Lesotho has a population of 2.34M (ranked 145/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Lesotho's land area is 11,722 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 137th vs. 24th).
By GDP, Lesotho ranks 175/197 ($2.27B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Lesotho ranks 181/197 ($972), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).
Main facts and rankings
Lesotho
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
2396633
|
65683993
|
| Population rank | 143/197 | 24/197 |
| GDP |
$2.27B
2024 |
$401B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 175/197 | 40/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$972
2024 |
$6,267
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 181/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$3,001
2024 |
$15,456
2024 |
| Government debt |
$1.29B
2024 |
$305B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
56.8%
2024 |
76%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$552
2024 |
$4,761
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 164/185 | 83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$6,545
2026 |
$15,431
2026 |
| Land area | 11,722 sq mi | 468,377 sq mi |
| Population density |
203.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
2.69
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
22.7 years
2024 |
29.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
58.6 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
Lesotho and South Africa: Comparison Charts
Lesotho and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Lesotho
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $2,271,759,455 | $401,144,998,374 |
| 2023 | $2,117,962,445 | $381,440,724,491 |
| 2022 | $2,354,980,960 | $407,596,043,068 |
| 2021 | $2,412,130,057 | $419,986,284,375 |
| 2020 | $2,053,699,864 | $337,974,655,408 |
| 2019 | $2,390,702,296 | $389,330,032,224 |
| 2018 | $2,556,247,292 | $405,260,723,893 |
| 2017 | $2,306,741,672 | $381,448,814,653 |
| 2016 | $2,114,426,452 | $323,585,509,674 |
| 2015 | $2,359,686,725 | $346,709,790,459 |
| 2014 | $2,441,063,054 | $381,198,869,776 |
| 2013 | $2,367,112,932 | $400,886,013,596 |
| 2012 | $2,477,702,216 | $434,400,545,086 |
| 2011 | $2,579,409,620 | $458,199,494,831 |
| 2010 | $2,234,754,242 | $417,363,822,802 |
| 2009 | $1,740,894,965 | $329,754,060,647 |
| 2008 | $1,766,902,709 | $316,131,258,616 |
| 2007 | $1,682,131,785 | $333,077,117,254 |
| 2006 | $1,800,092,564 | $303,858,675,364 |
| 2005 | $1,682,343,527 | $288,867,217,197 |
| 2004 | $1,511,236,656 | $255,806,908,595 |
| 2003 | $1,157,825,435 | $197,018,965,309 |
| 2002 | $775,777,239 | $129,087,556,612 |
| 2001 | $825,706,961 | $135,429,905,923 |
| 2000 | $887,291,688 | $151,752,757,215 |
| 1999 | $912,773,681 | $151,516,957,079 |
| 1998 | $928,460,893 | $152,982,984,557 |
| 1997 | $998,004,259 | $168,978,057,328 |
| 1996 | $946,112,493 | $163,234,925,381 |
| 1995 | $1,001,894,000 | $171,735,933,897 |
| 1994 | $878,250,945 | $153,512,712,382 |
| 1993 | $835,582,062 | $147,194,747,566 |
| 1992 | $831,029,862 | $146,956,150,987 |
| 1991 | $704,325,367 | $135,203,698,238 |
| 1990 | $596,410,264 | $126,048,140,142 |
| 1989 | $495,409,233 | $108,055,624,082 |
| 1988 | $470,395,801 | $103,976,831,871 |
| 1987 | $402,768,324 | $96,535,763,418 |
| 1986 | $318,858,423 | $73,354,771,399 |
| 1985 | $268,629,926 | $64,459,376,087 |
| 1984 | $333,163,670 | $84,870,163,366 |
| 1983 | $386,699,309 | $96,204,110,942 |
| 1982 | $348,741,684 | $85,904,057,409 |
| 1981 | $434,188,034 | $93,141,472,164 |
| 1980 | $431,542,537 | $89,411,864,402 |
| 1979 | $290,134,593 | $63,038,658,089 |
| 1978 | $266,570,067 | $51,607,412,902 |
| 1977 | $193,315,048 | $45,328,411,332 |
| 1976 | $147,660,037 | $41,150,460,288 |
| 1975 | $149,558,896 | $42,906,905,672 |
| 1974 | $150,851,317 | $41,389,186,095 |
| 1973 | $121,188,716 | $33,262,772,008 |
| 1972 | $80,913,200 | $24,515,919,217 |
| 1971 | $76,480,285 | $23,411,076,638 |
| 1970 | $68,739,973 | $21,218,391,513 |
| 1969 | $65,967,974 | $19,256,992,297 |
| 1968 | $61,445,975 | $17,124,793,150 |
