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Sub-Saharan Africa / LSO

Lesotho

Lesotho flag
ⓘ

2021 Factbook flag mirror; image identity has not been individually audited. Source.

Last updated: October 29, 2026

World Bank directory: capital Maseru · -29.5208°, 27.7167° · sourceRetrieved 2026-10-29 · single source, unverified; directory metadata may be stale.
Lesotho: CIA World Factbook map from 2021; original boundary notes preserved.
ⓘCIA World Factbook map, February 2021 media edition. Identity reviewed; current boundaries have not been audited. visual contact sheet or original identity check; does not verify current boundaries Boundaries, place names and designations may be dated or disputed; original annotations retained. SHA-256: 497db1529db4f350b2d4d107e83e305249188c1cfedad86365ab7aa805174744. Provenance and inspection record.

Introduction

Background:1

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.

Geography

Location:2

Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa

Geographic coordinates:3

29 30 S, 28 30 E

Map references:4

Africa

Area:5

Surface area: 30,360 square kilometers (2024)

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

Area - comparative:7

slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries:8

total:1,106 km
border countries (1):South Africa 1,106 km

Coastline:9

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:10

none (landlocked)

Climate:11

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

Terrain:12

mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains

Elevation:13

highest point:Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m
lowest point:junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m
mean elevation:2,161 m

Natural resources:14

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

Land use:15

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.)

Irrigated land:16

12 sq km (2013)

Major rivers (by length in km):17

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

Major watersheds (area sq km):18

Atlantic Ocean drainage:Orange (941,351 sq km)

Population distribution:19

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

Natural hazards:20

periodic droughts

Geography - note:21

landlocked, surrounded by South Africa; mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 m (5,900 ft) above sea level

People and Society

Population:22

Population: 2,363,325 people (2025)

total:2,227,548 (2024 est.)
male:1,101,959
female:1,125,589

Nationality:24

noun:Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural)
adjective:Basotho

Ethnic groups:25

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

Languages:26

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

Religions:27

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.)

Age structure:28

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)

Dependency ratios:29

total dependency ratio:59.6 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio:51 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio:8.6 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio:11.6 (2024 est.)

Median age:30

total:23.9 years (2024 est.)
male:23.4 years
female:24.3 years

Population growth rate:31

Population growth rate: 1.1 % annually (2025)

0.76% (2024 est.)

Birth rate:33

Crude birth rate: 23.76 births per 1,000 people (2024)

22.9 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate:35

Crude death rate: 10.48 deaths per 1,000 people (2024)

10.8 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Net migration rate:37

-4.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Population distribution:38

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

Urbanization:39

Urban population: 44.67 % of population (2025)

urban population:30.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization:2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population:41

202,000 MASERU (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio:42

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.)

Mother's mean age at first birth:43

20.9 years (2014 est.)

note:data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

Maternal mortality ratio:44

Maternal mortality ratio: 478 deaths per 100,000 live births (2023)

478 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate:46

Infant mortality rate: 56.3 deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)

total:45.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male:51 deaths/1,000 live births
female:40.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:48

Life expectancy at birth: 57.8 years (2024)

total population:60.2 years (2024 est.)
male:58.1 years
female:62.3 years

Total fertility rate:50

Total fertility rate: 2.66 births per woman (2024)

2.85 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Gross reproduction rate:52

1.4 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source:53

At least basic drinking water services: 78.08 % of population (2024)

improved
urban:93% of population (2022 est.)
rural:65.9% of population (2022 est.)
total:74% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved
urban:7% of population (2022 est.)
rural:34.1% of population (2022 est.)
total:26% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure:55

Current health expenditure: 12.61 % of GDP (2023)

Health expenditure (as % of GDP):10.2% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget):13.1% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density:57

Physicians: 0.24 per 1,000 people (2022)

0.24 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Sanitation facility access:59

At least basic sanitation services: 47.89 % of population (2024)

improved
urban:93.6% of population (2022 est.)
rural:62.4% of population (2022 est.)
total:71.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved
urban:6.4% of population (2022 est.)
rural:37.6% of population (2022 est.)
total:28.3% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate:61

16.6% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita:62

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.)

Tobacco use:63

total:22.8% (2025 est.)
male:42.4% (2025 est.)
female:4.1% (2025 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight:64

12.5% (2024 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49):65

53.7% (2023 est.)

