Sub-Saharan Africa

Lesotho: official statistics and sources

11 official bodies for Lesotho, from Lesotho Bureau of Statistics to Land Administration Authority, with key figures from the World Bank and IMF. Official languages: Sesotho, English. Capital: Maseru.

Who holds power in Lesotho

• Head of state: King Letsie III (King of the Kingdom of Lesotho)
• Head of government: Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane (Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and National Security of the Kingdom of Lesotho)
• Foreign minister: Limpho Tau (Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho)

Source: UN Protocol and Liaison Service list, dated 15 October 2026. All world leaders.

Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy. How local power works in Lesotho: 4 tiers of government below the nation, who is elected and who they answer to.

Part of level 6 of the 10 levels of power.

Government, regions and cities

• Government and power in Lesotho: leaders, governance scores, women in parliament, spending and the bodies that hold power to account
• All 10 districts: Maseru, Leribe, Berea, Mafeteng, Mohale's Hoek…
• Maseru (capital)

Key figures

What the figures show

The World Bank puts Lesotho's population at 2.4 million in 2025, up from 2.1 million in 2015. Of the 48 UN members in the World Bank's Sub-Saharan Africa region, 39 have more people; worldwide it comes 141st.

GDP for 2025 was $2.6 billion at current dollar prices, according to the World Bank. That works out at $1,089 a head; the regional median is $1,351.

Real GDP grew by 2.0% in 2025, World Bank figures show. For 2026 the IMF expects 1.1%.

Across 2025 the annual rate was 4.3%. The IMF forecasts 4.6% for 2026.

The ILO's modelled unemployment rate for 2025 is 16.3%; the national statistics office may publish a different figure from its own survey.

The IMF records general government gross debt of 49.4% of GDP for 2025, compared with a median of 53.1% across the World Bank's Sub-Saharan Africa region; its 2026 projection is 47.5%.

Life expectancy at birth: 57.8 years (2024).

• Annual inflation since 2015: highest 8.3% (2022), lowest 3.2% (2015).
• Debt ratio 2015: 45.8%; 2025: 49.4%.
• GDP per person in dollars, 2015 to 2025: minus 3%.

Figures checked 2026-10-13; how they are compiled.

Official sources in Lesotho

Statistics office prices, jobs, people, output

• Lesotho Bureau of Statistics
  Lesotho's official statistics, including the consumer price index, GDP, the census and labour force surveys.

Central bank interest rates and money

• Central Bank of Lesotho
  Monetary policy statements, the policy rate, financial stability reports and economic statistics.

Parliament debates, votes, bills

• Parliament of Lesotho (National Assembly and Senate)
  Hansard, bills, order papers and the lists of members of both chambers.

Government

• Government of Lesotho
  Ministry information, government notices and official news.

Public audit how public money was spent

• Office of the Auditor General
  Audit reports on the consolidated government accounts and public bodies.

Elections results and rules

• Independent Electoral Commission
  Election results, voter registration information and electoral calendars.

Regulators

• Lesotho Communications Authority
  Telecoms and broadcasting licences, regulations and market data.
• Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority
  Electricity and water tariff decisions, licences and regulatory reports.

Ombudsman

• Office of the Ombudsman
  Annual reports and information on complaints against public bodies.

Public registers companies, land, charities

• Registrar of Companies online registry
  Online company incorporation, filings and search of company, director and shareholder details in Lesotho.
• Land Administration Authority
  Land leases, land registration and cadastral services in Lesotho.

Notes

No working website was found for the judiciary.

Freedom of information in Lesotho

No general access-to-information law for Lesotho was found in the official sources checked on 2026-10-13. No national access-to-information law could be found in the official sources checked on 2026-10-13.

What Lesotho does not have

• No national procurement portal could be found.
• No public register of societies, lobbyists or officials' asset declarations could be found online.
• No information commissioner could be found.
• No state-run case-law database could be found; no working judiciary site was found.

Also: World Bank country data · IMF country page · UN Sustainable Development Goals country profile · IPU Parline parliament profile.

Lesotho by subject

• Economy GDP, growth, trade and investment
• Jobs and pay unemployment, jobs and work
• Cost of living inflation, poverty and inequality
• Public finances debt, deficit, tax and spending
• Health and care life expectancy, doctors and spending
• Housing homes, cities, water and power
• Crime and justice murder rate, courts and crime
• Immigration migrants, refugees and remittances
• Education schools, universities and literacy
• Environment emissions, air, forests and water

Common questions

What is the population of Lesotho?

2.4 million (2025, World Bank). National figures: Lesotho Bureau of Statistics.

What is the inflation rate in Lesotho?

4.3% (2025, World Bank). Official index: Lesotho Bureau of Statistics.

What is Lesotho's GDP?

$2.6 billion (2025, World Bank).

How much government debt does Lesotho have?

49.4% of GDP (2025, International Monetary Fund).

Who publishes official statistics in Lesotho?

Lesotho Bureau of Statistics: https://www.bos.gov.ls/

What is the central bank of Lesotho?

Central Bank of Lesotho: https://centralbank.org.ls/

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