Economy, jobs and prices in Butha-Buthe, Lesotho: official figures
About 37% of the labour force in Butha-Buthe was unemployed in the 2024 Labour Force Survey (about 15,900 people out of a labour force of 42,482), 3rd highest of the 10 districts (Lesotho: 30.1%). The district rate is worked out from the survey's district tables.
How many people in Butha-Buthe have a job?
29.4% of people aged 15 and over in Butha-Buthe had a job in 2024, 4th lowest of the 10 districts (Lesotho: 36.4%); 33.2% of men and 25.7% of women.
Source: Lesotho Bureau of Statistics · saved copyDo people in Butha-Buthe have clean drinking water?
77.6% of people in Butha-Buthe had at least a basic drinking water service (an improved source on the premises or within a 30-minute round trip) in 2023-24, 4th lowest of the 10 districts (Lesotho: 81.7%).
Source: Ministry of Health, Lesotho (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many homes in Butha-Buthe have a toilet?
58.3% of people in Butha-Buthe had at least a basic sanitation service (an improved toilet not shared with other households) and 13.3% had no toilet at all; the share with no toilet is 4th lowest of the 10 districts (Lesotho: 46.3% and 16.3%).
Source: Ministry of Health, Lesotho (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyMore figures
- The labour force participation rate in Butha-Buthe (people aged 15 and over working or looking for work) was 46.8% in 2024, joint 4th lowest of the 10 districts (Lesotho: 52.0%); 53.5% for men and 40.4% for women. Source: Lesotho Bureau of Statistics · saved copy
How Butha-Buthe compares with other districts
Unemployment rate (age 15+, computed from LFS district tables) (2024)
Butha-Buthe ranks 3 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate (age 15+, computed from LFS district tables) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mokhotlong | 44.6% |
| 2 | Thaba-Tseka | 38.0% |
| 3 | Butha-Buthe | 37.3% |
| 4 | Quthing | 31.3% |
| 5 | Mafeteng | 31.3% |
| 6 | Maseru | 31.2% |
| 7 | Leribe | 26.8% |
Employment-to-population ratio (age 15+) (2024)
Butha-Buthe ranks 7 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Employment-to-population ratio (age 15+) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Mohale's Hoek | 36.7% |
| 5 | Leribe | 36.1% |
| 6 | Mafeteng | 33.3% |
| 7 | Butha-Buthe | 29.4% |
| 8 | Qacha's Nek | 29.0% |
| 9 | Thaba-Tseka | 28.6% |
| 10 | Mokhotlong | 25.6% |
Population with at least basic drinking water (2023-24)
Butha-Buthe ranks 7 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Population with at least basic drinking water |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Mohale's Hoek | 82.7% |
| 5 | Qacha's Nek | 82.5% |
| 6 | Leribe | 78.9% |
| 7 | Butha-Buthe | 77.6% |
| 8 | Mokhotlong | 76.8% |
| 9 | Mafeteng | 75.6% |
| 10 | Thaba-Tseka | 55.6% |
More on Butha-Buthe: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Lesotho
Sources
- Ministry of Health, Lesotho (with ICF, The DHS Program): Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey 2023-24, Final Report (district rows of Tables 2.6, 2.13, 3.3.1, 3.9.1, 5.2, 5.12, 7.3.2, 9.2, 9.7, 10.4, 11.1, 12.5.1, 14.2, 14.7 and 19.1), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 d7fd2a0a8ae0…)
- Lesotho Bureau of Statistics: 2024 Labour Force Survey Report (Tables 3.7, 4.2, 4.22 and 7.5 by district), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b444d334073b…)
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