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Burkina Faso vs Lesotho statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a population of 23.5M (ranked 59/197), compared with 2.34M in Lesotho (ranked 145/197). Burkina Faso's land area is 105,638 sq mi versus 11,722 sq mi for Lesotho (ranked 73rd vs. 137th).

By GDP, Burkina Faso ranks 122/197 ($23.1B) and Lesotho ranks 175/197 ($2.27B). By GDP per capita, Burkina Faso ranks 180/197 ($982), while Lesotho ranks 181/197 ($972).

Main facts and rankings

Burkina Faso Lesotho
Population
24756783
2396633
Population rank 59/197 143/197
GDP
$23.1B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank 122/197 175/197
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank 180/197 181/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$3,001
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank 162/185 164/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$6,545
2026
Land area 105,638 sq mi 11,722 sq mi
Population density
233 ppl/mi²
2026
203.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.19
2023
2.69
2023
Median age
18.6 years
2024
22.7 years
2024
Life expectancy
61.6 years
2026
58.6 years
2026

Burkina Faso and Lesotho: Comparison Charts

Burkina Faso and Lesotho economies compared

GDP
Burkina Faso

Lesotho
1x
Year GDP
Burkina Faso Lesotho
2024 $23,124,729,853 $2,271,759,455
2023 $20,112,614,449 $2,117,962,445
2022 $18,622,421,395 $2,354,980,960
2021 $19,697,516,284 $2,412,130,057
2020 $17,725,010,533 $2,053,699,864
2019 $16,032,813,503 $2,390,702,296
2018 $15,890,066,221 $2,556,247,292
2017 $14,106,955,615 $2,306,741,672
2016 $12,833,363,045 $2,114,426,452
2015 $11,832,159,316 $2,359,686,725
2014 $13,943,016,077 $2,441,063,054
2013 $13,444,300,486 $2,367,112,932
2012 $12,561,015,157 $2,477,702,216
2011 $12,080,295,978 $2,579,409,620
2010 $10,109,619,741 $2,234,754,242
2009 $9,450,696,873 $1,740,894,965
2008 $9,451,435,490 $1,766,902,709
2007 $7,625,722,837 $1,682,131,785
2006 $6,547,419,820 $1,800,092,564
2005 $6,146,353,173 $1,682,343,527
2004 $5,451,688,538 $1,511,236,656
2003 $4,740,768,143 $1,157,825,435
2002 $3,622,350,063 $775,777,239
2001 $3,190,371,081 $825,706,961
2000 $2,968,370,088 $887,291,688
1999 $3,389,566,713 $912,773,681
1998 $2,804,902,367 $928,460,893
1997 $2,447,669,102 $998,004,259
1996 $2,586,550,595 $946,112,493
1995 $2,379,517,975 $1,001,894,000
1994 $1,895,290,637 $878,250,945
1993 $3,199,536,465 $835,582,062
1992 $3,356,692,505 $831,029,862
1991 $3,135,045,584 $704,325,367
1990 $3,101,300,779 $596,410,264
1989 $2,615,587,734 $495,409,233
1988 $2,616,040,479 $470,395,801
1987 $2,369,834,950 $402,768,324
1986 $2,036,303,358 $318,858,423
1985 $1,552,493,196 $268,629,926
1984 $1,459,880,132 $333,163,670
1983 $1,600,278,605 $386,699,309
1982 $1,754,450,096 $348,741,684
1981 $1,775,842,334 $434,188,034
1980 $1,928,719,888 $431,542,537
1979 $1,748,480,621 $290,134,593
1978 $1,475,583,645 $266,570,067
1977 $1,131,224,878 $193,315,048
1976 $976,547,188 $147,660,037
1975 $939,972,703 $149,558,896
1974 $751,133,430 $150,851,317
1973 $674,773,570 $121,188,716
1972 $578,595,522 $80,913,200
1971 $482,411,179 $76,480,285
1970 $458,404,269 $68,739,973
1969 $478,298,645 $65,967,974
1968 $460,442,689 $61,445,975
1967 $450,753,924 $59,261,976
1966 $433,889,766 $56,699,977
1965 $422,916,790 $54,879,978
1964 $410,321,645 $51,939,979
1963 $394,040,667 $47,039,981
1962 $379,567,099 $41,859,983
1961 $350,247,234 $35,699,986
1960 $330,442,816 $34,579,986

