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Lesotho

Country Summary

2023 population pyramid

Introduction

Background

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

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

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)

Legislative branch

summary: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 seats) and the National Assembly (120 seats)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Tumisang MOSOTHO (since 16 September 2022)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Maria E. BREWER (since 10 March 2022)

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)

$5.868 billion (2023 est.)
$5.816 billion (2022 est.)
$5.742 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$2,500 (2023 est.)
$2,500 (2022 est.)
$2,500 (2021 est.)

Exports

$886.278 million (2023 est.)
$1.07 billion (2022 est.)
$1.082 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners

South Africa 37%, US 28%, Belgium 19%, UAE 6%, UK 3% (2022)

Exports - commodities

garments, diamonds, water, wool, power equipment (2022)

Imports

$2.058 billion (2023 est.)
$2.244 billion (2022 est.)
$2.222 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners

South Africa 77%, China 6%, Taiwan 5%, Zimbabwe 4%, India 2% (2022)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, fabric, cotton, garments, electricity (2022)


Page last updated: Monday, September 09, 2024