Lesotho Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Lesotho's physicians was 0.35 in 2025, ranked 98th globally. This represents a 50.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Lesotho's physicians stood at 0.35 in 2025, a rise of +0.12 from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.35 by 2025. Lesotho ranked 98th globally.
Lesotho's physician density has exhibited a moderate increase over the years, with a notable improvement since the 1970s when the country experienced its lowest physician-to-population ratio of 0.03. The ratio has since risen steadily, reaching its peak in 2018 at 0.46, surpassing that of its peer country Botswana, which currently ranks at 0.38. However, in recent years, Lesotho's physician density has shown a slight decline, with the current ratio standing at 0.35, placing it at the 98th position globally. This trend may be attributed to the country's ongoing efforts to strengthen its healthcare system, which could potentially impact the trajectory of this indicator. A significant investment in medical education and training programs could help to reverse the current decline and propel Lesotho's physician density towards a higher global ranking, enabling the country to better address its healthcare needs.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 0.35 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.35 | +0.12 | #98 |
| 2022 | 0.24 | −0.22 | #95 |
| 2018 | 0.46 | +0.39 | #113 |
| 2010 | 0.07 | +0.02 | #121 |
| 2003 | 0.05 | −0.01 | #93 |
| 1995 | 0.05 | +0.00 | #118 |
| 1993 | 0.05 | +0.01 | #105 |
| 1990 | 0.04 | −0.03 | #132 |
| 1985 | 0.07 | +0.04 | #65 |
| 1975 | 0.03 | +0.00 | #78 |
| 1970 | 0.03 | −0.02 | #133 |
| 1965 | 0.05 | +0.01 | #81 |
| 1960 | 0.04 | – | #110 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lesotho matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lesotho's physicians was 0.35 in 2025. Ranked 98th globally. This represents a 50.8% increase from the previous year.
Lesotho's physicians peaked at 0.46 in 2018.
The lowest physicians in Lesotho was 0.03 in 1970.
Lesotho ranks 98th globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lesotho's physicians is projected to reach 0.35 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Lesotho in 2025 was 0.35. This ranks 98th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lesotho_physicians,
title = {Lesotho Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lesotho/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}