Lesotho
At a glance
- Official languages
- English, Sesotho
- Currency
- Loti (LSL)
- Government
- Constitutional monarchy
- Legislature
- Parliament of Lesotho
- Demonym
- Basotho
- Time zone
- UTC+02:00
- Driving side
- Left
- Calling code
- +266
- Internet TLD
- .ls
- ISO 3166
- LS
- Established
- 1966
- Highest point
- Thabana Ntlenyana (3,482 m (11,424 ft))
- National anthem
- Lesotho Fatse La Bontata Rona
Facts via Wikidata.
Economy and developmentLower middle income
Ranks are among sovereign countries with data; ★ marks a top-5% finish. Sources: World Bank Open Data and Our World in Data (UNDP, UN, V-Dem; CC BY 4.0). Each figure is the most recent year available.
Alliances & Organisations3 full memberships
Political & Economic
Regional
Full memberDashed border = Candidate / ApplicantItalic = Dialogue / Observer
Leadership History13 leaders · click to expand
Sam Matekane✦ Current
2022–PresentPrime Minister
Moeketsi Majoro
2020–2022Prime Minister
Tom Thabane
2017–2020Prime Minister
Pakalitha Mosisili
2015–2017Prime Minister
Tom Thabane
2012–2015Prime Minister
Pakalitha Mosisili
1998–2012Prime Minister
👑 Letsie III
1996–—King
👑 Moshoeshoe II
1995–1996King
Ntsu Mokhehle
1993–1998Prime Minister
👑 Letsie III
1990–1995King
👑 Moshoeshoe II
1966–1990King
Leabua Jonathan
1965–1986Prime Minister
Sekhonyana Nehemia Maseribane
1965–1965Prime Minister
| Name | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Matekane✦ Current | Prime Minister | 2022–Present |
| Moeketsi Majoro | Prime Minister | 2020–2022 |
| Tom Thabane | Prime Minister | 2017–2020 |
| Pakalitha Mosisili | Prime Minister | 2015–2017 |
| Tom Thabane | Prime Minister | 2012–2015 |
| Pakalitha Mosisili | Prime Minister | 1998–2012 |
| 👑 Letsie III | King | 1996–— |
| 👑 Moshoeshoe II | King | 1995–1996 |
| Ntsu Mokhehle | Prime Minister | 1993–1998 |
| 👑 Letsie III | King | 1990–1995 |
| 👑 Moshoeshoe II | King | 1966–1990 |
| Leabua Jonathan | Prime Minister | 1965–1986 |
| Sekhonyana Nehemia Maseribane | Prime Minister | 1965–1965 |
Power over timeThe Power Atlas →
The powerline is the headline share of world power, running from the state’s first ranked year (benchmark estimates with wide error bars before 1816). Latent power is material mass a state could mobilise (population, manpower, heavy industry). Recognised power is what the system actually treats it as (military spending, productive economy, reach, and status such as a Security Council seat or nuclear arsenal). When latent runs above recognised, a power is rising or under-rated; when recognised runs higher, it is punching above its weight or coasting on prestige. Material sub-indices run 1816 through 2016.
National Teams
Lesotho on the international stage. Click a card for the full record.
Districts
10 entries listed under Lesotho. Click any to see its metros and footprint.
Lesotho metro footprint
2 metrosPolygons shaded by composite tier. Hover for rank, click to open the metro page. Boundaries derived from Overture Maps administrative divisions; metros without source coverage are omitted.
2 tracked metros
| Rank | Metro | State | Population | Score | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1962 | Maseru★ Capital▲ Largest | Maseru | 586K | 0.4 | Local Metro |
| #3307 | Mafeteng | Mafeteng | 166K | 0.1 | Local Metro |