Home Lesotho Trade Trade Openness

Lesotho Trade Openness

Trade as % of GDP  NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS

142.25% +0.73% (+0.5%)
Year 2025 Rank #38 Global Peak 165.05% (2007) Source World Bank

Lesotho Trade Openness (1960–2025)

Overview

Lesotho's trade openness stood at 142.25% in 2025, a rise of +0.73% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 142.25% by 2025. Lesotho ranked 38th globally.

Data & projection

Year Trade Openness YoY change Rank
2026* trend 142.57% - -
2025* trend 142.25% - -
2025 142.25% +0.73% #38
2023 141.51% −0.86% #145
2022 142.37% +3.19% #149
2021 139.19% −1.91% #154
2020 141.10% +0.58% #165
2019 140.52% −3.92% #160
2018 144.43% −1.93% #162
2017 146.37% +10.05% #164
2016 136.32% +6.59% #158
2015 129.72% +3.43% #154
2014 126.29% −7.07% #148
2013 133.37% −16.84% #151
2012 150.21% +0.41% #157
2011 149.80% −0.31% #158
2010 150.10% −8.79% #166
Show all years (1960-2025)
* Linear trend extrapolation

Detected Pattern

Export Boom Cycle
Current account surplus with strong export growth (>15% YoY), reserve accumulation, and moderate GDP growth. Typical of commodity exporters during price surges.
Reserves YoY +18.0% GDP growth 2.9% C/A balance 3.9%
Occurred 768 times, 546 successful
Reserves YoY
+25.6%
GDP growth
4.0%
C/A balance
14.5%
Reserves YoY
+14.6%
GDP growth
3.7%
C/A balance
2.9%
Reserves YoY
+12.8%
GDP growth
43.8%
C/A balance
16.4%
Reserves YoY
+12.6%
GDP growth
6.0%
C/A balance
0.5%
Reserves YoY
+38.3%
GDP growth
5.0%
C/A balance
1.2%
Reserves YoY
+18.0%
GDP growth
2.9%
C/A balance
3.9%

Analysis

Lesotho matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw trade openness improve within 24 months. View full analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lesotho's trade openness?

Lesotho's trade openness was 142.25% in 2025. Ranked 38th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from the previous year.

What was the highest trade openness in Lesotho?

Lesotho's trade openness peaked at 165.05% in 2007.

What was the lowest trade openness in Lesotho?

The lowest trade openness in Lesotho was 50.20% in 1960.

How does Lesotho rank in trade openness?

Lesotho ranks 38th globally in trade openness as of 2025.

What is the World Bank indicator code for trade openness?

The World Bank indicator code is NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.

What is the projected trade openness of Lesotho in 2025?

Lesotho's trade openness is projected to reach 142.25% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.

What is the trade openness of Lesotho in 2025?

The trade openness of Lesotho in 2025 was 142.25%. This ranks 38th in the world.

Cite this page

APA
Lesotho Trade Openness. HistorySaid. Retrieved April 2, 2026, from https://historysaid.com/lesotho/trade-openness
BibTeX
@misc{historysaid_lesotho_trade-openness, title = {Lesotho Trade Openness}, url = {https://historysaid.com/lesotho/trade-openness}, publisher = {HistorySaid}, year = {2026} }