| 1967 | $59,261,976 | $15,821,393,671 |
| 1966 | $56,699,977 | $14,211,394,315 |
| 1965 | $54,879,978 | $13,068,994,772 |
| 1964 | $51,939,979 | $11,955,995,218 |
| 1963 | $47,039,981 | $10,854,195,658 |
| 1962 | $41,859,983 | $9,813,996,074 |
| 1961 | $35,699,986 | $9,225,996,310 |
| 1960 | $34,579,986 | $8,748,596,501 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/south-africa | CC BY 
Lesotho and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Lesotho
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $972 | $6,267 |
| 2023 | $916 | $6,034 |
| 2022 | $1,030 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $1,067 | $6,829 |
| 2020 | $919 | $5,581 |
| 2019 | $1,082 | $6,534 |
| 2018 | $1,171 | $6,914 |
| 2017 | $1,069 | $6,618 |
| 2016 | $992 | $5,651 |
| 2015 | $1,121 | $6,112 |
| 2014 | $1,174 | $6,857 |
| 2013 | $1,151 | $7,332 |
| 2012 | $1,218 | $8,077 |
| 2011 | $1,281 | $8,646 |
| 2010 | $1,119 | $7,973 |
| 2009 | $879 | $6,375 |
| 2008 | $898 | $6,185 |
| 2007 | $861 | $6,592 |
| 2006 | $925 | $6,077 |
| 2005 | $861 | $5,837 |
| 2004 | $767 | $5,221 |
| 2003 | $583 | $4,062 |
| 2002 | $389 | $2,688 |
| 2001 | $413 | $2,847 |
| 2000 | $443 | $3,218 |
| 1999 | $456 | $3,242 |
| 1998 | $465 | $3,310 |
| 1997 | $502 | $3,700 |
| 1996 | $480 | $3,618 |
| 1995 | $513 | $3,856 |
| 1994 | $456 | $3,489 |
| 1993 | $439 | $3,400 |
| 1992 | $444 | $3,462 |
| 1991 | $382 | $3,243 |
| 1990 | $330 | $3,093 |
| 1989 | $279 | $2,727 |
| 1988 | $270.4 | $2,702 |
| 1987 | $236.5 | $2,586 |
| 1986 | $191.4 | $2,027 |
| 1985 | $165.4 | $1,839 |
| 1984 | $211 | $2,504 |
| 1983 | $252 | $2,938 |
| 1982 | $233.9 | $2,717 |
| 1981 | $299.8 | $3,050 |
| 1980 | $307 | $3,029 |
| 1979 | $212.4 | $2,202 |
| 1978 | $200.8 | $1,852 |
| 1977 | $149.9 | $1,671 |
| 1976 | $117.8 | $1,559 |
| 1975 | $123.2 | $1,670 |
| 1974 | $128.7 | $1,656 |
| 1973 | $107 | $1,369 |
| 1972 | $74 | $1,038 |
| 1971 | $72.4 | $1,020 |
| 1970 | $67.4 | $952 |
| 1969 | $67.1 | $891 |
| 1968 | $64.8 | $817 |
| 1967 | $64.8 | $779 |
| 1966 | $64.3 | $722 |
| 1965 | $64.3 | $685 |
| 1964 | $62.6 | $646 |
| 1963 | $58.4 | $605 |
| 1962 | $53.5 | $563 |
| 1961 | $47 | $546 |
| 1960 | $47 | $532 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/south-africa | CC BY
Lesotho vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Lesotho
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 58.6 | 66.7 |
| 2025 | 58.2 | 66.5 |
| 2024 | 57.8 | 66.3 |
| 2023 | 57.4 | 66.1 |
| 2022 | 56.8 | 65.5 |
| 2021 | 54.2 | 62 |
| 2020 | 55.1 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 55.2 | 66.1 |
| 2018 | 54.6 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 53.9 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | 52.9 | 64.7 |
| 2015 | 51.8 | 64.1 |
| 2014 | 50.8 | 63.2 |
| 2013 | 49.5 | 62.4 |
| 2012 | 48.2 | 61.7 |
| 2011 | 46.9 | 60.6 |
| 2010 | 46 | 58.9 |
| 2009 | 45.1 | 57.4 |
| 2008 | 44.3 | 56 |
| 2007 | 43.7 | 54.9 |
| 2006 | 43.2 | 54.2 |
| 2005 | 43.6 | 53.9 |
| 2004 | 44 | 54 |
| 2003 | 44.9 | 54.2 |
| 2002 | 46 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 47.2 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 48.8 | 58.4 |
| 1999 | 50.4 | 59.2 |
| 1998 | 52 | 59.9 |
| 1997 | 53.7 | 60.5 |
| 1996 | 55.1 | 61.1 |
| 1995 | 56.4 | 61.6 |
| 1994 | 57.3 | 62.1 |
| 1993 | 58.1 | 62.6 |
| 1992 | 58.6 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 59.1 | 63 |
| 1990 | 59.3 | 62.9 |
| 1989 | 59.5 | 63 |
| 1988 | 59.6 | 62.9 |
| 1987 | 59.6 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 59.3 | 62.4 |
| 1985 | 59.2 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 59 | 61.8 |
| 1983 | 58.5 | 61.4 |
| 1982 | 58 | 60.9 |
| 1981 | 57.3 | 60.4 |
| 1980 | 56.5 | 60 |
| 1979 | 55.8 | 59.5 |
| 1978 | 55.2 | 59 |
| 1977 | 54.5 | 58.5 |
| 1976 | 53.9 | 58 |
| 1975 | 53.5 | 57.6 |
| 1974 | 52.9 | 57.1 |
| 1973 | 52.6 | 56.7 |
| 1972 | 52.3 | 56.4 |
| 1971 | 51.8 | 56 |
| 1970 | 51.5 | 55.7 |
| 1969 | 51.1 | 55.4 |
| 1968 | 50.8 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 50.5 | 55 |
| 1966 | 50.4 | 54.7 |
| 1965 | 50.3 | 54.4 |
| 1964 | 50.3 | 54.2 |
