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Lesotho vs North Korea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a population of 2.34M (ranked 145/197), compared with 26.5M in North Korea (ranked 56/197). Lesotho's land area is 11,722 sq mi versus 46,491 sq mi for North Korea (ranked 137th vs. 97th).

By GDP, Lesotho ranks 175/197 ($2.27B) and North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B). By GDP per capita, Lesotho ranks 181/197 ($972), while North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319).

Main facts and rankings

Lesotho North Korea
Population
2396633
26659144
Population rank 143/197 57/197
GDP
$2.27B
2024
$34.9B
2024
GDP rank 175/197 106/197
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$1,319
2024
GDP per capita rank 181/197 168/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$1,700
2015
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
n/a
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
n/a
Government debt per person
$552
2024
n/a
Government debt per person rank 164/185 n/a
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$1,426
2026
Land area 11,722 sq mi 46,491 sq mi
Population density
203.8 ppl/mi²
2026
573 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.69
2023
1.78
2023
Median age
22.7 years
2024
37.3 years
2024
Life expectancy
58.6 years
2026
74 years
2026

Lesotho and North Korea: Comparison Charts

Lesotho and North Korea economies compared

GDP
Lesotho

North Korea
1x
Year GDP
Lesotho North Korea
2024 $2,271,759,455 $34,943,120,000
2023 $2,117,962,445 $32,155,360,000
2022 $2,354,980,960 $28,971,360,000
2021 $2,412,130,057 $32,301,720,000
2020 $2,053,699,864 $27,728,240,000
2019 $2,390,702,296 $28,222,880,000
2018 $2,556,247,292 $28,536,400,000
2017 $2,306,741,672 $29,105,440,000
2016 $2,114,426,452 $28,882,640,000
2015 $2,359,686,725 $30,723,030,000
2014 $2,441,063,054 $30,554,460,000
2013 $2,367,112,932 $30,588,922,000
2012 $2,477,702,216 $29,890,710,000
2011 $2,579,409,620 $29,005,020,000
2010 $2,234,754,242 $25,995,513,000
2009 $1,740,894,965 $23,356,470,000
2008 $1,766,902,709 -
2007 $1,682,131,785 -
2006 $1,800,092,564 -
2005 $1,682,343,527 -
2004 $1,511,236,656 -
2003 $1,157,825,435 -
2002 $775,777,239 -
2001 $825,706,961 -
2000 $887,291,688 -
1999 $912,773,681 -
1998 $928,460,893 -
1997 $998,004,259 -
1996 $946,112,493 -
1995 $1,001,894,000 -
1994 $878,250,945 -
1993 $835,582,062 -
1992 $831,029,862 -
1991 $704,325,367 -
1990 $596,410,264 -
1989 $495,409,233 -
1988 $470,395,801 -
1987 $402,768,324 -
1986 $318,858,423 -
1985 $268,629,926 -
1984 $333,163,670 -
1983 $386,699,309 -
1982 $348,741,684 -
1981 $434,188,034 -
1980 $431,542,537 -
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/north-korea | CC BY

Lesotho and North Korea economies compared

GDP per capita
Lesotho

North Korea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Lesotho North Korea
2024 $972 $1,319
2023 $916 $1,217
2022 $1,030 $1,100
2021 $1,067 $1,231
2020 $919 $1,061
2019 $1,082 $1,084
2018 $1,171 $1,100
2017 $1,069 $1,127
2016 $992 $1,124
2015 $1,121 $1,201
2014 $1,174 $1,201
2013 $1,151 $1,208
2012 $1,218 $1,186
2011 $1,281 $1,156
2010 $1,119 $1,040
2009 $879 $939
2008 $898 -
2007 $861 -
2006 $925 -
2005 $861 -
2004 $767 -
2003 $583 -
2002 $389 -
2001 $413 -
2000 $443 -
1999 $456 -
1998 $465 -
1997 $502 -
1996 $480 -
1995 $513 -
1994 $456 -
1993 $439 -
1992 $444 -
1991 $382 -
1990 $330 -
1989 $279 -
1988 $270.4 -
1987 $236.5 -
1986 $191.4 -
1985 $165.4 -
1984 $211 -
1983 $252 -
1982 $233.9 -
1981 $299.8 -
1980 $307 -
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 | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/north-korea | CC BY

Lesotho vs. North Korea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Lesotho

