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Lesotho vs Malawi statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a population of 2.34M (ranked 145/197), compared with 21.7M in Malawi (ranked 62/197). Lesotho's land area is 11,722 sq mi versus 36,402 sq mi for Malawi (ranked 137th vs. 107th).

By GDP, Lesotho ranks 175/197 ($2.27B) and Malawi ranks 151/197 ($11.3B). By GDP per capita, Lesotho ranks 181/197 ($972), while Malawi ranks 194/197 ($523).

Main facts and rankings

Lesotho Malawi
Population
2396633
22949294
Population rank 143/197 61/197
GDP
$2.27B
2024
$11.3B
2024
GDP rank 175/197 151/197
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$523
2024
GDP per capita rank 181/197 194/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$1,858
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$9.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
87.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$458
2024
Government debt per person rank 164/185 168/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$3,031
2026
Land area 11,722 sq mi 36,402 sq mi
Population density
203.8 ppl/mi²
2026
626 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.69
2023
3.65
2023
Median age
22.7 years
2024
18.9 years
2024
Life expectancy
58.6 years
2026
67.9 years
2026

Lesotho and Malawi: Comparison Charts

Lesotho and Malawi economies compared

GDP
Lesotho

Malawi
1x
Year GDP
Lesotho Malawi
2024 $2,271,759,455 $11,316,411,329
2023 $2,117,962,445 $13,363,669,673
2022 $2,354,980,960 $12,429,059,928
2021 $2,412,130,057 $12,378,119,199
2020 $2,053,699,864 $11,769,313,598
2019 $2,390,702,296 $11,051,852,713
2018 $2,556,247,292 $9,879,220,354
2017 $2,306,741,672 $8,943,543,794
2016 $2,114,426,452 $7,909,868,618
2015 $2,359,686,725 $9,219,474,379
2014 $2,441,063,054 $8,801,326,169
2013 $2,367,112,932 $8,031,571,928
2012 $2,477,702,216 $8,773,203,178
2011 $2,579,409,620 $11,648,142,958
2010 $2,234,754,242 $10,128,323,011
2009 $1,740,894,965 $9,009,887,947
2008 $1,766,902,709 $7,743,617,352
2007 $1,682,131,785 $6,451,210,219
2006 $1,800,092,564 $5,818,279,739
2005 $1,682,343,527 $5,320,409,651
2004 $1,511,236,656 $5,058,726,350
2003 $1,157,825,435 $4,669,789,300
2002 $775,777,239 $5,087,328,438
2001 $825,706,961 $2,498,008,665
2000 $887,291,688 $2,537,307,580
1999 $912,773,681 $2,584,478,924
1998 $928,460,893 $2,547,609,590
1997 $998,004,259 $3,875,785,863
1996 $946,112,493 $3,319,573,750
1995 $1,001,894,000 $2,033,701,498
1994 $878,250,945 $1,719,864,761
1993 $835,582,062 $3,013,392,658
1992 $831,029,862 $2,618,837,835
1991 $704,325,367 $3,206,783,830
1990 $596,410,264 $2,737,087,862
1989 $495,409,233 $2,314,205,130
1988 $470,395,801 $2,008,189,508
1987 $402,768,324 $1,721,711,808
1986 $318,858,423 $1,722,586,299
1985 $268,629,926 $1,646,442,273
1984 $333,163,670 $1,758,028,656
1983 $386,699,309 $1,780,148,049
1982 $348,741,684 $1,717,379,495
1981 $434,188,034 $1,801,193,910
1980 $431,542,537 $1,801,156,775
1979 $290,134,593 -
1978 $266,570,067 -
1977 $193,315,048 -
1976 $147,660,037 -
1975 $149,558,896 -
1974 $150,851,317 -
1973 $121,188,716 -
1972 $80,913,200 -
1971 $76,480,285 -
1970 $68,739,973 -
1969 $65,967,974 -
1968 $61,445,975 -
1967 $59,261,976 -
1966 $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/lesotho/malawi | CC BY

Lesotho and Malawi economies compared

GDP per capita
Lesotho

Malawi
1x
Year GDP per capita
Lesotho Malawi
2024 $972 $523
2023 $916 $633
2022 $1,030 $604
2021 $1,067 $617
2020 $919 $603
2019 $1,082 $581
2018 $1,171 $533
2017 $1,069 $496
2016 $992 $451
2015 $1,121 $540
2014 $1,174 $530
2013 $1,151 $497
2012 $1,218 $558
2011 $1,281 $763
2010 $1,119 $683
2009 $879 $626
2008 $898 $554
2007 $861 $475
2006 $925 $441
2005 $861 $414
2004 $767 $405
2003 $583 $383
2002 $389 $428
2001 $413 $215.5
2000 $443 $224.2
1999 $456 $233.9
1998 $465 $236
1997 $502 $367
1996 $480 $321
1995 $513 $200.4
1994 $456 $169.2
1993 $439 $293
1992 $444 $258.4
1991 $382 $326
1990 $330 $286.7
1989 $279 $252.2
1988 $270.4 $229.4
1987 $236.5 $207.6
1986 $191.4 $217.9
1985 $165.4 $216.1
1984 $211 $239.7
1983 $252 $252.4
1982 $233.9 $253.3
1981 $299.8 $276.4
1980 $307 $287.5
1979 $212.4 -
1978 $200.8 -
1977 $149.9 -
1976 $117.8 -
1975 $123.2 -
1974 $128.7 -
1973 $107 -
1972 $74 -
1971 $72.4 -
1970 $67.4 -
1969 $67.1 -
1968 $64.8 -
1967 $64.8 -
1966 $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/lesotho/malawi | CC BY

