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Lesotho vs Somalia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a population of 2.34M (ranked 145/197), compared with 19M in Somalia (ranked 68/197). Lesotho's land area is 11,722 sq mi versus 242,217 sq mi for Somalia (ranked 137th vs. 42nd).

By GDP, Lesotho ranks 175/197 ($2.27B) and Somalia ranks 150/197 ($12B). By GDP per capita, Lesotho ranks 181/197 ($972), while Somalia ranks 192/197 ($630).

Main facts and rankings

Lesotho Somalia
Population
2396633
20503678
Population rank 143/197 66/197
GDP
$2.27B
2024
$12B
2024
GDP rank 175/197 150/197
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$630
2024
GDP per capita rank 181/197 192/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$1,602
2024
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
$1,885
2026
Land area 11,722 sq mi 242,217 sq mi
Population density
203.8 ppl/mi²
2026
83.9 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.69
2023
6.13
2023
Median age
22.7 years
2024
16.6 years
2024
Life expectancy
58.6 years
2026
59.3 years
2026

Lesotho and Somalia: Comparison Charts

Lesotho and Somalia economies compared

GDP
Lesotho

Somalia
1x
Year GDP
Lesotho Somalia
2024 $2,271,759,455 $11,967,000,000
2023 $2,117,962,445 $10,958,000,000
2022 $2,354,980,960 $10,203,000,000
2021 $2,412,130,057 $9,483,000,000
2020 $2,053,699,864 $8,628,000,000
2019 $2,390,702,296 $8,656,000,000
2018 $2,556,247,292 $7,873,000,000
2017 $2,306,741,672 $7,621,501,710
2016 $2,114,426,452 $6,613,743,070
2015 $2,359,686,725 $6,152,149,100
2014 $2,441,063,054 $5,728,399,720
2013 $2,367,112,932 $5,062,881,600
2012 $2,477,702,216 $4,364,670,160
2011 $2,579,409,620 $2,906,000,097
2010 $2,234,754,242 $2,687,807,004
2009 $1,740,894,965 $2,948,594,552
2008 $1,766,902,709 $5,913,620,293
2007 $1,682,131,785 $5,430,713,729
2006 $1,800,092,564 $5,026,743,282
2005 $1,682,343,527 $4,683,246,454
2004 $1,511,236,656 $3,859,592,813
2003 $1,157,825,435 $2,836,724,352
2002 $775,777,239 $2,192,684,135
2001 $825,706,961 $2,252,847,465
2000 $887,291,688 $3,412,797,450
1999 $912,773,681 $3,045,751,528
1998 $928,460,893 $2,962,047,564
1997 $998,004,259 $2,191,749,014
1996 $946,112,493 $1,792,234,297
1995 $1,001,894,000 $1,534,756,135
1994 $878,250,945 $1,481,205,098
1993 $835,582,062 $1,260,132,956
1992 $831,029,862 $709,297,579
1991 $704,325,367 $717,974,930
1990 $596,410,264 $1,031,282,081
1989 $495,409,233 $1,181,360,844
1988 $470,395,801 $1,051,596,967
1987 $402,768,324 $1,018,972,664
1986 $318,858,423 $916,590,786
1985 $268,629,926 $875,702,247
1984 $333,163,670 $787,434,542
1983 $386,699,309 $735,408,642
1982 $348,741,684 $774,578,932
1981 $434,188,034 $699,302,473
1980 $431,542,537 $602,515,548
1979 $290,134,593 $589,566,929
1978 $266,570,067 $564,571,823
1977 $193,315,048 $498,550,725
1976 $147,660,037 $871,344,245
1975 $149,558,896 $757,015,879
1974 $150,851,317 $572,504,036
1973 $121,188,716 $483,699,611
1972 $80,913,200 $447,883,941
1971 $76,480,285 $347,039,446
1970 $68,739,973 $347,985,394
1969 $65,967,974 $306,357,285
1968 $61,445,975 $286,719,885
1967 $59,261,976 $271,781,887
1966 $56,699,977 $257,375,897
1965 $54,879,978 $243,725,898
1964 $51,939,979 $229,529,913
1963 $47,039,981 $216,145,936
1962 $41,859,983 $203,531,928
1961 $35,699,986 $191,659,914
1960 $34,579,986 $180,459,937

