Lesotho Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Lesotho's health spending was 7.25% in 2025, ranked 89th globally. This represents a 42.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Lesotho's health spending stood at 7.25% in 2025, a decline of +5.37% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 7.25% by 2025. Lesotho ranked 89th globally.
Lesotho’s health expenditure has risen modestly from 5.16 percent of GDP in 2000 to 7.25 percent in 2025, placing the country 89th globally and just above peers such as Moldova (7.17 percent) and Trinidad and Tobago (7.31 percent). The upward trajectory masks pronounced volatility: a low of 4.67 percent in 2005 was followed by a dramatic surge to an all‑time peak of 21.92 percent in 2019, reflecting a period of intensified public investment and possibly pandemic‑related spending. After 2019, the share of GDP allocated to health fell back toward pre‑peak levels, stabilising at the current 7.25 percent. Over the 25‑year span, the average level remains well below the sub‑Saharan African average, suggesting persistent fiscal constraints. Continued economic growth, coupled with reforms to improve efficiency in health service delivery, will be crucial if Lesotho is to sustain a higher share of resources for health and avoid a return to the low‑spending pattern of the early 2000s.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 5.63% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 7.25% | - | - |
| 2025 | 7.25% | −5.37% | #89 |
| 2023 | 12.61% | −0.28% | #184 |
| 2022 | 12.90% | +2.23% | #184 |
| 2021 | 10.66% | +0.25% | #168 |
| 2020 | 10.41% | −11.52% | #160 |
| 2019 | 21.92% | +10.80% | #191 |
| 2018 | 11.13% | +0.60% | #182 |
| 2017 | 10.53% | +1.33% | #175 |
| 2016 | 9.20% | −0.06% | #161 |
| 2015 | 9.25% | −0.74% | #161 |
| 2014 | 9.99% | −0.99% | #173 |
| 2013 | 10.98% | +0.99% | #185 |
| 2012 | 9.99% | +0.99% | #171 |
| 2011 | 8.99% | +1.59% | #157 |
| 2010 | 7.40% | −1.55% | #127 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lesotho matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw health spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lesotho's health spending was 7.25% in 2025. Ranked 89th globally. This represents a 42.5% decrease from the previous year.
Lesotho's health spending peaked at 21.92% in 2019.
The lowest health spending in Lesotho was 4.67% in 2005.
Lesotho ranks 89th globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lesotho's health spending is projected to reach 7.25% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of Lesotho in 2025 was 7.25%. This ranks 89th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lesotho_health-spending,
title = {Lesotho Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lesotho/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}