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Lesotho vs Zambia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has a population of 2.34M (ranked 145/197), compared with 21.3M in Zambia (ranked 63/197). Lesotho's land area is 11,722 sq mi versus 287,024 sq mi for Zambia (ranked 137th vs. 37th).

By GDP, Lesotho ranks 175/197 ($2.27B) and Zambia ranks 116/197 ($25.3B). By GDP per capita, Lesotho ranks 181/197 ($972), while Zambia ranks 169/197 ($1,187).

Main facts and rankings

Lesotho Zambia
Population
2396633
22697916
Population rank 143/197 62/197
GDP
$2.27B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank 175/197 116/197
GDP per capita
$972
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank 181/197 169/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,001
2024
$4,215
2024
Government debt
$1.29B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.8%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$552
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank 164/185 134/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,545
2026
$1,349
2026
Land area 11,722 sq mi 287,024 sq mi
Population density
203.8 ppl/mi²
2026
78.5 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.69
2023
4.1
2023
Median age
22.7 years
2024
18.8 years
2024
Life expectancy
58.6 years
2026
66.9 years
2026

Lesotho and Zambia: Comparison Charts

Lesotho and Zambia economies compared

GDP
Lesotho

Zambia
1x
Year GDP
Lesotho Zambia
2024 $2,271,759,455 $25,303,185,342
2023 $2,117,962,445 $27,577,956,471
2022 $2,354,980,960 $29,163,782,140
2021 $2,412,130,057 $22,096,416,932
2020 $2,053,699,864 $18,137,764,931
2019 $2,390,702,296 $23,308,667,781
2018 $2,556,247,292 $26,311,507,274
2017 $2,306,741,672 $25,873,601,261
2016 $2,114,426,452 $20,958,412,538
2015 $2,359,686,725 $21,251,216,799
2014 $2,441,063,054 $27,141,023,558
2013 $2,367,112,932 $28,037,239,463
2012 $2,477,702,216 $25,503,060,420
2011 $2,579,409,620 $23,459,515,276
2010 $2,234,754,242 $20,265,559,484
2009 $1,740,894,965 $15,328,342,304
2008 $1,766,902,709 $17,910,858,638
2007 $1,682,131,785 $14,056,957,976
2006 $1,800,092,564 $12,756,858,899
2005 $1,682,343,527 $8,331,870,169
2004 $1,511,236,656 $6,221,110,219
2003 $1,157,825,435 $4,901,869,764
2002 $775,777,239 $4,193,850,445
2001 $825,706,961 $4,094,441,301
2000 $887,291,688 $3,600,632,111
1999 $912,773,681 $3,404,284,891
1998 $928,460,893 $3,537,741,942
1997 $998,004,259 $4,303,288,480
1996 $946,112,493 $3,597,220,962
1995 $1,001,894,000 $3,806,983,413
1994 $878,250,945 $3,656,806,166
1993 $835,582,062 $3,273,505,344
1992 $831,029,862 $3,182,810,841
1991 $704,325,367 $3,376,806,697
1990 $596,410,264 $3,288,381,797
1989 $495,409,233 $3,994,673,161
1988 $470,395,801 $3,728,878,149
1987 $402,768,324 $2,265,250,972
1986 $318,858,423 $1,664,413,508
1985 $268,629,926 $2,252,454,500
1984 $333,163,670 $2,719,518,933
1983 $386,699,309 $3,321,048,451
1982 $348,741,684 $3,871,117,093
1981 $434,188,034 $4,008,126,497
1980 $431,542,537 $3,884,530,854
1979 $290,134,593 $3,353,445,378
1978 $266,570,067 $2,811,032,473
1977 $193,315,048 $2,515,296,940
1976 $147,660,037 $2,742,859,263
1975 $149,558,896 $2,442,672,141
1974 $150,851,317 $2,910,981,262
1973 $121,188,716 $2,434,255,237
1972 $80,913,200 $1,872,416,680
1971 $76,480,285 $1,653,259,341
1970 $68,739,973 $1,788,779,285
1969 $65,967,974 $1,926,399,230
1968 $61,445,975 $1,573,739,371
1967 $59,261,976 $1,340,639,464
1966 $56,699,977 $1,238,999,505
1965 $54,879,978 $1,061,199,576
1964 $51,939,979 $822,639,671
1963 $47,039,981 $704,339,719
1962 $41,859,983 $679,279,729
1961 $35,699,986 $682,359,727
1960 $34,579,986 $698,739,721

