Lesotho: growth of 1.5 % in 2025, real GDP +16.0 % since 2020 (IMF). GDP of 2.8 bn$, no. 49 in Africa.
Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook (October 2026) · updated on
Economy
+16.0 %
real GDP, 2020 → 2025 (IMF)
- Growth 2025
- +1.5 %
- GDP 2025
- 2.8 bn$
Finances and debt
49.4 %
public debt, % of GDP, 2025 (IMF)
- Fiscal balance
- +4.9 %
- Risk of debt distress
- Moderate
- Owed to China
- 16.2 %
Trade
34.6 %
of exports: Gold, diamonds and precious metals, 2024 (CEPII)
- Exports
- 1.1 bn$
- First client
- South Africa · 42.4 %
Society
60.6 %
Access to electricity · 2024 (World Bank)
- Poverty · 2017
- 41.9 %
- Adults with an account · 2024
- 61.6 %
Markets and rating
B
Weak rating
IMF, World Economic Outlook (October 2026) · World Bank (CC BY 4.0) · CEPII, BACI · IMF debt sustainability analyses · rating agencies
Questions
How much has the economy of Lesotho grown since 2020?
Lesotho: growth of 1.5 % in 2025, real GDP +16.0 % since 2020 (IMF). GDP of 2.8 bn$, no. 49 in Africa.
What is the GDP per capita of Lesotho?
1,170 $ in 2025 at market exchange rates, 3,217 $ in purchasing power parity (IMF).
What is the inflation rate in Lesotho?
4.0 % in 2025, average annual change in consumer prices (IMF).
What is the public debt of Lesotho?
49.4 % of GDP in 2025, gross debt of the general government (IMF).
Where does Lesotho rank in Africa?
Economy no. 49 of 53 in Africa by GDP in current dollars in 2025 (IMF).
What is the credit rating of Lesotho?
Fitch B: weak rating, highly speculative (b), 5 notches below investment grade, no. 15 of 34 in Africa.
Is Lesotho business friendly?
Lesotho: a business climate better than in most African countries. Above the African median on 4 indicators out of 5. B-READY: 49.7/100, no. 18 of 29 African economies covered.
Contact
A question, a correction, a source?
Write to us with the address of the page and, if you can, the source.
[email protected]Cite this page
Syli Atlas, « Lesotho », https://syliatlas.com/en/countries/lesotho. Data: IMF, World Economic Outlook (October 2026).