Lesotho Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Lesotho's education spending was 6.76% in 2025, ranked 15th globally. This represents a 2.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1971–2025.
Overview
Lesotho's education spending stood at 6.76% in 2025, a rise of +0.14% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 6.76% by 2025. Lesotho ranked 15th globally.
Lesotho’s public expenditure on education has risen from a low of 4.23 percent of GDP in 1974 to an all‑time peak of 13.22 percent in 2003, before settling at 6.76 percent in 2025, which places the kingdom at rank 15 globally. Over the 29‑year coverage period the average share hovers around the mid‑single digits, reflecting a gradual but uneven expansion of fiscal commitment to schooling. The 2003 surge coincided with a broader regional push for universal primary education, yet the subsequent decline suggests fiscal constraints or shifting policy priorities. Compared with peers, Lesotho’s 2025 level slightly exceeds Mozambique’s 6.73 percent and trails Tunisia’s 7.00 percent, indicating that while the kingdom remains ahead of some lower‑spending neighbours, it lags behind higher‑spending economies such as Sweden at 7.24 percent. If economic growth accelerates and the government sustains political will, the upward trajectory in education spending could resume, reinforcing human‑capital development.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 6.53% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 6.64% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 6.76% | - | - |
| 2025 | 6.76% | +0.14% | #15 |
| 2024 | 6.62% | −0.67% | #24 |
| 2023 | 7.29% | +0.01% | #114 |
| 2018 | 7.28% | −0.87% | #156 |
| 2017 | 8.16% | +0.60% | #169 |
| 2016 | 7.55% | −0.09% | #151 |
| 2015 | 7.64% | −4.69% | #156 |
| 2008 | 12.33% | +1.06% | #116 |
| 2006 | 11.27% | −0.81% | #104 |
| 2005 | 12.08% | +0.97% | #110 |
| 2004 | 11.11% | −2.11% | #120 |
| 2003 | 13.22% | +3.12% | #108 |
| 2002 | 10.10% | +0.74% | #120 |
| 2001 | 9.37% | −0.73% | #111 |
| 2000 | 10.09% | −2.41% | #119 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lesotho matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lesotho's education spending was 6.76% in 2025. Ranked 15th globally. This represents a 2.1% increase from the previous year.
Lesotho's education spending peaked at 13.22% in 2003.
The lowest education spending in Lesotho was 4.23% in 1974.
Lesotho ranks 15th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lesotho's education spending is projected to reach 6.76% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Lesotho in 2025 was 6.76%. This ranks 15th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lesotho_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Lesotho Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lesotho/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}