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

GeoRank.org/facts/burkina-faso/lesotho | CC BY

Burkina Faso and Lesotho economies compared

GDP per capita
Burkina Faso

Lesotho
1x
Year GDP per capita
Burkina Faso Lesotho
2024 $982 $972
2023 $873 $916
2022 $827 $1,030
2021 $896 $1,067
2020 $825 $919
2019 $765 $1,082
2018 $777 $1,171
2017 $709 $1,069
2016 $664 $992
2015 $630 $1,121
2014 $765 $1,174
2013 $760 $1,151
2012 $731 $1,218
2011 $725 $1,281
2010 $625 $1,119
2009 $602 $879
2008 $619 $898
2007 $515 $861
2006 $456 $925
2005 $441 $861
2004 $404 $767
2003 $362 $583
2002 $285.7 $389
2001 $259.5 $413
2000 $248.9 $443
1999 $292.8 $456
1998 $249.5 $465
1997 $223.9 $502
1996 $242.7 $480
1995 $229.1 $513
1994 $187.2 $456
1993 $324 $439
1992 $349 $444
1991 $334 $382
1990 $339 $330
1989 $293.2 $279
1988 $301 $270.4
1987 $280.2 $236.5
1986 $247.5 $191.4
1985 $194.1 $165.4
1984 $187.8 $211
1983 $211.9 $252
1982 $239 $233.9
1981 $248.7 $299.8
1980 $277.6 $307
1979 $258.5 $212.4
1978 $223.9 $200.8
1977 $176 $149.9
1976 $155.5 $117.8
1975 $152.9 $123.2
1974 $124.7 $128.7
1973 $114.1 $107
1972 $99.6 $74
1971 $84.5 $72.4
1970 $81.7 $67.4
1969 $86.8 $67.1
1968 $85 $64.8
1967 $84.6 $64.8
1966 $82.8 $64.3
1965 $82.1 $64.3
1964 $80.9 $62.6
1963 $78.9 $58.4
1962 $77.2 $53.5
1961 $72.2 $47
1960 $69.2 $47

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

GeoRank.org/facts/burkina-faso/lesotho | CC BY

Burkina Faso vs. Lesotho life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Burkina Faso

Lesotho
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Burkina Faso Lesotho
2026 61.6 58.6
2025 61.5 58.2
2024 61.3 57.8
2023 61.1 57.4
2022 60.7 56.8
2021 60 54.2
2020 60.5 55.1
2019 60.2 55.2
2018 60 54.6
2017 59.6 53.9
2016 59.2 52.9
2015 58.8 51.8
2014 58.3 50.8
2013 57.9 49.5
2012 57.5 48.2
2011 57 46.9
2010 56.3 46
2009 55.8 45.1
2008 55.2 44.3
2007 54.4 43.7
2006 53.8 43.2
2005 53.3 43.6
2004 52.6 44
2003 52 44.9
2002 51.4 46
2001 51.2 47.2
2000 50.8 48.8
1999 50.5 50.4
1998 50.2 52
1997 49.6 53.7
1996 49.7 55.1
1995 49.6 56.4
1994 49.5 57.3
1993 49.4 58.1
1992 49.4 58.6
1991 49.3 59.1
1990 49.3 59.3
1989 49.3 59.5
1988 49.2 59.6
1987 49.1 59.6
1986 49 59.3
1985 48.7 59.2
1984 48.5 59
1983 48.1 58.5
1982 47.6 58
1981 46.9 57.3
1980 46.5 56.5
1979 45.7 55.8
1978 45 55.2
1977 44.2 54.5
1976 43.3 53.9
1975 42.5 53.5
1974 41.7 52.9
1973 40.9 52.6
1972 40.4 52.3
1971 39.9 51.8
1970 39.5 51.5
1969 39 51.1
1968 38.8 50.8
1967 38.4 50.5
1966 38.1 50.4
1965 37.8 50.3
1964 37.4 50.3
1963 37.1 50.3
1962 36.8 50.3
1961 36.4 50.3
1960 36.1 50.2
1959 35.7 49.9
1958 35.4 49.6
1957 35.1 49.2
1956 34.8 48.6
1955 34.5 48
1954 34.2 47.3
1953 33.9 46.6
1952 33.6 45.9
1951 33.4 45.2
1950 33 44.6