Child marriage:66

women married by age 15:1% (2018)
women married by age 18:16.4% (2018)
men married by age 18:1.9% (2018)

Education expenditure:67

Government education expenditure: 6.62 % of GDP (2024)

Education expenditure (% GDP):6.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget):10.4% national budget (2024 est.)

Literacy:69

Adult literacy rate: 90.45 % of people aged 15 and over (2024)

total population:90.4% (2024 est.)
male:83.2% (2024 est.)
female:96.6% (2024 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):71

total:11 years (2017 est.)
male:11 years (2017 est.)
female:11 years (2017 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues:72

overgrazing; severe soil erosion; soil exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and redirects water to South Africa

International environmental agreements:73

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

Climate:74

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

Land use:75

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.)

Urbanization:76

urban population:30.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization:2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions:77

total 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.)

Particulate matter emissions:78

17.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Waste and recycling:79

municipal solid waste generated annually:73,500 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled:11.9% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal:80

municipal:20 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial:20 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural:3.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources:81

3.022 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Government

Country name:82

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 -

Government type:83

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Capital:84

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

Administrative divisions:85

10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka

Legal system:86

mixed system of English common law and Roman-Dutch law; High Court and Court of Appeal review legislative acts

Constitution:87

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

International law organization participation:88

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship:89

citizenship by birth:yes
citizenship by descent only:yes
dual citizenship recognized:no
residency requirement for naturalization:5 years

Suffrage:90

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:91

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

Legislative branch:92

legislature name:Parliament
legislative structure:bicameral

Legislative branch - lower chamber:93

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

Legislative branch - upper chamber:94

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

Judicial branch:95

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

Political parties:96

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

Diplomatic representation in the US:97

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
email address and website:lesothoembassy@verizon.net
email address and website:https://www.gov.ls/

Diplomatic representation from the US:98

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
email address and website:USConsularMaseru@state.gov
email address and website:https://ls.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation:99

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

Independence:100

4 October 1966 (from the UK)

National holiday:101

Independence Day, 4 October (1966)

Flag:102

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

National symbol(s):103

mokorotio (Basotho hat)

National color(s):104

blue, white, green, black

National anthem(s):105

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

National heritage:106

total World Heritage Sites:1 (mixed)
selected World Heritage Site locales:Maloti-Drakensberg Park

Economy

Economic overview:107

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):108

$6.166 billion (2024 est.)

$6 billion (2023 est.)

$5.893 billion (2022 est.)

note:data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate:109

2.8% (2024 est.)

1.8% (2023 est.)

2.4% (2022 est.)

note:annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita:110

$2,600 (2024 est.)

$2,600 (2023 est.)

$2,600 (2022 est.)

note:data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):111

GDP: 2,573,572,920.05 current US dollars (2025)

$2.272 billion (2024 est.)

note:data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices):113

6.1% (2024 est.)

6.3% (2023 est.)

8.3% (2022 est.)

note:annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin:114

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

GDP - composition, by end use:115

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

Agricultural products:116

milk, potatoes, maize, vegetables, fruits, sorghum, wheat, game meat, beans, wool (2023)

note:top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries:117

food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts, construction, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:118

2.6% (2024 est.)

note:annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force:119

884,200 (2024 est.)

note:number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate:120

16.2% (2024 est.)

16.5% (2023 est.)

16.7% (2022 est.)

note:% of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):121

total:24.2% (2024 est.)
male:17.7% (2024 est.)
female:36.2% (2024 est.)
note:% of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Population below poverty line:122

49.7% (2017 est.)

note:% of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:123

44.9 (2017 est.)

note:index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Household income or consumption by percentage share:124

lowest 10%:1.7% (2017 est.)
highest 10%:32.9% (2017 est.)
note:% share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances:125

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

Budget:126

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

Public debt:127

3% of GDP (2020 est.)

note:central government debt as a % of GDP

Taxes and other revenues:128

30.4% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note:central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Current account balance:129

$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

Exports:130

$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

Exports - partners:131

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

note:top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities:132

diamonds, garments, wool, power equipment, bedding (2023)

note:top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports:133

$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

Imports - partners:134

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

note:top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities:135

refined petroleum, fabric, trucks, garments, cotton fabric (2023)

note:top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:136

$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

Debt - external:137

$928.019 million (2023 est.)

note:present value of external debt in current US dollars

Exchange rates:138

Currency: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.)

Energy

Electricity access:139

electrification - total population:50% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas:83.6%
electrification - rural areas:37.7%

Electricity:140

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.)

