Lesotho: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Lesotho?

Lesotho's unemployment rate was 30.1% in 2024, according to the Labour Force Survey 2024 key indicators of the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics. The rate was 29.5% for men and 30.7% for women.

Of 1.51 million people aged 15 and over, 549,722 were employed and 236,576 unemployed. Only 52.0% of working-age people were in the labour force, and 36.4% were in work. A further 226,857 people were discouraged jobseekers, who want work but have stopped looking. Counting them and others in the potential labour force, the bureau's broader LU3 measure is 46.1%. Unemployed people are those who did not work at all in the reference week, were available to start within two weeks and had looked for work in the past four weeks.

Official sources: Bureau of Statistics: Labour Force Survey 2024 key indicators (ZIP with PDF)

What is youth unemployment in Lesotho?

Unemployment among people aged 15 to 24 was 48.75% in 2024, according to the Labour Force Survey 2024 key indicators of the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics. The rate was 55.6% for young women and 43.4% for young men.

Lesotho defines youth as people aged 15 to 35, in line with the African Union and SADC. On that wider definition the unemployment rate was 38.9%. Nearly half (49.8%) of 15 to 24 year olds were not in employment, education or training. Among young people with jobs, 98.1% were in informal employment.

Official sources: Bureau of Statistics: Labour Force Survey 2024 key indicators (ZIP with PDF)

How many people in Lesotho work in the informal sector?

84.0% of employed people in Lesotho were in informal employment in 2024, according to the Labour Force Survey 2024 key indicators of the Lesotho Bureau of Statistics. That is 461,873 of 549,722 workers.

The rate was 86.0% for women and 82.3% for men. The bureau classifies informal employment by the nature of the job, separately from formal employment, which it classifies by the nature of the enterprise. 87,849 people worked in formal enterprises. Trade union membership covered 9.6% of employed people.

Official sources: Bureau of Statistics: Labour Force Survey 2024 key indicators (ZIP with PDF)

What is Lesotho's minimum wage?

The ILO puts the statutory minimum wage in Lesotho at 1,881 LSL a month (about $103) in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2012.

How much do workers in Lesotho earn on average?

In 2024, average monthly earnings of employees in Lesotho was $136 a month, according to the ILO. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $173 a month, and Lesotho placed 9th highest of 12. Of 75 countries with 2024 data, 70th highest.

What is Lesotho's unemployment rate?

16.3%: that is the unemployment rate in Lesotho for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 18.4% in 2020 and the low 15.8% in 2012. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 5.2%; Lesotho is 8th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 13th highest.

How many young people in Lesotho are unemployed?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Lesotho was 24.7% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 28.2%; its low point was 2005, at 22.5%. It is 10th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 8.8%. World rank, highest first: 29th of 174.

How many people in Lesotho are working or looking for work?

57.1%: that is the labour force participation rate in Lesotho for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 56.8% (2021) to 69.8% (2005). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 64.3%, and Lesotho placed 33rd highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 125th highest.

What share of women in Lesotho are in the labour force?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 48.1%. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 57.3%, and Lesotho placed 35th highest of 45. Worldwide: 117th of 174.

How many people in Lesotho are employed?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Lesotho was 47.8%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 58.6%; its low point was 2021, at 46.5%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 58.8%; Lesotho is 37th highest of 45. Worldwide: 145th of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Lesotho?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Lesotho at 32.6% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 67.6%; Lesotho is 38th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 84th highest.

How many people in Lesotho are employees?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are paid employees in Lesotho was 61.5% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 29.0%, and Lesotho placed 9th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 95th of 174.