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Botswana vs Lesotho statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has a population of 2.52M (ranked 142/197), compared with 2.34M in Lesotho (ranked 145/197). Botswana's land area is 218,816 sq mi versus 11,722 sq mi for Lesotho (ranked 47th vs. 137th).

By GDP, Botswana ranks 133/197 ($19.4B) and Lesotho ranks 175/197 ($2.27B). By GDP per capita, Botswana ranks 97/197 ($7,696), while Lesotho ranks 181/197 ($972).

Main facts and rankings

Botswana Lesotho
Population
2615162
2396633
Population rank 142/197 143/197
GDP
$19.4B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank 133/197 175/197
GDP per capita
$7,696
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank 97/197 181/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$20,538
2024
$3,001
2024
Government debt
$5.82B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
30%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,310
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank 114/185 164/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,271
2026
$6,545
2026
Land area 218,816 sq mi 11,722 sq mi
Population density
11.9 ppl/mi²
2026
203.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.73
2023
2.69
2023
Median age
24.2 years
2024
22.7 years
2024
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
58.6 years
2026

Botswana and Lesotho: Comparison Charts

Botswana and Lesotho economies compared

GDP
Botswana

Lesotho
1x
Year GDP
Botswana Lesotho
2024 $19,402,063,513 $2,271,759,455
2023 $19,411,266,967 $2,117,962,445
2022 $20,321,150,599 $2,354,980,960
2021 $18,750,182,236 $2,412,130,057
2020 $14,960,251,608 $2,053,699,864
2019 $16,725,908,149 $2,390,702,296
2018 $17,031,943,186 $2,556,247,292
2017 $16,105,155,857 $2,306,741,672
2016 $15,082,637,184 $2,114,426,452
2015 $13,530,748,845 $2,359,686,725
2014 $15,470,088,501 $2,441,063,054
2013 $14,271,738,933 $2,367,112,932
2012 $13,907,464,500 $2,477,702,216
2011 $15,110,643,612 $2,579,409,620
2010 $12,637,273,429 $2,234,754,242
2009 $10,118,459,242 $1,740,894,965
2008 $10,730,829,116 $1,766,902,709
2007 $10,567,270,656 $1,682,131,785
2006 $9,919,158,482 $1,800,092,564
2005 $9,918,907,108 $1,682,343,527
2004 $8,957,467,707 $1,511,236,656
2003 $7,511,582,173 $1,157,825,435
2002 $5,438,863,983 $775,777,239
2001 $5,489,608,300 $825,706,961
2000 $5,788,329,609 $887,291,688
1999 $5,484,263,347 $912,773,681
1998 $4,790,481,509 $928,460,893
1997 $5,020,265,627 $998,004,259
1996 $4,847,757,218 $946,112,493
1995 $4,730,599,122 $1,001,894,000
1994 $4,259,259,604 $878,250,945
1993 $4,160,129,175 $835,582,062
1992 $4,146,464,587 $831,029,862
1991 $3,942,876,703 $704,325,367
1990 $3,790,636,324 $596,410,264
1989 $3,083,822,112 $495,409,233
1988 $2,644,554,159 $470,395,801
1987 $1,965,226,890 $402,768,324
1986 $1,392,602,164 $318,858,423
1985 $1,114,783,343 $268,629,926
1984 $1,240,822,167 $333,163,670
1983 $1,172,230,397 $386,699,309
1982 $1,014,945,696 $348,741,684
1981 $1,073,812,830 $434,188,034
1980 $1,060,889,704 $431,542,537
1979 $819,870,259 $290,134,593
1978 $590,407,374 $266,570,067
1977 $451,624,780 $193,315,048
1976 $372,025,093 $147,660,037
1975 $355,168,572 $149,558,896
1974 $306,044,208 $150,851,317
1973 $244,124,164 $121,188,716
1972 $164,460,915 $80,913,200
1971 $127,448,614 $76,480,285
1970 $96,243,234 $68,739,973
1969 $77,361,547 $65,967,974
1968 $66,248,441 $61,445,975
1967 $58,642,354 $59,261,976
1966 $51,465,655 $56,699,977
1965 $45,788,696 $54,879,978
1964 $41,616,348 $51,939,979
1963 $38,091,843 $47,039,981
1962 $35,644,957 $41,859,983
1961 $32,902,613 $35,699,986
1960 $30,411,414 $34,579,986

