Lesotho Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
Lesotho's agriculture employment was 30.88% in 2025, ranked 128th globally. This represents a 0.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Lesotho's agriculture employment stood at 30.88% in 2025, a decline of +0.25% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 30.59% by 2026. Lesotho ranked 128th globally.
Lesotho's agriculture employment has exhibited fluctuations over the past 35 years, with the latest figure standing at 30.88% in 2025, ranking 128th globally. The country's all-time peak in agriculture employment occurred in 1991, when it reached 38.60%, coinciding with the post-apartheid era in South Africa, which likely influenced Lesotho's agricultural sector. Conversely, the lowest point was experienced in 2016 with 29.75% of employment in agriculture. Compared to peer countries, Lesotho's agriculture employment rate in 2025 is slightly lower than Albania's 30.77% but marginally higher than Nicaragua's 30.47%. The trend in Lesotho's agriculture employment rate appears to be generally declining, as the sector faces challenges such as climate change and lack of mechanization. A potential shift in government policies supporting agricultural development and investment in irrigation systems could alter the trajectory of Lesotho's agriculture employment rate.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 30.02% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 30.30% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 30.59% | - | - |
| 2025 | 30.88% | −0.25% | #128 |
| 2024 | 31.12% | −0.42% | #127 |
| 2023 | 31.54% | −0.14% | #129 |
| 2022 | 31.68% | −0.36% | #128 |
| 2021 | 32.03% | +0.54% | #130 |
| 2020 | 31.49% | +1.65% | #126 |
| 2019 | 29.83% | −0.46% | #122 |
| 2018 | 30.29% | +0.09% | #122 |
| 2017 | 30.20% | +0.45% | #120 |
| 2016 | 29.75% | −0.14% | #119 |
| 2015 | 29.89% | −0.33% | #119 |
| 2014 | 30.22% | −0.38% | #119 |
| 2013 | 30.60% | −0.14% | #117 |
| 2012 | 30.73% | −0.66% | #117 |
| 2011 | 31.39% | −0.53% | #118 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lesotho matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lesotho's agriculture employment was 30.88% in 2025. Ranked 128th globally. This represents a 0.8% decrease from the previous year.
Lesotho's agriculture employment peaked at 38.60% in 1991.
The lowest agriculture employment in Lesotho was 29.75% in 2016.
Lesotho ranks 128th globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lesotho's agriculture employment is projected to reach 30.59% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of Lesotho in 2025 was 30.88%. This ranks 128th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lesotho_agriculture-employment,
title = {Lesotho Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lesotho/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}