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Lesotho vs Niger statistics compared

Updated on by Georank

Lesotho has a population of 2.36M (ranked 143/197), compared with 27.9M in Niger (ranked 54/197). Lesotho's land area is 11,722 sq mi versus 489,076 sq mi for Niger (ranked 137th vs. 20th).

By GDP, Lesotho ranks 175/197 ($2.57B) and Niger ranks 129/197 ($21.6B). By GDP per capita, Lesotho ranks 179/197 ($1,089), while Niger ranks 188/197 ($775).

Main facts and rankings

Lesotho Niger
Population
2402837
29294628
Population rank 143/197 53/197
GDP
$2.57B
2025
$21.6B
2025
GDP rank 175/197 129/197
GDP per capita
$1,089
2025
$775
2025
GDP per capita rank 179/197 188/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$2,050
2024
Government debt
$1.26B
2025
$9.82B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.1%
2025
45.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$535
2025
$352
2025
Government debt per person rank 165/185 175/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,455
2026
$1,418
2026
Land area 11,722 sq mi 489,076 sq mi
Population density
203.8 ppl/mi²
2026
58.9 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.66
2024
5.94
2024
Median age
22.9 years
2025
16.7 years
2025
Life expectancy
58.6 years
2026
61.9 years
2026

Lesotho and Niger: Comparison Charts

Lesotho and Niger economies compared

GDP
Lesotho

Niger
1x
Year GDP
Lesotho Niger
2025 $2,573,572,920 $21,646,191,388
2024 $2,391,282,548 $19,729,786,047
2023 $2,129,871,530 $16,949,765,464
2022 $2,354,980,960 $15,531,799,641
2021 $2,412,130,057 $14,936,154,253
2020 $2,053,699,864 $13,648,332,190
2019 $2,390,702,296 $12,420,836,507
2018 $2,556,247,292 $12,800,907,986
2017 $2,306,741,672 $11,359,273,443
2016 $2,114,426,452 $10,341,025,540
2015 $2,359,686,725 $9,683,867,926
2014 $2,441,063,054 $10,862,943,544
2013 $2,367,112,932 $10,224,897,438
2012 $2,477,702,216 $9,426,912,648
2011 $2,579,409,620 $8,772,950,778
2010 $2,234,754,242 $7,851,192,502
2009 $1,740,894,965 $7,352,131,310
2008 $1,766,902,709 $7,297,600,226
2007 $1,682,131,785 $5,731,485,052
2006 $1,800,092,564 $4,756,361,252
2005 $1,682,343,527 $4,383,315,965
2004 $1,511,236,656 $3,760,443,738
2003 $1,157,825,435 $3,394,084,732
2002 $775,777,239 $2,782,192,879
2001 $825,706,961 $2,448,714,704
2000 $887,291,688 $2,241,753,193
1999 $912,773,681 $2,537,789,821
1998 $928,460,893 $2,643,363,519
1997 $998,004,259 $2,290,318,910
1996 $946,112,493 $2,405,686,940
1995 $1,001,894,000 $2,302,537,562
1994 $878,250,945 $1,938,058,175
1993 $835,582,062 $3,052,673,849
1992 $831,029,862 $3,386,232,579
1991 $704,325,367 $3,285,796,875
1990 $596,410,264 $3,512,356,508
1989 $495,409,233 $2,179,567,114
1988 $470,395,801 $2,280,356,193
1987 $402,768,324 $2,233,006,105
1986 $318,858,423 $1,904,096,998
1985 $268,629,926 $1,440,581,652
1984 $333,163,670 $1,461,243,326
1983 $386,699,309 $1,803,099,561
1982 $348,741,684 $2,017,612,216
1981 $434,188,034 $2,170,893,414
1980 $431,542,537 $2,508,524,721
1979 $290,134,593 $2,109,277,666
1978 $266,570,067 $1,774,365,590
1977 $193,315,048 $1,291,458,041
1976 $147,660,037 $1,064,517,601
1975 $149,558,896 $1,048,690,933
1974 $150,851,317 $1,026,137,111
1973 $121,188,716 $946,385,105
1972 $80,913,200 $742,779,661
1971 $76,480,285 $693,573,704
1970 $68,739,973 $649,916,621
1969 $65,967,974 $625,867,985
1968 $61,445,975 $641,214,226
1967 $59,261,976 $665,586,872
1966 $56,699,977 $702,296,079
1965 $54,879,978 $673,383,511
1964 $51,939,979 $582,816,396
1963 $47,039,981 $586,294,879
1962 $41,859,983 $531,736,599
1961 $35,699,986 $485,785,231
1960 $34,579,986 $449,526,873

