Dietary compositions by commodity group in Lesotho
Lesotho: Dietary compositions by commodity group was 33.55 kilocalories per day per capita in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
33.55 kilocalories per day per capita
Change on year
down 7.6%
World rank
144th
of 192 countries
All-time high
92.78 kilocalories per day per capita
in 2017
All-time low
5.23 kilocalories per day per capita
in 1968
Years of data
63
1961–2023
Dietary compositions by commodity group in Lesotho, 1961–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in kilocalories per day per capita.
Analysis
The most recent figure for dietary compositions by commodity group in Lesotho is 33.55 kilocalories per day per capita, measured in 2023.
The figure is down 7.6% on the previous year and up 56.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, dietary compositions by commodity group in Lesotho peaked at 92.78 kilocalories per day per capita in 2017 and was at its lowest, 5.23 kilocalories per day per capita, in 1968.
Lesotho ranks 144th of 192 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.
Dietary compositions by commodity group in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | kilocalories per day per capita | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 7.99 kilocalories per day per capita | — |
| 1962 | 9.03 kilocalories per day per capita | +13.0% |
| 1963 | 7.81 kilocalories per day per capita | -13.5% |
| 1964 | 6.62 kilocalories per day per capita | -15.2% |
| 1965 | 7.65 kilocalories per day per capita | +15.5% |
| 1966 | 5.4 kilocalories per day per capita | -29.4% |
| 1967 | 6.37 kilocalories per day per capita | +18.1% |
| 1968 | 5.23 kilocalories per day per capita | -18.0% |
| 1969 | 6.17 kilocalories per day per capita | +18.1% |
| 1970 | 7.09 kilocalories per day per capita | +14.9% |
| 1971 | 6.99 kilocalories per day per capita | -1.4% |
| 1972 | 6.88 kilocalories per day per capita | -1.5% |
| 1973 | 6.79 kilocalories per day per capita | -1.3% |
| 1974 | 6.7 kilocalories per day per capita | -1.3% |
| 1975 | 11.36 kilocalories per day per capita | +69.6% |
| 1976 | 11.28 kilocalories per day per capita | -0.7% |
| 1977 | 9.37 kilocalories per day per capita | -16.9% |
| 1978 | 11.22 kilocalories per day per capita | +19.7% |
| 1979 | 13.06 kilocalories per day per capita | +16.4% |
| 1980 | 13.94 kilocalories per day per capita | +6.8% |
| 1981 | 17.6 kilocalories per day per capita | +26.2% |
| 1982 | 17.51 kilocalories per day per capita | -0.5% |
| 1983 | 20.17 kilocalories per day per capita | +15.2% |
| 1984 | 19.12 kilocalories per day per capita | -5.2% |
| 1985 | 16.27 kilocalories per day per capita | -14.9% |
| 1986 | 17.05 kilocalories per day per capita | +4.8% |
| 1987 | 17.85 kilocalories per day per capita | +4.7% |
| 1988 | 17.76 kilocalories per day per capita | -0.5% |
| 1989 | 17.69 kilocalories per day per capita | -0.4% |
| 1990 | 16.78 kilocalories per day per capita | -5.1% |
| 1991 | 16.79 kilocalories per day per capita | +0.1% |
| 1992 | 15.95 kilocalories per day per capita | -5.0% |
| 1993 | 16.02 kilocalories per day per capita | +0.5% |
| 1994 | 15.21 kilocalories per day per capita | -5.1% |
| 1995 | 13.48 kilocalories per day per capita | -11.4% |
| 1996 | 18.94 kilocalories per day per capita | +40.5% |
| 1997 | 15.41 kilocalories per day per capita | -18.6% |
| 1998 | 14.59 kilocalories per day per capita | -5.3% |
| 1999 | 14.7 kilocalories per day per capita | +0.7% |
| 2000 | 13.89 kilocalories per day per capita | -5.5% |
| 2001 | 14.03 kilocalories per day per capita | +1.0% |
| 2002 | 12.29 kilocalories per day per capita | -12.5% |
| 2003 | 11.48 kilocalories per day per capita | -6.6% |
| 2004 | 11.64 kilocalories per day per capita | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 13.81 kilocalories per day per capita | +18.6% |
| 2006 | 13.96 kilocalories per day per capita | +1.1% |
| 2007 | 14.02 kilocalories per day per capita | +0.4% |
| 2008 | 13.04 kilocalories per day per capita | -7.0% |
| 2009 | 13.06 kilocalories per day per capita | +0.2% |
| 2010 | 13.07 kilocalories per day per capita | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 12.83 kilocalories per day per capita | -1.8% |
| 2012 | 12.68 kilocalories per day per capita | -1.2% |
| 2013 | 21.51 kilocalories per day per capita | +69.6% |
| 2014 | 32.01 kilocalories per day per capita | +48.8% |