| 1963 | 50.3 | 53.9 |
| 1962 | 50.3 | 53.6 |
| 1961 | 50.3 | 53.1 |
| 1960 | 50.2 | 52.6 |
| 1959 | 49.9 | 51.9 |
| 1958 | 49.6 | 51.1 |
| 1957 | 49.2 | 50.2 |
| 1956 | 48.6 | 49.2 |
| 1955 | 48 | 48.2 |
| 1954 | 47.3 | 47.1 |
| 1953 | 46.6 | 46.1 |
| 1952 | 45.9 | 45 |
| 1951 | 45.2 | 44.1 |
| 1950 | 44.6 | 43.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/south-africa | CC BY
Lesotho and South Africa population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Lesotho
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 2,337,423 | 64,007,187 |
| 2023 | 2,311,472 | 63,212,384 |
| 2022 | 2,286,110 | 62,378,410 |
| 2021 | 2,261,542 | 61,502,603 |
| 2020 | 2,235,727 | 60,562,381 |
| 2019 | 2,209,405 | 59,587,885 |
| 2018 | 2,183,603 | 58,613,001 |
| 2017 | 2,157,110 | 57,635,162 |
| 2016 | 2,130,422 | 57,259,551 |
| 2015 | 2,104,611 | 56,723,537 |
| 2014 | 2,080,089 | 55,594,838 |
| 2013 | 2,056,504 | 54,678,791 |
| 2012 | 2,034,354 | 53,782,567 |
| 2011 | 2,014,009 | 52,995,205 |
| 2010 | 1,996,251 | 52,344,051 |
| 2009 | 1,980,883 | 51,728,516 |
| 2008 | 1,966,541 | 51,114,599 |
| 2007 | 1,953,268 | 50,528,584 |
| 2006 | 1,945,063 | 49,998,277 |
| 2005 | 1,953,076 | 49,490,033 |
| 2004 | 1,971,129 | 48,991,421 |
| 2003 | 1,985,059 | 48,500,348 |
| 2002 | 1,994,679 | 48,019,415 |
| 2001 | 2,000,853 | 47,566,800 |
| 2000 | 2,003,913 | 47,159,719 |
| 1999 | 2,003,234 | 46,730,335 |
| 1998 | 1,998,049 | 46,223,880 |
| 1997 | 1,988,130 | 45,666,838 |
| 1996 | 1,972,418 | 45,123,018 |
| 1995 | 1,951,437 | 44,541,554 |
| 1994 | 1,927,707 | 44,004,139 |
| 1993 | 1,901,793 | 43,297,156 |
| 1992 | 1,873,274 | 42,443,509 |
| 1991 | 1,842,379 | 41,687,898 |
| 1990 | 1,809,696 | 40,746,268 |
| 1989 | 1,775,436 | 39,628,575 |
| 1988 | 1,739,841 | 38,480,649 |
| 1987 | 1,703,390 | 37,326,190 |
| 1986 | 1,666,138 | 36,180,515 |
| 1985 | 1,624,379 | 35,042,093 |
| 1984 | 1,578,986 | 33,892,788 |
| 1983 | 1,534,413 | 32,739,304 |
| 1982 | 1,490,732 | 31,615,339 |
| 1981 | 1,448,069 | 30,541,044 |
| 1980 | 1,406,521 | 29,518,857 |
| 1979 | 1,366,169 | 28,634,162 |
| 1978 | 1,327,240 | 27,869,507 |
| 1977 | 1,289,967 | 27,118,952 |
| 1976 | 1,253,214 | 26,395,450 |
| 1975 | 1,213,643 | 25,690,940 |
| 1974 | 1,172,420 | 24,989,108 |
| 1973 | 1,132,697 | 24,294,263 |
| 1972 | 1,094,063 | 23,609,456 |
| 1971 | 1,056,246 | 22,942,143 |
| 1970 | 1,019,273 | 22,279,984 |
| 1969 | 983,202 | 21,614,676 |
| 1968 | 948,105 | 20,957,287 |
| 1967 | 913,982 | 20,314,066 |
| 1966 | 881,870 | 19,690,087 |
| 1965 | 854,090 | 19,089,380 |
| 1964 | 829,437 | 18,511,361 |
| 1963 | 805,373 | 17,954,564 |
| 1962 | 781,814 | 17,418,522 |
| 1961 | 758,824 | 16,908,035 |
| 1960 | 736,500 | 16,440,172 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/south-africa | CC BY
Fertility rates in Lesotho and South Africa
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Lesotho
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2023 | 2.69 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 2.72 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 2.77 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 2.85 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 2.92 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 3.02 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 3.11 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 3.18 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 3.22 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 3.24 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 3.28 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 3.3 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 3.34 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 3.25 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 3.31 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | 3.39 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 3.44 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 3.41 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 3.43 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 3.51 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 3.62 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 3.68 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 3.63 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 3.61 | 2.41 |
