Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Lesotho
Lesotho: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 18.7% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Lesotho, 1986–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Lesotho recorded 18.7% for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 23.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Lesotho peaked at 37.9% in 1997 and was at its lowest, 16.9%, in 2019.
Lesotho ranks 8th of 187 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | Value | 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% |
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 work & labour data for Lesotho
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.1902 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.1964 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.1849 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.293 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.37 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 1,485 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1,719 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 1,674 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 1,586 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 3,259 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Lesotho?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Lesotho was 18.7% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 37.9% in 1997.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.9% in 2019.
- How does Lesotho rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Lesotho ranks 8th out of 187 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) 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 database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.