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Lesotho and Niger economies compared

GDP per capita
Lesotho

Niger
1x
Year GDP per capita
Lesotho Niger
2025 $1,089 $775
2024 $1,023 $730
2023 $921 $648
2022 $1,030 $614
2021 $1,067 $610
2020 $919 $575
2019 $1,082 $541
2018 $1,171 $577
2017 $1,069 $530
2016 $992 $500
2015 $1,121 $486
2014 $1,174 $565
2013 $1,151 $552
2012 $1,218 $529
2011 $1,281 $511
2010 $1,119 $474
2009 $879 $461
2008 $898 $475
2007 $861 $387
2006 $925 $333
2005 $861 $319
2004 $767 $283.5
2003 $583 $265.2
2002 $389 $225.3
2001 $413 $205.4
2000 $443 $194.8
1999 $456 $228.3
1998 $465 $246.1
1997 $502 $220.6
1996 $480 $239.5
1995 $513 $237
1994 $456 $206.2
1993 $439 $335
1992 $444 $384
1991 $382 $384
1990 $330 $424
1989 $279 $271.3
1988 $270.4 $292.6
1987 $236.5 $295.3
1986 $191.4 $259.6
1985 $165.4 $202.4
1984 $211 $211.5
1983 $252 $268.8
1982 $233.9 $310
1981 $299.8 $343
1980 $307 $409
1979 $212.4 $354
1978 $200.8 $307
1977 $149.9 $229.8
1976 $117.8 $194.8
1975 $123.2 $197.2
1974 $128.7 $198.3
1973 $107 $187.9
1972 $74 $151.4
1971 $72.4 $145.2
1970 $67.4 $139.8
1969 $67.1 $138.3
1968 $64.8 $145.6
1967 $64.8 $155.4
1966 $64.3 $168.6
1965 $64.3 $166.3
1964 $62.6 $148.1
1963 $58.4 $153.3
1962 $53.5 $143.2
1961 $47 $134.6
1960 $47 $128.3

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Lesotho vs. Niger life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Lesotho

Niger
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Lesotho Niger
2026 58.6 61.9
2025 58.2 61.7
2024 57.8 61.4
2023 57.4 61.2
2022 56.8 60.4
2021 54.2 59.5
2020 55.1 59.9
2019 55.2 60
2018 54.6 59.8
2017 53.9 59.5
2016 52.9 59.2
2015 51.8 58.8
2014 50.8 58.7
2013 49.5 58.4
2012 48.2 58
2011 46.9 57.6
2010 46 57.1
2009 45.1 56.5
2008 44.3 55.9
2007 43.7 55.1
2006 43.2 54.2
2005 43.6 53.3
2004 44 52.4
2003 44.9 51.5
2002 46 50.6
2001 47.2 49.9
2000 48.8 49.2
1999 50.4 48.5
1998 52 47.8
1997 53.7 47.1
1996 55.1 46.3
1995 56.4 45.5
1994 57.3 44.6
1993 58.1 43.8
1992 58.6 43.1
1991 59.1 42.3
1990 59.3 41.7
1989 59.5 41.2
1988 59.6 40.8
1987 59.6 40.5
1986 59.3 40.3
1985 59.2 40.1
1984 59 40
1983 58.5 40
1982 58 39.8
1981 57.3 39.6
1980 56.5 39.3
1979 55.8 38.9
1978 55.2 38.3
1977 54.5 37.7
1976 53.9 37.1
1975 53.5 36.6
1974 52.9 36.2
1973 52.6 35.9
1972 52.3 35.8
1971 51.8 35.3
1970 51.5 35.9
1969 51.1 36
1968 50.8 36.1
1967 50.5 36.2
1966 50.4 36.3
1965 50.3 36.4
1964 50.3 36.5
1963 50.3 36.4
1962 50.3 36.3
1961 50.3 36.3
1960 50.2 36.2
1959 49.9 36.1
1958 49.6 36.1
1957 49.2 36.1
1956 48.6 36
1955 48 36
1954 47.3 36
1953 46.6 35.9
1952 45.9 35.9
1951 45.2 35.9
1950 44.6 35.9

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Lesotho and Niger population clocks and comparison

