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Gambia vs Lesotho
Side-by-side comparison of Gambia and Lesotho from official statistics: size, economy, people, trade, natural resources, health, infrastructure and military, with world ranks, years and sources.
In short
Gambia scores 26.1 in the NationsTree Index (173rd in the world) and Lesotho scores 24.0 (179th), a gap of 2.2 points. Their trees are 1.7 m and 1.4 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.
Gambia has 19% more people than Lesotho. Lesotho is 2.7 times larger than Gambia by land area. The economy of Gambia is 39% larger than that of Lesotho (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Gambia 2.8 million and Lesotho 2.4 million (2025).
GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $3,706 in Gambia and $3,184 in Lesotho (2025, international dollars). People in Gambia live on average 8.3 years longer (66.1 vs 57.8 years).
Of 32 indicators reported by both countries, Gambia ranks higher in the world on 15 and Lesotho on 17. Gambia is clearly stronger in science & innovation, land & people and infrastructure & digital. Lesotho is clearly stronger in main industries, tourism and economy.
As a nation, Gambia is the older of the two (statehood since 1965, 61 years), compared with Lesotho (since 1966). Over the last five years Gambia improved faster (direction score 54 vs 44 out of 100).
Where they differ most
The indicators with the biggest gap in world position between Gambia and Lesotho.
Gambia
-4.7%
145th of 192
Lesothobetter
4.9%
6th of 192
GDP growthEconomy
Gambiabetter
5.9%
35th of 210
Lesotho
2.0%
146th of 210
Adult literacySociety & health
Gambia
51.6%
91st of 98
Lesothobetter
90.4%
51st of 98
High-tech exportsTrade
Gambiabetter
3.3%
111th of 168
Lesotho
0.1%
162nd of 168
Over time
How the two countries moved against each other, from the yearly data.
Gambia overtook Lesotho in GDP per person (PPP) in 2021 and has stayed ahead since.
Gambia overtook Lesotho in the NationsTree Index and GDP (PPP) in 2019 and has stayed ahead since.
Gambia overtook Lesotho in population in 2012 and has stayed ahead since.
Gambia overtook Lesotho in life expectancy in 1997 and has stayed ahead since.
Strength by category
Average world percentile of the indicators in each category (0–100, direction taken into account). i
GambiaLesotho All indicators
Latest available value for each country with its year and world rank. Green: the better world position of the two, red: the weaker one.
| Indicator | Gambia | Lesotho |
|---|---|---|
| Land & people | ||
| Surface area km² | 11,295162nd/216 · 2024 | 30,360138th/216 · 2024 |
| Land area km² | 10,120162nd/216 · 2024 | 30,360137th/216 · 2024 |
| Population people | 2.8 m141st/217 · 2025 | 2.4 m144th/217 · 2025 |
| Population growth % | 2.23%37th/217 · 2025 | 1.10%96th/217 · 2025 |
| Population density people/km² | 272.746th/216 · 2024 | 77.0129th/216 · 2024 |
| Urban population % | 65.0%107th/217 · 2025 | 44.7%162nd/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 0–14 % | 39.7%27th/217 · 2025 | 34.1%54th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 65+ % | 3.2%188th/217 · 2025 | 3.9%169th/217 · 2025 |
| Economy | ||
| GDP USD | $2.59 bn183rd/210 · 2025 | $2.57 bn184th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP (PPP) intl. USD | $10.46 bn161st/199 · 2025 | $7.53 bn164th/199 · 2025 |
| Real GDP (PPP, constant 2021 prices) intl. USD 2021 | $8.94 bn161st/199 · 2025 | $6.43 bn164th/199 · 2025 |
| GDP per person USD | $919199th/210 · 2025 | $1,089195th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP per person (PPP) intl. USD | $3,706179th/199 · 2025 | $3,184184th/199 · 2025 |
| GNI per person (Atlas) USD | $930188th/201 · 2025 | $1,280178th/201 · 2025 |
| GDP growth % | 5.9%35th/210 · 2025 | 2.0%146th/210 · 2025 |
| Inflation % | 11.6%162nd/180 · 2024 | 4.3%130th/180 · 2025 |
| Unemployment % | 6.5%118th/187 · 2025 | 16.3%174th/187 · 2025 |
| Central government debt % of GDP | — | 3.0%1st/55 · 2020 |
| General government gross debt % of GDP | 73.7%140th/189 · 2025 | 49.4%83rd/189 · 2025 |
