Lesotho
Lesotho is home to 2.4m people (2025) and has an economy of $2.6bn (2025), the 14th largest in SADC. Output per person of $1,089 is below the regional median of $2,539. The economy grew 2.0% in 2025, and the IMF expects 1.1% in 2026. Inflation was 4.3% in 2025, above the regional median of 3.6%. 60.6% of people have electricity (2024).
Where Lesotho stands out
- Trade opennessMore open economies tend to have deeper supply chains and fewer barriers for foreign firms.2nd highest of 16 in SADC. Select for the data card.2nd highest of 16 in SADC
- Renewables share of electricityMatters for exporters facing carbon border taxes, for firms with net-zero targets and for green finance eligibility.2nd highest of 16 in SADC. Select for the data card.2nd highest of 16 in SADC
- Mobile money accountIn much of the region mobile money, not banks, is how people pay, save and receive money.2nd highest of 14 in SADC. Select for the data card.2nd highest of 14 in SADC
What to watch
- Electricity generation per personA better guide to how much power an economy actually has than the access rate.Lowest of 16 in SADC. Select for the data card.Lowest of 16 in SADC
- Life expectancy at birthA broad measure of health and living standards, and of the healthcare market.Lowest of 16 in SADC. Select for the data card.Lowest of 16 in SADC
- Labour force participationIndicates how much of the population is economically active.4th lowest of 15 in SADC. Select for the data card.4th lowest of 15 in SADC
Lesotho scores best on digital, finance and weakest on market size
Scores from 0 to 100 by rank within SADC, against the SADC median. 100 means best in the region on that pillar.
The IMF expects Lesotho to grow 1.1% in 2026
Real GDP growth, per cent a year. Open bars are IMF forecasts.
Ten years of history are free with a Reader account.
Farming employs 31% of workers but produces 6% of output
Share of jobs in each broad sector against its share of GDP, latest year. A sector with far more jobs than output has low productivity and room to grow.
Key figures
The bar under each figure places it among the 16 countries of SADC, lowest on the left. Hover for context; select for the data card.Lesotho on the map
Its 10 districts and 78 constituencies, shaded by population, power, water, transport and more; circles sized by value; or power lines, roads and masts on a street map.
How Lesotho generates electricity
Share of electricity generation by source, latest year.
No electricity data for Lesotho.
The history of the power mix is part of the Individual plan
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Trends against SADC
Lesotho in olive, the regional median in grey, other countries faint.Ten years of history for every indicator is free with a Reader account
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Politics, parliament and elections
Compare all countriesKing Letsie III is head of state with ceremonial powers; the Prime Minister, who commands a majority in the National Assembly, heads the government. No party has won a majority on its own since 2012, and coalitions have repeatedly collapsed before the end of their term. Sam Matekane's Revolution for Prosperity, founded months before the 2022 election, won 57 of 120 seats and governs in coalition.
- King
- Letsie III, since 7 Feb 1996
- Prime Minister
- Sam Matekane (RFP), since 28 Oct 2022
- How the executive is chosen
- The Prime Minister is the leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the National Assembly, appointed by the King
- Term and limits
- Five-year parliament; no limit on prime ministerial terms
- Governing
- Coalition government led by the RFP: RFP, BAP, AD, MEC, LCD, LPC, HOPE
- In power since
- RFP, 2022 (4 years)Governments have changed hands at the 2012
- Next national election
- 2027 (general)
- Electoral body
- Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
The Coalition government led by the RFP holds 76 of 120 seats
National Assembly, seats as of September 2026. MMP; 5-year term
- RFP57
- BAP6
- AD4
- MEC4
- LCD3
- Other governing parties2
- DC26
- ABC8
- SR2
- BNP2
- Other opposition parties6
- How seats are filled
- 80 members are elected in constituencies by first past the post and 40 by compensatory party-list proportional representation.
- Powers
- Passes laws and the budget and chooses the Prime Minister; a no-confidence vote can change the government between elections.
- Special majority
- Two thirds of members are needed for most constitutional amendments (some also need a referendum). The governing side does not have it.
- Elections
- Last 7 Oct 2022; next 2027
The Coalition government led by the RFP holds 0 of 33 seats, short of a majority
Senate. Appointed; 5-year term
- CHF33
- How seats are filled
- Not elected. The 22 principal chiefs sit by right; 11 senators are nominated by the King on the advice of the Council of State.
- Powers
- Reviews and can delay bills; it cannot block money bills.
What the record shows
- Power has changed hands through the ballot box in 1993, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2022; RFP has governed since 2022.
- The largest party changed from DC in 2015 to RFP in 2022, with 38.9% of the vote.
- The governing side holds 76 of 120 seats in the National Assembly; it would need 80 to change the Constitution without opposition votes.
- Turnout was 38% in 2022, down from 72% in 1993.
- V-Dem's clean elections score is 78 out of 100, up from 68 in 2015.
The largest party won 39% of the parliamentary vote in 2022, against 75% in 1993
Every lower-house election since 1990: the largest party's share of the vote and of the seats, and turnout of registered voters. Open circles mark a change of government.
Every national election
| Date | Election | Result | Turnout | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Oct 2022 | National Assembly | National Assembly, 2022RFP38.9%, 57 seatsDC24.8%, 29 seatsABC7.3%, 8 seatsRFP 38.9%, 57 seats; DC 24.8%, 29 seats | 37.8% | Change of power |
| 3 Jun 2017 | Parliament | Parliament, 2017ABC40.5%, 48 seatsDC25.8%, 30 seatsLCD9.0%, 11 seatsABC 40.5%, 48 seats; DC 25.8%, 30 seats | 46.4% | Change of power V-Dem |
| 28 Feb 2015 | Parliament | Parliament, 2015DC38.4%, 47 seatsABC37.7%, 46 seatsLCD9.9%, 12 seatsDC 38.4%, 47 seats; ABC 37.7%, 46 seats | 46.6% | Change of power V-Dem |
| 26 May 2012 | Parliament | Parliament, 2012DC39.6%, 48 seatsABC25.2%, 30 seatsLCD22.0%, 26 seatsDC 39.6%, 48 seats; ABC 25.2%, 30 seats | 50.0% | Change of power V-Dem |
| 17 Feb 2007 | Parliament | LCD 61 seats; NIP 21 seats | 49.0% | V-Dem |
| 25 May 2002 | Parliament | Parliament, 2002LCD54.9%, 77 seatsBNP22.4%, 21 seatsLPC5.8%, 5 seatsLCD 54.9%, 77 seats; BNP 22.4%, 21 seats | 66.7% | V-Dem |
Checked 30 Sept 2026. Not yet recorded: Current seats reflect floor crossings and coalition changes after 2022 as shown by Wikipedia; not checked against the Assembly's own roll.
Election calendar
All electionsHover a vote for its result and what it means.
- 2027Lesotho: General electionFive-year cycle; exact date not yet set. Coalition stability and the long-delayed constitutional reforms are the issues to watch.Sources: NDI elections calendarExpected
- 7 Oct 2022HeldGeneral electionWon by Sam MatekaneLesotho: General electionResult: Sam Matekane’s new Revolution for Prosperity party won the most seats and formed a coalition government.No analysis written for this vote yet.Sources: Wikipedia
Deals and projects
Every deal in LesothoNo deals in Lesotho among the latest headlines.
Individual Every deal record with its parties, value, stage and sources.
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