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Lesotho vs Sierra Leone statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a population of 2.34M (ranked 145/197), compared with 8.64M in Sierra Leone (ranked 102/197). Lesotho's land area is 11,722 sq mi versus 27,869 sq mi for Sierra Leone (ranked 137th vs. 116th).

By GDP, Lesotho ranks 175/197 ($2.27B) and Sierra Leone ranks 160/197 ($6.97B). By GDP per capita, Lesotho ranks 181/197 ($972), while Sierra Leone ranks 186/197 ($807).

Main facts and rankings

Lesotho Sierra Leone
Population
2396633
9049533
Population rank 143/197 101/197
GDP
$2.27B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank 175/197 160/197
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank 181/197 186/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$3,522
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank 164/185 174/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$2,915
2026
Land area 11,722 sq mi 27,869 sq mi
Population density
203.8 ppl/mi²
2026
323 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.69
2023
3.79
2023
Median age
22.7 years
2024
20.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
58.6 years
2026
62.3 years
2026

Lesotho and Sierra Leone: Comparison Charts

Lesotho and Sierra Leone economies compared

GDP
Lesotho

Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP
Lesotho Sierra Leone
2024 $2,271,759,455 $6,971,127,235
2023 $2,117,962,445 $6,415,852,767
2022 $2,354,980,960 $7,121,125,278
2021 $2,412,130,057 $7,166,931,485
2020 $2,053,699,864 $6,688,307,703
2019 $2,390,702,296 $6,523,577,594
2018 $2,556,247,292 $6,390,514,689
2017 $2,306,741,672 $5,749,846,528
2016 $2,114,426,452 $6,084,297,211
2015 $2,359,686,725 $6,788,352,975
2014 $2,441,063,054 $7,686,138,791
2013 $2,367,112,932 $7,502,762,863
2012 $2,477,702,216 $6,141,666,509
2011 $2,579,409,620 $4,861,632,885
2010 $2,234,754,242 $4,262,805,967
2009 $1,740,894,965 $3,953,403,098
2008 $1,766,902,709 $4,157,895,298
2007 $1,682,131,785 $3,632,957,611
2006 $1,800,092,564 $3,263,697,467
2005 $1,682,343,527 $2,545,275,313
2004 $1,511,236,656 $2,237,350,687
2003 $1,157,825,435 $2,142,618,046
2002 $775,777,239 $1,933,863,911
2001 $825,706,961 $1,681,473,894
2000 $887,291,688 $635,866,404
1999 $912,773,681 $669,386,624
1998 $928,460,893 $672,368,187
1997 $998,004,259 $850,232,760
1996 $946,112,493 $941,709,423
1995 $1,001,894,000 $870,740,292
1994 $878,250,945 $911,853,802
1993 $835,582,062 $768,867,883
1992 $831,029,862 $679,940,814
1991 $704,325,367 $779,981,987
1990 $596,410,264 $649,644,098
1989 $495,409,233 $932,974,420
1988 $470,395,801 $1,055,083,933
1987 $402,768,324 $660,106,336
1986 $318,858,423 $490,181,457
1985 $268,629,926 $856,890,459
1984 $333,163,670 $1,087,471,862
1983 $386,699,309 $995,104,305
1982 $348,741,684 $1,295,361,886
1981 $434,188,034 $1,114,830,472
1980 $431,542,537 $1,100,685,845
1979 $290,134,593 $1,109,374,911
1978 $266,570,067 $960,728,339
1977 $193,315,048 $691,777,584
1976 $147,660,037 $594,895,942
1975 $149,558,896 $679,336,344
1974 $150,851,317 $648,590,643
1973 $121,188,716 $575,230,724
1972 $80,913,200 $465,381,340
1971 $76,480,285 $419,549,305
1970 $68,739,973 $434,410,974
1969 $65,967,974 $408,690,163
1968 $61,445,975 $329,859,732
1967 $59,261,976 $348,795,303
1966 $56,699,977 $375,479,850
1965 $54,879,978 $359,379,856
1964 $51,939,979 $371,847,461
1963 $47,039,981 $348,547,279
1962 $41,859,983 $342,721,416
1961 $35,699,986 $327,834,191
1960 $34,579,986 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/sierra-leone | CC BY