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

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

Lesotho and Somalia economies compared

GDP per capita
Lesotho

Somalia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Lesotho Somalia
2024 $972 $630
2023 $916 $597
2022 $1,030 $573
2021 $1,067 $549
2020 $919 $518
2019 $1,082 $540
2018 $1,171 $509
2017 $1,069 $511
2016 $992 $461
2015 $1,121 $446
2014 $1,174 $429
2013 $1,151 $393
2012 $1,218 $350
2011 $1,281 $235.3
2010 $1,119 $219.2
2009 $879 $246.5
2008 $898 $507
2007 $861 $480
2006 $925 $458
2005 $861 $440
2004 $767 $375
2003 $583 $286.3
2002 $389 $229.6
2001 $413 $244.9
2000 $443 $386
1999 $456 $359
1998 $465 $363
1997 $502 $280.1
1996 $480 $237.2
1995 $513 $210.7
1994 $456 $210.8
1993 $439 $188.6
1992 $444 $109.2
1991 $382 $105.4
1990 $330 $145.6
1989 $279 $166
1988 $270.4 $145.3
1987 $236.5 $141
1986 $191.4 $131.4
1985 $165.4 $130.8
1984 $211 $122.5
1983 $252 $118.6
1982 $233.9 $129
1981 $299.8 $116.9
1980 $307 $101.5
1979 $212.4 $108.2
1978 $200.8 $117.3
1977 $149.9 $111.2
1976 $117.8 $199.6
1975 $123.2 $177.8
1974 $128.7 $137.9
1973 $107 $119.6
1972 $74 $113.7
1971 $72.4 $90.4
1970 $67.4 $93.1
1969 $67.1 $84.1
1968 $64.8 $80.8
1967 $64.8 $78.7
1966 $64.3 $76.5
1965 $64.3 $74.4
1964 $62.6 $71.9
1963 $58.4 $69.5
1962 $53.5 $67.2
1961 $47 $64.9
1960 $47 $62.7

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

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

Lesotho vs. Somalia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Lesotho

Somalia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Lesotho Somalia
2026 58.6 59.3
2025 58.2 59.1
2024 57.8 59
2023 57.4 58.8
2022 56.8 53.9
2021 54.2 55.7
2020 55.1 57.1
2019 55.2 57.2
2018 54.6 54.8
2017 53.9 52.2
2016 52.9 55.3
2015 51.8 55.1
2014 50.8 54.4
2013 49.5 54
2012 48.2 49.1
2011 46.9 32.5
2010 46 48.9
2009 45.1 52.1
2008 44.3 51.5
2007 43.7 50.9
2006 43.2 50.9
2005 43.6 50.9
2004 44 50.7
2003 44.9 50.7
2002 46 50.8
2001 47.2 50.8
2000 48.8 50.7
1999 50.4 50.6
1998 52 50.8
1997 53.7 50.3
1996 55.1 50.5
1995 56.4 50.6
1994 57.3 50.3
1993 58.1 50.6
1992 58.6 25
1991 59.1 25.4
1990 59.3 46.9
1989 59.5 46.6
1988 59.6 43.9
1987 59.6 49
1986 59.3 48.4
1985 59.2 48.3
1984 59 48.4
1983 58.5 48.2
1982 58 48
1981 57.3 47.8
1980 56.5 47.6
1979 55.8 47.4
1978 55.2 47
1977 54.5 47
1976 53.9 44.7
1975 53.5 44.5
1974 52.9 44.3
1973 52.6 46.2
1972 52.3 46
1971 51.8 45.8
1970 51.5 45.6
1969 51.1 45.5
1968 50.8 45.3
1967 50.5 45.1
1966 50.4 44.8
1965 50.3 44.6
1964 50.3 44.4
1963 50.3 44.2
1962 50.3 44
1961 50.3 43.7
1960 50.2 43.5
1959 49.9 43.3
1958 49.6 43.1
1957 49.2 42.9
1956 48.6 42.7
1955 48 42.5
1954 47.3 42.3
1953 46.6 42.1
1952 45.9 41.9
1951 45.2 41.7
1950 44.6 41.5

