Lesotho GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Lesotho has a small Southern African economy supported by textiles, construction, public spending, agriculture, and remittances. This page explores its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+1.1%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#165
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
-0.3 pp
2025: +1.4%
Africa Rank
#50
Out of 54 countries
1. Lesotho GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Lesotho’s economic growth is influenced by manufacturing, construction, household demand, remittances, and trade with South Africa. Public finances also remain important.
2. Lesotho GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
The country’s growth history has been shaped by textile exports, regional integration, infrastructure projects, and migrant remittances.
3. Lesotho GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +1.1% | -0.3 pp |
| 2025 | +1.4% | -3.5 pp |
| 2024 | +4.9% | +2.4 pp |
| 2023 | +2.5% | +0.9 pp |
| 2022 | +1.6% | -3.0 pp |
| 2021 | +4.6% | +13.2 pp |
| 2020 | -8.6% | -6.8 pp |
| 2019 | -1.8% | -0.5 pp |
| 2018 | -1.3% | +2.0 pp |
| 2017 | -3.3% | -5.6 pp |
| 2016 | +2.3% | -1.3 pp |
| 2015 | +3.6% | +2.1 pp |
| 2014 | +1.5% | +0.3 pp |
| 2013 | +1.2% | -3.5 pp |
| 2012 | +4.7% | -1.6 pp |
| 2011 | +6.3% | +1.2 pp |
| 2010 | +5.1% | +4.6 pp |
| 2009 | +0.5% | -2.2 pp |
| 2008 | +2.7% | -2.3 pp |
| 2007 | +5.0% | +0.8 pp |
| 2006 | +4.2% | +0.9 pp |
| 2005 | +3.3% | +1.2 pp |
| 2004 | +2.1% | -2.1 pp |
| 2003 | +4.2% | +1.8 pp |
| 2002 | +2.4% | -0.9 pp |
| 2001 | +3.3% | -0.7 pp |
| 2000 | +4.0% | +2.6 pp |
| 1999 | +1.4% | +0.1 pp |
| 1998 | +1.3% | -2.0 pp |
| 1997 | +3.3% | -1.5 pp |
| 1996 | +4.8% | +0.7 pp |
| 1995 | +4.1% | -1.1 pp |
| 1994 | +5.2% | +1.2 pp |
| 1993 | +4.0% | -2.1 pp |
| 1992 | +6.1% | -1.4 pp |
| 1991 | +7.5% | +1.1 pp |
| 1990 | +6.4% | +0.4 pp |
| 1989 | +6.0% | -1.9 pp |
| 1988 | +7.9% | +5.2 pp |
| 1987 | +2.7% | -1.1 pp |
| 1986 | +3.8% | +0.8 pp |
| 1985 | +3.0% | -1.8 pp |
| 1984 | +4.8% | +1.8 pp |
| 1983 | +3.0% | -2.6 pp |
| 1982 | +5.6% | +2.5 pp |
| 1981 | +3.1% | +3.9 pp |
| 1980 | -0.8% | — |
4. Lesotho GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+1.1%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+2.3%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+0.1%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+1.7%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from export manufacturing and close economic links with South Africa, but high unemployment and a narrow production base limit stronger growth.
5. Lesotho GDP Growth Rate vs Africa and World
Lesotho
+1.1%
Africa Average
+4.1%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
2.1%
4.1%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Lesotho’s GDP growth rate is approximately
3.0 pp
below the
Africa average
and
1.7 pp
below the world average.
6. Lesotho GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #46 | Malawi | +2.2% |
| #47 | Senegal | +2.2% |
| #48 | Tunisia | +2.1% |
| #49 | Seychelles | +1.5% |
| #50 | Lesotho | +1.1% |
| #51 | South Africa | +1.1% |
| #52 | Sudan | +0.7% |
| #53 | Mozambique | +0.5% |
| #54 | Equatorial Guinea | -2.7% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Lesotho
Lesotho GDP (Nominal)
$3.0 Billion
(2026)
Lesotho GDP Growth Rate
+1.1%
(2026)
Lesotho’s performance is closely tied to South African demand and regional revenue flows, making it more externally dependent than many larger economies.
Explore more:
Lesotho GDP
9. Lesotho GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on manufacturing, infrastructure, remittances, public finances, and regional demand. Unemployment and fiscal pressures remain important risks.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +0.8% | -0.3 pp |
| 2028 | +1.4% | +0.6 pp |
| 2029 | +1.5% | +0.1 pp |
| 2030 | +1.5% | 0.0 pp |
10. Lesotho GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Lesotho GDP growth rate is estimated at +1.1% in 2026.
It ranks #165 globally and #50 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate slowed by 0.3 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +2.3%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +0.1%.
The current rate is 3.0 percentage points below the Africa average.
The current rate is 1.7 percentage points below the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +1.5% in 2030, 0.4 percentage points above the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. Lesotho GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Lesotho GDP growth rate is estimated at +1.1% in 2026.
Lesotho ranks #165 globally and #50 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +1.1% in 2026.
Lesotho GDP growth rate was +3.6% in 2015.
Lesotho GDP growth rate is 3.0 percentage points below the Africa average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.