Lesotho and Sierra Leone economies compared

GDP per capita
Lesotho

Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP per capita
Lesotho Sierra Leone
2024 $972 $807
2023 $916 $758
2022 $1,030 $860
2021 $1,067 $885
2020 $919 $845
2019 $1,082 $844
2018 $1,171 $846
2017 $1,069 $779
2016 $992 $844
2015 $1,121 $965
2014 $1,174 $1,118
2013 $1,151 $1,117
2012 $1,218 $938
2011 $1,281 $761
2010 $1,119 $685
2009 $879 $653
2008 $898 $705
2007 $861 $632
2006 $925 $580
2005 $861 $463
2004 $767 $418
2003 $583 $414
2002 $389 $389
2001 $413 $358
2000 $443 $143.7
1999 $456 $155
1998 $465 $156.5
1997 $502 $199.9
1996 $480 $224.3
1995 $513 $208.4
1994 $456 $218.5
1993 $439 $185
1992 $444 $163.2
1991 $382 $183.7
1990 $330 $154.8
1989 $279 $231.3
1988 $270.4 $268.2
1987 $236.5 $172.4
1986 $191.4 $131.5
1985 $165.4 $235.5
1984 $211 $306
1983 $252 $285.8
1982 $233.9 $380
1981 $299.8 $334
1980 $307 $336
1979 $212.4 $346
1978 $200.8 $305
1977 $149.9 $224.2
1976 $117.8 $196.4
1975 $123.2 $228.4
1974 $128.7 $222.1
1973 $107 $200.6
1972 $74 $165.4
1971 $72.4 $151.8
1970 $67.4 $160.2
1969 $67.1 $153.6
1968 $64.8 $126.3
1967 $64.8 $136.1
1966 $64.3 $149.3
1965 $64.3 $145.6
1964 $62.6 $153.4
1963 $58.4 $146.3
1962 $53.5 $146.3
1961 $47 $142.3
1960 $47 $142

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

GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/sierra-leone | CC BY

Lesotho vs. Sierra Leone life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Lesotho

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Lesotho Sierra Leone
2026 58.6 62.3
2025 58.2 62.2
2024 57.8 62
2023 57.4 61.8
2022 56.8 61.3
2021 54.2 60.3
2020 55.1 59.7
2019 55.2 59.6
2018 54.6 59.1
2017 53.9 57.8
2016 52.9 56.9
2015 51.8 55.5
2014 50.8 54.3
2013 49.5 54.1
2012 48.2 53.2
2011 46.9 52.6
2010 46 51.9
2009 45.1 51.3
2008 44.3 50.7
2007 43.7 50
2006 43.2 49.5
2005 43.6 48.3
2004 44 47.5
2003 44.9 46.8
2002 46 46.2
2001 47.2 45.4
2000 48.8 44.8
1999 50.4 42
1998 52 42.7
1997 53.7 43.6
1996 55.1 43.5
1995 56.4 42.6
1994 57.3 42.8
1993 58.1 43.4
1992 58.6 43.5
1991 59.1 43.3
1990 59.3 43.7
1989 59.5 43.7
1988 59.6 43.8
1987 59.6 43.7
1986 59.3 43.5
1985 59.2 43.6
1984 59 43.6
1983 58.5 43.5
1982 58 43.3
1981 57.3 43.1
1980 56.5 42.8
1979 55.8 42.5
1978 55.2 42.2
1977 54.5 41.8
1976 53.9 41.4
1975 53.5 41
1974 52.9 40.4
1973 52.6 40
1972 52.3 39.5
1971 51.8 39.1
1970 51.5 38.6
1969 51.1 38.2
1968 50.8 37.8
1967 50.5 37.3
1966 50.4 36.6
1965 50.3 35.9
1964 50.3 35.3
1963 50.3 34.7
1962 50.3 34.2
1961 50.3 33.6
1960 50.2 33.1
1959 49.9 32.6
1958 49.6 32.1
1957 49.2 31.8
1956 48.6 31.3
1955 48 30.9
1954 47.3 30.5
1953 46.6 30.1
1952 45.9 29.7
1951 45.2 29.3
1950 44.6 28.9