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

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

Lesotho and Zambia economies compared

GDP per capita
Lesotho

Zambia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Lesotho Zambia
2024 $972 $1,187
2023 $916 $1,331
2022 $1,030 $1,447
2021 $1,067 $1,127
2020 $919 $952
2019 $1,082 $1,259
2018 $1,171 $1,464
2017 $1,069 $1,483
2016 $992 $1,239
2015 $1,121 $1,296
2014 $1,174 $1,707
2013 $1,151 $1,821
2012 $1,218 $1,710
2011 $1,281 $1,625
2010 $1,119 $1,451
2009 $879 $1,136
2008 $898 $1,376
2007 $861 $1,119
2006 $925 $1,052
2005 $861 $711
2004 $767 $549
2003 $583 $446
2002 $389 $394
2001 $413 $397
2000 $443 $359
1999 $456 $350
1998 $465 $373
1997 $502 $466
1996 $480 $400
1995 $513 $433
1994 $456 $426
1993 $439 $391
1992 $444 $389
1991 $382 $423
1990 $330 $422
1989 $279 $526
1988 $270.4 $504
1987 $236.5 $315
1986 $191.4 $238.2
1985 $165.4 $332
1984 $211 $413
1983 $252 $520
1982 $233.9 $627
1981 $299.8 $670
1980 $307 $669
1979 $212.4 $595
1978 $200.8 $514
1977 $149.9 $474
1976 $117.8 $533
1975 $123.2 $490
1974 $128.7 $601
1973 $107 $518
1972 $74 $410
1971 $72.4 $372
1970 $67.4 $414
1969 $67.1 $459
1968 $64.8 $387
1967 $64.8 $341
1966 $64.3 $325
1965 $64.3 $287.4
1964 $62.6 $230
1963 $58.4 $203.2
1962 $53.5 $202.3
1961 $47 $209.7
1960 $47 $221.6

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

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

Lesotho vs. Zambia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Lesotho

Zambia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Lesotho Zambia
2026 58.6 66.9
2025 58.2 66.7
2024 57.8 66.5
2023 57.4 66.3
2022 56.8 65.3
2021 54.2 62.4
2020 55.1 63.4
2019 55.2 62.9
2018 54.6 62.1
2017 53.9 61.6
2016 52.9 61.1
2015 51.8 60.7
2014 50.8 60.1
2013 49.5 59.4
2012 48.2 58.7
2011 46.9 57.8
2010 46 56.9
2009 45.1 55.9
2008 44.3 54.8
2007 43.7 53.7
2006 43.2 52.7
2005 43.6 51.6
2004 44 50.5
2003 44.9 49.6
2002 46 48.5
2001 47.2 47.4
2000 48.8 46.6
1999 50.4 45.9
1998 52 45.7
1997 53.7 45.7
1996 55.1 45.8
1995 56.4 46.1
1994 57.3 46.3
1993 58.1 46.7
1992 58.6 47
1991 59.1 47.4
1990 59.3 48.2
1989 59.5 48.9
1988 59.6 49.7
1987 59.6 50.4
1986 59.3 51.1
1985 59.2 52
1984 59 52.9
1983 58.5 53.7
1982 58 54.4
1981 57.3 55
1980 56.5 55.5
1979 55.8 56
1978 55.2 56.3
1977 54.5 56.3
1976 53.9 56.1
1975 53.5 55.7
1974 52.9 55.4
1973 52.6 54.9
1972 52.3 54.4
1971 51.8 53.9
1970 51.5 53.4
1969 51.1 53
1968 50.8 52.7
1967 50.5 52.5
1966 50.4 52.3
1965 50.3 52.1
1964 50.3 51.2
1963 50.3 51.6
1962 50.3 51.3
1961 50.3 51
1960 50.2 50.6
1959 49.9 50.3
1958 49.6 49.9
1957 49.2 49.5
1956 48.6 49.1
1955 48 48.8
1954 47.3 48.4
1953 46.6 48
1952 45.9 47.6
1951 45.2 47.2
1950 44.6 46.8

