Africa · Southern Africa
Capital: Maseru
Lesotho
Explore the facts and rankings that shape Lesotho in Country Blitz, from its population and economy to its military, innovation, manufacturing, and neighboring countries.
Country Blitz power profile
Overall rank #159
Lesotho's Country Blitz power profile compares population, GDP, military expenditure, research-and-development spending, and manufacturing output across every playable country. A lower numerical rank represents a stronger position in that category.
Population
2.4M
#142 of 196
28th percentile
2025 · World Bank WDI / UN population sources
View data source ↗GDP (Nominal)
$2.57B
#172 of 196
12th percentile
2025 · World Bank WDI
View data source ↗Military Expenditure
$36.3M
#153 of 196
22nd percentile
2024 · SIPRI via World Bank WDI
View data source ↗R&D Spending
$2.0M
#139 of 196
29th percentile
2023 · UNESCO UIS and World Bank WDI
View data source ↗Manufacturing Output
$288.6M
#156 of 196
21st percentile
2024 · World Bank WDI
View data source ↗Quick facts
- Capital
- Maseru
- Region
- Africa
- Subregion
- Southern Africa
- Country code
- LSO
- Neighbors
- South Africa
Three interesting facts
Lesotho is one of the few countries entirely surrounded by a single other country.
Lesotho spans roughly 30,355 square kilometers, placing it around 137th by area in this factbook.
More than one currency is commonly recognized in Lesotho, including Lesotho Loti and South African Rand.
Geography
Lesotho on the map
Lesotho is located in Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa. Its terrain is mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains. The climate is temperate, cool to cold, dry winters, hot, wet summers. In area, the country is slightly smaller than Maryland.
Economy
Economic profile
Lesotho's economy is characterized by lower middle-income economy surrounded by South Africa, environmentally fragile and politically unstable, key infrastructure and renewable energy investments, dire poverty, urban job and income losses due to COVID-19, systemic corruption. Major industries include food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts, construction, tourism. Important agricultural products include milk, potatoes, maize, vegetables, fruits, sorghum, wheat, game meat, beans, wool (2023). Notable exports include diamonds, garments, wool, power equipment, bedding (2023).
Demographics
People and population
Lesotho has an estimated population of 2,116,427. Languages spoken include Sesotho (official), English (official), Phuthi, Xhosa, Zulu. The population includes Sotho 99.7%, other 0.3% (includes Kwena, Nguni (Hlubi and Phuthi), Zulu). The urban population represents 30.4% of total population (2023).
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Could Lesotho conquer the world?
Start a Country Blitz run as Lesotho and use its real-world strengths to attack neighboring countries, win head-to-head matchups, and expand across the map.