| 1999 | 3.67 | 2.56 |
| 1998 | 3.82 | 2.63 |
| 1997 | 3.98 | 2.73 |
| 1996 | 4.06 | 2.99 |
| 1995 | 4.13 | 3.17 |
| 1994 | 4.21 | 3.26 |
| 1993 | 4.37 | 3.37 |
| 1992 | 4.54 | 3.48 |
| 1991 | 4.68 | 3.62 |
| 1990 | 4.81 | 3.72 |
| 1989 | 4.96 | 3.98 |
| 1988 | 5.1 | 4.18 |
| 1987 | 5.22 | 4.35 |
| 1986 | 5.32 | 4.41 |
| 1985 | 5.4 | 4.5 |
| 1984 | 5.48 | 4.57 |
| 1983 | 5.56 | 4.63 |
| 1982 | 5.63 | 4.7 |
| 1981 | 5.69 | 4.71 |
| 1980 | 5.75 | 4.78 |
| 1979 | 5.79 | 4.82 |
| 1978 | 5.82 | 4.85 |
| 1977 | 5.85 | 4.94 |
| 1976 | 5.87 | 5.07 |
| 1975 | 5.83 | 5.19 |
| 1974 | 5.75 | 5.3 |
| 1973 | 5.69 | 5.41 |
| 1972 | 5.69 | 5.49 |
| 1971 | 5.7 | 5.57 |
| 1970 | 5.7 | 5.63 |
| 1969 | 5.7 | 5.72 |
| 1968 | 5.73 | 5.78 |
| 1967 | 5.75 | 5.85 |
| 1966 | 5.76 | 5.91 |
| 1965 | 5.77 | 5.89 |
| 1964 | 5.77 | 5.96 |
| 1963 | 5.78 | 6.01 |
| 1962 | 5.79 | 6.05 |
| 1961 | 5.79 | 6.08 |
| 1960 | 5.78 | 6.11 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/south-africa | CC BY
Lesotho and South Africa demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Lesotho
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 22.7 | 29.5 |
| 2023 | 22.5 | 29.2 |
| 2022 | 22.3 | 28.9 |
| 2021 | 22.1 | 28.6 |
| 2020 | 22 | 28.3 |
| 2019 | 21.8 | 27.9 |
| 2018 | 21.7 | 27.5 |
| 2017 | 21.6 | 27 |
| 2016 | 21.4 | 26.7 |
| 2015 | 21.3 | 26.4 |
| 2014 | 21.2 | 26 |
| 2013 | 21.1 | 25.7 |
| 2012 | 21 | 25.3 |
| 2011 | 20.9 | 25 |
| 2010 | 20.7 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 20.6 | 24.3 |
| 2008 | 20.4 | 24 |
| 2007 | 20.2 | 23.8 |
| 2006 | 20 | 23.5 |
| 2005 | 19.9 | 23.3 |
| 2004 | 19.8 | 23.1 |
| 2003 | 19.7 | 22.8 |
| 2002 | 19.5 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 19.4 | 22.2 |
| 2000 | 19.2 | 21.9 |
| 1999 | 19.1 | 21.6 |
| 1998 | 18.9 | 21.4 |
| 1997 | 18.8 | 21.2 |
| 1996 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| 1995 | 18.6 | 21.5 |
| 1994 | 18.5 | 22 |
| 1993 | 18.4 | 21.9 |
| 1992 | 18.4 | 21.5 |
| 1991 | 18.4 | 21.5 |
| 1990 | 18.4 | 21.3 |
| 1989 | 18.5 | 21.1 |
| 1988 | 18.6 | 20.9 |
| 1987 | 18.7 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 18.6 | 20.5 |
| 1985 | 18.4 | 20.4 |
| 1984 | 18.5 | 20.2 |
| 1983 | 18.6 | 20 |
| 1982 | 18.6 | 19.8 |
| 1981 | 18.7 | 19.6 |
| 1980 | 18.8 | 19.4 |
| 1979 | 18.8 | 19.3 |
| 1978 | 18.9 | 19.2 |
| 1977 | 19 | 19.1 |
| 1976 | 19 | 19 |
| 1975 | 18.9 | 18.9 |
| 1974 | 18.8 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 18.6 | 18.8 |
| 1972 | 18.5 | 18.8 |
| 1971 | 18.3 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 18.2 | 18.8 |
| 1969 | 18 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 17.8 | 18.8 |
| 1967 | 17.6 | 18.8 |
| 1966 | 17.5 | 18.8 |
| 1965 | 17.5 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 17.5 | 18.9 |
| 1963 | 17.4 | 18.9 |
| 1962 | 17.4 | 18.9 |
| 1961 | 17.4 | 19 |
| 1960 | 17.5 | 19 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/lesotho/south-africa | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Lesotho and South Africa.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Lesotho
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$2.75B
2024 |
$391B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
53.5%
2024 |
33%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
6.62%
2024 |
6.02%
2024 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
1.57%
2024 |
0.7%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
2,000
2020 |
89,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
+9.04%
2024 |
-5.79%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
18.7%
2024 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
48%
2024 |
63%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
30.9%
2024 |
24.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
54.9
2026 |
58.6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
32.9%
2017 |
50.5%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
