Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Lesotho
Lesotho: Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates was 18.7% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Lesotho, 1986–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Lesotho is 18.7%, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 23.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Lesotho peaked at 37.9% in 1997 and was at its lowest, 16.9%, in 2019.
Lesotho ranks 8th of 185 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 22.9% | — |
| 1997 | 37.9% | +65.8% |
| 1999 | 27.3% | -28.1% |
| 2008 | 35.5% | +30.1% |
| 2013 | 24.6% | -30.7% |
| 2019 | 16.9% | -31.3% |
| 2024 | 18.7% | +10.8% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 18.7% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 5.0%, 3.7× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 18.7% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 5.6%, 3.3× the median. (33 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 22.9% | 22.9% | 22.9% | 1 |
| 1990s | 32.6% | 27.3% | 37.9% | 2 |
| 2000s | 35.5% | 35.5% | 35.5% | 1 |
| 2010s | 20.7% | 16.9% | 24.6% | 2 |
| 2020s | 18.7% | 18.7% | 18.7% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
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 unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Lesotho?
- Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Lesotho was 18.7% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 37.9% in 1997.
- What is the lowest unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.9% in 2019.
- How does Lesotho rank for unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates?
- Lesotho ranks 8th out of 185 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 23.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 7 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of the labor force without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon. Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.