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Benin vs Lesotho statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a population of 14.5M (ranked 76/197), compared with 2.34M in Lesotho (ranked 145/197). Benin's land area is 43,537 sq mi versus 11,722 sq mi for Lesotho (ranked 99th vs. 137th).

By GDP, Benin ranks 126/197 ($21.5B) and Lesotho ranks 175/197 ($2.27B). By GDP per capita, Benin ranks 162/197 ($1,485), while Lesotho ranks 181/197 ($972).

Main facts and rankings

Benin Lesotho
Population
15272847
2396633
Population rank 76/197 143/197
GDP
$21.5B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank 126/197 175/197
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank 162/197 181/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$3,001
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank 151/185 164/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$6,545
2026
Land area 43,537 sq mi 11,722 sq mi
Population density
349 ppl/mi²
2026
203.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.56
2023
2.69
2023
Median age
19 years
2024
22.7 years
2024
Life expectancy
61.3 years
2026
58.6 years
2026

Benin and Lesotho: Comparison Charts

Benin and Lesotho economies compared

GDP
Benin

Lesotho
1x
Year GDP
Benin Lesotho
2024 $21,482,643,706 $2,271,759,455
2023 $19,673,291,004 $2,117,962,445
2022 $17,425,405,091 $2,354,980,960
2021 $17,687,623,530 $2,412,130,057
2020 $15,686,741,884 $2,053,699,864
2019 $14,391,686,313 $2,390,702,296
2018 $14,262,408,090 $2,556,247,292
2017 $12,701,655,837 $2,306,741,672
2016 $11,821,065,853 $2,114,426,452
2015 $11,388,160,997 $2,359,686,725
2014 $13,284,527,847 $2,441,063,054
2013 $12,517,845,124 $2,367,112,932
2012 $11,141,358,116 $2,477,702,216
2011 $10,693,321,364 $2,579,409,620
2010 $9,535,345,016 $2,234,754,242
2009 $9,738,626,517 $1,740,894,965
2008 $9,787,734,526 $1,766,902,709
2007 $8,169,048,383 $1,682,131,785
2006 $7,034,111,315 $1,800,092,564
2005 $6,567,654,954 $1,682,343,527
2004 $6,190,270,380 $1,511,236,656
2003 $5,349,258,094 $1,157,825,435
2002 $4,194,342,686 $775,777,239
2001 $3,666,222,635 $825,706,961
2000 $3,519,991,440 $887,291,688
1999 $3,677,393,999 $912,773,681
1998 $2,455,092,686 $928,460,893
1997 $2,268,301,646 $998,004,259
1996 $2,361,116,449 $946,112,493
1995 $2,169,627,138 $1,001,894,000
1994 $1,598,075,944 $878,250,945
1993 $2,274,558,083 $835,582,062
1992 $1,695,315,306 $831,029,862
1991 $1,986,437,797 $704,325,367
1990 $1,959,965,330 $596,410,264
1989 $1,502,294,416 $495,409,233
1988 $1,620,246,084 $470,395,801
1987 $1,562,412,228 $402,768,324
1986 $1,336,102,025 $318,858,423
1985 $1,045,712,789 $268,629,926
1984 $1,051,134,009 $333,163,670
1983 $1,095,348,199 $386,699,309
1982 $1,267,778,670 $348,741,684
1981 $1,291,120,188 $434,188,034
1980 $1,405,251,847 $431,542,537
1979 $1,186,231,020 $290,134,593
1978 $928,843,469 $266,570,067
1977 $750,049,779 $193,315,048
1976 $698,408,262 $147,660,037
1975 $676,870,140 $149,558,896
1974 $554,654,861 $150,851,317
1973 $504,376,074 $121,188,716
1972 $410,331,857 $80,913,200
1971 $335,073,028 $76,480,285
1970 $333,627,713 $68,739,973
1969 $330,748,245 $65,967,974
1968 $326,323,105 $61,445,975
1967 $306,221,953 $59,261,976
1966 $302,925,235 $56,699,977
1965 $289,908,680 $54,879,978
1964 $269,819,006 $51,939,979
1963 $253,927,697 $47,039,981
1962 $236,434,954 $41,859,983
1961 $235,668,221 $35,699,986
1960 $226,195,578 $34,579,986

