 50% of the population having access to electricity as of 2022. The country primarily relies on hydroelectric power, generating 99.6% of its electricity from this source. Significant investments in renewable energy are underway to enhance capacity.

• 104,000 kW: Installed generating capacity as of 2023.
• 50%: Total population with electricity access (2022).
• 833.009 million kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023).
• 37.7%: Electrification in rural areas (2022).

Communications

Lesotho's communication infrastructure includes a mix of fixed and mobile telephone services, with approximately 1.6 million mobile cellular subscriptions as of 2023. Internet penetration is relatively moderate, with about 48% of the population being users.

• 9,000: Fixed broadband subscriptions as of 2023.
• 1.6 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
• 48%: Internet usage percentage of the population (2023).
• 7,000: Total fixed line telephone subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,227,548 (2024 est.)
Area	30,355 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$6.166 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	16.2% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	22.9 births/1,000	(2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	60.2 years (2024 est.)
Electricity Access	50% (2022 est.)
Literacy Rate	86.2% (2018 est.)
Urban Population	30.4% (2023 est.)
Total Labor Force	884,200 (2024 est.)