Population
South Africa is higher
South Africa records 64,007,187, about 27.4× the other value.
Country comparison
LesothovsSouth Africa
See the biggest differences first, then scan the geographic, economic, and practical reference data.
This comparison uses the latest available atlas values for each country; reporting years can differ by metric.
The biggest differences first
Surface area
South Africa is higher
South Africa records 1,219,090 km², about 40.2× the other value.
Nominal GDP
South Africa is higher
South Africa records $401.14 billion, about 176.6× the other value.
What stands out
Proportional bars and relative differences make the headline numbers easier to read.
Population
🇱🇸 Lesotho2,337,423
🇿🇦 South Africa64,007,187
South Africa’s population is about 27.4× that of Lesotho, a difference of 61,669,764.
Surface area
🇱🇸 Lesotho30,360 km²
🇿🇦 South Africa1,219,090 km²
South Africa’s surface area is about 40.2× that of Lesotho, a difference of 1,188,730 km².
Population density
🇱🇸 Lesotho77 /km²
🇿🇦 South Africa52.5 /km²
Lesotho’s population density is 47% higher than that of South Africa, a difference of 24.5 /km².
Nominal GDP
🇱🇸 Lesotho$2.27 billion · 2024
🇿🇦 South Africa$401.14 billion · 2024
South Africa’s nominal GDP is about 177× that of Lesotho, a difference of $398.87 billion.
GDP per capita
🇱🇸 Lesotho$972 · 2024
🇿🇦 South Africa$6,267 · 2024
South Africa’s GDP per capita is 545% higher than that of Lesotho, a difference of $5,295.
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
Maseru
Pretoria
Population
2,337,423
64,007,187
Surface area
30,360 km²
1,219,090 km²
Population density
77 /km²
52.5 /km²
Nominal GDP
$2.27 billion · 2024
$401.14 billion · 2024
GDP per capita
$972 · 2024
$6,267 · 2024
Region
Africa
Africa
Subregion
Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Currency
Lesotho loti · LSL · L
South African rand · ZAR · R
Nationality
Basotho
South African
Phone code
+266
+27
Internet domain
.ls
.za
ISO codes
LS / LSO
ZA / ZAF
Time zone
Africa/Maseru
Africa/Johannesburg
Native name
Lesotho
South Africa
| Measure | Lesotho | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Maseru | Pretoria |
| Population | 2,337,423 | 64,007,187 |
| Surface area | 30,360 km² | 1,219,090 km² |
| Population density | 77 /km² | 52.5 /km² |
| Nominal GDP | $2.27 billion · 2024 | $401.14 billion · 2024 |
| GDP per capita | $972 · 2024 | $6,267 · 2024 |
| Region | Africa | Africa |
| Subregion | Southern Africa | Southern Africa |
| Currency | Lesotho loti · LSL · L | South African rand · ZAR · R |
| Nationality | Basotho | South African |
| Phone code | +266 | +27 |
| Internet domain | .ls | .za |
| ISO codes | LS / LSO | ZA / ZAF |
| Time zone | Africa/Maseru | Africa/Johannesburg |
| Native name | Lesotho | South Africa |
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Country overviews
AI-assisted profile prose · methodologyAbout 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 →About South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. It is known for its diverse geography, including savannas, forests, deserts, and the iconic Table Mountain.
Full South Africa profile →Lesotho & South Africa: Frequently Asked Questions
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.
What is the capital of South Africa?
The capital of South Africa is Pretoria.
What is the population of South Africa?
South Africa has a recorded population of approximately 64,007,187 people.
How big is South Africa?
South Africa covers an area of about 1,219,090 km².
What is the population density of South Africa?
South Africa has a population density of roughly 52.5 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of South Africa?
South Africa has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $401.14 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of South Africa?
South Africa has a GDP per capita of approximately $6,267.
What currency is used in South Africa?
South Africa uses the South African rand (ZAR), with the symbol R.
Where is South Africa located?
South Africa is located in Southern Africa, Africa.
What are people from South Africa called?
People from South Africa are referred to as South African.
What is the phone calling code for South Africa?
The international dialing code for South Africa is +27.
What is the internet domain for South Africa?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for South Africa is .za.
What time zone is South Africa in?
South Africa uses the Africa/Johannesburg time zone.
What is South Africa known for?
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. It is known for its diverse geography, including savannas, forests, deserts, and the iconic Table Mountain.