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/benin/lesotho | CC BY

Benin and Lesotho economies compared

GDP per capita
Benin

Lesotho
1x
Year GDP per capita
Benin Lesotho
2024 $1,485 $972
2023 $1,394 $916
2022 $1,266 $1,030
2021 $1,319 $1,067
2020 $1,200 $919
2019 $1,131 $1,082
2018 $1,152 $1,171
2017 $1,055 $1,069
2016 $1,011 $992
2015 $1,002 $1,121
2014 $1,204 $1,174
2013 $1,169 $1,151
2012 $1,072 $1,218
2011 $1,059 $1,281
2010 $973 $1,119
2009 $1,024 $879
2008 $1,061 $898
2007 $912 $861
2006 $809 $925
2005 $779 $861
2004 $759 $767
2003 $676 $583
2002 $546 $389
2001 $492 $413
2000 $487 $443
1999 $525 $456
1998 $362 $465
1997 $345 $502
1996 $369 $480
1995 $348 $513
1994 $262.1 $456
1993 $387 $439
1992 $302 $444
1991 $365 $382
1990 $371 $330
1989 $293.3 $279
1988 $326 $270.4
1987 $324 $236.5
1986 $285.8 $191.4
1985 $230.4 $165.4
1984 $238.6 $211
1983 $256 $252
1982 $305 $233.9
1981 $320 $299.8
1980 $358 $307
1979 $311 $212.4
1978 $249.8 $200.8
1977 $207 $149.9
1976 $197.7 $117.8
1975 $196.5 $123.2
1974 $164.9 $128.7
1973 $153.6 $107
1972 $127.9 $74
1971 $106.9 $72.4
1970 $108.8 $67.4
1969 $110.3 $67.1
1968 $111.2 $64.8
1967 $106.6 $64.8
1966 $107.6 $64.3
1965 $105.1 $64.3
1964 $99.8 $62.6
1963 $95.7 $58.4
1962 $90.8 $53.5
1961 $92.1 $47
1960 $89.9 $47

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/benin/lesotho | CC BY

Benin vs. Lesotho life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Benin

Lesotho
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Benin Lesotho
2026 61.3 58.6
2025 61.1 58.2
2024 61 57.8
2023 60.8 57.4
2022 60.5 56.8
2021 59.6 54.2
2020 60.2 55.1
2019 59.9 55.2
2018 59.7 54.6
2017 59.5 53.9
2016 59.3 52.9
2015 59.1 51.8
2014 59 50.8
2013 58.9 49.5
2012 58.6 48.2
2011 58.5 46.9
2010 58.4 46
2009 58.3 45.1
2008 58.1 44.3
2007 58.2 43.7
2006 58 43.2
2005 57.7 43.6
2004 57.3 44
2003 57.1 44.9
2002 56.9 46
2001 56.7 47.2
2000 56.6 48.8
1999 56.3 50.4
1998 56.2 52
1997 56 53.7
1996 55.6 55.1
1995 55.4 56.4
1994 55 57.3
1993 54.6 58.1
1992 54.1 58.6
1991 53.4 59.1
1990 53 59.3
1989 52.5 59.5
1988 52 59.6
1987 51.3 59.6
1986 50.6 59.3
1985 50 59.2
1984 49.4 59
1983 48.8 58.5
1982 48.5 58
1981 48.1 57.3
1980 47.7 56.5
1979 47.4 55.8
1978 46.9 55.2
1977 46.5 54.5
1976 46 53.9
1975 45.4 53.5
1974 44.9 52.9
1973 44.4 52.6
1972 43.9 52.3
1971 43.4 51.8
1970 43 51.5
1969 42.6 51.1
1968 42.2 50.8
1967 41.8 50.5
1966 41.3 50.4
1965 41 50.3
1964 40.5 50.3
1963 40.1 50.3
1962 39.6 50.3
1961 39.2 50.3
1960 38.8 50.2
1959 38.4 49.9
1958 38 49.6
1957 37.6 49.2
1956 37.3 48.6
1955 37 48
1954 36.7 47.3
1953 36.3 46.6
1952 36 45.9
1951 35.7 45.2
1950 35.4 44.6