North Korea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Lesotho North Korea
2026 58.6 74
2025 58.2 73.9
2024 57.8 73.7
2023 57.4 73.6
2022 56.8 73.6
2021 54.2 73.4
2020 55.1 72.8
2019 55.2 72.9
2018 54.6 73
2017 53.9 73
2016 52.9 73
2015 51.8 72.8
2014 50.8 72.5
2013 49.5 71.9
2012 48.2 71.3
2011 46.9 70.8
2010 46 70.2
2009 45.1 69.7
2008 44.3 69.3
2007 43.7 69
2006 43.2 69.1
2005 43.6 69.2
2004 44 69.3
2003 44.9 69.4
2002 46 60.9
2001 47.2 60.9
2000 48.8 60.9
1999 50.4 60.9
1998 52 60.9
1997 53.7 60.9
1996 55.1 60.8
1995 56.4 60.8
1994 57.3 70.5
1993 58.1 70.8
1992 58.6 71
1991 59.1 70.7
1990 59.3 70.5
1989 59.5 70.3
1988 59.6 70.1
1987 59.6 69.8
1986 59.3 69.5
1985 59.2 69.2
1984 59 68.9
1983 58.5 68.5
1982 58 68.1
1981 57.3 67.7
1980 56.5 67.2
1979 55.8 66.7
1978 55.2 66.3
1977 54.5 65.8
1976 53.9 65.3
1975 53.5 64.8
1974 52.9 64.3
1973 52.6 63.8
1972 52.3 63.3
1971 51.8 62.7
1970 51.5 62
1969 51.1 61.4
1968 50.8 60.8
1967 50.5 60.1
1966 50.4 59.4
1965 50.3 58.8
1964 50.3 58.2
1963 50.3 57.6
1962 50.3 57
1961 50.3 56.4
1960 50.2 55.8
1959 49.9 55.2
1958 49.6 54.5
1957 49.2 53.7
1956 48.6 52.8
1955 48 51.8
1954 47.3 50.6
1953 46.6 40.3
1952 45.9 32.8
1951 45.2 17.7
1950 44.6 14.2

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

GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/north-korea | CC BY

Lesotho and North Korea population clocks and comparison

Population
Lesotho

North Korea
1x
Year Population
Lesotho North Korea
2024 2,337,423 26,498,823
2023 2,311,472 26,418,204
2022 2,286,110 26,328,845
2021 2,261,542 26,232,534
2020 2,235,727 26,136,312
2019 2,209,405 26,037,632
2018 2,183,603 25,931,147
2017 2,157,110 25,817,709
2016 2,130,422 25,698,326
2015 2,104,611 25,575,350
2014 2,080,089 25,451,262
2013 2,056,504 25,329,451
2012 2,034,354 25,211,728
2011 2,014,009 25,097,874
2010 1,996,251 24,987,258
2009 1,980,883 24,878,332
2008 1,966,541 24,764,618
2007 1,953,268 24,646,383
2006 1,945,063 24,524,507
2005 1,953,076 24,396,433
2004 1,971,129 24,254,943
2003 1,985,059 24,090,380
2002 1,994,679 23,943,973
2001 2,000,853 23,815,358
2000 2,003,913 23,665,910
1999 2,003,234 23,497,599
1998 1,998,049 23,311,564
1997 1,988,130 23,110,830
1996 1,972,418 22,895,746
1995 1,951,437 22,669,304
1994 1,927,707 22,393,975
1993 1,901,793 22,073,352
1992 1,873,274 21,750,911
1991 1,842,379 21,428,638
1990 1,809,696 21,112,137
1989 1,775,436 20,804,367
1988 1,739,841 20,503,161
1987 1,703,390 20,205,483
1986 1,666,138 19,910,855
1985 1,624,379 19,620,388
1984 1,578,986 19,335,043
1983 1,534,413 19,054,034
1982 1,490,732 18,776,357
1981 1,448,069 18,501,295
1980 1,406,521 18,236,786
1979 1,366,169 17,983,470
1978 1,327,240 17,735,995
1977 1,289,967 17,492,798
1976 1,253,214 17,243,450
1975 1,213,643 16,971,055
1974 1,172,420 16,673,121
1973 1,132,697 16,350,367
1972 1,094,063 15,975,069
1971 1,056,246 15,572,457
1970 1,019,273 15,172,775
1969 983,202 14,767,615
1968 948,105 14,365,596
1967 913,982 13,958,350
1966 881,870 13,569,094
1965 854,090 13,219,369
1964 829,437 12,889,770
1963 805,373 12,567,057
1962 781,814 12,262,882
1961 758,824 11,990,713
1960 736,500 11,722,953

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

GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/north-korea | CC BY

Fertility rates in Lesotho and North Korea

Fertility rate
Lesotho

North Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Lesotho North Korea
2023 2.69 1.78
2022 2.72 1.8
2021 2.77 1.81
2020 2.85 1.82
2019 2.92 1.83
2018 3.02 1.83
2017 3.11 1.85
2016 3.18 1.86
2015 3.22 1.86
2014 3.24 1.87
2013 3.28 1.88
2012 3.3 1.88
2011 3.34 1.88
2010 3.25 1.89
2009 3.31 1.91
2008 3.39 1.97
2007 3.44 1.94
2006 3.41 1.94
2005 3.43 1.87
2004 3.51 1.9
2003 3.62 1.91
2002 3.68 1.92
2001 3.63 1.94
2000 3.61 1.94
1999 3.67 1.97
1998 3.82 1.99
1997 3.98 2.03
1996 4.06 2.09
1995 4.13 2.15
1994 4.21 2.18
1993 4.37 2.22
1992 4.54 2.29
1991 4.68 2.35
1990 4.81 2.39
1989 4.96 2.41
1988 5.1 2.47
1987 5.22 2.53
1986 5.32 2.59
1985 5.4 2.65
1984 5.48 2.71
1983 5.56 2.78
1982 5.63 2.85
1981 5.69 2.92
1980 5.75 2.84
1979 5.79 2.85
1978 5.82 2.79
1977 5.85 2.77
1976 5.87 2.84
1975 5.83 3.05
1974 5.75 3.14
1973 5.69 3.35
1972 5.69 3.89
1971 5.7 3.74
1970 5.7 3.85
1969 5.7 3.86
1968 5.73 3.87
1967 5.75 4.05
1966 5.76 3.71
1965 5.77 3.56
1964 5.77 3.55
1963 5.78 3.63
1962 5.79 3.41
1961 5.79 3.26
1960 5.78 3.57