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

GeoRank.org/facts/burkina-faso/lesotho | CC BY

Burkina Faso and Lesotho population clocks and comparison

Population
Burkina Faso

Lesotho
1x
Year Population
Burkina Faso Lesotho
2024 23,548,781 2,337,423
2023 23,025,776 2,311,472
2022 22,509,038 2,286,110
2021 21,995,243 2,261,542
2020 21,478,690 2,235,727
2019 20,961,952 2,209,405
2018 20,438,288 2,183,603
2017 19,894,407 2,157,110
2016 19,334,856 2,130,422
2015 18,777,487 2,104,611
2014 18,229,461 2,080,089
2013 17,695,409 2,056,504
2012 17,172,287 2,034,354
2011 16,661,908 2,014,009
2010 16,176,498 1,996,251
2009 15,710,066 1,980,883
2008 15,258,093 1,966,541
2007 14,816,307 1,953,268
2006 14,373,707 1,945,063
2005 13,932,123 1,953,076
2004 13,500,533 1,971,129
2003 13,082,532 1,985,059
2002 12,680,897 1,994,679
2001 12,295,001 2,000,853
2000 11,925,546 2,003,913
1999 11,574,928 2,003,234
1998 11,240,664 1,998,049
1997 10,934,223 1,988,130
1996 10,655,942 1,972,418
1995 10,386,722 1,951,437
1994 10,123,798 1,927,707
1993 9,871,713 1,901,793
1992 9,629,275 1,873,274
1991 9,394,632 1,842,379
1990 9,159,356 1,809,696
1989 8,921,175 1,775,436
1988 8,687,435 1,739,841
1987 8,457,109 1,703,390
1986 8,228,847 1,666,138
1985 7,999,935 1,624,379
1984 7,772,256 1,578,986
1983 7,551,129 1,534,413
1982 7,340,197 1,490,732
1981 7,140,271 1,448,069
1980 6,947,900 1,406,521
1979 6,763,903 1,366,169
1978 6,590,984 1,327,240
1977 6,428,734 1,289,967
1976 6,280,635 1,253,214
1975 6,147,569 1,213,643
1974 6,024,904 1,172,420
1973 5,911,927 1,132,697
1972 5,807,234 1,094,063
1971 5,707,999 1,056,246
1970 5,610,304 1,019,273
1969 5,513,177 983,202
1968 5,418,644 948,105
1967 5,326,348 913,982
1966 5,237,933 881,870
1965 5,152,833 854,090
1964 5,071,034 829,437
1963 4,993,623 805,373
1962 4,919,672 781,814
1961 4,848,224 758,824
1960 4,778,621 736,500

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

GeoRank.org/facts/burkina-faso/lesotho | CC BY

Fertility rates in Burkina Faso and Lesotho

Fertility rate
Burkina Faso

Lesotho
1x
Year Fertility rate
Burkina Faso Lesotho
2023 4.19 2.69
2022 4.28 2.72
2021 4.36 2.77
2020 4.44 2.85
2019 4.68 2.92
2018 4.92 3.02
2017 5.17 3.11
2016 5.33 3.18
2015 5.48 3.22
2014 5.6 3.24
2013 5.7 3.28
2012 5.79 3.3
2011 5.87 3.34
2010 5.94 3.25
2009 5.99 3.31
2008 6.05 3.39
2007 6.11 3.44
2006 6.17 3.41
2005 6.18 3.43
2004 6.22 3.51
2003 6.28 3.62
2002 6.34 3.68
2001 6.43 3.63
2000 6.52 3.61
1999 6.59 3.67
1998 6.66 3.82
1997 6.72 3.98
1996 6.78 4.06
1995 6.81 4.13
1994 6.84 4.21
1993 6.89 4.37
1992 6.94 4.54
1991 6.97 4.68
1990 7.01 4.81
1989 7.05 4.96
1988 7.11 5.1
1987 7.17 5.22
1986 7.22 5.32
1985 7.24 5.4
1984 7.25 5.48
1983 7.25 5.56
1982 7.25 5.63
1981 7.26 5.69
1980 7.22 5.75
1979 7.19 5.79
1978 7.15 5.82
1977 7.05 5.85
1976 6.95 5.87
1975 6.91 5.83
1974 6.84 5.75
1973 6.77 5.69
1972 6.72 5.69
1971 6.7 5.7
1970 6.69 5.7
1969 6.66 5.7
1968 6.65 5.73
1967 6.59 5.75
1966 6.53 5.76
1965 6.47 5.77
1964 6.42 5.77
1963 6.36 5.78
1962 6.32 5.79
1961 6.29 5.79
1960 6.25 5.78

