Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Lesotho
Lesotho: Total reserves (% of total external debt) was 56.8% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in Lesotho, 1980–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
Lesotho recorded 56.8% for total reserves in 2024.
That represents a change of up 18.2% on the previous year and down 52.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in Lesotho peaked at 196.0% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 14.9%, in 1989.
Lesotho ranks 29th of 112 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | % of total external debt | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 69.9% | — |
| 1981 | 51.4% | -26.4% |
| 1982 | 38.9% | -24.3% |
| 1983 | 51.8% | +33.1% |
| 1984 | 35.2% | -32.1% |
| 1985 | 24.8% | -29.4% |
| 1986 | 30.5% | +22.8% |
| 1987 | 26.1% | -14.4% |
| 1988 | 19.6% | -24.9% |
| 1989 | 14.9% | -23.8% |
| 1990 | 18.3% | +22.5% |
| 1991 | 25.7% | +40.5% |
| 1992 | 31.9% | +23.9% |
| 1993 | 46.6% | +46.3% |
| 1994 | 59.9% | +28.5% |
| 1995 | 66.7% | +11.5% |
| 1996 | 65.7% | -1.6% |
| 1997 | 85.0% | +29.4% |
| 1998 | 83.6% | -1.6% |
| 1999 | 72.7% | -13.0% |
| 2000 | 54.3% | -25.3% |
| 2001 | 56.5% | +4.0% |
| 2002 | 57.0% | +1.0% |
| 2003 | 65.2% | +14.4% |
| 2004 | 64.8% | -0.6% |
| 2005 | 77.9% | +20.2% |
| 2006 | 100.1% | +28.5% |
| 2007 | 146.3% | +46.1% |
| 2008 | 138.8% | -5.1% |
| 2009 | 196.0% | +41.2% |
| 2010 | 188.6% | -3.8% |
| 2011 | 111.1% | -41.1% |
| 2012 | 110.5% | -0.5% |
| 2013 | 114.6% | +3.7% |
| 2014 | 118.5% | +3.4% |
| 2015 | 104.7% | -11.7% |
| 2016 | 68.1% | -34.9% |
| 2017 | 43.7% | -35.8% |
| 2018 | 49.8% | +13.9% |
| 2019 | 48.9% | -1.8% |
| 2020 | 42.0% | -14.0% |
| 2021 | 43.5% | +3.6% |
| 2022 | 42.6% | -2.1% |
| 2023 | 48.1% | +12.8% |
| 2024 | 56.8% | +18.2% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 56.8% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 37.2%, 1.5× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 56.8% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 23.9%, 2.4× the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 36.3% | 14.9% | 69.9% | 10 |
| 1990s | 55.6% | 18.3% | 85.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 95.7% | 54.3% | 196.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 95.9% | 43.7% | 188.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 46.6% | 42.0% | 56.8% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More financial sector data for Lesotho
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.59 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0069 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 7.46 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 0.548 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.005 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 5.45 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.59 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0069 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 7.46 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 0.548 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in Lesotho?
- Total reserves in Lesotho was 56.8% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 196.0% in 2009.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 14.9% in 1989.
- How does Lesotho rank for total reserves?
- Lesotho ranks 29th out of 112 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 52.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of Total reserves (% of total external debt). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Reserve assets are external assets, including monetary gold, that are readily available to and controlled by monetary authorities for meeting balance of payments financing needs, for intervention in exchange markets to affect the currency exchange rate, and for other related purposes (such as maintaining confidence in the currency and the economy, and serving as a basis for foreign borrowing). Reserve assets must be denominated and settled in foreign currency. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of total external debt which are all liabilities that require payment(s) of interest and/or principal by the debtor at some point(s) in the future and that are owed to non-residents by residents of an economy.