Lesotho Reserves in Months of Imports
Total reserves in months of imports FI.RES.TOTL.MO
Lesotho's reserves in months of imports was 5.5 in 2025, ranked 40th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Lesotho's reserves in months of imports stood at 5.5 in 2025, a decline of +0.1 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 5.5 by 2025. Lesotho ranked 40th globally.
Lesotho’s reserves of import cover stood at 5.49 months in 2025, placing the country 40th in the world and just above Madagascar’s 5.46 months and below Brazil’s 5.66 months. The indicator has risen markedly from a low of 0.54 months in 1989, the all‑time trough, to a peak of 8.30 months in 2009, before settling at the current level after 46 years of observation. The early 1990s saw a sharp contraction in reserves, reflecting limited foreign exchange earnings and heightened vulnerability to external shocks, while the post‑2008 surge corresponded with improved fiscal management and increased remittance inflows. Despite the recent decline from the 2009 high, the 2025 figure remains well above the 1980 baseline of 1.25 months, indicating a more resilient import‑financing position than in the early decades of the series. Continued diversification of export markets and prudent reserve‑building policies will be crucial to sustain or raise the current coverage in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Reserves in Months of Imports | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 6.2 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 5.8 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 5.5 | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.5 | −0.1 | #40 |
| 2024 | 5.5 | +0.8 | #41 |
| 2023 | 4.7 | +0.8 | #65 |
| 2022 | 3.9 | −0.2 | #87 |
| 2021 | 4.1 | −0.1 | #106 |
| 2020 | 4.2 | +0.2 | #109 |
| 2019 | 3.9 | +0.5 | #91 |
| 2018 | 3.4 | +0.1 | #96 |
| 2017 | 3.3 | −2.0 | #108 |
| 2016 | 5.2 | −0.3 | #65 |
| 2015 | 5.5 | −0.0 | #50 |
| 2014 | 5.6 | +0.3 | #42 |
| 2013 | 5.2 | +1.1 | #52 |
| 2012 | 4.2 | +0.3 | #76 |
| 2011 | 3.8 | −3.3 | #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 reserves in months of imports improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lesotho's reserves in months of imports was 5.5 in 2025. Ranked 40th globally. This represents a 0.9% decrease from the previous year.
Lesotho's reserves in months of imports peaked at 8.3 in 2009.
The lowest reserves in months of imports in Lesotho was 0.5 in 1989.
Lesotho ranks 40th globally in reserves in months of imports as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is FI.RES.TOTL.MO. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lesotho's reserves in months of imports is projected to reach 5.5 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The reserves in months of imports of Lesotho in 2025 was 5.5. This ranks 40th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lesotho_reserves-months-imports,
title = {Lesotho Reserves in Months of Imports},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lesotho/reserves-months-imports/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}