Lesotho GDP Per Capita (2026)
Lesotho has a small Southern African economy supported by textiles, agriculture, construction, services, remittances, and close economic links with South Africa. GDP per capita provides a useful measure of how national economic production compares with population and helps place the country’s economic activity into a per-person context. Explore Lesotho’s latest GDP per capita data, historical trends, growth patterns, and economic comparisons below.
GDP Per Capita 2026
$1,241
Est. in USD
World Rank
#175
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+2.9%
+$35
Africa Rank
#38
Out of 54 countries
1. Lesotho GDP Per Capita in 2026
Lesotho’s GDP per capita reflects economic output generated for each resident across textiles, agriculture, services, construction, and trade. Remittances and regional economic links also contribute significantly to household and business activity. Adjusting total GDP for population provides a standardized measure that helps compare Lesotho with economies of different sizes.
2. Lesotho GDP Per Capita Growth (1980–2026)
3. Lesotho GDP Per Capita (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Per Capita (USD) | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1,241 | +2.9% |
| 2025 | $1,206 | +12.2% |
| 2024 | $1,075 | +11.6% |
| 2023 | $963 | -3.2% |
| 2022 | $995 | -7.9% |
| 2021 | $1,080 | +15.4% |
| 2020 | $936 | -11.0% |
| 2019 | $1,052 | -7.1% |
| 2018 | $1,132 | +0.7% |
| 2017 | $1,124 | +8.5% |
| 2016 | $1,036 | -1.0% |
| 2015 | $1,046 | -12.2% |
| 2014 | $1,191 | +4.5% |
| 2013 | $1,140 | -5.9% |
| 2012 | $1,212 | -5.0% |
| 2011 | $1,276 | +8.1% |
| 2010 | $1,180 | +20.7% |
| 2009 | $978 | +16.4% |
| 2008 | $840 | -6.7% |
| 2007 | $900 | +1.8% |
| 2006 | $884 | -0.2% |
| 2005 | $886 | +9.2% |
| 2004 | $811 | +28.1% |
| 2003 | $633 | +47.6% |
| 2002 | $429 | +10.9% |
| 2001 | $387 | -15.9% |
| 2000 | $460 | -1.7% |
| 1999 | $468 | -1.5% |
| 1998 | $475 | -8.1% |
| 1997 | $517 | +4.4% |
| 1996 | $495 | -6.4% |
| 1995 | $529 | +11.6% |
| 1994 | $474 | +4.2% |
| 1993 | $455 | -1.1% |
| 1992 | $460 | +14.1% |
| 1991 | $403 | +14.8% |
| 1990 | $351 | +20.2% |
| 1989 | $292 | +2.5% |
| 1988 | $285 | +11.8% |
| 1987 | $255 | +28.1% |
| 1986 | $199 | +12.4% |
| 1985 | $177 | -22.4% |
| 1984 | $228 | -12.6% |
| 1983 | $261 | +7.4% |
| 1982 | $243 | -18.7% |
| 1981 | $299 | -1.3% |
| 1980 | $303 | — |
4. Lesotho GDP Per Capita Growth
1-Year Change
+2.9%
(2025 to 2026)
5-Year Change
+14.9%
(2021 to 2026)
10-Year Change
+19.8%
(2016 to 2026)
20-Year Change
+40.4%
(2006 to 2026)
Lesotho’s GDP per capita can be influenced by textile exports, remittances, agricultural conditions, inflation, investment, population trends, and economic developments in South Africa. External demand can have a noticeable effect on annual performance. Historical data helps show how output per resident has evolved across periods of expansion and adjustment.
5. Lesotho GDP Per Capita vs Africa and World
Lesotho
$1,241
Africa Average
$3,302
World Average
$25,179
$0
$12,590
$25,179
USD
Lesotho’s GDP per capita is approximately
62.4%
below the
Africa average
and
95.1%
below the world average.
6. Lesotho GDP Per Capita Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Per Capita (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| #35 | Burkina Faso | $1,319 |
| #36 | Chad | $1,315 |
| #37 | Mali | $1,301 |
| #38 | Lesotho | $1,241 |
| #39 | Rwanda | $1,198 |
| #40 | DR Congo | $1,122 |
| #41 | Ethiopia | $1,081 |
7. GDP vs GDP Per Capita in Lesotho
Lesotho GDP (Nominal)
$3.0 Billion
(2026)
Lesotho GDP Per Capita
$1,241
(2026)
Lesotho’s total GDP measures the complete scale of economic activity generated across the country, while GDP per capita divides that output by population. Total GDP shows overall economic size, whereas GDP per capita provides a population-adjusted measure of production per resident. Both indicators together offer a more balanced view of national economic performance.
Explore more:
Lesotho GDP
8. Lesotho GDP Per Capita Forecast
| Year | GDP Per Capita (USD) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $1,278 | +3.0% |
| 2028 | $1,321 | +3.4% |
| 2029 | $1,367 | +3.5% |
| 2030 | $1,416 | +3.6% |
Lesotho GDP per capita is projected to reach $1,416 by 2030, representing a 14.1% increase from the 2026 level.
9. Lesotho GDP Per Capita: Key Findings
Lesotho GDP per capita is estimated at $1,241 in 2026.
It ranks #175 globally and #38 in Africa.
GDP per capita increased by 2.9% compared with 2025.
Over the last 5 years, GDP per capita grew by 14.9%.
Over the last 10 years, GDP per capita grew by 19.8%.
It is approximately 62.4% below the Africa average.
It is approximately 95.1% below the world average.
The forecast reaches $1,416 by 2030, 14.1% above the 2026 level.
10. What Is GDP Per Capita?
GDP per capita is the total economic output of a country divided by its population.
GDP Per Capita
=
GDP
÷
Population
It helps measure the average economic output per person and is widely used to compare economic performance across countries. Higher values generally indicate greater economic output per resident.
11. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Sources:
World Bank,
United Nations
Population Source:
UN Population Division
Currency:
Current USD (Nominal)
Update Frequency:
Annually
Last Updated:
September 2026
12. Lesotho GDP Per Capita FAQs
Lesotho GDP per capita is estimated at $1,241 in 2026.
Lesotho ranks #175 globally and #38 in Africa by GDP per capita.
Yes. GDP per capita increased by approximately 2.9% compared with 2025.
Lesotho GDP per capita was approximately $1,046 in 2015.
Lesotho GDP per capita is approximately 62.4% below the Africa average.
14. Explore GDP Per Capita
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.