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Sheet 94 of 195 · AfricaLSO · 29.4°S 28.4°E

Lesotho

Kingdom of Lesotho

Capital
Maseru
Population
2.36 million 2025
Area
30,355 km²
Neighbours
1
Locator map of LesothoLESOTHOMaseruSOUTH AFRICAIndian Ocean0100 km
Lesotho hatched, Maseru marked with a triangle, land neighbours shaded. Orthographic projection centred on 29.6°S 28.2°E; the scale bar is true at the centre.

Lesotho is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, entirely surrounded by South Africa. With 30,355 km², it is about the size of Belgium and Armenia and ranks 137th of 195 by area.

Its population was 2.36 million in 2025 (World Bank), the 53rd-smallest of the 194 countries with data. Density is 78 people per km². Most people live outside urban areas: the urban share was 44.7% in 2025.

GDP per capita was US$1,089 in 2025 (World Bank, current US$), 175th of 191 and 39th of 52 in Africa. Life expectancy at birth was 57.8 years in 2024; only four countries are lower.

Its main landmass lies entirely in the Southern and Eastern hemispheres. North to south it runs about 229 km, between 30.6°S and 28.6°S. Maseru's antipode is in the North Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 km from the United States, the nearest land.

How it compares Africa: 54 countries

MeasureFigureWorldAfrica
Population2,363,3252025, World Bank142nd of 19445th of 54
Area30,355 km²world-countries137th of 19543rd of 54
GDPUS$2.6 billion2025, World Bank, current US$170th of 19148th of 52
GDP per capitaUS$1,0892025, World Bank, current US$175th of 19139th of 52
Population density78 per km²population 2025, World Bank; area, world-countries107th of 19423rd of 54
Life expectancy57.8 years2024, World Bank190th of 19450th of 54
Urban population44.7%2025, World Bank141st of 19430th of 54
Forest area1.1% of land2024, World Bank180th of 19448th of 54
Population growth+1.10% a year2025, World Bank93rd of 19448th of 54
Internet users51.8%2024, World Bank144th of 18819th of 53
Fertility rate2.66 births per woman2024, World Bank66th of 19446th of 54
Land neighbours1world-countries; among the 195141st of 19547th of 54
 Ranks run from the largest value (1st) among the countries with data; equal values share a rank.

Closest in areaBelgium, Armenia and Solomon Islands

Closest in populationMoldova, Albania and Guinea-Bissau

Neighbours 1 country by land, nearest capital first

Where on Earth main landmass

Hemispheres
Southern and Eastern
Capital
Maseru
29.32°S 27.48°E
Northernmost latitude
28.58°S
Southernmost latitude
30.64°S
Westernmost longitude
27.05°E
Easternmost longitude
29.39°E
North to south
about 229 km
Antipode of Maseru
29.32°N 152.52°W
in the North Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 km from the nearest land (United States)