[Lesotho Times] LOCAL musicians can finally celebrate a significant development: their music will now earn royalties from commercial use.

[Lesotho Times] LESOTHO is being challenged to transform its HIV response for sustainability by 2030 and beyond, as declining funding and competing priorities threaten progress.

[Lesotho Times] THE Ministry of Health, through its Department of Pharmaceuticals, has urged the public to use medicines safely and to report any side effects that they may feel after taking medications.

Lesotho's national assembly has passed a motion to ban the importation of bottled water into the country as part of measures to promote the local industry.

[Lesotho Times] Damning revelations have emerged over the "corrupt" recruitment process for 3400 temporary staff at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs, and Police.

Citizens who were stranded in South Africa have started going home, saying they were without jobs, have no food or medicine. ......

A chronology of key events

Key facts, figures and dates

Hours before she was shot dead on the outskirts of the capital, Lesotho's former first lady, Lipolelo Thabane, made a surprising decision.

Lesotho's Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has reiterated his intention to retire by the end of July "or earlier", despite risk of prosecution for his alleged involvement in the 2017 murder of his estranged wife.

Research Event

Event participants

HE Dr Motsoahae Thomas Thabane, Prime Minister of Lesotho
Chair: Ian Lucas MP, Shadow Minister for Africa and the Middle East

There is evidence from both developed and developing countries that antiretroviral treatment significantly reduces mortality in HIV-infected children. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, numerous health system, financial, and human resource obstacles make delivering quality pediatric HIV care a challenge.

We describe the experience of the Baylor International Pediatrics AIDS Initiative in Malawi, Lesotho, and Swaziland. Despite challenges delivering pediatric treatment in these countries, mortality and clinical outcomes approaching those from developed countries are feasible. (Read the full article)

Azerbaijan and the Kingdom of Lesotho have joined the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes. As the 119th and 120th members of the Global Forum, they will participate in the peer review process which encourages all countries to adopt effective exchange of information in tax matters.

IP Addresses in Lesotho decreased to 8088 IP in the first quarter of 2017 from 8572 IP in the fourth quarter of 2016. IP Addresses in Lesotho averaged 9868.28 IP from 2007 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 40838 IP in the third quarter of 2013 and a record low of 254 IP in the third quarter of 2007. This page includes a chart with historical data for LesothoIP Addresses.

Temperature in Lesotho increased to 9.94 celsius in August from 8.82 celsius in July of 2013. Temperature in Lesotho averaged 13.73 celsius from 1857 until 2013, reaching an all time high of 21.52 celsius in January of 1983 and a record low of 4.49 celsius in July of 1884. This page includes a chart with historical data for Lesotho Temperature.

The Personal Income Tax Rate in Lesotho stands at 30 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Lesotho averaged 34.50 percent from 2006 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 35 percent in 2007 and a record low of 30 percent in 2015. Personal Income Tax Rate in Lesotho is reported by the Ministry of Finance. In Lesotho, the Personal Income Tax Rate is a tax collected from individuals and is imposed on different sources of income like labor, pensions, interest and dividends. The benchmark we use refers to the Top Marginal Tax Rate for individuals. Revenues from the Personal Income Tax Rate are an important source of income for the government of Lesotho. This page provides the latest reported value for - Lesotho Personal Income Tax Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Military Expenditure in Lesotho decreased to 48 USD Million in 2018 from 52.60 USD Million in 2017. Military Expenditure in Lesotho averaged 33.45 USD Million from 1976 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 56.60 USD Million in 2010 and a record low of 7.20 USD Million in 1976.