Electricity generation sources:141

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.)

Coal:142

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.)

Petroleum:143

refined petroleum consumption:7,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita:144

Total energy consumption per capita 2023:8.117 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines:145

total subscriptions:7,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:(2023 est.) less than 1

Telephones - mobile cellular:146

total subscriptions:1.6 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:68 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media:147

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)

Internet country code:148

.ls

Internet users:149

percent of population:48% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions:150

total:9,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:(2023 est.) less than 1

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:151

7P

Airports:152

34 (2025)

Military and Security

Military and security forces:153

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

Military expenditures:154

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.)

Military and security service personnel strengths:155

approximately 2,000 active Defense Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:156

the LDF is lightly armed and has a small inventory of mostly older or second-hand equipment of European, South African, and US origin (2025)

Military service age and obligation:157

18-30 years of age for voluntary military service for both men and women (women can serve in combat arms); no conscription (2024)

Military - note:158

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)

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons:159

refugees:610 (2024 est.)

Additional observations

Real GDP growth160
1.98 % annual change (2025)
Consumer price inflation161
4.27 % annual change (2025)
Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate)162
16.32 % of labor force (2025)
Access to electricity163
60.6 % of population (2024)
Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption164
34.9 % (2022)
Individuals using the internet165
51.8 % of population (2024)

