Gross domestic product (GDP), per square kilometre in Lesotho
Lesotho: Gross domestic product (GDP), per square kilometre was 176,341 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre in 2023. ▲ Rising
Latest (2023)
176,341 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre
Change on year
up 2.2%
World rank
159th
of 181 countries
All-time high
251,108 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre
in 2015
All-time low
30,820 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre
in 1961
Years of data
63
1961–2023
Gross domestic product (GDP), per square kilometre in Lesotho, 1961–2023
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre.
Analysis
In 2023, gross domestic product (gdp), per square kilometre in Lesotho stood at 176,341 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre.
That represents a change of up 2.2% on the previous year and down 19.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross domestic product (gdp), per square kilometre in Lesotho peaked at 251,108 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre in 2015 and was at its lowest, 30,820 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre, in 1961.
That places Lesotho 159th out of 181 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 63 years of available data.
Gross domestic product (GDP), per square kilometre in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 30,820 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | — |
| 1962 | 35,574 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +15.4% |
| 1963 | 39,848 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +12.0% |
| 1964 | 42,856 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +7.6% |
| 1965 | 43,818 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +2.2% |
| 1966 | 46,591 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +6.3% |
| 1967 | 50,212 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +7.8% |
| 1968 | 50,367 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +0.3% |
| 1969 | 50,475 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +0.2% |
| 1970 | 52,900 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +4.8% |
| 1971 | 49,568 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -6.3% |
| 1972 | 61,032 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +23.1% |
| 1973 | 75,490 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +23.7% |
| 1974 | 81,344 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +7.8% |
| 1975 | 80,912 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -0.5% |
| 1976 | 94,963 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +17.4% |
| 1977 | 104,975 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +10.5% |
| 1978 | 117,165 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +11.6% |
| 1979 | 109,095 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -6.9% |
| 1980 | 99,481 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -8.8% |
| 1981 | 103,455 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +4.0% |
| 1982 | 108,095 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +4.5% |
| 1983 | 105,567 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -2.3% |
| 1984 | 108,744 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +3.0% |
| 1985 | 111,115 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +2.2% |
| 1986 | 109,067 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -1.8% |
| 1987 | 115,551 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +5.9% |
| 1988 | 131,528 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +13.8% |
| 1989 | 142,826 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +8.6% |
| 1990 | 147,054 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +3.0% |
| 1991 | 151,520 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +3.0% |
| 1992 | 150,175 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -0.9% |
| 1993 | 166,015 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +10.5% |
| 1994 | 165,299 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -0.4% |
| 1995 | 173,867 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +5.2% |
| 1996 | 191,131 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +9.9% |
| 1997 | 197,009 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +3.1% |
| 1998 | 172,392 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -12.5% |
| 1999 | 175,291 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 179,118 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +2.2% |
| 2001 | 190,526 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +6.4% |
| 2002 | 192,798 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 194,093 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +0.7% |
| 2004 | 193,488 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 198,144 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +2.4% |
| 2006 | 202,174 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +2.0% |
| 2007 | 206,995 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +2.4% |
| 2008 | 223,030 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +7.7% |
| 2009 | 211,650 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -5.1% |
| 2010 | 193,073 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -8.8% |
| 2011 | 196,847 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +2.0% |
| 2012 | 215,396 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +9.4% |
| 2013 | 217,667 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +1.1% |
| 2014 | 233,802 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +7.4% |
| 2015 | 251,108 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +7.4% |
| 2016 | 239,579 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -4.6% |
| 2017 | 229,355 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -4.3% |
| 2018 | 210,997 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -8.0% |
| 2019 | 196,971 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -6.6% |
| 2020 | 177,093 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -10.1% |
| 2021 | 170,102 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | -3.9% |
| 2022 | 172,593 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 176,341 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | +2.2% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 176,341 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 518,138 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre, 34% of the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 176,341 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 260,327 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre, 68% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 43,396 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 30,820 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 50,475 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 9 |
| 1970s | 82,745 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 49,568 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 117,165 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 10 |
| 1980s | 113,543 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 99,481 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 142,826 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 10 |
| 1990s | 168,975 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 147,054 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 197,009 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 10 |
| 2000s | 199,202 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 179,118 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 223,030 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 10 |
| 2010s | 218,480 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 193,073 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 251,108 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 10 |
| 2020s | 174,032 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 170,102 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 177,093 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre | 4 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 156 Gabon 190,183 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre compare
- 157 Guinea-Bissau 186,745 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre compare
- 158 Angola 182,214 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre compare
- 160 Guyana 170,186 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre compare
- 161 Zimbabwe 130,647 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre compare
- 162 Congo 112,673 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre compare
More economy & growth data for Lesotho
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 0 BoP, current US$ (1989)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (1989)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 0 BoP, current US$ per person (1989)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled -5.77 million BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 54.09 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0022 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -2.44 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 18 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), per unit of GDP 0.4215 includes gold, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), per capita 431.19 includes gold, current US$ per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross domestic product (gdp), per square kilometre in Lesotho?
- Gross domestic product (gdp), per square kilometre in Lesotho was 176,341 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre in 2023, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest gross domestic product (gdp), per square kilometre recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 251,108 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre in 2015.
- What is the lowest gross domestic product (gdp), per square kilometre recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 30,820 international-$ in 2021 prices per square kilometre in 1961.
- How does Lesotho rank for gross domestic product (gdp), per square kilometre?
- Lesotho ranks 159th out of 181 countries with data for 2023.
- Is gross domestic product (gdp), per square kilometre rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Gross domestic product (GDP), per square kilometre. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 63 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
Gross domestic product (GDP) divided by Land area (sq. km), matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.
Gross domestic product (GDP) ÷ Land area (sq. km)
Computed from
- Gross domestic product (GDP) Feenstra et al. – Penn World Table (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data
- Land area FAOSTAT, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
Gross domestic product (GDP) divided by Land area (sq. km), matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.