2017 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2017 Archive (HTML)

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Countries

268

Data Records

71,914

Lesotho

2017 Edition · 301 data fields

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Introduction

Background

Basutoland was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho upon independence from the UK in 1966. The Basutho 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 in 2007 were hotly contested and aggrieved parties disputed how the electoral law was applied to award proportional seats in the Assembly. In 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. MOSISILI returned to power in snap elections in February 2015 after the collapse of THABANE’s coalition government and an alleged attempted military coup.

Geography

Area

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

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

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

30 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

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

Land use

76.1% arable land 10.1%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 65.9% 1.5% 22.4% (2011 est.)
agricultural land: 76.1%
forest: 1.5%
other: 22.4% (2011 est.)

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

Population - distribution

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

Terrain

mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains

People and Society

Age structure

32.12% (male 316,106/female 312,869) 19.43% (male 181,481/female 199,039) 37.94% (male 362,798/female 380,001) 5.01% (male 52,293/female 45,828) 5.5% (male 55,163/female 52,464) (2017 est.)
0-14 years: 32.12% (male 316,106/female 312,869)
15-24 years: 19.43% (male 181,481/female 199,039)
25-54 years: 37.94% (male 362,798/female 380,001)
55-64 years: 5.01% (male 52,293/female 45,828)
65 years and over: 5.5% (male 55,163/female 52,464) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

24.6 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

10.3% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

60.2% (2014)

Death rate

15 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Demographic profile

Lesotho faces great socioeconomic challenges. More than half of its population lives below the property line, and the country’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is the second highest in the world. In addition, Lesotho is a small, mountainous, landlocked country with little arable land, leaving its population vulnerable to food shortages and reliant on remittances. Lesotho’s persistently high infant, child, and maternal mortality rates have been increasing during the last decade, according to the last two Demographic and Health Surveys. Despite these significant shortcomings, Lesotho has made good progress in education; it is on-track to achieve universal primary education and has one of the highest adult literacy rates in Africa. Lesotho’s migration history is linked to its unique geography; it is surrounded by South Africa with which it shares linguistic and cultural traits. Lesotho at one time had more of its workforce employed outside its borders than any other country. Today remittances equal about 17% of its GDP. With few job options at home, a high rate of poverty, and higher wages available across the border, labor migration to South Africa replaced agriculture as the prevailing Basotho source of income decades ago. The majority of Basotho migrants were single men contracted to work as gold miners in South Africa. However, migration trends changed in the 1990s, and fewer men found mining jobs in South Africa because of declining gold prices, stricter immigration policies, and a preference for South African workers. Although men still dominate cross-border labor migration, more women are working in South Africa, mostly as domestics, because they are widows or their husbands are unemployed. Internal rural-urban flows have also become more frequent, with more women migrating within the country to take up jobs in the garment industry or moving to care for loved ones with HIV/AIDS. Lesotho’s small population of immigrants is increasingly composed of Taiwanese and Chinese migrants who are involved in the textile industry and small retail businesses.

Dependency ratios

66.9 59.5 7.4 13.5 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 7.4
potential support ratio: 13.5 (2015 est.)
total dependency ratio: 66.9
youth dependency ratio: 59.5

Drinking water source

urban: 94.6% of population rural: 77% of population total: 81.8% of population urban: 5.4% of population rural: 23% of population total: 18.2% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 23% of population
total: 18.2% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 5.4% of population

Education expenditures

13% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

10.6% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

25% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

9,900 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

330,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

46.1 deaths/1,000 live births 49.7 deaths/1,000 live births 42.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
female: 42.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
male: 49.7 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 46.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

53 years 53 years 53.1 years (2017 est.)
female: 53.1 years (2017 est.)
male: 53 years
total population: 53 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 79.4% 70.1% 88.3% (2015 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
female: 88.3% (2015 est.)
male: 70.1%
total population: 79.4%

Major urban areas - population

MASERU (capital) 267,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

487 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

24.2 years 24.2 years 24.2 years (2017 est.)
female: 24.2 years (2017 est.)
male: 24.2 years
total: 24.2 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

21 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2014 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2014 est.)

Nationality

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

Net migration rate

-6.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

16.6% (2016)

Population

1,958,042 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 2017 est.)
note: 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 2017 est.)

Population distribution

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

Population growth rate

0.28% (2017 est.)

