2014 Edition

Background

Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. The Basuto National Party ruled the country during its first two decades. King MOSHOESHOE was exiled in 1990, but returned to Lesotho in 1992 and was reinstated in 1995 and subsequently 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. Subsequent constitutional reforms restored relative political stability. Peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002, but the National Assembly elections of February 2007 were hotly contested and aggrieved parties disputed how the electoral law was applied to award proportional seats in the Assembly. In May 2012, competitive elections involving 18 parties 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.

Area

30,355 sq km 30,355 sq km 0 sq km

total

30,355 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland

Climate

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

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m

highest point

Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m

lowest point

junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m

Environment - current issues

population pressure forcing settlement in marginal areas results in overgrazing, severe soil erosion, and soil exhaustion; desertification; Highlands Water Project controls, stores, and redirects water to South Africa

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.04 cu km/yr (46%/46%/9%) 21.79 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

21.79 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.04 cu km/yr (46%/46%/9%)

Geographic coordinates

29 30 S, 28 30 E

Geography - note

landlocked, completely surrounded by South Africa; mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 m above sea level

Irrigated land

26.37 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

909 km South Africa 909 km

border countries

South Africa 909 km

total

909 km

Land use

10.14% 0.13% 89.72% (2011)

arable land

10.14%

other

89.72% (2011)

permanent crops

0.13%

Location

Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

periodic droughts

Natural resources

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

Terrain

mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains

Total renewable water resources

3.02 cu km (2011)

Age structure

32.9% (male 321,017/female 318,265) 19.9% (male 184,006/female 203,336) 36.8% (male 349,365/female 364,970) 4.9% (male 51,274/female 44,847) 5.4% (male 52,955/female 51,973) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

32.9% (male 321,017/female 318,265)

15-24 years

19.9% (male 184,006/female 203,336)

25-54 years

36.8% (male 349,365/female 364,970)

55-64 years

4.9% (male 51,274/female 44,847)

65 years and over

5.4% (male 52,955/female 51,973) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

25.92 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

103,020 23 % (2000 est.)

percentage

23 % (2000 est.)

total number

103,020

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

13.5% (2010)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

47% (2009/10)

Death rate

14.91 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

67.1 % 60.1 % 7 % 14.3 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

7 %

potential support ratio

14.3 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

67.1 %

youth dependency ratio

60.1 %

Drinking water source

urban: 93.2% of population rural: 76.7% of population total: 81.3% of population urban: 6.8% of population rural: 23.3% of population total: 18.7% of population (2012 est.)

rural

23.3% of population

total

18.7% of population (2012 est.)

urban

6.8% of population

Education expenditures

13% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%,

Health expenditures

12.8% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

23.1% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

15,500 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

358,700 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

50.48 deaths/1,000 live births 54.38 deaths/1,000 live births 46.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

46.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

50.48 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Sesotho (official) (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa

Life expectancy at birth

52.65 years 52.55 years 52.75 years (2014 est.)

female

52.75 years (2014 est.)

total population

52.65 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 89.6% 83.3% 95.6% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

95.6% (2010 est.)

male

83.3%

total population

89.6%

Major urban areas - population

MASERU (capital) 239,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

620 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

23.6 years 23.6 years 23.6 years (2014 est.)

female

23.6 years (2014 est.)

male

23.6 years

total

23.6 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

21.2 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2009 est.)

Nationality

Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural) Basotho

adjective

Basotho

noun

Mosotho (singular), Basotho (plural)

Net migration rate

-7.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

14.6% (2008)

Physicians density

0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2003)

Population

1,942,008 estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

0.34% (2014 est.)