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

GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/north-korea | CC BY

Lesotho and North Korea demographics compared

Median age
Lesotho

North Korea
1x
Year Median age, years
Lesotho North Korea
2024 22.7 37.3
2023 22.5 37.1
2022 22.3 36.8
2021 22.1 36.6
2020 22 36.4
2019 21.8 36.2
2018 21.7 35.9
2017 21.6 35.7
2016 21.4 35.4
2015 21.3 35.2
2014 21.2 35
2013 21.1 34.7
2012 21 34.5
2011 20.9 34.3
2010 20.7 34
2009 20.6 33.7
2008 20.4 33.3
2007 20.2 32.9
2006 20 32.5
2005 19.9 32.1
2004 19.8 31.8
2003 19.7 31.4
2002 19.5 31
2001 19.4 30.5
2000 19.2 30.1
1999 19.1 29.6
1998 18.9 29.2
1997 18.8 28.8
1996 18.6 28.3
1995 18.6 28
1994 18.5 27.6
1993 18.4 27.2
1992 18.4 26.8
1991 18.4 26.4
1990 18.4 26
1989 18.5 25.6
1988 18.6 25.1
1987 18.7 24.8
1986 18.6 24.5
1985 18.4 24.2
1984 18.5 23.9
1983 18.6 23.5
1982 18.6 23.1
1981 18.7 22.8
1980 18.8 22.5
1979 18.8 22.2
1978 18.9 21.8
1977 19 21.4
1976 19 21.1
1975 18.9 20.9
1974 18.8 20.7
1973 18.6 20.7
1972 18.5 20.9
1971 18.3 21.2
1970 18.2 21.4
1969 18 21.4
1968 17.8 21.4
1967 17.6 21.4
1966 17.5 21.3
1965 17.5 21.2
1964 17.5 21
1963 17.4 20.8
1962 17.4 20.6
1961 17.4 20.2
1960 17.5 19.9

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

GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/north-korea | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Lesotho and North Korea.

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Lesotho North Korea
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
n/a
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.62%
2024
n/a
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.57%
2024
n/a
Armed forces personnel
2,000
2020
1,469,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
+9.04%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
25.6%
2013
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
n/a
Economic freedom index
54.9
2026
3.1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
n/a
Personal remittances received
$476M
2024
n/a
International tourist arrivals
1,142,000
2019
n/a
International tourism as share of exports
10.1%
1999
n/a
Banked people share
61.6%
2024
n/a

Energy

Lesotho North Korea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
9.73 kg
2007
641 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$198.7
2007
n/a
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
1 megaton
2024
66.2 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.43 tons
2024
2.5 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2007
85.1%
2022
Renewable energy use share
34.9%
2022
14.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
8.5%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
4.9%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
830 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
99.8%
2021
63.2%
2021
Hydroelectric share
99.6%
2021
62.7%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
57.3%
2023
57.5%
2023

Society

Lesotho North Korea
% of world population
0.03%
2024
0.33%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,192
2025
-2,787
2025
Urban population
43.7%
2024
63.9%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.7:51.3
2024
49.5:50.5
2024
Average male height
5.51 ft
2025
5.73 ft
2025
Average female height
5.14 ft
2025
5.29 ft
2025
Quality of life index
21.7
2026
10.1
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
37
2025
15
2025
Higher education index
28
2026
10
2026
Homicides per 100K people
37.7
2008
4.4
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
31.9
2019
24.2
2019
Visa free countries
81
2025
48
2025
Adult literacy rate
90.4%
2024
100%
2018
English speaking
27.9%
2023
0%
2025
People using the Internet
48%
2023
0%
2012

Health

Lesotho North Korea
Government health expenditure per capita
$122.6
2023
n/a
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$16.2
2023
n/a
Life expectancy
58.6 years
2026
74 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
40.5%
2023
n/a
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.24
2022
3.63
2017
Age at first childbirth
20.9 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
478
2023
67
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
58.9
2023
18
2023
Obesity rate
21.7%
2022
11.1%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
6.2%
2024
9.9%
2024
Air quality index
28
2026
42
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
24.3%
2022
16.5%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
4.3 liters
2020
3.87 liters
2020

Territory

Lesotho North Korea
% of world land
0.02%
2026
0.08%
2026
Land area per capita
5,015 sq mi
2024
1,754 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
9,115 sq mi
2026
10,021 sq mi
2026
Forest area
133.3 sq mi
2026
23,036 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,691 mi
2011
15,879 mi
2006

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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