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

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

Botswana and Lesotho economies compared

GDP per capita
Botswana

Lesotho
1x
Year GDP per capita
Botswana Lesotho
2024 $7,696 $972
2023 $7,826 $916
2022 $8,329 $1,030
2021 $7,808 $1,067
2020 $6,323 $919
2019 $7,172 $1,082
2018 $7,408 $1,171
2017 $7,105 $1,069
2016 $6,749 $992
2015 $6,141 $1,121
2014 $7,122 $1,174
2013 $6,667 $1,151
2012 $6,596 $1,218
2011 $7,287 $1,281
2010 $6,216 $1,119
2009 $5,083 $879
2008 $5,503 $898
2007 $5,529 $861
2006 $5,292 $925
2005 $5,391 $861
2004 $4,957 $767
2003 $4,230 $583
2002 $3,117 $389
2001 $3,206 $413
2000 $3,451 $443
1999 $3,340 $456
1998 $2,981 $465
1997 $3,194 $502
1996 $3,156 $480
1995 $3,156 $513
1994 $2,917 $456
1993 $2,929 $439
1992 $3,005 $444
1991 $2,939 $382
1990 $2,903 $330
1989 $2,428 $279
1988 $2,141 $270.4
1987 $1,639 $236.5
1986 $1,200 $191.4
1985 $994 $165.4
1984 $1,145 $211
1983 $1,121 $252
1982 $1,006 $233.9
1981 $1,107 $299.8
1980 $1,132 $307
1979 $909 $212.4
1978 $695 $200.8
1977 $565 $149.9
1976 $490 $117.8
1975 $493 $123.2
1974 $446 $128.7
1973 $374 $107
1972 $264.2 $74
1971 $212.2 $72.4
1970 $163 $67.4
1969 $131.8 $67.1
1968 $113.4 $64.8
1967 $100.9 $64.8
1966 $89.1 $64.3
1965 $79.7 $64.3
1964 $73.5 $62.6
1963 $68.9 $58.4
1962 $66 $53.5
1961 $62.3 $47
1960 $58.9 $47

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

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

Botswana vs. Lesotho life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Botswana

Lesotho
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Botswana Lesotho
2026 69.6 58.6
2025 69.4 58.2
2024 69.3 57.8
2023 69.2 57.4
2022 68.7 56.8
2021 63.3 54.2
2020 67.6 55.1
2019 67.2 55.2
2018 66.4 54.6
2017 65.4 53.9
2016 64.3 52.9
2015 63.2 51.8
2014 62.2 50.8
2013 61.2 49.5
2012 60.4 48.2
2011 59.7 46.9
2010 59.1 46
2009 58.3 45.1
2008 57.7 44.3
2007 56.7 43.7
2006 55.1 43.2
2005 54.4 43.6
2004 53.6 44
2003 52.9 44.9
2002 52.4 46
2001 52.2 47.2
2000 52.3 48.8
1999 52.5 50.4
1998 53 52
1997 53.6 53.7
1996 54.3 55.1
1995 54.7 56.4
1994 56 57.3
1993 57.3 58.1
1992 58.2 58.6
1991 58.9 59.1
1990 60.1 59.3
1989 61.2 59.5
1988 61.7 59.6
1987 62.8 59.6
1986 63.4 59.3
1985 63.6 59.2
1984 63.7 59
1983 63.6 58.5
1982 63.4 58
1981 63 57.3
1980 62.5 56.5
1979 62 55.8
1978 61.5 55.2
1977 60.9 54.5
1976 60.2 53.9
1975 59.5 53.5
1974 58.9 52.9
1973 58.3 52.6
1972 57.7 52.3
1971 57.1 51.8
1970 56.4 51.5
1969 55.9 51.1
1968 55.4 50.8
1967 54.9 50.5
1966 54.4 50.4
1965 53.9 50.3
1964 53.4 50.3
1963 52.8 50.3
1962 52.3 50.3
1961 51.8 50.3
1960 51.2 50.2
1959 50.7 49.9
1958 50.1 49.6
1957 49.5 49.2
1956 49 48.6
1955 48.5 48
1954 48 47.3
1953 47.5 46.6
1952 47 45.9
1951 46.6 45.2
1950 46.2 44.6

