Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita (Agriculture) in Lesotho
Lesotho: Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita (Agriculture) was 6.5% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita in Lesotho, 1960–2025
Source: National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita in Lesotho is 6.5%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 2.1% on the previous year and up 71.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita in Lesotho peaked at 89.4% in 1961 and was at its lowest, 3.8%, in 2015.
That places Lesotho 100th out of 203 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita (Agriculture) in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 88.2% | — |
| 1961 | 89.4% | +1.4% |
| 1962 | 88.2% | -1.4% |
| 1963 | 83.8% | -5.0% |
| 1964 | 81.7% | -2.5% |
| 1965 | 79.3% | -3.0% |
| 1966 | 55.4% | -30.2% |
| 1967 | 46.0% | -16.8% |
| 1968 | 46.4% | +0.9% |
| 1969 | 42.2% | -9.2% |
| 1970 | 43.3% | +2.7% |
| 1971 | 27.9% | -35.5% |
| 1972 | 43.0% | +53.9% |
| 1973 | 49.5% | +15.2% |
| 1974 | 39.4% | -20.5% |
| 1975 | 36.5% | -7.3% |
| 1976 | 30.8% | -15.8% |
| 1977 | 37.6% | +22.2% |
| 1978 | 30.3% | -19.3% |
| 1979 | 34.3% | +12.9% |
| 1980 | 22.4% | -34.5% |
| 1981 | 24.3% | +8.5% |
| 1982 | 16.7% | -31.6% |
| 1983 | 16.3% | -2.4% |
| 1984 | 15.2% | -6.4% |
| 1985 | 16.0% | +5.4% |
| 1986 | 15.8% | -1.2% |
| 1987 | 14.3% | -10.0% |
| 1988 | 14.0% | -1.8% |
| 1989 | 12.6% | -9.8% |
| 1990 | 12.2% | -3.7% |
| 1991 | 7.3% | -39.8% |
| 1992 | 9.1% | +23.9% |
| 1993 | 8.3% | -8.2% |
| 1994 | 8.3% | -0.8% |
| 1995 | 8.8% | +6.3% |
| 1996 | 7.7% | -12.4% |
| 1997 | 7.0% | -8.9% |
| 1998 | 8.3% | +18.8% |
| 1999 | 8.8% | +5.5% |
| 2000 | 7.8% | -10.9% |
| 2001 | 8.3% | +6.0% |
| 2002 | 6.4% | -22.9% |
| 2003 | 6.3% | -0.8% |
| 2004 | 6.0% | -5.7% |
| 2005 | 5.7% | -5.2% |
| 2006 | 4.8% | -14.6% |
| 2007 | 4.9% | +1.0% |
| 2008 | 4.9% | +0.1% |
| 2009 | 5.5% | +12.4% |
| 2010 | 4.9% | -11.7% |
| 2011 | 4.5% | -6.5% |
| 2012 | 4.9% | +7.7% |
| 2013 | 5.1% | +3.5% |
| 2014 | 4.0% | -21.8% |
| 2015 | 3.8% | -4.5% |
| 2016 | 4.9% | +30.2% |
| 2017 | 5.0% | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 4.2% | -14.4% |
| 2019 | 4.5% | +5.0% |
| 2020 | 5.3% | +18.9% |
| 2021 | 6.0% | +12.2% |
| 2022 | 6.0% | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 6.7% | +11.9% |
| 2024 | 6.6% | -0.6% |
| 2025 | 6.5% | -2.1% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 6.5% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 16.6%, 39% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 6.5% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 20.8%, 31% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 70.1% | 42.2% | 89.4% | 10 |
| 1970s | 37.3% | 27.9% | 49.5% | 10 |
| 1980s | 16.8% | 12.6% | 24.3% | 10 |
| 1990s | 8.6% | 7.0% | 12.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 6.1% | 4.8% | 8.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.6% | 3.8% | 5.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.2% | 5.3% | 6.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More agriculture & rural data for Lesotho
- Cropland extent over the long-term, annual growth rate -0.0139 % change on previous year (2025)
- Cropland extent over the long-term, per unit of GDP 0.0002 hectares per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Cropland extent over the long-term, per capita 0.1831 hectares per person (2025)
- Agricultural area over the long-term, annual growth rate -0.0072 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agricultural area over the long-term, per unit of GDP 0.0003 hectares per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agricultural area over the long-term, per capita 0.3524 hectares per person (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 5.38 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0649 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 70.63 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate -0.6715 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita in Lesotho?
- Agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita in Lesotho was 6.5% in 2025, according to National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 89.4% in 1961.
- What is the lowest agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.8% in 2015.
- How does Lesotho rank for agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita?
- Lesotho ranks 100th out of 203 countries with data for 2025.
- Is agriculture as a share of gdp vs. gdp per capita rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 71.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Agriculture includes the cultivation of crops and livestock production, as well as forestry, hunting, and fishing. GDP per capita is adjusted for inflation and differences in living costs between countries.