| 2015 | 30.66 kilocalories per day per capita | -4.2% |
| 2016 | 38.9 kilocalories per day per capita | +26.9% |
| 2017 | 92.78 kilocalories per day per capita | +138.5% |
| 2018 | 42 kilocalories per day per capita | -54.7% |
| 2019 | 38.62 kilocalories per day per capita | -8.0% |
| 2020 | 55.81 kilocalories per day per capita | +44.5% |
| 2021 | 39.83 kilocalories per day per capita | -28.6% |
| 2022 | 36.32 kilocalories per day per capita | -8.8% |
| 2023 | 33.55 kilocalories per day per capita | -7.6% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 33.55 kilocalories per day per capita is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 41.87 kilocalories per day per capita, 80% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 33.55 kilocalories per day per capita is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 28.71 kilocalories per day per capita, 1.2× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Dietary compositions by commodity group 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | +138.5% | 38.9 kilocalories per day per capita | 92.78 kilocalories per day per capita |
| 1975 | +69.6% | 6.7 kilocalories per day per capita | 11.36 kilocalories per day per capita |
| 2013 | +69.6% | 12.68 kilocalories per day per capita | 21.51 kilocalories per day per capita |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 6.92 kilocalories per day per capita | 5.23 kilocalories per day per capita | 9.03 kilocalories per day per capita | 9 |
| 1970s | 9.07 kilocalories per day per capita | 6.7 kilocalories per day per capita | 13.06 kilocalories per day per capita | 10 |
| 1980s | 17.5 kilocalories per day per capita | 13.94 kilocalories per day per capita | 20.17 kilocalories per day per capita | 10 |
| 1990s | 15.79 kilocalories per day per capita | 13.48 kilocalories per day per capita | 18.94 kilocalories per day per capita | 10 |
| 2000s | 13.12 kilocalories per day per capita | 11.48 kilocalories per day per capita | 14.03 kilocalories per day per capita | 10 |
| 2010s | 33.51 kilocalories per day per capita | 12.68 kilocalories per day per capita | 92.78 kilocalories per day per capita | 10 |
| 2020s | 41.38 kilocalories per day per capita | 33.55 kilocalories per day per capita | 55.81 kilocalories per day per capita | 4 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 141 Germany 35.14 kilocalories per day per capita compare
- 142 Ukraine 34.83 kilocalories per day per capita compare
- 143 Sao Tome and Principe 34.71 kilocalories per day per capita compare
- 145 Austria 33.36 kilocalories per day per capita compare
- 146 Togo 32.81 kilocalories per day per capita compare
- 147 Brazil 31.8 kilocalories per day per capita compare
More reference data data for Lesotho
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0331 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.5388 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 0.582 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0101 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 0.582 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.111 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.1115 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 2.48 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 2.77 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0549 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is dietary compositions by commodity group in Lesotho?
- Dietary compositions by commodity group in Lesotho was 33.55 kilocalories per day per capita in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest dietary compositions by commodity group recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 92.78 kilocalories per day per capita in 2017.
- What is the lowest dietary compositions by commodity group recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.23 kilocalories per day per capita in 1968.
- How does Lesotho rank for dietary compositions by commodity group?
- Lesotho ranks 144th out of 192 countries with data for 2023.
- Is dietary compositions by commodity group rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 56.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Dietary compositions by commodity group. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Average per capita dietary energy supply by commodity groups, measured in kilocalories per person per day.