1.7%
2017 |
0.9%
2014 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
90,595
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
0.22%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
7
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires | n/a |
0.00002%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies | n/a |
220
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a |
$986B
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$1.01B
2024 |
$65.4B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$476M
2024 |
$855M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
1,142,000
2019 |
3,886,600
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
10.1%
1999 |
2.89%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
61.6%
2024 |
81.1%
2024 |
Energy
|
Lesotho
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
9.73 kg
2007 |
1,939 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$198.7
2007 |
$7.84
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
1 megaton
2024 |
440 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
0.43 tons
2024 |
6.88 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
0%
2007 |
93.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
34.9%
2022 |
9.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share | n/a |
3.58%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share | n/a |
-12.5%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita | n/a |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
99.8%
2021 |
6.45%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
99.6%
2021 |
2.91%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
3.73%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
57.3%
2023 |
87.7%
2023 |
Society
|
Lesotho
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.03%
2024 |
0.79%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-5,192
2025 |
+146,370
2025 |
| Urban population |
43.7%
2024 |
63.7%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.51 ft
2025 |
5.56 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.14 ft
2025 |
5.2 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
21.7
2026 |
42.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
37
2025 |
41
2025 |
| Higher education index |
28
2026 |
81
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
37.7
2008 |
45.5
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
31.9
2019 |
22.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
81
2025 |
109
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
90.4%
2024 |
91.2%
2024 |
| English speaking |
27.9%
2023 |
31%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
48%
2023 |
75.7%
2023 |
Health
|
Lesotho
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$122.6
2023 |
$537
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$16.2
2023 |
$35.9
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
58.6 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
40.5%
2023 |
2.06%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.24
2022 |
0.79
2022 |
| Age at first childbirth |
20.9 years
2025 |
n/a |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
478
2023 |
118
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
58.9
2023 |
34.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
21.7%
2022 |
31.4%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
6.2%
2024 |
7.2%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
28
2026 |
39
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
24.3%
2022 |
20.7%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
4.3 liters
2020 |
7.13 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Lesotho
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.02%
2026 |
0.81%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
5,015 sq mi
2024 |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
9,115 sq mi
2026 |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
133.3 sq mi
2026 |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
3,691 mi
2011 |
466,028 mi
2016 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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