Lesotho

Continent

Africa

Capital

Maseru

Population

2,227,548

Sub-Zones

General Information

Basic details about Lesotho

Population:: 2,227,548
Area:: 30,355 sq km
Currency:: maloti
Languages:: Sesotho, English, Phuthi, Xhosa, Zulu

Economic Overview

Key economic indicators for Lesotho

GDP:: $6 billion
GDP per Capita:: $2,600
GDP Growth:: 1.83%
Inflation:: 6.34%
Unemployment:: 16.46%
Public Debt:: 2.99% of GDP
Credit Rating:: B (2019)

Political System

Governance structure of Lesotho

Government Type:: parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Head of State:: King LETSIE III (since 7 February 1996)
Head of Government:: Prime Minister Ntsokoane Samuel MATEKANE (28 October 2022)
Judiciary:: 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
Administrative Divisions:: 10 districts; Berea, Butha-Buthe, Leribe, Mafeteng, Maseru, Mohale's Hoek, Mokhotlong, Qacha's Nek, Quthing, Thaba-Tseka

Major Political Parties

Not specified

International Relations

Global position and alliances

UN Member:: Yes
EU Member:: No
Diplomatic Presence:: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Major Alliances and Organizations

Economic Sectors & Trade

Detailed economic breakdown

Major Economic Sectors

Agriculture

6.6% (2023 est.)

Industry

28.7% (2023 est.)

Services

50.6% (2023 est.)note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Trade Volume

Exports:: $885.789 million
Imports:: $2.074 billion

Major Trading Partners

South Africa 31

Belgium 26

USA 20

UAE 8

India 8

Economic Outlook

Lesotho has a 1.83% GDP growth rate with 6.34% inflation. The economy is characterized by a strong agriculture sector.