| Government budget balance % of GDP | -4.7%145th/192 · 2025 | 4.9%6th/192 · 2025 |
| Main industries | ||
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing % of GDP | 23.8%23rd/197 · 2025 | 6.5%96th/197 · 2025 |
| Industry incl. construction % of GDP | 15.8%157th/200 · 2025 | 25.2%85th/200 · 2025 |
| Manufacturing % of GDP | 1.5%180th/192 · 2024 | 12.1%78th/192 · 2024 |
| Services % of GDP | 53.1%131st/200 · 2025 | 55.6%115th/200 · 2025 |
| Trade | ||
| Exports of goods & services USD | $330.2 m171st/182 · 2025 | $1.27 bn158th/182 · 2025 |
| Imports of goods & services USD | $1.28 bn165th/182 · 2025 | $2.69 bn153rd/182 · 2025 |
| Exports % of GDP | 12.7%169th/183 · 2025 | 49.5%53rd/183 · 2025 |
| Imports % of GDP | 49.4%82nd/183 · 2025 | 104.5%6th/183 · 2025 |
| Trade openness % of GDP | 62.2%125th/183 · 2025 | 154.0%19th/183 · 2025 |
| Fuel exports % of merchandise exports | 0.0%165th/170 · 2024 | 0.0%146th/170 · 2024 |
| Manufactures exports % of merchandise exports | 1.0%166th/171 · 2024 | 70.1%42nd/171 · 2024 |
| Food exports % of merchandise exports | 90.7%7th/171 · 2024 | 23.3%62nd/171 · 2024 |
| Ores & metals exports % of merchandise exports | 7.3%51st/171 · 2024 | 1.5%120th/171 · 2024 |
| High-tech exports % of manufactured exports | 3.3%111th/168 · 2024 | 0.1%162nd/168 · 2024 |
| Current account balance % of GDP | -4.1%132nd/191 · 2025 | -1.2%95th/191 · 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment, inflows % of GDP | 10.6%16th/196 · 2025 | 1.3%130th/196 · 2025 |
| Natural resources | ||
| Natural resource rents % of GDP | 2.9%87th/209 · 2021 | 4.3%78th/209 · 2021 |
| Oil rents % of GDP | 0.00%120th/197 · 2021 | 0.00%120th/197 · 2021 |
| Natural gas rents % of GDP | 0.00%100th/197 · 2021 | 0.00%100th/197 · 2021 |
| Coal rents % of GDP | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 |
| Mineral rents % of GDP | 0.00%91st/209 · 2021 | 0.00%91st/209 · 2021 |
| Forest rents % of GDP | 2.86%25th/209 · 2021 | 4.32%18th/209 · 2021 |
| Arable land % of land area | 58.1%3rd/206 · 2024 | 19.0%58th/206 · 2024 |
| Renewable freshwater per person m³ | 1,138123rd/183 · 2022 | 2,28898th/183 · 2022 |
| Tourism | ||
| International tourist arrivals arrivals | 246,000147th/194 · 2020 | 1.1 m91st/194 · 2019 |
| Tourism receipts USD | $53.0 m153rd/175 · 2020 | $23.1 m1999 |
| Tourism receipts % of exports | 30.2%24th/168 · 2020 | 10.1%1999 |
| Outbound trips departures | 307,0002006 | — |
| Society & health | ||
| Life expectancy years | 66.1187th/217 · 2024 | 57.8213th/217 · 2024 |
| Under-5 mortality per 1,000 births | 42.4160th/196 · 2024 | 60.0176th/196 · 2024 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 0.09164th/174 · 2023 | 0.24141st/174 · 2022 |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 1.1111th/145 · 2023 | 1.32006 |
| DPT immunization % of children 12–23 months | 80%145th/193 · 2024 | 86%125th/193 · 2024 |
| Completed lower secondary, 25+ % of adults | 36.9%123rd/153 · 2023 | 37.2%122nd/153 · 2024 |
| Secondary enrolment % gross | 107.0%35th/173 · 2021 | 59.4%2017 |
| Social protection coverage (incl. pensions) % of population | 3.0%2015 | 74.8%2017 |
| Old-age dependency ratio % of working-age population | 5.6%187th/217 · 2025 | 6.3%172nd/217 · 2025 |
| Health spending % of GDP | 2.9%180th/193 · 2023 | 12.6%8th/193 · 2023 |
| Adult literacy % | 51.6%91st/98 · 2021 | 90.4%51st/98 · 2024 |
| Tertiary enrolment % gross | 13.5%133rd/150 · 2024 | 9.9%2018 |
| Human Development Index index 0–1 | 0.524170th/193 · 2023 | 0.550167th/193 · 2023 |
| Income inequality (Gini) index | 38.82020 | 44.92017 |
| Extreme poverty % of population | 22.0%2020 | 41.9%2017 |
| Infrastructure & digital | ||
| Access to electricity % of population | 69.0%179th/215 · 2024 | 60.6%187th/215 · 2024 |
| Safely managed drinking water % of population | 48.2%110th/150 · 2024 | 31.3%126th/150 · 2024 |
| Safely managed sanitation % of population | 28.1%112th/144 · 2024 | 43.8%92nd/144 · 2024 |