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

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

Botswana and Lesotho population clocks and comparison

Population
Botswana

Lesotho
1x
Year Population
Botswana Lesotho
2024 2,521,139 2,337,423
2023 2,480,244 2,311,472
2022 2,439,892 2,286,110
2021 2,401,441 2,261,542
2020 2,365,894 2,235,727
2019 2,332,083 2,209,405
2018 2,299,141 2,183,603
2017 2,266,747 2,157,110
2016 2,234,776 2,130,422
2015 2,203,273 2,104,611
2014 2,172,044 2,080,089
2013 2,140,682 2,056,504
2012 2,108,617 2,034,354
2011 2,073,535 2,014,009
2010 2,033,111 1,996,251
2009 1,990,673 1,980,883
2008 1,949,970 1,966,541
2007 1,911,201 1,953,268
2006 1,874,516 1,945,063
2005 1,839,877 1,953,076
2004 1,807,146 1,971,129
2003 1,775,736 1,985,059
2002 1,744,763 1,994,679
2001 1,712,254 2,000,853
2000 1,677,382 2,003,913
1999 1,641,997 2,003,234
1998 1,606,899 1,998,049
1997 1,571,691 1,988,130
1996 1,535,914 1,972,418
1995 1,498,836 1,951,437
1994 1,460,023 1,927,707
1993 1,420,115 1,901,793
1992 1,380,033 1,873,274
1991 1,341,756 1,842,379
1990 1,305,696 1,809,696
1989 1,270,274 1,775,436
1988 1,235,476 1,739,841
1987 1,199,167 1,703,390
1986 1,160,650 1,666,138
1985 1,121,945 1,624,379
1984 1,083,660 1,578,986
1983 1,046,137 1,534,413
1982 1,009,269 1,490,732
1981 969,996 1,448,069
1980 937,485 1,406,521
1979 901,742 1,366,169
1978 849,239 1,327,240
1977 799,574 1,289,967
1976 758,508 1,253,214
1975 720,380 1,213,643
1974 685,448 1,172,420
1973 652,408 1,132,697
1972 622,407 1,094,063
1971 600,481 1,056,246
1970 590,334 1,019,273
1969 587,066 983,202
1968 583,966 948,105
1967 580,933 913,982
1966 577,866 881,870
1965 574,664 854,090
1964 566,266 829,437
1963 552,966 805,373
1962 540,186 781,814
1961 527,942 758,824
1960 516,165 736,500

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

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

Fertility rates in Botswana and Lesotho

Fertility rate
Botswana

Lesotho
1x
Year Fertility rate
Botswana Lesotho
2023 2.73 2.69
2022 2.79 2.72
2021 2.83 2.77
2020 2.86 2.85
2019 2.91 2.92
2018 2.94 3.02
2017 2.97 3.11
2016 2.99 3.18
2015 3.01 3.22
2014 3.03 3.24
2013 3.05 3.28
2012 3.07 3.3
2011 3.1 3.34
2010 3.14 3.25
2009 3.13 3.31
2008 3.13 3.39
2007 3.13 3.44
2006 3.11 3.41
2005 3.08 3.43
2004 3.06 3.51
2003 3.11 3.62
2002 3.18 3.68
2001 3.25 3.63
2000 3.29 3.61
1999 3.31 3.67
1998 3.36 3.82
1997 3.43 3.98
1996 3.57 4.06
1995 3.79 4.13
1994 4.02 4.21
1993 4.15 4.37
1992 4.26 4.54
1991 4.37 4.68
1990 4.51 4.81
1989 4.67 4.96
1988 4.88 5.1
1987 5.1 5.22
1986 5.33 5.32
1985 5.48 5.4
1984 5.63 5.48
1983 5.79 5.56
1982 5.97 5.63
1981 6.16 5.69
1980 6.29 5.75
1979 6.4 5.79
1978 6.48 5.82
1977 6.54 5.85
1976 6.6 5.87
1975 6.61 5.83
1974 6.61 5.75
1973 6.59 5.69
1972 6.56 5.69
1971 6.54 5.7
1970 6.55 5.7
1969 6.56 5.7
1968 6.58 5.73
1967 6.6 5.75
1966 6.61 5.76
1965 6.6 5.77
1964 6.61 5.77
1963 6.58 5.78
1962 6.54 5.79
1961 6.56 5.79
1960 6.6 5.78