Religions

Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 37.3% of population rural: 27.6% of population total: 30.3% of population urban: 62.7% of population rural: 72.4% of population total: 69.7% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 72.4% of population
total: 69.7% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 62.7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 10 years 11 years (2014)
female: 11 years (2014)
male: 10 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 1.14 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 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: 1.14 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.63 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

34.4% NA NA (2013 est.)
female: NA (2013 est.)
male: NA
total: 34.4%

Urbanization

28.4% of total population (2017) 2.85% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
rate of urbanization: 2.85% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
urban population: 28.4% of total population (2017)

Government

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)

Citizenship

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

Constitution

previous 1959, 1967; latest adopted 2 April 1993 (effectively restoring the 1967 version) 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 by the king; passage of amendments other than those specified provisions requires at least a two-thirds majority vote in both Parliament houses; amended several times, last in 2011 (2017)
amendments: 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 by the king; passage of amendments other than those specified provisions requires at least a two-thirds majority vote in both Parliament houses; amended several times, last in 2011 (2017)
history: previous 1959, 1967; latest adopted 2 April 1993 (effectively restoring the 1967 version)

Country name

Kingdom of Lesotho Lesotho Kingdom of Lesotho Lesotho Basutoland the name translates as "Land of the Sesotho Speakers"
conventional long form: Kingdom of Lesotho
conventional short form: Lesotho
etymology: the name translates as "Land of the Sesotho Speakers"
former: Basutoland
local long form: Kingdom of Lesotho
local short form: Lesotho

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Matthew T. HARRINGTON (October 2014) 254 Kingsway Road, Maseru West (Consular Section) P.O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho [266] 22 312 666 [266] 22 310 116
chief of mission: Ambassador Matthew T. HARRINGTON (October 2014)
embassy: 254 Kingsway Road, Maseru West (Consular Section)
FAX: [266] 22 310 116
mailing address: P.O. Box 333, Maseru 100, Lesotho
telephone: [266] 22 312 666

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Eliachim Molapi SEBATANE (since 18 January 2012) 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 18 January 2012)
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 Thomas Motsoahae Thomas THABANE (since 16 June 2017) consists of the Prime Minister, appointed by the King on the advice of the Council of State, and 25 other Ministers 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, to determine next in line of succession, or to serve as regent in the event that a successor is not of mature age; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister
cabinet: consists of the Prime Minister, appointed by the King on the advice of the Council of State, and 25 other Ministers
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/appointments: 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, to determine next in line of succession, or to serve as regent in the event that a successor is not of mature age; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the Assembly automatically becomes prime minister
head of government: Prime Minister Thomas Motsoahae Thomas THABANE (since 16 June 2017)

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, ICCt, 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; military courts
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; military courts

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 seats; 22 principal chiefs and 11 other senators nominated by the king with the advice of the Council of State, a 13-member body of key government and non-government officials; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly (120 seats; 80 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 40 elected through proportional representation; members serve 5-year terms) last held on 3 June 2017 (next to be held in 2022) National Assembly - percent of votes by party - ABC 40.5%, DC 25.8%, LCD 9.0%, AD 7.3%, MEC 5.1%, BNP 4.1, PFD 2.3%, other 5.9%; seats by party - ABC 48, DC 30, LCD 11, AD 9, MEC 6, BNP 5, PFD 3, other 5, vacant 3
description: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (33 seats; 22 principal chiefs and 11 other senators nominated by the king with the advice of the Council of State, a 13-member body of key government and non-government officials; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly (120 seats; 80 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 40 elected through proportional representation; members serve 5-year terms)
election results: National Assembly - percent of votes by party - ABC 40.5%, DC 25.8%, LCD 9.0%, AD 7.3%, MEC 5.1%, BNP 4.1, PFD 2.3%, other 5.9%; seats by party - ABC 48, DC 30, LCD 11, AD 9, MEC 6, BNP 5, PFD 3, other 5, vacant 3
elections: last held on 3 June 2017 (next to be held in 2022)

National anthem

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

National holiday

Independence Day, 4 October (1966)

National symbol(s)

mokorotio (Basotho hat); national colors: blue, white, green, black
mokorotio (Basotho hat); national colors: blue, white, green, black

Political parties and leaders

All Basotho Convention or ABC [Motsoahae Thomas THABANE] Alliance of Democrats or AD [Monyane MOLELEKI] Basotho Congress Party or BCP [Thulo MAHLAKENG] 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 [Mabusetsa MAKHARILELE] Marematlou Freedom Party or MFP [Tlhoriso LEKATSA] Movement of Economic Change or MEC [Selibe MOCHOBOROANE] National Independent Party or NIP [Kimetso MATHABA] Popular Front for Democracy of PFD [Lekhetho RAKUOANE] Reformed Congress of Lesotho or RCL [Keketso RANTSO] Truth Reconciliation Unity or TRU [Tlali KHASU]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Media Institute of Southern Africa or MISA, Lesotho chapter [Tsebo MAT�ASA] (media freedom advocates)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Economy

Agriculture - products

corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock

Budget

$917.8 million $1.081 billion (2016 est.)
expenditures: $1.081 billion (2016 est.)
revenues: $917.8 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.75% (2 February 2016) 6.25% (31 December 2015)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11.58% (31 December 2016 est.) 10.59% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-174 million (2016 est.) $-84 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$921.3 million (31 December 2016 est.) $879.9 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

63.2 (1995) 56 (1986-87)

Economy - overview

Small, mountainous, and completely landlocked by South Africa, Lesotho depends on a narrow economic base of textile manufacturing, agriculture, remittances, and regional customs revenue. About three-fourths of the people live in rural areas and engage in animal herding and subsistence agriculture, although Lesotho produces less than 20% of the nation's demand for food. Agriculture is vulnerable to weather and climate variability. 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. Lesotho is a member of the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU), and revenues from SACU accounted for roughly 44% of total government revenue in 2014. Lesotho also gains royalties from the South African Government 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. The government maintains a large presence in the economy - government consumption accounted for 27% of GDP in 2016. The government remains Lesotho's largest employer; in 2014-15, the government wage bill rose to 21% of GDP – the largest in sub-Saharan Africa. 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 accounts for nearly 9% of GDP. Lesotho managed steady GDP growth at an average of 4.5% from 2010 to 2014 but poverty remains widespread around 57% of the total population.