| Internet users % of population | 49.5%148th/186 · 2024 | 51.8%147th/186 · 2024 |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 12672nd/210 · 2024 | 70179th/210 · 2024 |
| Fixed broadband per 100 people | 0.5179th/208 · 2024 | 0.4182nd/208 · 2024 |
| Trade & transport infrastructure quality (LPI) score 1–5 | 2.30117th/164 · 2022 | 1.96152nd/164 · 2018 |
| Air passengers carried passengers | 109,542136th/161 · 2019 | 1,3001999 |
| Environment & energy | ||
| CO₂ emissions per person t CO₂e | 0.1823rd/203 · 2024 | 0.4338th/203 · 2024 |
| Renewable energy % of final energy use | 47.7%52nd/212 · 2022 | 34.9%69th/212 · 2022 |
| Air pollution (PM2.5) µg/m³ | 38.3176th/200 · 2023 | 26.4143rd/200 · 2023 |
| Forest area % of land area | 21.3%130th/214 · 2024 | 1.1%196th/214 · 2024 |
| Energy use per person kg oil eq. | 752007 | 102007 |
| Institutions & safety | ||
| Government effectiveness score 0–100 | 43.5140th/205 · 2025 | 39.2155th/205 · 2025 |
| Control of corruption score 0–100 | 37.7133rd/207 · 2025 | 42.5111th/207 · 2025 |
| Rule of law score 0–100 | 52.1125th/207 · 2025 | 51.0131st/207 · 2025 |
| Political stability score 0–100 | 66.2114th/207 · 2025 | 65.4118th/207 · 2025 |
| Regulatory quality score 0–100 | 44.4147th/205 · 2025 | 47.1135th/205 · 2025 |
| Voice & accountability score 0–100 | 53.9115th/205 · 2025 | 59.696th/205 · 2025 |
| Homicide rate per 100,000 | — | 38.22008 |
| Military | ||
| Military expenditure USD | $14.7 m153rd/156 · 2025 | $39.9 m145th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of GDP | 0.6%139th/156 · 2025 | 1.6%81st/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of government spending | 2.2%140th/154 · 2025 | 2.7%126th/154 · 2025 |
| Armed forces personnel people | 4,000148th/170 · 2020 | 2,000154th/170 · 2020 |
| Armed forces personnel % of labour force | 0.58%104th/168 · 2020 | 0.24%149th/168 · 2020 |
| Arms imports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 1.0 m150th/163 · 2025 | 1.0 m2019 |
| Science & innovation | ||
| R&D spending % of GDP | 0.07%2018 | 0.09%99th/110 · 2023 |
| Patent applications by residents applications | — | 12019 |
| Scientific articles articles | 80145th/197 · 2023 | 60149th/197 · 2023 |
Questions and answers
Which has more people, Gambia or Lesotho?
Gambia has the larger population: 2.8 m (2025) compared with 2.4 m for Lesotho (2025). Source: World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL.
Which is bigger by area, Gambia or Lesotho?
Lesotho is larger: 30,360 km² (2024) compared with 11,295 km² for Gambia (2024). Source: World Bank, AG.SRF.TOTL.K2.
Which economy is larger, Gambia or Lesotho?
Gambia has the larger economy at purchasing power parity: $10.46 bn intl. (2025) compared with $7.53 bn intl. for Lesotho (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD.
Which is richer per person, Gambia or Lesotho?
Gambia has the higher GDP per person (PPP): $3,706 intl. (2025) compared with $3,184 intl. for Lesotho (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD.
Where do people live longer, in Gambia or Lesotho?
Gambia has the higher life expectancy at birth: 66.1 years (2024) compared with 57.8 years for Lesotho (2024). Source: World Bank, SP.DYN.LE00.IN.
Which spends more on the military, Gambia or Lesotho?
Lesotho spends more on the military: $39.9 m (2025) compared with $14.7 m for Gambia (2025). Source: World Bank, MS.MIL.XPND.CD.
Which ranks higher in the NationsTree Index, Gambia or Lesotho?
Gambia: 26.1 points (173rd in the world); Lesotho: 24.0 points (179th). The index combines foundations, economic strength, quality of life, problems and 5-year direction from public statistics.
Burundi
Central African Republic
Eswatini
Guinea-Bissau
Liberia
Cabo VerdeSources
World Bank World Development Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators, compiling UN agencies, the IMF, WHO, SIPRI and national statistical offices; every row links to its world ranking with the source series. See Sources & licences and Methodology.
Cite as: NationsTree (2026). Gambia vs Lesotho — country comparison. https://nationstree.org/compare/gambia-vs-lesotho. Data as of 26 October 2026.