Lesotho
Lesotho is a landlocked country in Southern Africa with about 2.36 million people, and its capital is Maseru. Its system of government is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The main languages are English and Southern Sotho, and the currency is the Lesotho Loti.
It covers 30,355 km², making it the 138th largest of the 197 countries here, and ranks 143rd by population. That works out at 78 per km², 110th in the world for density. Lesotho shares land borders with 1 country: South Africa.
- Capital
- Maseru
- Government
- Parliamentary constitutional monarchy
- Population
- 2,363,325143rd of 197, 2025
- Area
- 30,355 km²138th of 197
- Density
- 78 per km²
- Continent
- AfricaSouthern Africa
- Languages
- English, Southern Sotho
- Currency
- Lesotho Loti (LSL), South African Rand (ZAR)
- GDP
- $2.57 billion171st of 193, 2025
- GDP per person
- $1,089175th of 193, 2025
- Life expectancy
- 57.8 years2025 figure
- Urban population
- 44.7%2025 figure
- Highest point
- Thabana Ntlenyana, 3,482 m
- Coastline
- None (landlocked)
- Drives on the
- left
- Calling code
- +266
How Lesotho ranks
| Measure | World | Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143rd of 197 | 45th of 54 |
| Area | 138th of 197 | 43rd of 54 |
| Population density | 110th of 197 | 23rd of 54 |
| GDP | 171st of 193 | 49th of 54 |
| GDP per person | 175th of 193 | 39th of 54 |
| Life expectancy | 190th of 194 | 50th of 54 |
| Urban population | 141st of 194 | 30th of 54 |
| Land borders | 141st of 197 | 47th of 54 |
Neighbouring countries
Similar in population
- Moldova2.36 million
- Albania2.35 million
- Guinea-Bissau2.25 million