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/benin/lesotho | CC BY

Benin and Lesotho population clocks and comparison

Population
Benin

Lesotho
1x
Year Population
Benin Lesotho
2024 14,462,724 2,337,423
2023 14,111,034 2,311,472
2022 13,759,501 2,286,110
2021 13,413,417 2,261,542
2020 13,070,169 2,235,727
2019 12,726,755 2,209,405
2018 12,383,347 2,183,603
2017 12,039,780 2,157,110
2016 11,697,842 2,130,422
2015 11,360,681 2,104,611
2014 11,030,004 2,080,089
2013 10,708,834 2,056,504
2012 10,397,657 2,034,354
2011 10,093,623 2,014,009
2010 9,797,484 1,996,251
2009 9,509,423 1,980,883
2008 9,228,466 1,966,541
2007 8,953,969 1,953,268
2006 8,693,242 1,945,063
2005 8,426,144 1,953,076
2004 8,159,094 1,971,129
2003 7,913,070 1,985,059
2002 7,675,426 1,994,679
2001 7,445,596 2,000,853
2000 7,221,619 2,003,913
1999 7,002,818 2,003,234
1998 6,789,489 1,998,049
1997 6,583,365 1,988,130
1996 6,391,858 1,972,418
1995 6,226,773 1,951,437
1994 6,096,506 1,927,707
1993 5,872,706 1,901,793
1992 5,617,844 1,873,274
1991 5,446,932 1,842,379
1990 5,281,479 1,809,696
1989 5,121,657 1,775,436
1988 4,967,341 1,739,841
1987 4,818,486 1,703,390
1986 4,675,420 1,666,138
1985 4,538,012 1,624,379
1984 4,405,895 1,578,986
1983 4,278,978 1,534,413
1982 4,156,596 1,490,732
1981 4,038,307 1,448,069
1980 3,925,251 1,406,521
1979 3,818,528 1,366,169
1978 3,718,305 1,327,240
1977 3,623,202 1,289,967
1976 3,532,196 1,253,214
1975 3,445,407 1,213,643
1974 3,362,633 1,172,420
1973 3,283,496 1,132,697
1972 3,207,543 1,094,063
1971 3,134,767 1,056,246
1970 3,065,057 1,019,273
1969 2,998,222 983,202
1968 2,934,257 948,105
1967 2,872,997 913,982
1966 2,814,317 881,870
1965 2,757,936 854,090
1964 2,704,003 829,437
1963 2,652,908 805,373
1962 2,604,659 781,814
1961 2,559,223 758,824
1960 2,517,286 736,500

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/benin/lesotho | CC BY

Fertility rates in Benin and Lesotho

Fertility rate
Benin

Lesotho
1x
Year Fertility rate
Benin Lesotho
2023 4.56 2.69
2022 4.63 2.72
2021 4.71 2.77
2020 4.8 2.85
2019 4.9 2.92
2018 5.03 3.02
2017 5.16 3.11
2016 5.25 3.18
2015 5.32 3.22
2014 5.37 3.24
2013 5.41 3.28
2012 5.43 3.3
2011 5.44 3.34
2010 5.45 3.25
2009 5.49 3.31
2008 5.55 3.39
2007 5.63 3.44
2006 5.67 3.41
2005 5.69 3.43
2004 5.72 3.51
2003 5.76 3.62
2002 5.79 3.68
2001 5.85 3.63
2000 5.94 3.61
1999 6.03 3.67
1998 6.14 3.82
1997 6.23 3.98
1996 6.28 4.06
1995 6.33 4.13
1994 6.42 4.21
1993 6.51 4.37
1992 6.59 4.54
1991 6.67 4.68
1990 6.74 4.81
1989 6.82 4.96
1988 6.87 5.1
1987 6.92 5.22
1986 6.96 5.32
1985 7 5.4
1984 7.03 5.48
1983 7.05 5.56
1982 7.06 5.63
1981 7.06 5.69
1980 6.99 5.75
1979 6.91 5.79
1978 6.82 5.82
1977 6.83 5.85
1976 6.83 5.87
1975 6.83 5.83
1974 6.82 5.75
1973 6.81 5.69
1972 6.8 5.69
1971 6.77 5.7
1970 6.74 5.7
1969 6.71 5.7
1968 6.67 5.73
1967 6.64 5.75
1966 6.63 5.76
1965 6.61 5.77
1964 6.57 5.77
1963 6.51 5.78
1962 6.46 5.79
1961 6.4 5.79
1960 6.28 5.78

