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Gambia vs Lesotho statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

The Gambia has a population of 2.76M (ranked 140/197), compared with 2.34M in Lesotho (ranked 145/197). The Gambia's land area is 3,907 sq mi versus 11,722 sq mi for Lesotho (ranked 161st vs. 137th).

By GDP, The Gambia ranks 174/197 ($2.4B) and Lesotho ranks 175/197 ($2.27B). By GDP per capita, The Gambia ranks 183/197 ($871), while Lesotho ranks 181/197 ($972).

Main facts and rankings

Gambia Lesotho
Population
2902554
2396633
Population rank 138/197 143/197
GDP
$2.4B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GDP rank 174/197 175/197
GDP per capita
$871
2024
$972
2024
GDP per capita rank 183/197 181/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$3,001
2024
Government debt
$1.92B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80%
2024
56.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$697
2024
$552
2024
Government debt per person rank 155/185 164/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$741
2026
$6,545
2026
Land area 3,907 sq mi 11,722 sq mi
Population density
739 ppl/mi²
2026
203.8 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.01
2023
2.69
2023
Median age
19.4 years
2024
22.7 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.5 years
2026
58.6 years
2026

Gambia and Lesotho: Comparison Charts

Gambia and Lesotho economies compared

GDP
Gambia

Lesotho
1x
Year GDP
Gambia Lesotho
2024 $2,404,888,749 $2,271,759,455
2023 $2,382,262,185 $2,117,962,445
2022 $2,204,734,528 $2,354,980,960
2021 $2,014,158,842 $2,412,130,057
2020 $1,812,170,891 $2,053,699,864
2019 $1,813,609,692 $2,390,702,296
2018 $1,670,671,328 $2,556,247,292
2017 $1,504,909,463 $2,306,741,672
2016 $1,484,578,886 $2,114,426,452
2015 $1,378,176,609 $2,359,686,725
2014 $1,229,461,721 $2,441,063,054
2013 $1,375,609,453 $2,367,112,932
2012 $1,415,004,738 $2,477,702,216
2011 $1,409,693,597 $2,579,409,620
2010 $1,543,294,927 $2,234,754,242
2009 $1,450,142,509 $1,740,894,965
2008 $1,561,766,956 $1,766,902,709
2007 $1,279,703,047 $1,682,131,785
2006 $1,054,112,488 $1,800,092,564
2005 $1,027,701,068 $1,682,343,527
2004 $961,900,651 $1,511,236,656
2003 $487,038,685 $1,157,825,435
2002 $578,235,309 $775,777,239
2001 $687,410,645 $825,706,961
2000 $782,913,872 $887,291,688
1999 $814,724,032 $912,773,681
1998 $840,285,265 $928,460,893
1997 $803,633,342 $998,004,259
1996 $848,239,446 $946,112,493
1995 $785,999,865 $1,001,894,000
1994 $746,493,952 $878,250,945
1993 $755,040,974 $835,582,062
1992 $714,254,256 $831,029,862
1991 $690,311,081 $704,325,367
1990 $317,083,695 $596,410,264
1989 $284,120,329 $495,409,233
1988 $266,672,212 $470,395,801
1987 $220,626,484 $402,768,324
1986 $185,646,987 $318,858,423
1985 $225,726,359 $268,629,926
1984 $177,340,880 $333,163,670
1983 $213,448,585 $386,699,309
1982 $216,050,552 $348,741,684
1981 $218,767,743 $434,188,034
1980 $241,083,090 $431,542,537
1979 $207,112,628 $290,134,593
1978 $171,833,086 $266,570,067
1977 $138,093,099 $193,315,048
1976 $112,190,829 $147,660,037
1975 $115,179,719 $149,558,896
1974 $95,796,022 $150,851,317
1973 $75,187,749 $121,188,716
1972 $59,160,569 $80,913,200
1971 $55,728,663 $76,480,285
1970 $52,296,084 $68,739,973
1969 $45,168,072 $65,967,974
1968 $41,160,066 $61,445,975
1967 $46,695,007 $59,261,976
1966 $44,212,081 $56,699,977
1965 - $54,879,978
1964 - $51,939,979
1963 - $47,039,981
1962 - $41,859,983
1961 - $35,699,986
1960 - $34,579,986

