Lesotho vs Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries): Unemployment, male (% of male labor force)
Lesotho
14.7%
in 2025
Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)
5.1%
in 2025
Lesotho rank
13th
Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) rank
13th
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) over time
- Lesotho
- Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)
How they compare
Lesotho currently reports 14.7% against 5.1% in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries), a difference of 9.6%.
That makes Lesotho's figure about 2.9 times Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)'s.
Across all 35 years both countries report, Lesotho has been ahead every year.
Lesotho ranks 13th and Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 13th of 187 countries.
Lesotho has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Lesotho | Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 13.9% | 6.3% | 7.6% | Lesotho |
| 2000s | 14.2% | 5.7% | 8.6% | Lesotho |
| 2010s | 14.5% | 5.6% | 8.9% | Lesotho |
| 2020s | 15.3% | 5.5% | 9.8% | Lesotho |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher unemployment, male (% of male labor force), Lesotho or Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- Lesotho, at 14.7% against 5.1% in Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) as of 2025.
- What is the difference in unemployment, male (% of male labor force) between Lesotho and Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- 9.6%, with Lesotho ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Lesotho and Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries)?
- 35 years are reported by both, from 1991 to 2025.
- How do Lesotho and Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) rank globally for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
- Lesotho ranks 13th and Sub-Saharan Africa (IDA & IBRD countries) ranks 13th of 187 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.