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

GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/sierra-leone | CC BY

Lesotho and Sierra Leone population clocks and comparison

Population
Lesotho

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Population
Lesotho Sierra Leone
2024 2,337,423 8,642,022
2023 2,311,472 8,460,512
2022 2,286,110 8,276,807
2021 2,261,542 8,094,602
2020 2,235,727 7,912,558
2019 2,209,405 7,731,991
2018 2,183,603 7,554,563
2017 2,157,110 7,379,299
2016 2,130,422 7,205,328
2015 2,104,611 7,037,655
2014 2,080,089 6,876,385
2013 2,056,504 6,714,051
2012 2,034,354 6,551,080
2011 2,014,009 6,387,251
2010 1,996,251 6,222,714
2009 1,980,883 6,055,646
2008 1,966,541 5,894,722
2007 1,953,268 5,749,352
2006 1,945,063 5,624,466
2005 1,953,076 5,501,712
2004 1,971,129 5,355,717
2003 1,985,059 5,177,687
2002 1,994,679 4,971,435
2001 2,000,853 4,692,716
2000 2,003,913 4,423,611
1999 2,003,234 4,318,043
1998 1,998,049 4,295,785
1997 1,988,130 4,253,716
1996 1,972,418 4,199,210
1995 1,951,437 4,179,179
1994 1,927,707 4,173,105
1993 1,901,793 4,157,130
1992 1,873,274 4,166,366
1991 1,842,379 4,246,267
1990 1,809,696 4,196,828
1989 1,775,436 4,034,037
1988 1,739,841 3,934,517
1987 1,703,390 3,829,718
1986 1,666,138 3,728,380
1985 1,624,379 3,638,438
1984 1,578,986 3,558,758
1983 1,534,413 3,481,646
1982 1,490,732 3,408,183
1981 1,448,069 3,338,940
1980 1,406,521 3,272,089
1979 1,366,169 3,207,499
1978 1,327,240 3,145,517
1977 1,289,967 3,085,354
1976 1,253,214 3,028,820
1975 1,213,643 2,974,657
1974 1,172,420 2,920,459
1973 1,132,697 2,866,955
1972 1,094,063 2,814,388
1971 1,056,246 2,763,222
1970 1,019,273 2,712,286
1969 983,202 2,661,365
1968 948,105 2,611,532
1967 913,982 2,562,384
1966 881,870 2,514,638
1965 854,090 2,468,666
1964 829,437 2,424,390
1963 805,373 2,382,258
1962 781,814 2,342,242
1961 758,824 2,304,227
1960 736,500 2,268,356

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

GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/sierra-leone | CC BY

Fertility rates in Lesotho and Sierra Leone

Fertility rate
Lesotho

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Fertility rate
Lesotho Sierra Leone
2023 2.69 3.79
2022 2.72 3.88
2021 2.77 3.98
2020 2.85 4.08
2019 2.92 4.19
2018 3.02 4.29
2017 3.11 4.39
2016 3.18 4.47
2015 3.22 4.55
2014 3.24 4.7
2013 3.28 4.87
2012 3.3 5.06
2011 3.34 5.21
2010 3.25 5.33
2009 3.31 5.45
2008 3.39 5.56
2007 3.44 5.64
2006 3.41 5.74
2005 3.43 5.81
2004 3.51 5.92
2003 3.62 6.09
2002 3.68 6.23
2001 3.63 6.31
2000 3.61 6.36
1999 3.67 6.42
1998 3.82 6.5
1997 3.98 6.53
1996 4.06 6.55
1995 4.13 6.56
1994 4.21 6.56
1993 4.37 6.57
1992 4.54 6.56
1991 4.68 6.55
1990 4.81 6.57
1989 4.96 6.57
1988 5.1 6.59
1987 5.22 6.61
1986 5.32 6.6
1985 5.4 6.59
1984 5.48 6.59
1983 5.56 6.57
1982 5.63 6.56
1981 5.69 6.55
1980 5.75 6.56
1979 5.79 6.58
1978 5.82 6.59
1977 5.85 6.57
1976 5.87 6.55
1975 5.83 6.55
1974 5.75 6.53
1973 5.69 6.47
1972 5.69 6.45
1971 5.7 6.43
1970 5.7 6.41
1969 5.7 6.39
1968 5.73 6.39
1967 5.75 6.38
1966 5.76 6.35
1965 5.77 6.31
1964 5.77 6.29
1963 5.78 6.26
1962 5.79 6.22
1961 5.79 6.21
1960 5.78 6.18

