Lesotho Lending Rate
Lending interest rate FR.INR.LEND
Lesotho's lending rate was 11.89% in 2025, ranked 34th globally. This represents a 6.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Lesotho's lending rate stood at 11.89% in 2025, a rise of +0.69pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 11.89% by 2025. Lesotho ranked 34th globally.
Lesotho’s policy lending rate has hovered near the upper‑mid‑teens for most of the past five decades, standing at 11.89 % in 2025, which places the kingdom 34th in the World Bank’s global ranking. The rate surged to an all‑time peak of 20.42 % in 1990, reflecting the severe macro‑economic adjustments of that era, before a gradual decline set in, reaching a trough of 8.21 % in 2021 as inflation pressures eased and monetary policy tightened. The current level is virtually in line with regional peers, matching Eswatini’s 11.91 % and only slightly above Nigeria’s 11.75 %, suggesting a convergent stance among comparable small‑open economies. Over the 46‑year coverage period, the modest upward shift from the 1980 baseline of 11.00 % indicates a persistent, though limited, upward bias in borrowing costs. Future movements will likely depend on the balance between inflation dynamics and the Reserve Bank’s commitment to financial stability, with any sustained price‑level volatility poised to push rates higher.
Data & projection
| Year | Lending Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 13.36% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 12.63% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 11.89% | - | - |
| 2025 | 11.89% | +0.69pp | #34 |
| 2024 | 11.21% | +0.13pp | #52 |
| 2023 | 11.08% | +2.10pp | #53 |
| 2022 | 8.98% | +0.78pp | #57 |
| 2021 | 8.21% | −0.77pp | #62 |
| 2020 | 8.98% | −2.36pp | #62 |
| 2019 | 11.33% | −0.02pp | #74 |
| 2018 | 11.35% | −0.23pp | #78 |
| 2017 | 11.58% | +0.01pp | #88 |
| 2016 | 11.58% | +1.01pp | #82 |
| 2015 | 10.57% | +0.23pp | #79 |
| 2014 | 10.34% | +0.42pp | #75 |
| 2013 | 9.92% | −0.20pp | #71 |
| 2012 | 10.12% | −0.31pp | #68 |
| 2011 | 10.43% | −0.79pp | #68 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lesotho matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw lending rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lesotho's lending rate was 11.89% in 2025. Ranked 34th globally. This represents a 6.1% increase from the previous year.
Lesotho's lending rate peaked at 20.42% in 1990.
The lowest lending rate in Lesotho was 8.21% in 2021.
Lesotho ranks 34th globally in lending rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is FR.INR.LEND. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lesotho's lending rate is projected to reach 11.89% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The lending rate of Lesotho in 2025 was 11.89%. This ranks 34th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lesotho_lending-rate,
title = {Lesotho Lending Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lesotho/lending-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}