The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Lesotho was last recorded at 2864.90 US dollars in 2018, when adjusted by purchasing power parity (PPP). The GDP per Capita, in Lesotho, when adjusted by Purchasing Power Parity is equivalent to 16 percent of the world's average. GDP per capita PPP in Lesotho averaged 2029.81 USD from 1990 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 2935.50 USD in 2016 and a record low of 1298.60 USD in 1990. The GDP per capita PPP is obtained by dividing the country’s gross domestic product, adjusted by purchasing power parity, by the total population. This page provides - Lesotho GDP per capita PPP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Lesotho scored 42.90 points out of 100 on the 2018 Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum. Competitiveness Index in Lesotho averaged 12.39 Points from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 42.90 Points in 2019 and a record low of 3.19 Points in 2013. The most recent 2018 edition of Global Competitiveness Report assesses 140 economies. The report is made up of 98 variables, from a combination of data from international organizations as well as from the World Economic Forum’s Executive Opinion Survey. The variables are organized into twelve pillars with the most important including: institutions; infrastructure; ICT adoption; macroeconomic stability; health; skills; product market; labour market; financial system; market size; business dynamism; and innovation capability. The GCI varies between 1 and 100, higher average score means higher degree of competitiveness. With the 2018 edition, the World Economic Forum introduced a new methodology, aiming to integrate the notion of the 4th Industrial Revolution into the definition of competitiveness. It emphasizes the role of human capital, innovation, resilience and agility, as not only drivers but also defining features of economic success in the 4th Industrial Revolution. This page provides the latest reported value for - Lesotho Competitiveness Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Lesotho is the 131 most competitive nation in the world out of 140 countries ranked in the 2018 edition of the Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum. Competitiveness Rank in Lesotho averaged 121.92 from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 137 in 2013 and a record low of 101 in 2007. The most recent 2018 edition of Global Competitiveness Report assesses 140 economies. In 2018, the World Economic Forum introduced a new methodology emphasizing the role of human capital, innovation, resilience and agility, as not only drivers but also defining features of economic success in the 4th Industrial Revolution. As a result, the GCI scale changed to 1 to 100 from 1 to 7, with higher average score meaning higher degree of competitiveness. The report is made up of 98 variables organized into twelve pillars with the most important including: institutions; infrastructure; ICT adoption; macroeconomic stability; health; skills; product market; labour market; financial system; market size; business dynamism; and innovation capability. This page provides the latest reported value for - Lesotho Competitiveness Rank - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Lesotho is ranked 122 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business, according to the latest World Bank annual ratings. The rank of Lesotho deteriorated to 122 in 2019 from 106 in 2018. Ease of Doing Business in Lesotho averaged 122.67 from 2008 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 143 in 2011 and a record low of 100 in 2016. The Ease of doing business index ranks countries against each other based on how the regulatory environment is conducive to business operationstronger protections of property rights. Economies with a high rank (1 to 20) have simpler and more friendly regulations for businesses. This page includes a chart with historical data for Ease of Doing Business in Lesotho.

Terrorism Index in Lesotho decreased to 0.10 in 2018 from 0.19 in 2017. Terrorism Index in Lesotho averaged 0.28 from 2002 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 1.47 in 2009 and a record low of 0 in 2003. The Global Terrorism Index measures the direct and indirect impact of terrorism, including its effects on lives lost, injuries, property damage and the psychological aftereffects. It is a composite score that ranks countries according to the impact of terrorism from 0 (no impact) to 10 (highest impact).

The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Lesotho was last recorded at 1401.60 US dollars in 2018. The GDP per Capita in Lesotho is equivalent to 11 percent of the world's average. GDP per capita in Lesotho averaged 711.05 USD from 1960 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 1436.10 USD in 2016 and a record low of 258.90 USD in 1961. The GDP per capita is obtained by dividing the country’s gross domestic product, adjusted by inflation, by the total population. This page provides the latest reported value for - Lesotho GDP per capita - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Lesotho recorded a Current Account deficit of 0.30 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2018. Current Account to GDP in Lesotho averaged -3.96 percent from 1975 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 14.65 percent in 1994 and a record low of -39.67 percent in 1995. The Current account balance as a percent of GDP provides an indication on the level of international competitiveness of a country. Usually, countries recording a strong current account surplus have an economy heavily dependent on exports revenues, with high savings ratings but weak domestic demand. On the other hand, countries recording a current account deficit have strong imports, a low saving rates and high personal consumption rates as a percentage of disposable incomes. This page provides - Lesotho Current Account to GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Deposit Interest Rate in Lesotho decreased to 4.24 percent in November from 4.32 percent in October of 2019. Deposit Interest Rate in Lesotho averaged 4.77 percent from 1981 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 13.34 percent in December of 1995 and a record low of 2.34 percent in February of 2012. The Deposit Interest Rate is the average rate paid by commercial banks to individuals or corporations on deposits. This page includes a chart with historical data for Deposit Interest Rate in Lesotho.

