Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) in Lesotho
Lesotho: Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) was 168.01 millions in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on education, US$ in Lesotho, 1971–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
Lesotho recorded 168.01 millions for government expenditure on education, us$ in 2018.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.6% on the previous year and down 19.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, us$ in Lesotho peaked at 207.39 millions in 2008 and was at its lowest, 3.19 millions, in 1971.
Lesotho ranks 146th of 181 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 3.19 millions | — |
| 1972 | 3.46 millions | +8.5% |
| 1973 | 3.94 millions | +13.7% |
| 1974 | 5.13 millions | +30.3% |
| 1983 | 35.21 millions | +586.2% |
| 1984 | 24.86 millions | -29.4% |
| 1985 | 23.62 millions | -5.0% |
| 1988 | 29.07 millions | +23.1% |
| 1989 | 29.18 millions | +0.4% |
| 1993 | 71.28 millions | +144.3% |
| 1994 | 58.7 millions | -17.6% |
| 1995 | 75.89 millions | +29.3% |
| 1997 | 107.52 millions | +41.7% |
| 1999 | 116.05 millions | +7.9% |
| 2000 | 92.11 millions | -20.6% |
| 2001 | 83.1 millions | -9.8% |
| 2002 | 83.4 millions | +0.4% |
| 2003 | 102.55 millions | +23.0% |
| 2004 | 128.62 millions | +25.4% |
| 2005 | 182.55 millions | +41.9% |
| 2006 | 189.62 millions | +3.9% |
| 2008 | 207.39 millions | +9.4% |
| 2017 | 172.44 millions | -16.9% |
| 2018 | 168.01 millions | -2.6% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 168.01 millions is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 901.74 millions, 19% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 168.01 millions is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 464.14 millions, 36% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) in Lesotho changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | +586.2% | 5.13 millions | 35.21 millions |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 3.93 millions | 3.19 millions | 5.13 millions | 4 |
| 1980s | 28.39 millions | 23.62 millions | 35.21 millions | 5 |
| 1990s | 85.89 millions | 58.7 millions | 116.05 millions | 5 |
| 2000s | 133.67 millions | 83.1 millions | 207.39 millions | 8 |
| 2010s | 170.23 millions | 168.01 millions | 172.44 millions | 2 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More education data for Lesotho
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 68.25 (2024)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 67.83 (2024)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 5,672 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 30,627 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 22,924 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 23,698 (2022)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 136,497 (2017)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 309,480 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.8093 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, us$ in Lesotho?
- Government expenditure on education, us$ in Lesotho was 168.01 millions in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 207.39 millions in 2008.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.19 millions in 1971.
- How does Lesotho rank for government expenditure on education, us$?
- Lesotho ranks 146th out of 181 countries with data for 2018.
- Is government expenditure on education, us$ rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release