Lesotho

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Lesotho is a small Commonwealth state with a largely rural population of about 2.3 million. Lesotho faces distinct challenges in economic development and education.

Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, 15-64 years old¹
15%		13.1%
Female (2019)		Male (2019)

Completion rate, lower secondary education for the school year ending in 2020¹
45.3%		25.4%
Female		Male

Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for the school year ending in 2018¹
12.4%		8%
Female		Male

Proportion of teachers with the minimum required qualifications in secondary education¹
91.2%		86%
Female (2016)		Male (2016)

1. UNESCO Institute for Statistics Data Centre, retrieved in May 2023

Highlights

COL’s current work in Lesotho is primarily in the area of higher education, including through the Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth. Lesotho benefits from the activities organised under the aegis of the Southern African Development Community Centre for Distance Education. Learners from Lesotho have also benefited from COL’s open online courses and other resources.

Partners

Partnerships are fundamental to COL’s work. Strategic partnerships allow COL to broaden its reach and engage at global, regional and national levels, while implementation partners support COL’s work in communities and institutions across Commonwealth Member States. Partners include multilateral organisations, regional bodies, national governments, government agencies, foundations, civil society organisations, public and private (not-for-profit) institutions and the private sector. COL partnerships assist in improving and extending teaching and learning services to people in the developing Commonwealth.

Literacy rate (2009)¹
85.0%		65.5%
Adult (15+) literacy rate Female		Adult (15+) literacy rate Male

Economic Activity (2010)¹
68%		64%
Adult (15+) economic activity Female		Adult (15+) economic activity Male

Political Decision Making (2014)¹
27%
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament

Life expectancy (2012)¹
52		49
Female		Male

1. COL gender country profile April 2015

48	80
Individuals using the internet (%)¹	Mobile-cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants¹

0.35	64
Fixed-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants¹	Active mobile-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants¹




1. International Telecommunication Union (ITU), retrieved in May 2023.

Lesotho

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