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

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

Lesotho and Somalia population clocks and comparison

Population
Lesotho

Somalia
1x
Year Population
Lesotho Somalia
2024 2,337,423 19,009,151
2023 2,311,472 18,358,615
2022 2,286,110 17,801,897
2021 2,261,542 17,271,431
2020 2,235,727 16,651,191
2019 2,209,405 16,030,971
2018 2,183,603 15,452,487
2017 2,157,110 14,916,629
2016 2,130,422 14,348,740
2015 2,104,611 13,806,963
2014 2,080,089 13,339,491
2013 2,056,504 12,869,594
2012 2,034,354 12,461,160
2011 2,014,009 12,348,830
2010 1,996,251 12,261,756
2009 1,980,883 11,961,201
2008 1,966,541 11,663,084
2007 1,953,268 11,322,582
2006 1,945,063 10,975,502
2005 1,953,076 10,644,228
2004 1,971,129 10,280,998
2003 1,985,059 9,909,157
2002 1,994,679 9,550,063
2001 2,000,853 9,198,493
2000 2,003,913 8,838,713
1999 2,003,234 8,492,059
1998 1,998,049 8,155,417
1997 1,988,130 7,824,525
1996 1,972,418 7,554,474
1995 1,951,437 7,285,007
1994 1,927,707 7,026,797
1993 1,901,793 6,681,399
1992 1,873,274 6,495,107
1991 1,842,379 6,813,760
1990 1,809,696 7,082,811
1989 1,775,436 7,114,817
1988 1,739,841 7,235,360
1987 1,703,390 7,228,302
1986 1,666,138 6,974,788
1985 1,624,379 6,693,289
1984 1,578,986 6,428,389
1983 1,534,413 6,198,430
1982 1,490,732 6,003,840
1981 1,448,069 5,982,849
1980 1,406,521 5,936,154
1979 1,366,169 5,449,117
1978 1,327,240 4,814,892
1977 1,289,967 4,484,050
1976 1,253,214 4,365,812
1975 1,213,643 4,257,535
1974 1,172,420 4,151,842
1973 1,132,697 4,045,592
1972 1,094,063 3,939,436
1971 1,056,246 3,837,691
1970 1,019,273 3,738,448
1969 983,202 3,641,015
1968 948,105 3,546,590
1967 913,982 3,454,537
1966 881,870 3,365,106
1965 854,090 3,277,874
1964 829,437 3,192,796
1963 805,373 3,110,361
1962 781,814 3,030,091
1961 758,824 2,952,054
1960 736,500 2,876,331

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

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

Fertility rates in Lesotho and Somalia

Fertility rate
Lesotho

Somalia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Lesotho Somalia
2023 2.69 6.13
2022 2.72 6.26
2021 2.77 6.35
2020 2.85 6.45
2019 2.92 6.56
2018 3.02 6.66
2017 3.11 6.77
2016 3.18 6.88
2015 3.22 6.98
2014 3.24 7.06
2013 3.28 7.14
2012 3.3 7.21
2011 3.34 7.27
2010 3.25 7.32
2009 3.31 7.38
2008 3.39 7.42
2007 3.44 7.46
2006 3.41 7.49
2005 3.43 7.53
2004 3.51 7.57
2003 3.62 7.6
2002 3.68 7.63
2001 3.63 7.64
2000 3.61 7.65
1999 3.67 7.66
1998 3.82 7.66
1997 3.98 7.66
1996 4.06 7.62
1995 4.13 7.58
1994 4.21 7.54
1993 4.37 7.53
1992 4.54 7.5
1991 4.68 7.47
1990 4.81 7.44
1989 4.96 7.42
1988 5.1 7.4
1987 5.22 7.37
1986 5.32 7.35
1985 5.4 7.33
1984 5.48 7.3
1983 5.56 7.28
1982 5.63 7.25
1981 5.69 7.23
1980 5.75 7.18
1979 5.79 7.16
1978 5.82 7.13
1977 5.85 7
1976 5.87 7.02
1975 5.83 7.03
1974 5.75 7.06
1973 5.69 7.09
1972 5.69 7.12
1971 5.7 7.15
1970 5.7 7.18
1969 5.7 7.21
1968 5.73 7.23
1967 5.75 7.25
1966 5.76 7.26
1965 5.77 7.26
1964 5.77 7.26
1963 5.78 7.26
1962 5.79 7.26
1961 5.79 7.25
1960 5.78 7.25