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

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

Gambia and Lesotho economies compared

GDP per capita
Gambia

Lesotho
1x
Year GDP per capita
Gambia Lesotho
2024 $871 $972
2023 $883 $916
2022 $836 $1,030
2021 $782 $1,067
2020 $720 $919
2019 $738 $1,082
2018 $696 $1,171
2017 $643 $1,069
2016 $650 $992
2015 $620 $1,121
2014 $568 $1,174
2013 $654 $1,151
2012 $693 $1,218
2011 $711 $1,281
2010 $801 $1,119
2009 $775 $879
2008 $859 $898
2007 $725 $861
2006 $615 $925
2005 $616 $861
2004 $593 $767
2003 $309 $583
2002 $377 $389
2001 $460 $413
2000 $538 $443
1999 $575 $456
1998 $610 $465
1997 $600 $502
1996 $652 $480
1995 $622 $513
1994 $608 $456
1993 $635 $439
1992 $623 $444
1991 $628 $382
1990 $301 $330
1989 $280.9 $279
1988 $274.9 $270.4
1987 $237 $236.5
1986 $207.7 $191.4
1985 $262.8 $165.4
1984 $214.8 $211
1983 $268.6 $252
1982 $282.1 $233.9
1981 $296 $299.8
1980 $338 $307
1979 $300 $212.4
1978 $257.6 $200.8
1977 $213.8 $149.9
1976 $179.3 $117.8
1975 $189.8 $123.2
1974 $162.6 $128.7
1973 $131.4 $107
1972 $106.5 $74
1971 $103.3 $72.4
1970 $99.8 $67.4
1969 $88.7 $67.1
1968 $83.1 $64.8
1967 $97 $64.8
1966 $94.4 $64.3
1965 - $64.3
1964 - $62.6
1963 - $58.4
1962 - $53.5
1961 - $47
1960 - $47

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

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

Gambia vs. Lesotho life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Gambia

Lesotho
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Gambia Lesotho
2026 66.5 58.6
2025 66.3 58.2
2024 66.1 57.8
2023 65.9 57.4
2022 64.9 56.8
2021 63.8 54.2
2020 64.4 55.1
2019 64.4 55.2
2018 64 54.6
2017 63.7 53.9
2016 63.4 52.9
2015 63 51.8
2014 62.6 50.8
2013 62.3 49.5
2012 61.9 48.2
2011 61.6 46.9
2010 61.2 46
2009 60.7 45.1
2008 60.5 44.3
2007 60 43.7
2006 59.7 43.2
2005 59.1 43.6
2004 58.7 44
2003 58.2 44.9
2002 57.7 46
2001 57.3 47.2
2000 56.9 48.8
1999 56.5 50.4
1998 56 52
1997 55.2 53.7
1996 54.8 55.1
1995 54.3 56.4
1994 53.8 57.3
1993 53.2 58.1
1992 52.5 58.6
1991 51.9 59.1
1990 51.3 59.3
1989 50.7 59.5
1988 50.1 59.6
1987 49.4 59.6
1986 48.8 59.3
1985 48.2 59.2
1984 47.5 59
1983 46.9 58.5
1982 46.3 58
1981 44.5 57.3
1980 45 56.5
1979 44.5 55.8
1978 43.6 55.2
1977 43.4 54.5
1976 42.9 53.9
1975 42.2 53.5
1974 41.7 52.9
1973 41.1 52.6
1972 40.5 52.3
1971 40 51.8
1970 39.5 51.5
1969 39 51.1
1968 38.5 50.8
1967 38.1 50.5
1966 37.6 50.4
1965 37.1 50.3
1964 36.6 50.3
1963 36.1 50.3
1962 35.6 50.3
1961 35.1 50.3
1960 34.6 50.2
1959 34.1 49.9
1958 33.6 49.6
1957 33.1 49.2
1956 32.8 48.6
1955 32.4 48
1954 32.2 47.3
1953 31.9 46.6
1952 31.7 45.9
1951 31.5 45.2
1950 31.2 44.6

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

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

Gambia and Lesotho population clocks and comparison

Population
Gambia

Lesotho
1x
Year Population
Gambia Lesotho
2024 2,759,988 2,337,423
2023 2,697,845 2,311,472
2022 2,636,470 2,286,110
2021 2,576,010 2,261,542
2020 2,515,733 2,235,727
2019 2,456,844 2,209,405
2018 2,399,632 2,183,603
2017 2,342,189 2,157,110
2016 2,283,769 2,130,422
2015 2,224,529 2,104,611
2014 2,164,528 2,080,089
2013 2,103,820 2,056,504
2012 2,043,094 2,034,354
2011 1,983,784 2,014,009
2010 1,926,630 1,996,251
2009 1,871,422 1,980,883
2008 1,817,852 1,966,541
2007 1,765,774 1,953,268
2006 1,715,275 1,945,063
2005 1,667,037 1,953,076
2004 1,621,312 1,971,129
2003 1,577,611 1,985,059
2002 1,535,691 1,994,679
2001 1,495,011 2,000,853
2000 1,455,084 2,003,913
1999 1,415,779 2,003,234
1998 1,376,987 1,998,049
1997 1,338,889 1,988,130
1996 1,301,410 1,972,418
1995 1,264,313 1,951,437
1994 1,227,226 1,927,707
1993 1,188,365 1,901,793
1992 1,145,582 1,873,274
1991 1,099,959 1,842,379
1990 1,054,696 1,809,696
1989 1,011,357 1,775,436
1988 970,160 1,739,841
1987 931,091 1,703,390
1986 894,019 1,666,138
1985 858,874 1,624,379
1984 825,631 1,578,986
1983 794,525 1,534,413
1982 765,753 1,490,732
1981 739,125 1,448,069
1980 713,913 1,406,521
1979 689,781 1,366,169
1978 667,103 1,327,240
1977 645,770 1,289,967
1976 625,667 1,253,214
1975 606,821 1,213,643
1974 589,085 1,172,420
1973 571,991 1,132,697
1972 555,370 1,094,063
1971 539,388 1,056,246
1970 524,105 1,019,273
1969 509,440 983,202
1968 495,269 948,105
1967 481,588 913,982
1966 468,516 881,870
1965 455,952 854,090
1964 443,687 829,437
1963 431,757 805,373
1962 420,163 781,814
1961 408,930 758,824
1960 398,060 736,500

