Education Spending: Lesotho

Analysis# Lesotho Education Spending Lesotho allocated 6.623% of GDP to education in 2024, down from its all-time peak of 13.22% in 2003. Since 1971, spending has increased 42.7% overall, rising from a low of 4.234% in 1974. The current level remains substantially below the early 2000s plateau, reflecting a significant reallocation of government resources over the past two decades. A sharp decline began after 2008, when spending reached 12.329% of GDP. By 2015, the figure had dropped to 7.643%—a 38% decrease in just seven years. Since then, spending has stabilized in the 6.6–8.2% range, suggesting a new equilibrium. The trajectory from 2023 to 2024 shows continued contraction, indicating that Lesotho's education investment may face ongoing downward pressure.