Religions

Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 37% of population rural: 26.7% of population total: 29.6% of population urban: 63% of population rural: 73.3% of population total: 70.4% of population (2012 est.)

rural

73.3% of population

total

70.4% of population (2012 est.)

urban

63% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 12 years (2012)

female

12 years (2012)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.91 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.96 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.99 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.78 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

34.4% 29% 41.9% (2008)

female

41.9% (2008)

total

34.4%

Urbanization

27.6% of total population (2011) 3.57% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.57% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

27.6% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Maseru 29 19 S, 27 29 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

29 19 S, 27 29 E

name

Maseru

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1959, 1967; latest adopted 2 April 1993 (effectively restoring the 1967 version); amended 2001 (2013)

Country name

Kingdom of Lesotho Lesotho Kingdom of Lesotho Lesotho Basutoland

conventional long form

Kingdom of Lesotho

conventional short form

Lesotho

former

Basutoland

local long form

Kingdom of Lesotho

local short form

Lesotho

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Carl B. FOX 254 Kingsway Road, Maseru West (Consular Section) P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho [266] 22 312666 [266] 22 310116

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Carl B. FOX

embassy

254 Kingsway Road, Maseru West (Consular Section)

FAX

[266] 22 310116

mailing address

P. O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho

telephone

[266] 22 312666

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Eliachim Molapi SEBATANE (since 2 November 2011) 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 797-5533 [1] (202) 234-6815

chancery

2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Eliachim Molapi SEBATANE (since 2 November 2011)

FAX

[1] (202) 234-6815

telephone

[1] (202) 797-5533

Executive branch

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 Prime Minister Motsoahae Thomas THABANE (since 8 June 2012) Cabinet the leader of the majority party, or coalition of parties, in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister; the monarchy is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution that came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is a "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislative powers; under traditional law, the college of chiefs has the power to depose the monarch, determine next in line of succession or shall serve as regent in the event that the successor is not of mature age

cabinet

Cabinet

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

elections

the leader of the majority party, or coalition of parties, in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister; the monarchy is hereditary, but, under the terms of the constitution that came into effect after the March 1993 election, the monarch is a "living symbol of national unity" with no executive or legislative powers; under traditional law, the college of chiefs has the power to depose the monarch, determine next in line of succession or shall serve as regent in the event that the successor is not of mature age

head of government

Prime Minister Motsoahae Thomas THABANE (since 8 June 2012)

Flag description

three horizontal stripes of blue (top), white, and green in the proportions of 3:4:3; the colors represent rain, peace, and prosperity respectively; centered in the white stripe is a black Basotho hat representing the indigenous people; the flag was unfurled in October 2006 to celebrate 40 years of independence

three horizontal stripes of blue (top), white, and green in the proportions of 3

4:3; the colors represent rain, peace, and prosperity respectively; centered in the white stripe is a black Basotho hat representing the indigenous people; the flag was unfurled in October 2006 to celebrate 40 years of independence

Government type

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Independence

4 October 1966 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

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); note - both the Court of Appeal and the High Court have jurisdiction in constitutional issues 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 Magistrate Courts; customary or traditional courts; Courts Martial

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); note - both the Court of Appeal and the High Court have jurisdiction in constitutional issues

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; Courts Martial

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 members - 22 principal chiefs and 11 other members appointed by the ruling party) and the Assembly (120 seats, 80 by popular vote and 40 by proportional vote; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 26 May 2012 (next to be held in 2017) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DC 48, ABC 30, LCD 26, BNP 5, PFD 3, NIP 2, other 6

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DC 48, ABC 30, LCD 26, BNP 5, PFD 3, NIP 2, other 6

elections

last held on 26 May 2012 (next to be held in 2017)

National anthem

"Lesotho fatse la bo ntat'a rona" (Lesotho, Land of Our Fathers) Francois COILLARD/Ferdinand-Samuel LAUR adopted 1967; the anthem's music derives from an 1823 Swiss songbook

lyrics/music

Francois COILLARD/Ferdinand-Samuel LAUR

name

"Lesotho fatse la bo ntat'a rona" (Lesotho, Land of Our Fathers)

National holiday

Independence Day, 4 October (1966)

National symbol(s)

Basotho hat

Political parties and leaders

Pakalitha Mosisili All Basotho Convention or ABC [Motsoahae Thomas THABANE] Basotho Batho Democratic Party or BBDP [Geremane RAMATHEBANE] Basotho Congress Party or BCP [Thulo MAHLAKENG] Basotho Democratic National Party or BDNP [Thabang NYEOE] Basotho National Party or BNP [Thesele MASERIBANE] Democratic Congress or DC [Pakalitha MOSISILI] Lesotho Congress for Democracy or LCD [Mothetjoa METSING] Lesotho Peoples Congress or LPC [Kelebone MAOPE] Lesotho Workers Party or LWP [Macaefa BILLY] Marematlou Freedom Party or MFP [Vincent MALEBO] National Independent Party or NIP [Kimetso MATHABA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Media Institute of Southern Africa, Lesotho chapter [Tsebo MATŠASA] (pushes for media freedom)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock

Budget

$1.462 billion $1.483 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$1.483 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$1.462 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.9% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

9.36% (31 December 2012 est.) 10% (31 December 2010 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10% (31 December 2013 est.) 10.12% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$518.4 million (2013 est.) -$587.4 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$794 million (31 December 2013 est.) $779.8 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

63.2 (1995) 56 (1986-87)

Economy - overview

Small, mountainous, and completely landlocked by South Africa, Lesotho is a least developed country in which about three-fourths of the people live in rural areas and engage in subsistence agriculture. Lesotho produces less than 20% of the nation's demand for food. Rain-fed agriculture is vulnerable to weather and climate variability; an estimated 725,500 people will require food assistance in 2012/13. The distribution of income in Lesotho remains inequitable. Lesotho relies on South Africa for much of its economic activity. Lesotho imports 90% of the goods it consumes from South Africa, including most agricultural inputs. Households depend heavily on remittances from family members working in South Africa, in mines, on farms and as domestic workers, though mining employment has declined substantially since the 1990s. Government revenue depends heavily on transfers from South Africa. Customs duties from the Southern Africa Customs Union accounted for 44% of government revenue in 2012. The South African Government also pays royalties for water transferred to South Africa from a dam and reservoir system in Lesotho. However, the government continues to strengthen its tax system to reduce dependency on customs duties and other transfers. Access to credit remains a problem for the private sector. The government maintains a large presence in the economy - government consumption accounted for 39% of GDP in 2013 and the government remains Lesotho's largest employer. Lesotho's largest private employer is the textile and garment industry - approximately 36,000 Basotho, mainly women, work in factories producing garments for export to South Africa and the US. Diamond mining in Lesotho has grown in recent years and may contribute 8.5% to GDP by 2015, according to current forecasts. Lesotho's $362.5 million Millennium Challenge Account Compact, which focused on strengthening the healthcare system, developing the private sector, and providing access to improved water supplies and sanitation facilities, will end in September 2013. Despite the 2008/09 global economic crisis, the economy has had strong, but declining growth since 2010.

Exchange rates

maloti (LSL) per US dollar - 9.575 (2013 est.) 8.2 (2012 est.) 7.32 (2010 est.) 8.47 (2009) 7.75 (2008)

Exports

$941.2 million (2013 est.) $972.4 million (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

manufactures (clothing, footwear), wool and mohair, food and live animals, electricity, water, diamonds

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

86% 39.4% 33.7% 1.2% 47.9% -108.2% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

47.9%

government consumption

39.4%

household consumption

86%

imports of goods and services

-108.2%

investment in fixed capital

33.7%

investment in inventories

1.2%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

7.4% 34.5% 58.2% (2013 est.)

agriculture

7.4%

industry

34.5%

services

58.2% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,200 (2013 est.) $2,200 (2012 est.) $2,100 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.1% (2013 est.) 4.5% (2012 est.) 5.7% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.457 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.265 billion (2013 est.) $4.096 billion (2012 est.) $3.918 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

11.4% of GDP (2013 est.) 7.8% of GDP (2012 est.) 7.8% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1% 39.4% (2003)

highest 10%

39.4% (2003)

lowest 10%

1%

Imports

$2.148 billion (2013 est.) $2.239 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum products

Industrial production growth rate

4.3% (2013 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5% (2013 est.) 6.1% (2012 est.)

