Lesotho GDP Growth
Annual percentage growth rate of GDP NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG
Lesotho's gdp growth was 1.43% in 2025, ranked 149th globally. This represents a 49.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1961–2025.
Overview
Lesotho's gdp growth stood at 1.43% in 2025, a decline of +1.42pp from 2024. The IMF projects 1.43% by 2025. Lesotho ranked 149th globally.
Lesotho’s real GDP growth has averaged modestly over the 65‑year series, with the 2025 expansion rate recorded at 1.43 percent, placing the kingdom at 149th in the World Bank’s global ranking. The economy’s most vigorous expansion occurred in 1973 when growth surged to 26.40 percent, a post‑independence boom that was abruptly reversed two years later as the country endured a steep contraction of –13.51 percent in 1975, reflecting the combined impact of drought, fiscal strain and external shocks. Since that volatile episode, Lesotho’s growth trajectory has settled into low‑single‑digit fluctuations, mirroring the performance of peers such as the United Kingdom, which posted a comparable 1.31 percent increase in the same year. The persistence of limited diversification and reliance on remittances from South Africa constrain higher growth, but ongoing reforms in the textile sector and prospective infrastructure investments could lift the pace modestly if external conditions remain favourable.
Data & projection
| Year | GDP Growth | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 1.54% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 1.53% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 1.43% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 0.83% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 1.13% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 1.43% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.43% | −1.42pp | #149 |
| 2024 | 2.85% | +0.77pp | #114 |
| 2023 | 1.83% | −0.15pp | #139 |
| 2022 | 2.39% | +0.49pp | #160 |
| 2021 | 2.27% | +7.53pp | #166 |
| 2020 | -8.16% | −5.24pp | #156 |
| 2019 | -1.42% | +0.05pp | #198 |
| 2018 | -1.48% | +1.25pp | #200 |
| 2017 | -3.14% | −5.02pp | #198 |
| 2016 | 3.61% | +0.36pp | #89 |
| 2015 | 3.12% | +1.06pp | #99 |
| 2014 | 1.71% | −0.06pp | #152 |
| 2013 | 1.79% | −3.35pp | #143 |
| 2012 | 6.33% | +1.27pp | #44 |
| 2011 | 4.62% | −0.48pp | #85 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lesotho matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw gdp growth improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lesotho's gdp growth was 1.43% in 2025. Ranked 149th globally. This represents a 49.9% decrease from the previous year.
Lesotho's gdp growth peaked at 26.40% in 1973.
The lowest gdp growth in Lesotho was -13.51% in 1975.
Lesotho ranks 149th globally in gdp growth as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lesotho's gdp growth is projected to reach 1.43% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The gdp growth of Lesotho in 2025 was 1.43%. This ranks 149th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lesotho_gdp-growth,
title = {Lesotho GDP Growth},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lesotho/gdp-growth/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}