Trade as a share of GDP in Lesotho

Lesotho: Trade as a share of GDP was 154.0% in 2025. ▲ Rising

Latest (2025)
154.0%
Change on year
up 1.0%
World rank
21st
of 191 countries
All-time high
165.0%
in 2007
All-time low
50.2%
in 1960
Years of data
41
1960–2025

Trade as a share of GDP in Lesotho, 1960–2025

50751001251501751960199220251960: 50.2 % of GDP1961: 58 % of GDP1962: 62.2 % of GDP1963: 65.8 % of GDP1964: 65 % of GDP1965: 68.9 % of GDP1966: 67.4 % of GDP1967: 68.7 % of GDP1968: 67.2 % of GDP1969: 65.2 % of GDP1970: 61.1 % of GDP1971: 67.6 % of GDP1972: 85.2 % of GDP1973: 82 % of GDP1974: 90.7 % of GDP1975: 118.4 % of GDP1976: 156.5 % of GDP1977: 124.3 % of GDP1978: 107.9 % of GDP1979: 145.7 % of GDP1980: 131.1 % of GDP1981: 136.3 % of GDP2007: 165 % of GDP2008: 161.1 % of GDP2009: 158.9 % of GDP2010: 150.1 % of GDP2011: 149.8 % of GDP2012: 150.2 % of GDP2013: 133.4 % of GDP2014: 126.3 % of GDP2015: 129.7 % of GDP2016: 136.3 % of GDP2017: 146.4 % of GDP2018: 144.4 % of GDP2019: 140.5 % of GDP2020: 141.1 % of GDP2021: 139.2 % of GDP2022: 142.4 % of GDP2023: 140.7 % of GDP2024: 152.5 % of GDP2025: 154 % of GDP

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

Lesotho recorded 154.0% for trade as a share of gdp in 2025.

That represents a change of up 1.0% on the previous year and up 18.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, trade as a share of gdp in Lesotho peaked at 165.0% in 2007 and was at its lowest, 50.2%, in 1960.

That places Lesotho 21st out of 191 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 41 years of available data.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s 63.9% 50.2% 68.9% 10
1970s 104.0% 61.1% 156.5% 10
1980s 133.7% 131.1% 136.3% 2
2000s 161.7% 158.9% 165.0% 3
2010s 140.7% 126.3% 150.2% 10
2020s 145.0% 139.2% 154.0% 6

Countries ranked near Lesotho

  1. 18 Maldives 156.5% compare
  2. 19 Estonia 155.8% compare
  3. 20 Curacao 155.3% compare
  4. 22 Belgium 152.9% compare
  5. 23 Slovenia 151.9% compare
  6. 24 Netherlands 150.1% compare

See the full ranking of 191 places →

More economy & growth data for Lesotho

All data for Lesotho →

Frequently asked questions

What is trade as a share of gdp in Lesotho?
Trade as a share of gdp in Lesotho was 154.0% 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 trade as a share of gdp recorded in Lesotho?
The highest recorded value was 165.0% in 2007.
What is the lowest trade as a share of gdp recorded in Lesotho?
The lowest recorded value was 50.2% in 1960.
How does Lesotho rank for trade as a share of gdp?
Lesotho ranks 21st out of 191 countries with data for 2025.
Is trade as a share of gdp rising or falling in Lesotho?
Over the last ten years it is up 18.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
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 Trade as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Trade as a share of GDP
Unit
% of GDP
Source
National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
191 places, 9,006 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Trade in goods and services as a share of GDP, shown as a percentage.