Population
Botswana is higher
Botswana records 2,521,139, about 1.08× the other value.
The biggest differences first
Surface area
Botswana is higher
Botswana records 581,730 km², about 19.2× the other value.
Nominal GDP
Botswana is higher
Botswana records $19.40 billion, about 8.54× the other value.
What stands out
Proportional bars and relative differences make the headline numbers easier to read.
Population
🇧🇼 Botswana2,521,139
🇱🇸 Lesotho2,337,423
Botswana’s population is 7.9% larger than that of Lesotho, a difference of 183,716.
Surface area
🇧🇼 Botswana581,730 km²
🇱🇸 Lesotho30,360 km²
Botswana’s surface area is about 19.2× that of Lesotho, a difference of 551,370 km².
Population density
🇧🇼 Botswana4.3 /km²
🇱🇸 Lesotho77 /km²
Lesotho’s population density is about 17.8× that of Botswana, a difference of 72.7 /km².
Nominal GDP
🇧🇼 Botswana$19.40 billion · 2024
🇱🇸 Lesotho$2.27 billion · 2024
Botswana’s nominal GDP is 754% larger than that of Lesotho, a difference of $17.13 billion.
GDP per capita
🇧🇼 Botswana$7,696 · 2024
🇱🇸 Lesotho$972 · 2024
Botswana’s GDP per capita is 692% higher than that of Lesotho, a difference of $6,724.
Values use the latest available observations in WorldSumma. Economic reporting years are shown when available and can differ by country.
Full side-by-side comparison
Capital
Gaborone
Maseru
Population
2,521,139
2,337,423
Surface area
581,730 km²
30,360 km²
Population density
4.3 /km²
77 /km²
Nominal GDP
$19.40 billion · 2024
$2.27 billion · 2024
GDP per capita
$7,696 · 2024
$972 · 2024
Region
Africa
Africa
Subregion
Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Currency
Botswana pula · BWP · P
Lesotho loti · LSL · L
Nationality
Motswana, Botswanan
Basotho
Phone code
+267
+266
Internet domain
.bw
.ls
ISO codes
BW / BWA
LS / LSO
Time zone
Africa/Gaborone
Africa/Maseru
Native name
Botswana
Lesotho
| Measure | Botswana | Lesotho |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Gaborone | Maseru |
| Population | 2,521,139 | 2,337,423 |
| Surface area | 581,730 km² | 30,360 km² |
| Population density | 4.3 /km² | 77 /km² |
| Nominal GDP | $19.40 billion · 2024 | $2.27 billion · 2024 |
| GDP per capita | $7,696 · 2024 | $972 · 2024 |
| Region | Africa | Africa |
| Subregion | Southern Africa | Southern Africa |
| Currency | Botswana pula · BWP · P | Lesotho loti · LSL · L |
| Nationality | Motswana, Botswanan | Basotho |
| Phone code | +267 | +266 |
| Internet domain | .bw | .ls |
| ISO codes | BW / BWA | LS / LSO |
| Time zone | Africa/Gaborone | Africa/Maseru |
| Native name | Botswana | Lesotho |
Compare a different pair
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Country overviews
AI-assisted profile prose · methodologyAbout Botswana
Botswana is a landlocked nation in Southern Africa widely regarded as one of the continent's great conservation and stability success stories. Dominated by the Kalahari Desert yet home to the lush Okavango Delta, it offers some of the finest wildlife experiences on Earth. Stable, democratic and diamond-rich, it has transformed from one of the world's poorest countries at independence into a middle-income state.
Full Botswana profile →About Lesotho
Lesotho (pronounced 'luh-ZOH-thee') is an enclaved sovereign state fully surrounded by South Africa, located in Southern Africa. It is a landlocked kingdom with a highly mountainous terrain, making it the only country in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters in elevation.
Full Lesotho profile →Botswana & Lesotho: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Botswana?
The capital of Botswana is Gaborone.
What is the population of Botswana?
Botswana has a recorded population of approximately 2,521,139 people.
How big is Botswana?
Botswana covers an area of about 581,730 km².
What is the population density of Botswana?
Botswana has a population density of roughly 4.3 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Botswana?
Botswana has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $19.40 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Botswana?
Botswana has a GDP per capita of approximately $7,696.
What currency is used in Botswana?
Botswana uses the Botswana pula (BWP), with the symbol P.
Where is Botswana located?
Botswana is located in Southern Africa, Africa.
What are people from Botswana called?
People from Botswana are referred to as Motswana, Botswanan.
What is the phone calling code for Botswana?
The international dialing code for Botswana is +267.
What is the internet domain for Botswana?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Botswana is .bw.
What time zone is Botswana in?
Botswana uses the Africa/Gaborone time zone.
What is Botswana known for?
Botswana is a landlocked nation in Southern Africa widely regarded as one of the continent's great conservation and stability success stories. Dominated by the Kalahari Desert yet home to the lush Okavango Delta, it offers some of the finest wildlife experiences on Earth. Stable, democratic and diamond-rich, it has transformed from one of the world's poorest countries at independence into a middle-income state.
What is the capital of Lesotho?
The capital of Lesotho is Maseru.
What is the population of Lesotho?
Lesotho has a recorded population of approximately 2,337,423 people.
How big is Lesotho?
Lesotho covers an area of about 30,360 km².
What is the population density of Lesotho?
Lesotho has a population density of roughly 77 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Lesotho?
Lesotho has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $2.27 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Lesotho?
Lesotho has a GDP per capita of approximately $972.
What currency is used in Lesotho?
Lesotho uses the Lesotho loti (LSL), with the symbol L.
Where is Lesotho located?
Lesotho is located in Southern Africa, Africa.
What are people from Lesotho called?
People from Lesotho are referred to as Basotho.
What is the phone calling code for Lesotho?
The international dialing code for Lesotho is +266.
What is the internet domain for Lesotho?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Lesotho is .ls.
What time zone is Lesotho in?
Lesotho uses the Africa/Maseru time zone.
What is Lesotho known for?
Lesotho (pronounced 'luh-ZOH-thee') is an enclaved sovereign state fully surrounded by South Africa, located in Southern Africa. It is a landlocked kingdom with a highly mountainous terrain, making it the only country in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters in elevation.