Exchange rates

maloti (LSL) per US dollar - 14.7096 (2016 est.) 14.71 (2015 est.) 12.76 (2014 est.) 10.85 (2013 est.) 8.2 (2012 est.)

Exports

$894 million (2016 est.) $928.5 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

South Africa 56.5%, US 35.4% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

78.4% 29.2% 31.7% -15.5% 43.1% -66.9% (2016 est.)
exports of goods and services: 43.1%
government consumption: 29.2%
household consumption: 78.4%
imports of goods and services: -66.9% (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 31.7%
investment in inventories: -15.5%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

5.4% 33.1% 61.5% (2016 est.)
agriculture: 5.4%
industry: 33.1%
services: 61.5% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,600 (2016 est.) $3,600 (2015 est.) $3,500 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars
note: data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.4% (2016 est.) 2.5% (2015 est.) 3.4% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.264 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$6.996 billion (2016 est.) $6.749 billion (2015 est.) $6.512 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars
note: data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

21% of GDP (2016 est.) 23.8% of GDP (2015 est.) 20.1% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1% 39.4% (2003)
highest 10%: 39.4% (2003)
lowest 10%: 1%

Imports

$1.613 billion (2016 est.) $1.73 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

South Africa 84.5% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

5.6% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.4% (2016 est.) 3.2% (2015 est.)

Labor force

922,400 (2016 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%
note: most of the resident population is engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line

57% (2016 est.)

Public debt

47.8% of GDP (2016 est.) 49.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$925.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) $904.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$725.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) $652.1 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$456.5 million (31 December 2016 est.) $376.1 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$230.9 million (31 December 2016 est.) $48.89 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$356.3 million (31 December 2016 est.) $340.6 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

40.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

28.1% (2014 est.) 25% (2008 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 users

534,360 27.4% (July 2016 est.)
percent of population: 27.4% (July 2016 est.)
total: 534,360

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 Econet Telecom Lesotho provides telecom services; fixed-line density is low; mobile-cellular service dominates the market with a subscribership now over 115 per 100 persons country code - 266; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2016)
domestic: Econet Telecom Lesotho provides telecom services; fixed-line density is low; mobile-cellular service dominates the market with a subscribership now over 115 per 100 persons
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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

41,158 2 (July 2016 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (July 2016 est.)
total subscriptions: 41,158

Telephones - mobile cellular

2,282,917 117 (July 2016 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 117 (July 2016 est.)
total: 2,282,917

Transportation

Airports

24 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)
914 to 1,523 m: 1
over 3,047 m: 1
total: 3
under 914 m: 1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

16 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 5
total: 21
under 914 m: 16 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

7P (2016)

Roadways

5,940 km 1,069 km 4,871 km (2011)
paved: 1,069 km
total: 5,940 km
unpaved: 4,871 km (2011)

Military and Security

Military - note

Lesotho's declared policy for its military is the maintenance of the country's sovereignty and the preservation of internal security; in practice, external security is guaranteed by South Africa

Military branches

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

Military expenditures

1.85% of GDP (2016) 1.89% of GDP (2015) 1.89% of GDP (2014) 1.89% of GDP (2013) 1.99% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

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

Transnational Issues

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; in Lesotho and South Africa, Basotho women and children are subjected to domestic servitude, and Basotho children increasingly endure commercial sexual exploitation; 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; foreign nationals continue to traffic fellow citizens in Lesotho 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; in 2014, Lesotho was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the government failed to initiate any prosecutions against alleged traffickers and has not convicted any offenders under the 2011 anti-trafficking act, which remains unimplemented for a fifth year; authorities did not develop formal victim identification and referral procedures, did not establish victim care centers, as required under the 2011 anti-trafficking act, and did not support NGOs offering victims protective services (2015)
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; in Lesotho and South Africa, Basotho women and children are subjected to domestic servitude, and Basotho children increasingly endure commercial sexual exploitation; 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; foreign nationals continue to traffic fellow citizens in Lesotho
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; in 2014, Lesotho was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the government failed to initiate any prosecutions against alleged traffickers and has not convicted any offenders under the 2011 anti-trafficking act, which remains unimplemented for a fifth year; authorities did not develop formal victim identification and referral procedures, did not establish victim care centers, as required under the 2011 anti-trafficking act, and did not support NGOs offering victims protective services (2015)