Lesotho Country Profile

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Lesotho

The small kingdom of Lesotho sits high in the Drakensberg Mountains and is entirely surrounded by South Africa. Although considered to be a medium developed country, nearly half the population live below the poverty line on less than $1.25 a day.

Average life expectancy in the country is just 45 years and HIV/AIDS, which affects almost one in four people in Lesotho, is the biggest health issue facing the government. In 1993, after nearly half a century of undemocratic and military rule, multiparty general elections were brought in and have been repeated three times, most recently in 2007, bringing hope that human development will follow.

A rural village in Lesotho

The Facts

Capital: Maseru
Major religion: Christianity
Main Languages: Sesotho and English
Key exports: diamonds, water, wool
Government: Lesotho Congress for Democracy
Prime Minister: Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili
Most recent National Assembly elections: 2007
Next scheduled National Assembly elections: 2012

The Figures

HIV prevalence: 23.2% aged 15-49 (UK: 0.2%)
Adult literacy rate: 82% aged 15 and older (UK: >99%)
GDP per capita: US$1,605 (UK: US$34,340)
Life expectancy at birth: 46 years (UK: 80 years)
Under-five mortality rate: 79 per 1,000 live births (UK: 6 per 1,000 live births)
2010 Human Development Index Ranking (out of 169 countries): 141

For information on Lesotho's history, politics, economy and more, view ACTSA's full Lesotho Country Profile.

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