Population
Lesotho

Niger
1x
Year Population
Lesotho Niger
2025 2,363,325 27,917,831
2024 2,337,423 27,032,412
2023 2,311,472 26,159,867
2022 2,286,110 25,311,973
2021 2,261,542 24,502,140
2020 2,235,727 23,717,613
2019 2,209,405 22,947,757
2018 2,183,603 22,188,069
2017 2,157,110 21,435,446
2016 2,130,422 20,685,753
2015 2,104,611 19,939,498
2014 2,080,089 19,215,909
2013 2,056,504 18,519,898
2012 2,034,354 17,836,769
2011 2,014,009 17,176,283
2010 1,996,251 16,548,835
2009 1,980,883 15,943,675
2008 1,966,541 15,361,915
2007 1,953,268 14,803,610
2006 1,945,063 14,268,581
2005 1,953,076 13,756,192
2004 1,971,129 13,265,836
2003 1,985,059 12,796,984
2002 1,994,679 12,349,144
2001 2,000,853 11,920,647
2000 2,003,913 11,509,630
1999 2,003,234 11,117,411
1998 1,998,049 10,741,413
1997 1,988,130 10,383,969
1996 1,972,418 10,044,852
1995 1,951,437 9,714,529
1994 1,927,707 9,398,258
1993 1,901,793 9,100,789
1992 1,873,274 8,817,633
1991 1,842,379 8,546,900
1990 1,809,696 8,286,059
1989 1,775,436 8,034,780
1988 1,739,841 7,793,748
1987 1,703,390 7,561,150
1986 1,666,138 7,335,811
1985 1,624,379 7,118,457
1984 1,578,986 6,909,971
1983 1,534,413 6,708,644
1982 1,490,732 6,512,732
1981 1,448,069 6,322,006
1980 1,406,521 6,135,971
1979 1,366,169 5,955,556
1978 1,327,240 5,782,932
1977 1,289,967 5,619,716
1976 1,253,214 5,464,962
1975 1,213,643 5,317,019
1974 1,172,420 5,174,953
1973 1,132,697 5,037,865
1972 1,094,063 4,904,845
1971 1,056,246 4,776,225
1970 1,019,273 4,650,275
1969 983,202 4,525,725
1968 948,105 4,403,637
1967 913,982 4,283,590
1966 881,870 4,165,544
1965 854,090 4,049,695
1964 829,437 3,935,814
1963 805,373 3,823,873
1962 781,814 3,714,520
1961 758,824 3,608,162
1960 736,500 3,505,050

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Fertility rates in Lesotho and Niger

Fertility rate
Lesotho

Niger
1x
Year Fertility rate
Lesotho Niger
2024 2.66 5.94
2023 2.69 6.06
2022 2.72 6.14
2021 2.77 6.2
2020 2.85 6.37
2019 2.92 6.54
2018 3.02 6.71
2017 3.11 6.87
2016 3.18 7.04
2015 3.22 7.22
2014 3.24 7.34
2013 3.28 7.45
2012 3.3 7.53
2011 3.34 7.59
2010 3.25 7.64
2009 3.31 7.68
2008 3.39 7.7
2007 3.44 7.73
2006 3.41 7.74
2005 3.43 7.77
2004 3.51 7.78
2003 3.62 7.79
2002 3.68 7.8
2001 3.63 7.81
2000 3.61 7.83
1999 3.67 7.84
1998 3.82 7.84
1997 3.98 7.8
1996 4.06 7.78
1995 4.13 7.78
1994 4.21 7.79
1993 4.37 7.79
1992 4.54 7.8
1991 4.68 7.8
1990 4.81 7.81
1989 4.96 7.82
1988 5.1 7.84
1987 5.22 7.87
1986 5.32 7.9
1985 5.4 7.93
1984 5.48 7.92
1983 5.56 7.9
1982 5.63 7.86
1981 5.69 7.82
1980 5.75 7.78
1979 5.79 7.72
1978 5.82 7.66
1977 5.85 7.6
1976 5.87 7.56
1975 5.83 7.54
1974 5.75 7.54
1973 5.69 7.53
1972 5.69 7.52
1971 5.7 7.52
1970 5.7 7.51
1969 5.7 7.51
1968 5.73 7.5
1967 5.75 7.49
1966 5.76 7.48
1965 5.77 7.47
1964 5.77 7.48
1963 5.78 7.49
1962 5.79 7.5
1961 5.79 7.51
1960 5.78 7.53

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Lesotho and Niger demographics compared