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

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

Lesotho and Zambia population clocks and comparison

Population
Lesotho

Zambia
1x
Year Population
Lesotho Zambia
2024 2,337,423 21,314,956
2023 2,311,472 20,723,965
2022 2,286,110 20,152,938
2021 2,261,542 19,603,607
2020 2,235,727 19,059,395
2019 2,209,405 18,513,839
2018 2,183,603 17,973,569
2017 2,157,110 17,441,320
2016 2,130,422 16,914,423
2015 2,104,611 16,399,089
2014 2,080,089 15,895,315
2013 2,056,504 15,398,997
2012 2,034,354 14,913,629
2011 2,014,009 14,437,796
2010 1,996,251 13,965,594
2009 1,980,883 13,490,389
2008 1,966,541 13,021,324
2007 1,953,268 12,565,085
2006 1,945,063 12,129,553
2005 1,953,076 11,718,819
2004 1,971,129 11,338,198
2003 1,985,059 10,983,595
2002 1,994,679 10,647,949
2001 2,000,853 10,325,185
2000 2,003,913 10,017,631
1999 2,003,234 9,740,005
1998 1,998,049 9,482,408
1997 1,988,130 9,237,063
1996 1,972,418 9,004,053
1995 1,951,437 8,785,763
1994 1,927,707 8,576,269
1993 1,901,793 8,373,921
1992 1,873,274 8,176,680
1991 1,842,379 7,981,650
1990 1,809,696 7,786,169
1989 1,775,436 7,589,216
1988 1,739,841 7,391,440
1987 1,703,390 7,191,282
1986 1,666,138 6,986,471
1985 1,624,379 6,780,953
1984 1,578,986 6,580,490
1983 1,534,413 6,381,038
1982 1,490,732 6,178,637
1981 1,448,069 5,983,289
1980 1,406,521 5,802,833
1979 1,366,169 5,631,728
1978 1,327,240 5,465,374
1977 1,289,967 5,302,480
1976 1,253,214 5,143,842
1975 1,213,643 4,990,086
1974 1,172,420 4,842,746
1973 1,132,697 4,702,693
1972 1,094,063 4,569,309
1971 1,056,246 4,442,525
1970 1,019,273 4,321,718
1969 983,202 4,197,116
1968 948,105 4,065,593
1967 913,982 3,936,343
1966 881,870 3,812,003
1965 854,090 3,692,086
1964 829,437 3,577,017
1963 805,373 3,465,907
1962 781,814 3,358,099
1961 758,824 3,254,086
1960 736,500 3,153,729

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

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

Fertility rates in Lesotho and Zambia

Fertility rate
Lesotho

Zambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Lesotho Zambia
2023 2.69 4.1
2022 2.72 4.18
2021 2.77 4.25
2020 2.85 4.32
2019 2.92 4.42
2018 3.02 4.49
2017 3.11 4.57
2016 3.18 4.67
2015 3.22 4.78
2014 3.24 4.89
2013 3.28 5.01
2012 3.3 5.14
2011 3.34 5.26
2010 3.25 5.36
2009 3.31 5.45
2008 3.39 5.53
2007 3.44 5.61
2006 3.41 5.68
2005 3.43 5.7
2004 3.51 5.7
2003 3.62 5.71
2002 3.68 5.77
2001 3.63 5.85
2000 3.61 5.92
1999 3.67 6
1998 3.82 6.07
1997 3.98 6.12
1996 4.06 6.18
1995 4.13 6.23
1994 4.21 6.26
1993 4.37 6.3
1992 4.54 6.35
1991 4.68 6.46
1990 4.81 6.57
1989 4.96 6.64
1988 5.1 6.7
1987 5.22 6.8
1986 5.32 6.87
1985 5.4 6.93
1984 5.48 6.97
1983 5.56 7.01
1982 5.63 7.04
1981 5.69 7.07
1980 5.75 7.14
1979 5.79 7.22
1978 5.82 7.29
1977 5.85 7.35
1976 5.87 7.39
1975 5.83 7.42
1974 5.75 7.36
1973 5.69 7.34
1972 5.69 7.3
1971 5.7 7.26
1970 5.7 7.22
1969 5.7 7.18
1968 5.73 7.18
1967 5.75 7.15
1966 5.76 7.14
1965 5.77 7.12
1964 5.77 7.09
1963 5.78 7.06
1962 5.79 7.01
1961 5.79 6.98
1960 5.78 6.95