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

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

Fertility rates in Gambia and Lesotho

Fertility rate
Gambia

Lesotho
1x
Year Fertility rate
Gambia Lesotho
2023 4.01 2.69
2022 4.08 2.72
2021 4.17 2.77
2020 4.25 2.85
2019 4.33 2.92
2018 4.42 3.02
2017 4.61 3.11
2016 4.81 3.18
2015 5 3.22
2014 5.2 3.24
2013 5.39 3.28
2012 5.52 3.3
2011 5.54 3.34
2010 5.56 3.25
2009 5.57 3.31
2008 5.63 3.39
2007 5.69 3.44
2006 5.74 3.41
2005 5.71 3.43
2004 5.68 3.51
2003 5.66 3.62
2002 5.66 3.68
2001 5.67 3.63
2000 5.72 3.61
1999 5.77 3.67
1998 5.82 3.82
1997 5.85 3.98
1996 5.93 4.06
1995 5.99 4.13
1994 6.04 4.21
1993 6.03 4.37
1992 6.11 4.54
1991 6.19 4.68
1990 6.25 4.81
1989 6.25 4.96
1988 6.26 5.1
1987 6.3 5.22
1986 6.34 5.32
1985 6.36 5.4
1984 6.39 5.48
1983 6.39 5.56
1982 6.4 5.63
1981 6.4 5.69
1980 6.41 5.75
1979 6.41 5.79
1978 6.42 5.82
1977 6.43 5.85
1976 6.43 5.87
1975 6.43 5.83
1974 6.42 5.75
1973 6.41 5.69
1972 6.37 5.69
1971 6.33 5.7
1970 6.26 5.7
1969 6.25 5.7
1968 6.22 5.73
1967 6.21 5.75
1966 6.18 5.76
1965 6.19 5.77
1964 6.2 5.77
1963 6.2 5.78
1962 6.21 5.79
1961 6.23 5.79
1960 6.25 5.78

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

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

Gambia and Lesotho demographics compared

Median age
Gambia

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

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Gambia Lesotho
GNI, Atlas method
$2.43B
2024
$2.75B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
25.8%
2024
53.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
2.81%
2023
6.62%
2024
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.57%
2024
1.57%
2024
Armed forces personnel
4,000
2020
2,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-4.08%
2024
+9.04%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.48%
2023
18.7%
2024
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
48%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.3%
2024
30.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
56.3
2026
54.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.5%
2020
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
1.7%
2017
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
$1.01B
2024
Personal remittances received
$529M
2024
$476M
2024
International tourist arrivals
246,000
2020
1,142,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
30.2%
2020
10.1%
1999
Banked people share
38.2%
2024
61.6%
2024

Energy

Gambia Lesotho
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
75.3 kg
2007
9.73 kg
2007
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$26.4
2007
$198.7
2007
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
0.49 megatons
2024
1 megaton
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.18 tons
2024
0.43 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2007
0%
2007
Renewable energy use share
47.7%
2022
34.9%
2022
Renewable electricity output share
1.6%
2021
99.8%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0%
2021
99.6%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
66.9%
2023
57.3%
2023

Society

Gambia Lesotho
% of world population
0.03%
2024
0.03%
2024
Annual migration change
-2,984
2025
-5,192
2025
Urban population
64.3%
2024
43.7%
2024
Male:Female ratio
49.8:50.2
2024
48.7:51.3
2024
Average male height
5.52 ft
2025
5.51 ft
2025
Average female height
5.31 ft
2025
5.14 ft
2025
Quality of life index
21.9
2026
21.7
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
37
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
35
2026
28
2026
Homicides per 100K people
9.13
2015
37.7
2008
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
29.6
2019
31.9
2019
Visa free countries
73
2025
81
2025
Adult literacy rate
58.7%
2022
90.4%
2024
English speaking
2.34%
2023
27.9%
2023
People using the Internet
45.9%
2023
48%
2023

Health

Gambia Lesotho
Government health expenditure per capita
$25.7
2023
$122.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$8.7
2023
$16.2
2023
Life expectancy
66.5 years
2026
58.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
17.4%
2023
40.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.09
2023
0.24
2022
Age at first childbirth
20.7 years
2025
20.9 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
354
2023
478
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
44.1
2023
58.9
2023
Obesity rate
15.3%
2022
21.7%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
5.5%
2024
6.2%
2024
Air quality index
9
2026
28
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
10.5%
2022
24.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.61 liters
2020
4.3 liters
2020

Territory

Gambia Lesotho
% of world land
0.007%
2026
0.02%
2026
Land area per capita
1,416 sq mi
2024
5,015 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
2,448 sq mi
2026
9,115 sq mi
2026
Forest area
871 sq mi
2026
133.3 sq mi
2026
Roads length
1,850 mi
2011
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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