Lesotho scored 40 points out of 100 on the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Corruption Index in Lesotho averaged 38.87 Points from 2005 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 49 Points in 2013 and a record low of 32 Points in 2006. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory’s score indicates the perceived level of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). This page provides the latest reported value for - Lesotho Corruption Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Lesotho is the 85 least corrupt nation out of 175 countries, according to the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Corruption Rank in Lesotho averaged 74.93 from 2005 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 92 in 2008 and a record low of 55 in 2013. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory's rank indicates its position relative to the other countries and territories in the index. This page provides the latest reported value for - Lesotho Corruption Rank - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The Corporate Tax Rate in Lesotho stands at 25 percent. Corporate Tax Rate in Lesotho averaged 26.76 percent from 2004 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 35 percent in 2005 and a record low of 25 percent in 2007. In Lesotho, the Corporate Income tax rate is a tax collected from companies. Its amount is based on the net income companies obtain while exercising their business activity, normally during one business year. The benchmark we use refers to the highest rate for Corporate Income. Revenues from the Corporate Tax Rate are an important source of income for the government of Lesotho. This page provides - Lesotho Corporate Tax Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Unemployment Rate in Lesotho decreased to 23.50 percent in 2019 from 23.60 percent in 2018. Unemployment Rate in Lesotho averaged 31.45 percent from 1991 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 44.16 percent in 1998 and a record low of 22.96 percent in 2000. This page provides the latest reported value for - Lesotho Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Cpi Housing Utilities in Lesotho increased to 126.30 points in January from 126 points in December of 2019. Cpi Housing Utilities in Lesotho averaged 97.57 points from 2009 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 126.30 points in January of 2020 and a record low of 70.70 points in July of 2009. This page provides - Lesotho Cpi Housing Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The transportation sub-index of the CPI basket in Lesotho increased to 110.51 points in January of 2020 from 110.41 points in December of 2019. CPI Transportation in Lesotho averaged 93.04 points from 2009 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 113.73 points in November of 2018 and a record low of 72.59 points in March of 2009. This page provides - Lesotho Cpi Transportation- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Consumer Price Index Cpi in Lesotho increased to 115.98 points in January from 115.39 points in December of 2019. Consumer Price Index Cpi in Lesotho averaged 81.71 points from 2005 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 115.98 points in January of 2020 and a record low of 50.89 points in January of 2005. This page provides - Lesotho Consumer Price Index Cpi- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp Constant Prices in Lesotho increased to 5510.42 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2019 from 5273.06 LSL Million in the second quarter of 2019. Gdp Constant Prices in Lesotho averaged 5243.31 LSL Million from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 6305.99 LSL Million in the fourth quarter of 2018 and a record low of 3837.30 LSL Million in the first quarter of 2007. This page provides - Lesotho Gdp Constant Prices- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Agriculture in Lesotho decreased to 278.09 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2019 from 286.42 LSL Million in the second quarter of 2019. Gdp From Agriculture in Lesotho averaged 280.38 LSL Million from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 591.03 LSL Million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and a record low of 178.02 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2007. This page provides - Lesotho Gdp From Agriculture- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Construction in Lesotho increased to 365.31 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2019 from 217 LSL Million in the second quarter of 2019. Gdp From Construction in Lesotho averaged 311.43 LSL Million from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 494.04 LSL Million in the second quarter of 2012 and a record low of 173.21 LSL Million in the first quarter of 2008. This page provides - Lesotho Gdp From Construction- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Manufacturing in Lesotho increased to 700.69 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2019 from 657.52 LSL Million in the second quarter of 2019. Gdp From Manufacturing in Lesotho averaged 630.47 LSL Million from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 824.07 LSL Million in the fourth quarter of 2018 and a record low of 481.06 LSL Million in the first quarter of 2012. This page provides - Lesotho Gdp From Manufacturing- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Mining in Lesotho increased to 263.62 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2019 from 230.92 LSL Million in the second quarter of 2019. Gdp From Mining in Lesotho averaged 245.40 LSL Million from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 362.87 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2008 and a record low of 171.04 LSL Million in the fourth quarter of 2009. This page provides - Lesotho Gdp From Mining- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Public Administration in Lesotho decreased to 621.69 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2019 from 624.40 LSL Million in the second quarter of 2019. Gdp From Public Administration in Lesotho averaged 600.24 LSL Million from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 830.12 LSL Million in the first quarter of 2013 and a record low of 409.78 LSL Million in the first quarter of 2007. This page provides - Lesotho Gdp From Public Administration- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Services in Lesotho decreased to 510.53 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2019 from 513.44 LSL Million in the second quarter of 2019. Gdp From Services in Lesotho averaged 610.42 LSL Million from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 908.12 LSL Million in the fourth quarter of 2013 and a record low of 407.10 LSL Million in the first quarter of 2007. This page provides - Lesotho Gdp From Services- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Transport in Lesotho decreased to 121.58 