Labor force

874,200 (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

86% 14% most of the resident population is engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa (2002 est.)

agriculture

86%

industry and services

14%

Population below poverty line

49% (1999)

Public debt

NA

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$857.9 million (31 December 2013 est.) $749.4 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$903.4 million (31 December 2013 est.) $840.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$635.7 million (31 December 2013 est.) $398 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$85,420 (31 December 2013 est.) $75,280 (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$425.1 million (31 December 2013 est.) $408.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

59.5% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

25% (2008 est.) 45% (2002 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

445,600 Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

307 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

247 million kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

76,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

200 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,777 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,711 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

1 state-owned TV station and 2 state-owned radio stations; government controls most private broadcast media; satellite TV subscription service available; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters obtainable (2008)

Internet country code

.ls

Internet hosts

11,030 (2012)

Internet users

76,800 (2009)

Telephone system

rudimentary system consisting of a modest number of landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a small radiotelephone communication system; mobile-cellular telephone system is expanding privatized in 2001, Telecom Lesotho was tasked with providing an additional 50,000 fixed-line connections within five years, a target not met; mobile-cellular service dominates the market and is expanding with a subscribership roughly 65 per 100 persons in 2011; rural services are scant country code - 266; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

domestic

privatized in 2001, Telecom Lesotho was tasked with providing an additional 50,000 fixed-line connections within five years, a target not met; mobile-cellular service dominates the market and is expanding with a subscribership roughly 65 per 100 persons in 2011; rural services are scant

general assessment

rudimentary system consisting of a modest number of landlines, a small microwave radio relay system, and a small radiotelephone communication system; mobile-cellular telephone system is expanding

international

country code - 266; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

43,100 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.312 million (2012)

Airports

24 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

1

over 3,047 m

1

total

3

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

16 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

5

total

21

Roadways

5,940 km 1,069 km 4,871 km (2011)

total

5,940 km

unpaved

4,871 km (2011)

Manpower available for military service

472,456 508,953 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

508,953 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

472,456

Manpower fit for military service

270,184 275,734 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

275,734 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

270,184

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

19,110 20,037 (2010 est.)

female

20,037 (2010 est.)

male

19,110

Military - note

Lesotho's declared policy is maintenance of its independent sovereignty and preservation of internal security; in practice, external security is guaranteed by South Africa; restructuring of the Lesotho Defense Force (LDF) and Ministry of Defense and Public Service over the past five years has focused on subordinating the defense apparatus to civilian control and restoring the LDF's cohesion; the restructuring has considerably improved capabilities and professionalism, but the LDF is disproportionately large for a small, poor country; the government has outlined a reduction to a planned 1,500-man strength, but these plans have met with vociferous resistance from the political opposition and from inside the LDF (2008)

Military branches

Lesotho Defense Force (LDF): Army (includes Air Wing) (2012)

Lesotho Defense Force (LDF)

Army (includes Air Wing) (2012)

Military expenditures

1.94% of GDP (2012) 2.3% of GDP (2011) 1.94% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18-24 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; women serve as commissioned officers (2012)

Disputes - international

South Africa has placed military units to assist police operations along the border of Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to control smuggling, poaching, and illegal migration

Trafficking in persons

Lesotho is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking and for men subjected to forced labor; Basotho women and children are subjected to domestic servitude and children, to a lesser extent, commercial sexual exploitation within Lesotho and South Africa; some Basotho women willingly migrate to South Africa seeking work in domestic service only to be forced into prostitution; some Basotho men who voluntarily migrate to South Africa for work become victims of forced labor in agriculture and mining or are coerced into committing crimes Tier 2 Watch List - Lesotho does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has decreased its anti-trafficking law enforcement and victim protection efforts during 2012; authorities have initiated fewer prosecutions, ceased arresting suspected trafficking offenders due to a backlog of prosecutions, and stopped referring victims to NGO centers for care; the government has not implemented key portions of the 2011 anti-trafficking act, including failing to develop formal referral procedures, establish victim care centers, and complete a national action plan (2013)

current situation

Lesotho is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking and for men subjected to forced labor; Basotho women and children are subjected to domestic servitude and children, to a lesser extent, commercial sexual exploitation within Lesotho and South Africa; some Basotho women willingly migrate to South Africa seeking work in domestic service only to be forced into prostitution; some Basotho men who voluntarily migrate to South Africa for work become victims of forced labor in agriculture and mining or are coerced into committing crimes

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Lesotho does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has decreased its anti-trafficking law enforcement and victim protection efforts during 2012; authorities have initiated fewer prosecutions, ceased arresting suspected trafficking offenders due to a backlog of prosecutions, and stopped referring victims to NGO centers for care; the government has not implemented key portions of the 2011 anti-trafficking act, including failing to develop formal referral procedures, establish victim care centers, and complete a national action plan (2013)