Lesotho vs. Malawi life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Lesotho

Malawi
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Lesotho Malawi
2026 58.6 67.9
2025 58.2 67.7
2024 57.8 67.6
2023 57.4 67.4
2022 56.8 66
2021 54.2 64.8
2020 55.1 65.2
2019 55.2 65
2018 54.6 64.5
2017 53.9 63.9
2016 52.9 63.2
2015 51.8 62.3
2014 50.8 61.7
2013 49.5 60.8
2012 48.2 59.9
2011 46.9 58.9
2010 46 57.8
2009 45.1 56.7
2008 44.3 55.7
2007 43.7 54.7
2006 43.2 53.7
2005 43.6 52.5
2004 44 51.1
2003 44.9 49.6
2002 46 48.2
2001 47.2 47.2
2000 48.8 46.2
1999 50.4 45.1
1998 52 44.3
1997 53.7 44.2
1996 55.1 44
1995 56.4 43.8
1994 57.3 43.8
1993 58.1 43.6
1992 58.6 43.6
1991 59.1 43.5
1990 59.3 43.6
1989 59.5 43.5
1988 59.6 43.6
1987 59.6 43.9
1986 59.3 44.3
1985 59.2 44.6
1984 59 44.8
1983 58.5 45
1982 58 44.8
1981 57.3 44.7
1980 56.5 44.3
1979 55.8 43.7
1978 55.2 43
1977 54.5 42
1976 53.9 41
1975 53.5 40.1
1974 52.9 39.2
1973 52.6 38.4
1972 52.3 37.6
1971 51.8 37.1
1970 51.5 36.6
1969 51.1 36.3
1968 50.8 36.1
1967 50.5 35.9
1966 50.4 35.8
1965 50.3 35.7
1964 50.3 35.7
1963 50.3 35.6
1962 50.3 35.4
1961 50.3 35.2
1960 50.2 35
1959 49.9 34.8
1958 49.6 34.4
1957 49.2 34.1
1956 48.6 33.8
1955 48 33.6
1954 47.3 33.3
1953 46.6 33.2
1952 45.9 33
1951 45.2 32.8
1950 44.6 32.7

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

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

Lesotho and Malawi population clocks and comparison

Population
Lesotho

Malawi
1x
Year Population
Lesotho Malawi
2024 2,337,423 21,655,286
2023 2,311,472 21,104,482
2022 2,286,110 20,568,728
2021 2,261,542 20,047,258
2020 2,235,727 19,533,888
2019 2,209,405 19,025,752
2018 2,183,603 18,528,081
2017 2,157,110 18,039,715
2016 2,130,422 17,557,739
2015 2,104,611 17,085,587
2014 2,080,089 16,621,538
2013 2,056,504 16,161,816
2012 2,034,354 15,709,577
2011 2,014,009 15,265,022
2010 1,996,251 14,826,463
2009 1,980,883 14,395,788
2008 1,966,541 13,976,417
2007 1,953,268 13,576,343
2006 1,945,063 13,198,701
2005 1,953,076 12,840,031
2004 1,971,129 12,500,737
2003 1,985,059 12,181,574
2002 1,994,679 11,880,440
2001 2,000,853 11,593,058
2000 2,003,913 11,315,942
1999 2,003,234 11,047,804
1998 1,998,049 10,792,876
1997 1,988,130 10,562,035
1996 1,972,418 10,352,228
1995 1,951,437 10,150,117
1994 1,927,707 10,164,894
1993 1,901,793 10,284,024
1992 1,873,274 10,135,079
1991 1,842,379 9,844,227
1990 1,809,696 9,545,852
1989 1,775,436 9,176,220
1988 1,739,841 8,753,262
1987 1,703,390 8,293,174
1986 1,666,138 7,906,480
1985 1,624,379 7,620,508
1984 1,578,986 7,332,810
1983 1,534,413 7,051,709
1982 1,490,732 6,778,879
1981 1,448,069 6,516,454
1980 1,406,521 6,265,529
1979 1,366,169 6,028,749
1978 1,327,240 5,810,132
1977 1,289,967 5,614,983
1976 1,253,214 5,443,384
1975 1,213,643 5,287,367
1974 1,172,420 5,141,337
1973 1,132,697 5,003,938
1972 1,094,063 4,874,475
1971 1,056,246 4,751,434
1970 1,019,273 4,633,944
1969 983,202 4,521,184
1968 948,105 4,411,054
1967 913,982 4,303,012
1966 881,870 4,197,926
1965 854,090 4,096,157
1964 829,437 3,997,305
1963 805,373 3,900,506
1962 781,814 3,806,307
1961 758,824 3,715,534
1960 736,500 3,628,134