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2019 from 121.85 LSL Million in the second quarter of 2019. Gdp From Transport in Lesotho averaged 132.52 LSL Million from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 172.77 LSL Million in the fourth quarter of 2013 and a record low of 103.13 LSL Million in the first quarter of 2007. This page provides - Lesotho Gdp From Transport- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gdp From Utilities in Lesotho decreased to 244.25 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2019 from 284.30 LSL Million in the second quarter of 2019. Gdp From Utilities in Lesotho averaged 288.26 LSL Million from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 370.36 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2011 and a record low of 168.10 LSL Million in the fourth quarter of 2012. This page provides - Lesotho Gdp From Utilities- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Exports in Lesotho decreased to 3420.90 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2019 from 3917.10 LSL Million in the second quarter of 2019. Exports in Lesotho averaged 1959 LSL Million from 2001 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 4253.73 LSL Million in the fourth quarter of 2018 and a record low of 476.79 LSL Million in the first quarter of 2001. Lesotho main exports are clothing (40 percent of total exports) and diamonds (22 percent). Others include: road vehicles, water, wool and tobacco. Main export partners are: the United States (35 percent) and South Africa (30 percent) followed by Belgium and Canada. This page provides the latest reported value for - Lesotho Exports - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Imports in Lesotho increased to 6655.40 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2019 from 6505.50 LSL Million in the second quarter of 2019. Imports in Lesotho averaged 3802.21 LSL Million from 2001 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 6655.40 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2019 and a record low of 1337.33 LSL Million in the first quarter of 2001. Lesotho main imports are: food, fuel, machinery and building materials. Main import partners are: South Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, United States and South Africa. This page provides the latest reported value for - Lesotho Imports - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Lesotho recorded a trade deficit of 3234.50 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2019. Balance of Trade in Lesotho averaged -1844 LSL Million from 2001 until 2019, reaching an all time high of -746.93 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2006 and a record low of -3384.90 LSL Million in the first quarter of 2015. Lesotho runs systemic trade deficits due to import dependency on fuel, food and capital equipment. The main exports are: clothing (40 percent of total exports), diamonds (22 percent), road vehicles, water and wool. Main trading partner are the United States and South Africa. This page provides the latest reported value for - Lesotho Balance of Trade - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Lesotho recorded a Current Account deficit of 730.40 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2019. Current Account in Lesotho averaged -54.42 LSL Million from 2002 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 1225.42 LSL Million in the third quarter of 2007 and a record low of -1748.23 LSL Million in the first quarter of 2012. Current Account is the sum of the balance of trade (exports minus imports of goods and services), net factor income (such as interest and dividends) and net transfer payments (such as foreign aid). This page provides the latest reported value for - Lesotho Current Account - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Lesotho was worth 2.73 billion US dollars in 2019, according to official data from the World Bank and projections from Trading Economics. The GDP value of Lesotho represents 0 percent of the world economy. GDP in Lesotho averaged 0.91 USD Billion from 1960 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 2.79 USD Billion in 2011 and a record low of 0.03 USD Billion in 1960. The gross domestic product (GDP) measures of national income and output for a given country's economy. The gross domestic product (GDP) is equal to the total expenditures for all final goods and services produced within the country in a stipulated period of time. This page provides the latest reported value for - Lesotho GDP - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The total population in Lesotho was estimated at 2.1 million people in 2019, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. Looking back, in the year of 1960, Lesotho had a population of 0.8 million people. The population of Lesotho represents 0.03 percent of the world´s total population which arguably means that one person in every 3185 people on the planet is a resident of Lesotho. This page provides the latest reported value for - Lesotho Population - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Lesotho expanded 1.20 percent in the third quarter of 2019 over the same quarter of the previous year. GDP Annual Growth Rate in Lesotho averaged 3.80 percent from 1961 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 26.40 percent in the fourth quarter of 1973 and a record low of -13.51 percent in the fourth quarter of 1975. Lesotho is a landlocked country inside South Africa. Lesotho’s economy is dependent on diamonds extraction, exports of water to South Africa and workers remittances from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). The agricultural sector, which accounts for only 8.6 percent of GDP, is the main source of income for the majority of rural population. Yet, in recent years, increasing foreign direct investments (mainly from China) in textile industry and commerce have created more jobs and strengthen the economy. However, widespread poverty, youth unemployment and high prevalence rate of AIDS remain the main obstacles to growth. This page provides - Lesotho GDP Annual Growth Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The inflation rate in Lesotho was recorded at 4.10 percent in January of 2020. Inflation Rate in Lesotho averaged 7.31 percent from 2002 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 35.14 percent in October of 2002 and a record low of 2 percent in April of 2015. In Lesotho, the inflation rate measures a broad rise or fall in prices that consumers pay for a standard basket of goods. This page provides - Lesotho Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Consumer Price Index in Lesotho increased 0.50 percent in January of 2020 over the previous month. Inflation Rate Mom in Lesotho averaged 0.39 percent from 2009 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 1.50 percent in May of 2017 and a record low of -0.40 percent in December of 2018. This page provides - Lesotho Inflation Rate MoM- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.