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

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

Botswana and Lesotho demographics compared

Median age
Botswana

Lesotho
1x
Year Median age, years
Botswana Lesotho
2024 24.2 22.7
2023 23.9 22.5
2022 23.6 22.3
2021 23.4 22.1
2020 23.3 22
2019 23.1 21.8
2018 22.9 21.7
2017 22.8 21.6
2016 22.7 21.4
2015 22.7 21.3
2014 22.7 21.2
2013 22.7 21.1
2012 22.8 21
2011 22.7 20.9
2010 22.5 20.7
2009 22.2 20.6
2008 22 20.4
2007 21.7 20.2
2006 21.5 20
2005 21.2 19.9
2004 20.9 19.8
2003 20.6 19.7
2002 20.3 19.5
2001 20 19.4
2000 19.7 19.2
1999 19.4 19.1
1998 19.1 18.9
1997 18.8 18.8
1996 18.6 18.6
1995 18.3 18.6
1994 18 18.5
1993 17.8 18.4
1992 17.6 18.4
1991 17.4 18.4
1990 17.3 18.4
1989 17.1 18.5
1988 17 18.6
1987 16.9 18.7
1986 16.9 18.6
1985 16.8 18.4
1984 16.8 18.5
1983 16.8 18.6
1982 16.8 18.6
1981 16.8 18.7
1980 16.8 18.8
1979 16.9 18.8
1978 16.6 18.9
1977 16.4 19
1976 16.2 19
1975 16 18.9
1974 15.8 18.8
1973 15.6 18.6
1972 15.4 18.5
1971 15.3 18.3
1970 15.4 18.2
1969 15.6 18
1968 15.7 17.8
1967 15.9 17.6
1966 16.2 17.5
1965 16.4 17.5
1964 16.6 17.5
1963 16.8 17.4
1962 17.1 17.4
1961 17.4 17.4
1960 17.7 17.5

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Botswana Lesotho
GNI, Atlas method
$19.5B
2024
$2.75B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
53.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
8.06%
2020
6.62%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
2.83%
2024
1.57%
2024
Armed forces personnel
9,000
2020
2,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-7.82%
2024
+9.04%
2024
Unemployment rate
24.4%
2024
18.7%
2024
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2024
30.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
67.7
2026
54.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
42.9%
2015
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2015
1.7%
2017
Listed domestic companies
23
2023
n/a
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.59B
2023
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$3.46B
2024
$1.01B
2024
Personal remittances received
$128M
2024
$476M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,830,000
2018
1,142,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
4.56%
2020
10.1%
1999
Banked people share
61.4%
2024
61.6%
2024

Energy

Botswana Lesotho
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
1,165 kg
2022
9.73 kg
2007
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$17.1
2022
$198.7
2007
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
6.9 megatons
2024
1 megaton
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
2.74 tons
2024
0.43 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
66.7%
2022
0%
2007
Renewable energy use share
27.4%
2021
34.9%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.08%
2022
n/a
Net energy imports use share
23.7%
2022
n/a
Electric power consumption per capita
1,522 kWh
2022
n/a
Renewable electricity output share
0.25%
2021
99.8%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2021
99.6%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
76%
2023
57.3%
2023

Society

Botswana Lesotho
% of world population
0.03%
2024
0.03%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,665
2025
-5,192
2025
Urban population
67.5%
2024
43.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.8:50.2
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.68 ft
2025
5.51 ft
2025
Average female height
5.32 ft
2025
5.14 ft
2025
Quality of life index
50.1
2026
21.7
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
58
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
52
2026
28
2026
Homicides per 100K people
10.5
2021
37.7
2008
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
26.4
2019
31.9
2019
Visa free countries
83
2025
81
2025
Adult literacy rate
86.8%
2013
90.4%
2024
English speaking
38.4%
2023
27.9%
2023
People using the Internet
81.4%
2023
48%
2023

Health

Botswana Lesotho
Government health expenditure per capita
$490
2023
$122.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$20.9
2023
$16.2
2023
Life expectancy
69.6 years
2026
58.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
6.53%
2023
40.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.38
2023
0.24
2022
Age at first childbirth
19 years
2017
20.9 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
155
2023
478
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
39.6
2023
58.9
2023
Obesity rate
18.6%
2022
21.7%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
4.6%
2024
6.2%
2024
Air quality index
39
2026
28
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
18.7%
2022
24.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
7.27 liters
2020
4.3 liters
2020

Territory

Botswana Lesotho
% of world land
0.38%
2026
0.02%
2026
Land area per capita
86,792 sq mi
2024
5,015 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
99,854 sq mi
2026
9,115 sq mi
2026
Forest area
57,528 sq mi
2026
133.3 sq mi
2026
Roads length
19,727 mi
2017
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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