Population

The biggest differences first
Surface area
Lesotho is higher
Nominal GDP
Eswatini is higher
What stands out
Proportional bars and relative differences make the headline numbers easier to read.
Population
Lesotho’s population is 88% larger than that of Eswatini, a difference of 1,094,601.
Surface area
Lesotho’s surface area is 75% larger than that of Eswatini, a difference of 13,000 km².
Population density
Lesotho’s population density is 7.5% higher than that of Eswatini, a difference of 5.4 /km².
Nominal GDP
Eswatini’s nominal GDP is 114% larger than that of Lesotho, a difference of $2.59 billion.
GDP per capita
Eswatini’s GDP per capita is 302% higher than that of Lesotho, a difference of $2,938.
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
Mbabane
Maseru
Population
1,242,822
2,337,423
Surface area
17,360 km²
30,360 km²
Population density
71.6 /km²
77 /km²
Nominal GDP
$4.86 billion · 2024
$2.27 billion · 2024
GDP per capita
$3,910 · 2024
$972 · 2024
Region
Africa
Africa
Subregion
Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Currency
Lilangeni · SZL · E
Lesotho loti · LSL · L
Nationality
Swazi
Basotho
Phone code
+268
+266
Internet domain
.sz
.ls
ISO codes
SZ / SWZ
LS / LSO
Time zone
Africa/Mbabane
Africa/Maseru
Native name
Swaziland
Lesotho
| Measure | Eswatini | Lesotho |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Mbabane | Maseru |
| Population | 1,242,822 | 2,337,423 |
| Surface area | 17,360 km² | 30,360 km² |
| Population density | 71.6 /km² | 77 /km² |
| Nominal GDP | $4.86 billion · 2024 | $2.27 billion · 2024 |
| GDP per capita | $3,910 · 2024 | $972 · 2024 |
| Region | Africa | Africa |
| Subregion | Southern Africa | Southern Africa |
| Currency | Lilangeni · SZL · E | Lesotho loti · LSL · L |
| Nationality | Swazi | Basotho |
| Phone code | +268 | +266 |
| Internet domain | .sz | .ls |
| ISO codes | SZ / SWZ | LS / LSO |
| Time zone | Africa/Mbabane | Africa/Maseru |
| Native name | Swaziland | Lesotho |
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Country overviews
AI-assisted profile prose · methodologyAbout Eswatini
Nestled between South Africa and Mozambique, Eswatini is a small yet vibrant kingdom where ancient traditions coexist with modern aspirations, offering travelers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness.
Full Eswatini 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 →Eswatini & Lesotho: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Eswatini?
The capital of Eswatini is Mbabane.
What is the population of Eswatini?
Eswatini has a recorded population of approximately 1,242,822 people.
How big is Eswatini?
Eswatini covers an area of about 17,360 km².
What is the population density of Eswatini?
Eswatini has a population density of roughly 71.6 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Eswatini?
Eswatini has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $4.86 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Eswatini?
Eswatini has a GDP per capita of approximately $3,910.
What currency is used in Eswatini?
Eswatini uses the Lilangeni (SZL), with the symbol E.
Where is Eswatini located?
Eswatini is located in Southern Africa, Africa.
What is the native name of Eswatini?
The native name of Eswatini is Swaziland.
What are people from Eswatini called?
People from Eswatini are referred to as Swazi.
What is the phone calling code for Eswatini?
The international dialing code for Eswatini is +268.
What is the internet domain for Eswatini?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Eswatini is .sz.
What time zone is Eswatini in?
Eswatini uses the Africa/Mbabane time zone.
What is Eswatini known for?
Nestled between South Africa and Mozambique, Eswatini is a small yet vibrant kingdom where ancient traditions coexist with modern aspirations, offering travelers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness.
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.