Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Lesotho

Lesotho: Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) was 43.7% in 2024. ▼ Falling

Latest (2024)
43.7%
World rank
7th
of 157 countries
All-time high
53.6%
in 2008
All-time low
38.1%
in 2019
Years of data
5
1999–2024

Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Lesotho, 1999–2024

02040601999201120241999: 43.42008: 53.62013: 41.92019: 38.12024: 43.7

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

Lesotho recorded 43.7% for unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in 2024.

That represents a change of up 4.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Lesotho peaked at 53.6% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 38.1%, in 2019.

Lesotho ranks 7th of 157 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Lesotho, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in Lesotho, 1999 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1999 43.4%
2008 53.6% +23.4%
2013 41.9% -21.8%
2019 38.1% -9.0%
2024 43.7% +14.6%

Lesotho compared with similar countries

  • Lesotho's 43.7% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 11.5%, 3.8× the median. (32 countries reporting)
  • Lesotho's 43.7% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 11.5%, 3.8× the median. (26 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 43.4% 43.4% 43.4% 1
2000s 53.6% 53.6% 53.6% 1
2010s 40.0% 38.1% 41.9% 2
2020s 43.7% 43.7% 43.7% 1

Countries ranked near Lesotho

  1. 4 Botswana 49.0% compare
  2. 5 Algeria 45.5% compare
  3. 6 Morocco 44.4% compare
  4. 8 Syrian Arab Republic 43.5% compare
  5. 9 Suriname 39.9% compare
  6. 10 Namibia 38.5% compare

See the full ranking of 178 places →

More work & labour data for Lesotho

All data for Lesotho →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Lesotho?
Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Lesotho was 43.7% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Lesotho?
The highest recorded value was 53.6% in 2008.
What is the lowest unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Lesotho?
The lowest recorded value was 38.1% in 2019.
How does Lesotho rank for unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24)?
Lesotho ranks 7th out of 157 countries with data for 2024.
Is unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Lesotho?
Over the last ten years it is up 4.3%. 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, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) in Lesotho. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 17 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-youth-female-percent-of-female-labor-force-ages-15-24-national-estimate/lesotho/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, youth female (% of female labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
178 places, 4,080 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.