Median age
Lesotho

Niger
1x
Year Median age, years
Lesotho Niger
2025 22.9 16.7
2024 22.7 16.5
2023 22.5 16.3
2022 22.3 16.2
2021 22.1 16
2020 22 15.9
2019 21.8 15.8
2018 21.7 15.7
2017 21.6 15.6
2016 21.4 15.5
2015 21.3 15.4
2014 21.2 15.3
2013 21.1 15.3
2012 21 15.3
2011 20.9 15.3
2010 20.7 15.3
2009 20.6 15.4
2008 20.4 15.5
2007 20.2 15.5
2006 20 15.7
2005 19.9 15.8
2004 19.8 15.9
2003 19.7 16
2002 19.5 16.1
2001 19.4 16.2
2000 19.2 16.3
1999 19.1 16.4
1998 18.9 16.5
1997 18.8 16.5
1996 18.6 16.6
1995 18.6 16.6
1994 18.5 16.6
1993 18.4 16.6
1992 18.4 16.6
1991 18.4 16.6
1990 18.4 16.5
1989 18.5 16.5
1988 18.6 16.5
1987 18.7 16.4
1986 18.6 16.4
1985 18.4 16.4
1984 18.5 16.4
1983 18.6 16.4
1982 18.6 16.4
1981 18.7 16.4
1980 18.8 16.4
1979 18.8 16.4
1978 18.9 16.4
1977 19 16.3
1976 19 16.3
1975 18.9 16.2
1974 18.8 16.1
1973 18.6 16.1
1972 18.5 16
1971 18.3 15.9
1970 18.2 15.9
1969 18 15.8
1968 17.8 15.7
1967 17.6 15.7
1966 17.5 15.6
1965 17.5 15.6
1964 17.5 15.6
1963 17.4 15.5
1962 17.4 15.5
1961 17.4 15.5
1960 17.5 15.5

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Lesotho Niger
GNI, Atlas method
$3.03B
2025
$20.9B
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
54.2%
2025
14.8%
2025
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.62%
2024
4.07%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.57%
2024
2.24%
2024
Armed forces personnel
2,000
2020
10,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
+2.15%
2025
-3.28%
2025
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
0.4%
2022
Services, % of GDP
55.6%
2025
31.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.2%
2025
18.7%
2025
Economic freedom index
54.9
2026
51
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
27.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
3.8%
2021
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
n/a
Personal remittances received
$476M
2024
$650M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,142,000
2019
85,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
10.1%
1999
9.38%
2019
Banked people share
61.6%
2024
14.8%
2024

Energy

Lesotho Niger
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
9.73 kg
2007
161.3 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$198.7
2007
$11.6
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
1 megaton
2024
3.21 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.43 tons
2024
0.12 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2007
0%
2023
Renewable energy use share
34.9%
2022
79.6%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
0.07%
2023
Net energy imports use share n/a
5.41%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
67.7 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
99.8%
2021
7.83%
2021
Hydroelectric share
99.6%
2021
0%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
57.3%
2023
20.1%
2023

Society

Lesotho Niger
% of world population
0.03%
2025
0.34%
2025
Annual migration change
-5,192
2025
-7,704
2025
Urban population
44.7%
2025
18.4%
2025
Male:Female ratio
48.8:51.2
2025
50.8:49.2
2025
Average male height
5.48 ft
2026
5.59 ft
2026
Average female height
5.17 ft
2026
5.24 ft
2026
Quality of life index
13.7
2026
14.3
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
37
2025
31
2025
Higher education index
28
2026
10
2026
Homicides per 100K people
38.2
2008
4.42
2012
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
31.9
2019
25.5
2019
Visa free countries
80
2026
63
2026
Adult literacy rate
90.4%
2024
35.6%
2022
English speaking
27.9%
2026
1%
2026
People using the Internet
51.8%
2024
15.6%
2024

Health

Lesotho Niger
Government health expenditure per capita
$122.6
2023
$26
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$16.2
2023
$13.4
2023
Life expectancy
58.6 years
2026
61.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
40.5%
2023
14.6%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.24
2022
0.04
2023
Age at first childbirth
20.9 years
2025
18.5 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
478
2023
350
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
60
2024
110.7
2024
Obesity rate
21.7%
2022
6.21%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
6.2%
2024
4.1%
2024
Air quality index
28
2026
12
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
28%
2024
7.4%
2024
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
4.3 liters
2020
0.13 liters
2020

Territory

Lesotho Niger
% of world land
0.02%
2026
0.85%
2026
Land area per capita
4,960 sq mi
2025
17,518 sq mi
2025
Agricultural land area
9,115 sq mi
2026
179,918 sq mi
2026
Forest area
133.3 sq mi
2026
4,025 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,691 mi
2011
11,774 mi
2010

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  10. Passport Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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