Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP) in Lesotho
Lesotho: Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP) was 12.1% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP) in Lesotho, 1964–2024
Source: National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
In 2024, share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) in Lesotho stood at 12.1%.
That represents a change of down 14.1% on the previous year and down 1.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) in Lesotho peaked at 24.6% in 2002 and was at its lowest, 0.8%, in 1965.
Lesotho ranks 79th of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP) in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | 0.8% | — |
| 1965 | 0.8% | -5.4% |
| 1966 | 2.0% | +158.1% |
| 1967 | 3.5% | +79.4% |
| 1968 | 3.9% | +9.3% |
| 1969 | 3.8% | -1.4% |
| 1970 | 4.3% | +12.0% |
| 1971 | 4.4% | +2.6% |
| 1972 | 4.5% | +2.6% |
| 1973 | 4.6% | +3.0% |
| 1974 | 4.7% | +1.0% |
| 1975 | 5.1% | +8.1% |
| 1976 | 4.8% | -4.6% |
| 1977 | 4.3% | -11.3% |
| 1978 | 4.4% | +1.7% |
| 1979 | 7.8% | +78.1% |
| 1980 | 7.7% | -1.0% |
| 1981 | 8.3% | +7.9% |
| 1982 | 5.3% | -36.1% |
| 1983 | 7.2% | +35.9% |
| 1984 | 8.2% | +13.5% |
| 1985 | 6.1% | -24.9% |
| 1986 | 7.9% | +29.2% |
| 1987 | 7.8% | -1.1% |
| 1988 | 9.6% | +22.3% |
| 1989 | 9.6% | +0.2% |
| 1990 | 9.5% | -0.7% |
| 1991 | 8.6% | -9.7% |
| 1992 | 8.7% | +1.7% |
| 1993 | 9.5% | +8.8% |
| 1994 | 8.9% | -6.9% |
| 1995 | 9.0% | +1.0% |
| 1996 | 8.9% | -0.8% |
| 1997 | 10.2% | +14.9% |
| 1998 | 10.9% | +7.1% |
| 1999 | 11.1% | +1.8% |
| 2000 | 13.6% | +22.5% |
| 2001 | 20.5% | +50.6% |
| 2002 | 24.6% | +19.7% |
| 2003 | 22.7% | -7.7% |
| 2004 | 23.0% | +1.6% |
| 2005 | 20.0% | -13.2% |
| 2006 | 21.8% | +9.2% |
| 2007 | 22.2% | +1.9% |
| 2008 | 21.2% | -4.5% |
| 2009 | 17.5% | -17.5% |
| 2010 | 13.1% | -25.3% |
| 2011 | 12.8% | -2.3% |
| 2012 | 11.5% | -10.4% |
| 2013 | 10.9% | -4.5% |
| 2014 | 12.3% | +12.0% |
| 2015 | 15.1% | +23.5% |
| 2016 | 16.7% | +10.1% |
| 2017 | 15.2% | -8.6% |
| 2018 | 16.6% | +9.2% |
| 2019 | 17.2% | +3.5% |
| 2020 | 16.3% | -5.1% |
| 2021 | 16.5% | +1.2% |
| 2022 | 16.3% | -1.6% |
| 2023 | 14.1% | -13.7% |
| 2024 | 12.1% | -14.1% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 12.1% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 11.4%, 1.1× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 12.1% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8.4%, 1.4× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP) in Lesotho changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | +158.1% | 0.8% | 2.0% |
| 1967 | +79.4% | 2.0% | 3.5% |
| 1979 | +78.1% | 4.4% | 7.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 2.5% | 0.8% | 3.9% | 6 |
| 1970s | 4.9% | 4.3% | 7.8% | 10 |
| 1980s | 7.8% | 5.3% | 9.6% | 10 |
| 1990s | 9.5% | 8.6% | 11.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 20.7% | 13.6% | 24.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 14.1% | 10.9% | 17.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 15.1% | 12.1% | 16.5% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 76 Dominican Republic 12.3% compare
- 77 South Africa 12.3% compare
- 78 Peru 12.2% compare
- 80 Bosnia and Herzegovina 12.0% compare
- 81 Romania 11.8% compare
- 82 Brazil 11.8% compare
More economy & growth data for Lesotho
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, annual growth rate 57.96 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0799 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, per capita 87.06 units per person (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, annual growth rate 50.42 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0584 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, per capita 63.57 units per person (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, US dollar, annual growth rate 4.96 % change on previous year (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0303 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, US dollar, per capita 33.01 units per person (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, SDR, annual growth rate -0.0491 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) in Lesotho?
- Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) in Lesotho was 12.1% in 2024, according to National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 24.6% in 2002.
- What is the lowest share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.8% in 1965.
- How does Lesotho rank for share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp)?
- Lesotho ranks 79th out of 202 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Manufacturing comprises units engaged in the physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products.