Historical observations

Notes & sources

  1. Background. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  2. Location. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  3. Geographic coordinates. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  4. Map references. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  5. Area. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. The archived total area has no reference year and territorial coverage may differ from World Bank surface area. World Bank: 30,360 square kilometers (2024). Reference: 30,355 square kilometers. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  6. Surface area. Surface area: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. The archived total area has no reference year and territorial coverage may differ from World Bank surface area. World Bank: 30,360 square kilometers (2024). Reference: 30,355 square kilometers. ↩
  7. Area - comparative. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  8. Land boundaries. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  9. Coastline. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  10. Maritime claims. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  11. Climate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  12. Terrain. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  13. Elevation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  14. Natural resources. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  15. Land use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  16. Irrigated land. Reference edition; observation: 2013. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  17. Major rivers (by length in km). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  18. Major watersheds (area sq km). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  19. Population distribution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  20. Natural hazards. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  21. Geography - note. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  22. Population. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 2,363,325 people (2025). Reference: 2,227,548 people (2024). Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  23. Population. Population: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 2,363,325 people (2025). Reference: 2,227,548 people (2024). ↩
  24. Nationality. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  25. Ethnic groups. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  26. Languages. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  27. Religions. Reference edition; observation: 2014 est.. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  28. Age structure. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  29. Dependency ratios. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  30. Median age. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  31. Population growth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  32. Population growth rate. Population growth rate: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  33. Birth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  34. Crude birth rate. Crude birth rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  35. Death rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  36. Crude death rate. Crude death rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  37. Net migration rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  38. Population distribution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  39. Urbanization. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  40. Urban population. Urban population: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  41. Major urban areas - population. Reference edition; observation: 2018. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  42. Sex ratio. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  43. Mother's mean age at first birth. Reference edition; observation: 2014. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  44. Maternal mortality ratio. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  45. Maternal mortality ratio. Maternal mortality ratio: observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  46. Infant mortality rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  47. Infant mortality rate. Infant mortality rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  48. Life expectancy at birth. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  49. Life expectancy at birth. Life expectancy at birth: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  50. Total fertility rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  51. Total fertility rate. Total fertility rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  52. Gross reproduction rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  53. Drinking water source. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  54. At least basic drinking water services. At least basic drinking water services: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. This separately sourced basic-service observation is shown alongside the reference edition’s improved/unimproved categories. It does not replace those category totals. ↩
  55. Health expenditure. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  56. Current health expenditure. Current health expenditure: observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  57. Physician density. Reference edition; observation: 2022. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  58. Physicians. Physicians: observation 2022; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  59. Sanitation facility access. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  60. At least basic sanitation services. At least basic sanitation services: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. This separately sourced basic-service observation is shown alongside the reference edition’s improved/unimproved categories. It does not replace those category totals. ↩
  61. Obesity - adult prevalence rate. Reference edition; observation: 2016. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  62. Alcohol consumption per capita. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  63. Tobacco use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  64. Children under the age of 5 years underweight. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  65. Currently married women (ages 15-49). Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  66. Child marriage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  67. Education expenditure. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  68. Government education expenditure. Government education expenditure: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  69. Literacy. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  70. Adult literacy rate. Adult literacy rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  71. School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  72. Environmental issues. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  73. International environmental agreements. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  74. Climate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  75. Land use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  76. Urbanization. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  77. Carbon dioxide emissions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  78. Particulate matter emissions. Reference edition; observation: 2019. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  79. Waste and recycling. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  80. Total water withdrawal. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  81. Total renewable water resources. Reference edition; observation: 2022. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  82. Country name. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  83. Government type. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  84. Capital. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  85. Administrative divisions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  86. Legal system. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  87. Constitution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  88. International law organization participation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  89. Citizenship. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  90. Suffrage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  91. Executive branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  92. Legislative branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  93. Legislative branch - lower chamber. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  94. Legislative branch - upper chamber. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  95. Judicial branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  96. Political parties. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  97. Diplomatic representation in the US. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  98. Diplomatic representation from the US. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  99. International organization participation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  100. Independence. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  101. National holiday. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  102. Flag. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  103. National symbol(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  104. National color(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  105. National anthem(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  106. National heritage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  107. Economic overview. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  108. Real GDP (purchasing power parity). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  109. Real GDP growth rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  110. Real GDP per capita. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  111. GDP (official exchange rate). Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 2,573,572,920.05 current US dollars (2025). Reference: 2,272,000,000 current US dollars (2024). Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  112. GDP. GDP: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 2,573,572,920.05 current US dollars (2025). Reference: 2,272,000,000 current US dollars (2024). ↩
  113. Inflation rate (consumer prices). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  114. GDP - composition, by sector of origin. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  115. GDP - composition, by end use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  116. Agricultural products. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  117. Industries. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  118. Industrial production growth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  119. Labor force. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  120. Unemployment rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  121. Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  122. Population below poverty line. Reference edition; observation: 2017. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  123. Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  124. Household income or consumption by percentage share. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  125. Remittances. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  126. Budget. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  127. Public debt. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  128. Taxes and other revenues. Reference edition; observation: 2022. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  129. Current account balance. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  130. Exports. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  131. Exports - partners. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  132. Exports - commodities. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  133. Imports. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  134. Imports - partners. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  135. Imports - commodities. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  136. Reserves of foreign exchange and gold. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  137. Debt - external. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  138. Exchange rates. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  139. Electricity access. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  140. Electricity. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  141. Electricity generation sources. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  142. Coal. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  143. Petroleum. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  144. Energy consumption per capita. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  145. Telephones - fixed lines. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  146. Telephones - mobile cellular. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  147. Broadcast media. Reference edition; observation: 2019. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  148. Internet country code. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  149. Internet users. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  150. Broadband - fixed subscriptions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  151. Civil aircraft registration country code prefix. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  152. Airports. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  153. Military and security forces. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  154. Military expenditures. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  155. Military and security service personnel strengths. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  156. Military equipment inventories and acquisitions. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  157. Military service age and obligation. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  158. Military - note. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  159. Refugees and internally displaced persons. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-04 13:07:33 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  160. Real GDP growth. Real GDP growth: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Gross domestic product is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period. It can be measured in three different ways: using either the expenditure approach, the income approach, or the production approach. This indicator denotes the percentage change over each previous year of the constant price (base year 2015) series in United States dollars. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?format=json ↩
  161. Consumer price inflation. Consumer price inflation: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Inflation as measured by the consumer price index reflects the annual percentage change in the cost to the average consumer of acquiring a basket of goods and services that may be fixed or changed at specified intervals, such as yearly. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG?format=json ↩
  162. Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate). Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate): observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. The ILO modeled estimate is not necessarily directly comparable with national unemployment measures. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS?format=json ↩
  163. Access to electricity. Access to electricity: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Access to electricity is the percentage of population with access to electricity. Electrification data are collected from industry, national surveys and international sources. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?format=json ↩
  164. Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption. Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption: observation 2022; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Renewable energy consumption is the share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS?format=json ↩
  165. Individuals using the internet. Individuals using the internet: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?format=json ↩
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Countries & territories

Same-year values. Equal values share a rank.

Sources & method

Ranks cover available countries and territories, using the same indicator, source unit and reference year. Unrounded source values determine ties. Coverage is not a sovereign-country or complete global ranking; national definitions may differ. Missing values and other years are excluded. The information icon preserves the original number, unit and evidence.

RankCountry or territoryValue
Source information