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

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

Lesotho and Zambia demographics compared

Median age
Lesotho

Zambia
1x
Year Median age, years
Lesotho Zambia
2024 22.7 18.8
2023 22.5 18.6
2022 22.3 18.4
2021 22.1 18.2
2020 22 18
2019 21.8 17.9
2018 21.7 17.7
2017 21.6 17.5
2016 21.4 17.4
2015 21.3 17.2
2014 21.2 17.1
2013 21.1 17
2012 21 16.9
2011 20.9 16.8
2010 20.7 16.7
2009 20.6 16.6
2008 20.4 16.5
2007 20.2 16.4
2006 20 16.3
2005 19.9 16.3
2004 19.8 16.2
2003 19.7 16.1
2002 19.5 16
2001 19.4 15.9
2000 19.2 15.9
1999 19.1 15.8
1998 18.9 15.8
1997 18.8 15.8
1996 18.6 15.8
1995 18.6 15.8
1994 18.5 15.8
1993 18.4 15.8
1992 18.4 15.8
1991 18.4 15.7
1990 18.4 15.7
1989 18.5 15.7
1988 18.6 15.6
1987 18.7 15.6
1986 18.6 15.5
1985 18.4 15.5
1984 18.5 15.4
1983 18.6 15.4
1982 18.6 15.3
1981 18.7 15.3
1980 18.8 15.2
1979 18.8 15.3
1978 18.9 15.3
1977 19 15.4
1976 19 15.4
1975 18.9 15.5
1974 18.8 15.7
1973 18.6 15.8
1972 18.5 15.9
1971 18.3 16.1
1970 18.2 16.2
1969 18 16.4
1968 17.8 16.4
1967 17.6 16.5
1966 17.5 16.5
1965 17.5 16.6
1964 17.5 16.6
1963 17.4 16.7
1962 17.4 16.8
1961 17.4 16.9
1960 17.5 17

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Lesotho Zambia
GNI, Atlas method
$2.75B
2024
$25.9B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
53.5%
2024
25.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
6.62%
2024
4.07%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.57%
2024
1.33%
2024
Armed forces personnel
2,000
2020
16,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
+9.04%
2024
-3.32%
2024
Unemployment rate
18.7%
2024
5.86%
2023
Services, % of GDP
48%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.9%
2024
35.2%
2024
Economic freedom index
54.9
2026
51.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.9%
2017
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2017
1.5%
2022
Listed domestic companies n/a
20
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.77B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.01B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Personal remittances received
$476M
2024
$334M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,142,000
2019
502,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
10.1%
1999
n/a
Banked people share
61.6%
2024
72.7%
2024

Energy

Lesotho Zambia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
9.73 kg
2007
801 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$198.7
2007
$4.8
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
1 megaton
2024
11.6 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.43 tons
2024
0.54 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2007
18.4%
2022
Renewable energy use share
34.9%
2022
83%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
9.18%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
9.03%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
704 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
99.8%
2021
92.1%
2021
Hydroelectric share
99.6%
2021
87.7%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
57.3%
2023
51.1%
2023

Society

Lesotho Zambia
% of world population
0.03%
2024
0.26%
2024
Annual migration change
-5,192
2025
+6,562
2025
Urban population
43.7%
2024
45.5%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.7:51.3
2024
49.5:50.5
2024
Average male height
5.51 ft
2025
5.5 ft
2025
Average female height
5.14 ft
2025
5.16 ft
2025
Quality of life index
21.7
2026
30.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
37
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
28
2026
47
2026
Homicides per 100K people
37.7
2008
5.25
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
31.9
2019
20.5
2019
Visa free countries
81
2025
74
2025
Adult literacy rate
90.4%
2024
82%
2023
English speaking
27.9%
2023
16%
2023
People using the Internet
48%
2023
33%
2023

Health

Lesotho Zambia
Government health expenditure per capita
$122.6
2023
$79.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$16.2
2023
$8.18
2023
Life expectancy
58.6 years
2026
66.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
40.5%
2023
47.9%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.24
2022
0.32
2022
Age at first childbirth
20.9 years
2025
19.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
478
2023
85
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
58.9
2023
44.7
2023
Obesity rate
21.7%
2022
11.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
6.2%
2024
10.3%
2024
Air quality index
28
2026
30
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
24.3%
2022
14.6%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
4.3 liters
2020
3.62 liters
2020

Territory

Lesotho Zambia
% of world land
0.02%
2026
0.5%
2026
Land area per capita
5,015 sq mi
2024
13,466 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
9,115 sq mi
2026
92,043 sq mi
2026
Forest area
133.3 sq mi
2026
170,848 sq mi
2026
Roads length
3,691 mi
2011
42,049 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, 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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