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

GeoRank.org/facts/burkina-faso/lesotho | CC BY

Burkina Faso and Lesotho demographics compared

Median age
Burkina Faso

Lesotho
1x
Year Median age, years
Burkina Faso Lesotho
2024 18.6 22.7
2023 18.4 22.5
2022 18.2 22.3
2021 18 22.1
2020 17.7 22
2019 17.6 21.8
2018 17.4 21.7
2017 17.3 21.6
2016 17.2 21.4
2015 17.1 21.3
2014 17.1 21.2
2013 17.1 21.1
2012 17.1 21
2011 17.1 20.9
2010 17.1 20.7
2009 17.1 20.6
2008 17.1 20.4
2007 17.1 20.2
2006 17.1 20
2005 17 19.9
2004 16.9 19.8
2003 16.8 19.7
2002 16.7 19.5
2001 16.6 19.4
2000 16.5 19.2
1999 16.4 19.1
1998 16.3 18.9
1997 16.3 18.8
1996 16.3 18.6
1995 16.3 18.6
1994 16.3 18.5
1993 16.3 18.4
1992 16.3 18.4
1991 16.4 18.4
1990 16.5 18.4
1989 16.6 18.5
1988 16.7 18.6
1987 16.8 18.7
1986 16.9 18.6
1985 17.1 18.4
1984 17.2 18.5
1983 17.3 18.6
1982 17.4 18.6
1981 17.5 18.7
1980 17.6 18.8
1979 17.7 18.8
1978 17.8 18.9
1977 17.9 19
1976 18.1 19
1975 18.2 18.9
1974 18.3 18.8
1973 18.5 18.6
1972 18.6 18.5
1971 18.8 18.3
1970 18.9 18.2
1969 19.1 18
1968 19.3 17.8
1967 19.5 17.6
1966 19.5 17.5
1965 19.6 17.5
1964 19.6 17.5
1963 19.7 17.4
1962 19.7 17.4
1961 19.7 17.4
1960 19.8 17.5

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

GeoRank.org/facts/burkina-faso/lesotho | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Burkina Faso and Lesotho.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Burkina Faso Lesotho
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$2.75B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
53.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
5.33%
2023
6.62%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
4.68%
2024
1.57%
2024
Armed forces personnel
11,000
2020
2,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-5.84%
2024
+9.04%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
18.7%
2024
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
30.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
49.1
2026
54.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
1.7%
2017
Total reserves including gold n/a
$1.01B
2024
Personal remittances received
$590M
2024
$476M
2024
International tourist arrivals
67,000
2020
1,142,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
3.87%
2019
10.1%
1999
Banked people share
51.4%
2024
61.6%
2024

Energy

Burkina Faso Lesotho
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
313 kg
2022
9.73 kg
2007
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$8.45
2022
$198.7
2007
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
6.48 megatons
2024
1 megaton
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.27 tons
2024
0.43 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2022
0%
2007
Renewable energy use share
71.4%
2022
34.9%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.18%
2022
n/a
Electric power consumption per capita
131.2 kWh
2022
n/a
Renewable electricity output share
14%
2021
99.8%
2021
Hydroelectric share
4.91%
2022
99.6%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
21.7%
2023
57.3%
2023

Society

Burkina Faso Lesotho
% of world population
0.29%
2024
0.03%
2024
Annual migration change
-27,130
2025
-5,192
2025
Urban population
28.3%
2024
43.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.8:50.2
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.64 ft
2025
5.51 ft
2025
Average female height
5.29 ft
2025
5.14 ft
2025
Quality of life index
23.7
2026
21.7
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
40
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
31
2026
28
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.3
2017
37.7
2008
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
31
2019
31.9
2019
Visa free countries
65
2025
81
2025
Adult literacy rate
41.4%
2023
90.4%
2024
English speaking
1%
2025
27.9%
2023
People using the Internet
17%
2023
48%
2023

Health

Burkina Faso Lesotho
Government health expenditure per capita
$71.7
2023
$122.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$31.4
2023
$16.2
2023
Life expectancy
61.6 years
2026
58.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
20.9%
2023
40.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.15
2022
0.24
2022
Age at first childbirth
20.1 years
2025
20.9 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
242
2023
478
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
77.3
2023
58.9
2023
Obesity rate
6.9%
2022
21.7%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
4.5%
2024
6.2%
2024
Air quality index
19
2026
28
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
14.3%
2022
24.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
11.3 liters
2020
4.3 liters
2020

Territory

Burkina Faso Lesotho
% of world land
0.18%
2026
0.02%
2026
Land area per capita
4,486 sq mi
2024
5,015 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
56,413 sq mi
2026
9,115 sq mi
2026
Forest area
23,423 sq mi
2026
133.3 sq mi
2026
Roads length
9,509 mi
2014
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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