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/benin/lesotho | CC BY

Benin and Lesotho demographics compared

Median age
Benin

Lesotho
1x
Year Median age, years
Benin Lesotho
2024 19 22.7
2023 18.8 22.5
2022 18.7 22.3
2021 18.6 22.1
2020 18.5 22
2019 18.4 21.8
2018 18.3 21.7
2017 18.3 21.6
2016 18.2 21.4
2015 18.1 21.3
2014 18.1 21.2
2013 18 21.1
2012 18 21
2011 17.9 20.9
2010 17.8 20.7
2009 17.8 20.6
2008 17.7 20.4
2007 17.6 20.2
2006 17.6 20
2005 17.5 19.9
2004 17.4 19.8
2003 17.4 19.7
2002 17.3 19.5
2001 17.2 19.4
2000 17.1 19.2
1999 17.1 19.1
1998 17 18.9
1997 17 18.8
1996 16.9 18.6
1995 17 18.6
1994 17.2 18.5
1993 17.1 18.4
1992 16.9 18.4
1991 16.9 18.4
1990 16.9 18.4
1989 16.9 18.5
1988 16.9 18.6
1987 16.9 18.7
1986 17 18.6
1985 17 18.4
1984 17.1 18.5
1983 17.1 18.6
1982 17.2 18.6
1981 17.3 18.7
1980 17.3 18.8
1979 17.4 18.8
1978 17.5 18.9
1977 17.6 19
1976 17.7 19
1975 17.8 18.9
1974 17.9 18.8
1973 18.1 18.6
1972 18.3 18.5
1971 18.4 18.3
1970 18.6 18.2
1969 18.8 18
1968 19 17.8
1967 19.3 17.6
1966 19.5 17.5
1965 19.7 17.5
1964 19.9 17.5
1963 20.1 17.4
1962 20.3 17.4
1961 20.6 17.4
1960 20.8 17.5

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/benin/lesotho | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Benin Lesotho
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$2.75B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
53.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
3.23%
2023
6.62%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.72%
2024
1.57%
2024
Armed forces personnel
12,000
2020
2,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.06%
2024
+9.04%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
18.7%
2024
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
30.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
60
2026
54.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
1.7%
2017
Total reserves including gold n/a
$1.01B
2024
Personal remittances received
$236M
2024
$476M
2024
International tourist arrivals
337,000
2019
1,142,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
6.72%
2019
10.1%
1999
Banked people share
51.8%
2024
61.6%
2024

Energy

Benin Lesotho
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
376 kg
2022
9.73 kg
2007
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$10.2
2022
$198.7
2007
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
7.05 megatons
2024
1 megaton
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.49 tons
2024
0.43 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
39.6%
2022
0%
2007
Renewable energy use share
54.5%
2021
34.9%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.05%
2022
n/a
Net energy imports use share
40.9%
2022
n/a
Electric power consumption per capita
105.3 kWh
2022
n/a
Renewable electricity output share
0.26%
2021
99.8%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0.006%
2021
99.6%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
57%
2023
57.3%
2023

Society

Benin Lesotho
% of world population
0.18%
2024
0.03%
2024
Annual migration change
-7,847
2025
-5,192
2025
Urban population
52.5%
2024
43.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.1:49.9
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.52 ft
2025
5.51 ft
2025
Average female height
5.2 ft
2025
5.14 ft
2025
Quality of life index
23.3
2026
21.7
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
45
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
36
2026
28
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.1
2017
37.7
2008
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
26.8
2019
31.9
2019
Visa free countries
68
2025
81
2025
Adult literacy rate
51.4%
2022
90.4%
2024
English speaking
1%
2025
27.9%
2023
People using the Internet
32.2%
2023
48%
2023

Health

Benin Lesotho
Government health expenditure per capita
$46.5
2023
$122.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$19.7
2023
$16.2
2023
Life expectancy
61.3 years
2026
58.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
38.4%
2023
40.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.22
2023
0.24
2022
Age at first childbirth
20.5 years
2025
20.9 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
518
2023
478
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
77.9
2023
58.9
2023
Obesity rate
11.5%
2022
21.7%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
8.1%
2024
6.2%
2024
Air quality index
17
2026
28
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
6.3%
2022
24.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
8.83 liters
2020
4.3 liters
2020

Territory

Benin Lesotho
% of world land
0.08%
2026
0.02%
2026
Land area per capita
3,010 sq mi
2024
5,015 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
18,211 sq mi
2026
9,115 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,526 sq mi
2026
133.3 sq mi
2026
Roads length
9,942 mi
2006
3,691 mi
2011

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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