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

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

Fertility rates in Lesotho and Malawi

Fertility rate
Lesotho

Malawi
1x
Year Fertility rate
Lesotho Malawi
2023 2.69 3.65
2022 2.72 3.72
2021 2.77 3.79
2020 2.85 3.88
2019 2.92 3.95
2018 3.02 4.02
2017 3.11 4.11
2016 3.18 4.22
2015 3.22 4.38
2014 3.24 4.57
2013 3.28 4.76
2012 3.3 4.9
2011 3.34 5.08
2010 3.25 5.26
2009 3.31 5.45
2008 3.39 5.61
2007 3.44 5.72
2006 3.41 5.8
2005 3.43 5.85
2004 3.51 5.86
2003 3.62 5.88
2002 3.68 5.9
2001 3.63 5.94
2000 3.61 6
1999 3.67 6.12
1998 3.82 6.21
1997 3.98 6.23
1996 4.06 6.29
1995 4.13 6.39
1994 4.21 6.49
1993 4.37 6.57
1992 4.54 6.63
1991 4.68 6.68
1990 4.81 6.74
1989 4.96 6.8
1988 5.1 6.88
1987 5.22 6.97
1986 5.32 7.07
1985 5.4 7.17
1984 5.48 7.27
1983 5.56 7.36
1982 5.63 7.45
1981 5.69 7.49
1980 5.75 7.52
1979 5.79 7.47
1978 5.82 7.43
1977 5.85 7.41
1976 5.87 7.39
1975 5.83 7.36
1974 5.75 7.34
1973 5.69 7.34
1972 5.69 7.33
1971 5.7 7.31
1970 5.7 7.3
1969 5.7 7.27
1968 5.73 7.26
1967 5.75 7.21
1966 5.76 7.17
1965 5.77 7.13
1964 5.77 7.11
1963 5.78 7.13
1962 5.79 7.1
1961 5.79 7.07
1960 5.78 7.04

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

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

Lesotho and Malawi demographics compared

Median age
Lesotho

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

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Lesotho Malawi
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$12.3B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
29.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.62%
2024
2.75%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.57%
2024
1.02%
2024
Armed forces personnel
2,000
2020
15,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
+9.04%
2024
-11%
2024
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
15.4%
2024
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
44.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
17.1%
2024
Economic freedom index
54.9
2026
50.7
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
31%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
2.9%
2019
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$594M
2020
Personal remittances received
$476M
2024
$187M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,142,000
2019
871,000
2018
International tourism as share of exports
10.1%
1999
2.68%
2020
Banked people share
61.6%
2024
50.4%
2024

Energy

Lesotho Malawi
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
9.73 kg
2007
n/a
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$198.7
2007
n/a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
1 megaton
2024
4.79 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.43 tons
2024
0.22 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2007
n/a
Renewable energy use share
34.9%
2022
62.9%
2022
Renewable electricity output share
99.8%
2021
80.1%
2021
Hydroelectric share
99.6%
2021
72.5%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
57.3%
2023
15.6%
2023

Society

Lesotho Malawi
% of world population
0.03%
2024
0.27%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,192
2025
-5,628
2025
Urban population
43.7%
2024
17.3%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.7:51.3
2024
48.8:51.2
2024
Average male height
5.51 ft
2025
5.44 ft
2025
Average female height
5.14 ft
2025
5.12 ft
2025
Quality of life index
21.7
2026
31.3
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
37
2025
34
2025
Higher education index
28
2026
26
2026
Homicides per 100K people
37.7
2008
1.79
2012
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
31.9
2019
33.4
2019
Visa free countries
81
2025
78
2025
Adult literacy rate
90.4%
2024
68.1%
2022
English speaking
27.9%
2023
3.88%
2023
People using the Internet
48%
2023
18%
2023

Health

Lesotho Malawi
Government health expenditure per capita
$122.6
2023
$41.3
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$16.2
2023
$4.95
2023
Life expectancy
58.6 years
2026
67.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
40.5%
2023
65.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.24
2022
0.05
2022
Age at first childbirth
20.9 years
2025
19.1 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
478
2023
225
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
58.9
2023
38.3
2023
Obesity rate
21.7%
2022
7.87%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
6.2%
2024
5.7%
2024
Air quality index
28
2026
34
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
24.3%
2022
9.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
4.3 liters
2020
3.61 liters
2020

Territory

Lesotho Malawi
% of world land
0.02%
2026
0.06%
2026
Land area per capita
5,015 sq mi
2024
1,681 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
9,115 sq mi
2026
23,359 sq mi
2026
Forest area
133.3 sq mi
2026
8,169 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,691 mi
2011
9,601 mi
2015

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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