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

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

Lesotho and Somalia demographics compared

Median age
Lesotho

Somalia
1x
Year Median age, years
Lesotho Somalia
2024 22.7 16.6
2023 22.5 16.5
2022 22.3 16.5
2021 22.1 16.4
2020 22 16.3
2019 21.8 16.3
2018 21.7 16.2
2017 21.6 16.2
2016 21.4 16.1
2015 21.3 16.1
2014 21.2 16
2013 21.1 16
2012 21 16
2011 20.9 15.8
2010 20.7 15.7
2009 20.6 15.6
2008 20.4 15.6
2007 20.2 15.6
2006 20 15.7
2005 19.9 15.9
2004 19.8 16
2003 19.7 16.1
2002 19.5 16.2
2001 19.4 16.2
2000 19.2 16.3
1999 19.1 16.3
1998 18.9 16.4
1997 18.8 16.4
1996 18.6 16.5
1995 18.6 16.6
1994 18.5 16.7
1993 18.4 16.8
1992 18.4 16.7
1991 18.4 16.5
1990 18.4 16.5
1989 18.5 16.7
1988 18.6 16.8
1987 18.7 17
1986 18.6 17.1
1985 18.4 17.2
1984 18.5 17.3
1983 18.6 17.4
1982 18.6 17.4
1981 18.7 17.5
1980 18.8 17.6
1979 18.8 17.6
1978 18.9 17.7
1977 19 17.7
1976 19 17.7
1975 18.9 17.7
1974 18.8 17.7
1973 18.6 17.6
1972 18.5 17.6
1971 18.3 17.6
1970 18.2 17.5
1969 18 17.5
1968 17.8 17.5
1967 17.6 17.5
1966 17.5 17.5
1965 17.5 17.5
1964 17.5 17.6
1963 17.4 17.7
1962 17.4 17.8
1961 17.4 17.9
1960 17.5 18.1

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

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

Interactive Maps

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

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Lesotho Somalia
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$11.7B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
13%
2025
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.62%
2024
0.000008%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.57%
2024
1.59%
2024
Armed forces personnel
2,000
2020
14,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
+9.04%
2024
-5.47%
2025
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
11.1%
2022
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
9.66%
1986
Economic freedom index
54.9
2026
29
2025
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
$23.1M
1989
Personal remittances received
$476M
2024
$2.12B
2024
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
38.7%
2014

Energy

Lesotho Somalia
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
0.87 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.43 tons
2024
0.05 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2007
n/a
Renewable energy use share
34.9%
2022
95.4%
2022
Renewable electricity output share
99.8%
2021
11.2%
2021
Hydroelectric share
99.6%
2021
0%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
57.3%
2023
50.3%
2023

Society

Lesotho Somalia
% of world population
0.03%
2024
0.23%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,192
2025
+12,077
2025
Urban population
43.7%
2024
54.6%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.7:51.3
2024
50.1:49.9
2024
Average male height
5.51 ft
2025
5.62 ft
2025
Average female height
5.14 ft
2025
5.25 ft
2025
Quality of life index
21.7
2026
8.53
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
37
2025
9
2025
Higher education index
28
2026
11
2026
Homicides per 100K people
37.7
2008
4.31
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
31.9
2019
27.4
2019
Visa free countries
81
2025
43
2025
Adult literacy rate
90.4%
2024
54.1%
2022
English speaking
27.9%
2023
2%
2025
People using the Internet
48%
2023
27.6%
2022

Health

Lesotho Somalia
Government health expenditure per capita
$122.6
2023
$22.4
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$16.2
2023
$6.89
2023
Life expectancy
58.6 years
2026
59.3 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
40.5%
2023
54.4%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.24
2022
0.05
2014
Age at first childbirth
20.9 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
478
2023
563
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
58.9
2023
104
2023
Obesity rate
21.7%
2022
14.9%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
6.2%
2024
5.8%
2024
Air quality index
28
2026
35
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
24.3%
2022
n/a
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
4.3 liters
2020
0 liters
2020

Territory

Lesotho Somalia
% of world land
0.02%
2026
0.42%
2026
Land area per capita
5,015 sq mi
2024
12,742 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
9,115 sq mi
2026
170,384 sq mi
2026
Forest area
133.3 sq mi
2026
22,200 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,691 mi
2011
9,321 mi
2018

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 (2024–2025, 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. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
  11. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.