Lesotho

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for Lesotho
Published: 2026

Region: Southern Africa
Capital: Maseru
Currency: Lesotho Loti (LSL)
Density: 70 / km²

WRI Score 2026

37.81

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 209th
In Africa: 54th
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Top rate 30%· KPMG / EY
40.6
Above-average top marginal rate.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 70 / km²· UN WPP
70.5
Moderate population density.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $1,024· IMF WEO 2026
1.0
Among the lowest per-capita output levels on this list.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 55 years· WHO / UN
1.0
Among the shortest average lifespans on this list.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 0.05 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
22.7
Minimal recorded inbound tourism.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 24%· ILO / SECO
5.3
Among the highest unemployment rates on this list.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 1.8% of GDP· SIPRI
86.5
Modest military expenditure relative to GDP.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
22.3
Among the weakest safety and rule-of-law composites on this list.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
96.0
Among the highest ideological-neutrality scores on this list.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

Lesotho holds 209th of 211 with a WRI Score of 37.81 — holds one of the lowest positions in the index. Its strength lies in ideological neutrality (96) and military posture (86.5); life expectancy remains its clearest structural constraint.