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

GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/sierra-leone | CC BY

Lesotho and Sierra Leone demographics compared

Median age
Lesotho

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Median age, years
Lesotho Sierra Leone
2024 22.7 20.5
2023 22.5 20.3
2022 22.3 20
2021 22.1 19.8
2020 22 19.6
2019 21.8 19.4
2018 21.7 19.2
2017 21.6 19.1
2016 21.4 18.9
2015 21.3 18.7
2014 21.2 18.6
2013 21.1 18.5
2012 21 18.4
2011 20.9 18.3
2010 20.7 18.2
2009 20.6 18.1
2008 20.4 18.1
2007 20.2 18
2006 20 18
2005 19.9 18
2004 19.8 17.9
2003 19.7 17.9
2002 19.5 17.9
2001 19.4 18
2000 19.2 18
1999 19.1 18
1998 18.9 18.1
1997 18.8 18.1
1996 18.6 18.2
1995 18.6 18.2
1994 18.5 18.3
1993 18.4 18.4
1992 18.4 18.4
1991 18.4 18.5
1990 18.4 18.5
1989 18.5 18.6
1988 18.6 18.6
1987 18.7 18.7
1986 18.6 18.7
1985 18.4 18.8
1984 18.5 18.9
1983 18.6 18.9
1982 18.6 19
1981 18.7 19.1
1980 18.8 19.1
1979 18.8 19.2
1978 18.9 19.3
1977 19 19.4
1976 19 19.5
1975 18.9 19.6
1974 18.8 19.8
1973 18.6 19.9
1972 18.5 20.1
1971 18.3 20.2
1970 18.2 20.4
1969 18 20.6
1968 17.8 20.7
1967 17.6 20.8
1966 17.5 20.9
1965 17.5 20.9
1964 17.5 21
1963 17.4 21
1962 17.4 21.1
1961 17.4 21.1
1960 17.5 21.1

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

GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/sierra-leone | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Lesotho Sierra Leone
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$7.08B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
15.6%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.62%
2024
2.62%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.57%
2024
0.46%
2024
Armed forces personnel
2,000
2020
9,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
+9.04%
2024
-4.53%
2024
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
3.19%
2018
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
25.6%
2024
Economic freedom index
54.9
2026
49.6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
3.4%
2018
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$433M
2024
Personal remittances received
$476M
2024
$321M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,142,000
2019
71,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
10.1%
1999
5.49%
2018
Banked people share
61.6%
2024
38.6%
2024

Energy

Lesotho Sierra Leone
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
1.46 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.43 tons
2024
0.17 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2007
n/a
Renewable energy use share
34.9%
2022
71.6%
2022
Renewable electricity output share
99.8%
2021
75.3%
2021
Hydroelectric share
99.6%
2021
70.5%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
57.3%
2023
35.5%
2023

Society

Lesotho Sierra Leone
% of world population
0.03%
2024
0.11%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,192
2025
-11,309
2025
Urban population
43.7%
2024
45.4%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.7:51.3
2024
49.9:50.1
2024
Average male height
5.51 ft
2025
5.46 ft
2025
Average female height
5.14 ft
2025
5.16 ft
2025
Quality of life index
21.7
2026
29.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
37
2025
34
2025
Higher education index
28
2026
20
2026
Homicides per 100K people
37.7
2008
2.14
2020
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
31.9
2019
33
2019
Visa free countries
81
2025
66
2025
Adult literacy rate
90.4%
2024
48.6%
2022
English speaking
27.9%
2023
83.5%
2023
People using the Internet
48%
2023
20.6%
2023

Health

Lesotho Sierra Leone
Government health expenditure per capita
$122.6
2023
$35.8
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$16.2
2023
$19.5
2023
Life expectancy
58.6 years
2026
62.3 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
40.5%
2023
28.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.24
2022
0.13
2022
Age at first childbirth
20.9 years
2025
19.6 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
478
2023
354
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
58.9
2023
94.3
2023
Obesity rate
21.7%
2022
7.32%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
6.2%
2024
4.8%
2024
Air quality index
28
2026
16
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
24.3%
2022
12.9%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
4.3 liters
2020
0.29 liters
2020

Territory

Lesotho Sierra Leone
% of world land
0.02%
2026
0.05%
2026
Land area per capita
5,015 sq mi
2024
3,225 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
9,115 sq mi
2026
15,247 sq mi
2026
Forest area
133.3 sq mi
2026
9,559 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,691 mi
2011
7,270 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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