As of 2024, the top 1% in Lesotho earned 14.45% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 11.28%. Lesotho’s income inequality has decreased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 23.41%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Lesotho in 2024
In 2024, income in Lesotho was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 14.45% of total national income, which is slightly lower than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 11.28% of income, notably lower than the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Lesotho | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 14.45% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 49.51% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 11.28% | 14.97% |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Lesotho?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Lesotho’s top 1% has decreased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 23.41% of national income. By 2024, this figure had fallen by 8.96 percentage points to 14.45%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Lesotho has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 61.13% while the bottom 50% received 7.43%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 49.51% and 11.28% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 23.41% | 61.13% | 7.43% | 53.70 pp |
| 1986 | 23.41% | 61.13% | 7.43% | 53.70 pp |
| 1992 | 22.64% | 63.55% | 5.61% | 57.94 pp |
| 1998 | 20.46% | 59.78% | 7.05% | 52.73 pp |
| 2004 | 17.98% | 54.44% | 9.39% | 45.05 pp |
| 2010 | 16.36% | 52.17% | 10.26% | 41.91 pp |
| 2016 | 14.73% | 49.89% | 11.14% | 38.75 pp |
| 2022 | 14.45% | 49.51% | 11.28% | 38.23 pp |
How Lesotho Compares Globally
Lesotho vs Africa Average
Compared to other countries in Africa, Lesotho’s top 1% income share of 14.45% is slightly lower than the regional average of 15.62%. The bottom 50% in Lesotho receives 11.28% of income, compared to the Africa average of 13.46%.
Where Lesotho Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Lesotho ranks 114th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Lesotho ranks 146th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Lesotho include Romania's wealth gap, Burundi, Tajikistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Lesotho?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Lesotho earned 14.45% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered moderate by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Lesotho?
Income inequality in Lesotho has decreased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 23.41% in 1980 to 14.45% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Lesotho?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Lesotho received 11.28% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 49.51%.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.