Inflation rates by country and year

-16.9%-4.2%8.5%21.1%33.8%
-16.9%-4.2%8.5%21.1%33.8%
197413.4%
2001-9.6%
20254.3%
Source: World Bank

Data: World Bank, annual %. For information only — not financial advice.

Year2025Inflation Rate4.3%

Behind the curve

Turning points in Lesotho

  1. 2008↑ Upward pressure

    The world food price crisis — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    Lesotho, whose currency is pegged to the rand, imports much of its food and fuel, so the 2007–08 global price surge fed into domestic prices.

    Central Bank of Lesotho
  2. 2020↓ Downward pressure

    The pandemic recession — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    The pandemic cut activity, easing inflation in 2020.

    Central Bank of Lesotho
  3. 2022↑ Upward pressure

    The post-pandemic inflation surge — Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

    Higher global food and energy prices lifted Lesotho's inflation in 2022.

    Central Bank of Lesotho

These are selected historical influences, not a complete account of inflation. An upward-pressure event can coincide with a peak when its inflationary effect has already occurred or when other forces begin pushing inflation lower. The markers show the years in which events occurred, although their effects may extend into later years.

What is the inflation in Lesotho?

The annual inflation rate in Lesotho was 4.3% in 2025, the most recent year in the World Bank dataset. That means prices rose 4.3% on average compared with the year before. Use the chart above to explore Lesotho's full inflation history from 1974 to 2025, and to compare it with any other country.

How inflation in Lesotho has changed

Inflation in Lesotho peaked at 33.8% in 2002 and reached its lowest point at -16.9% in 2009. Averaged across the 49 years of available data (1974–2025), the rate has been 9.0% per year.

Frequently asked questions about inflation in Lesotho

What is the current inflation rate in Lesotho?

The latest available annual figure is 4.3% in 2025, from the World Bank. Because the figures are reported annually, they may not reflect the most recent monthly reading published by Lesotho's statistical office.

What was the highest inflation rate in Lesotho?

The highest annual inflation rate on record is 33.8%, reached in 2002.

What was the lowest inflation rate in Lesotho?

The lowest annual inflation rate on record is -16.9%, recorded in 2009.

Where does the inflation data for Lesotho come from?

All figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators (indicator FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG), which report annual consumer price inflation for more than 200 countries and territories from 1960 onward.