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
male: 1,101,959
female: 1,125,589 (2024 est.)
Ethnic groups
Sotho 99.7%, other 0.3% (includes Kwena, Nguni (Hlubi and Phuthi), Zulu)
Languages
Sesotho (official) (southern Sotho), 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); note - King LETSIE III formerly occupied the throne from November 1990 to February 1995 while his father was in exile
head of government: Prime Minister Ntsokoane Samuel MATEKANE (28 October 2022)
Legislative branch
description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate (33 seats; 22 principal chiefs and 11 other senators nominated by the king with the advice of the Council of State, a 13-member body of key government and non-government officials; members serve 5-year terms)
National Assembly (120 seats; 80 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 40 elected through proportional representation; members serve 5-year terms)
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)
$5.166 billion (2022 est.)
$5.109 billion (2021 est.)
$5.016 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$2,200 (2022 est.)
$2,200 (2021 est.)
$2,200 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, potatoes, maize, vegetables, fruit, beef, game meat, mutton, beans, wool
Industries
food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts, construction, tourism
Exports
$1.07 billion (2022 est.)
$1.082 billion (2021 est.)
$902.123 million (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
United States 29%, Belgium 26%, South Africa 25%, Switzerland 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities
diamonds, clothing and apparel, wool, low-voltage protection equipment, wheat flours (2021)
Imports
$2.244 billion (2022 est.)
$2.222 billion (2021 est.)
$1.986 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
South Africa 85%, China 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, clothing and apparel, packaged medicines, delivery trucks, poultry meats (2019)
Exchange rates
maloti (LSL) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
16.356 (2022 est.)
14.779 (2021 est.)
16.459 (2020 est.)
14.448 (2019 est.)
13.234 (2018 est.)
Page last updated: Wednesday, May 01, 2024
