2025 country profile

How democratic is
Lesotho?

Lesotho scores 67.6 out of 100 and ranks 54 of 179 in our independent 2025 democracy measure. Its lowest-scoring test is public participation. Explore the evidence and history below.

Democracys.org beta estimate, derived from V-Dem v16. A measure of political institutions and conditions—not a percentage of democracy or a judgment of people.

Printable country brief Compare this country

DEMOCRACYS SCORE

67.6out of 100Substantial but incomplete

2025 rank54 of 179

10-year change+0.6

25-year change+14.8

Source-bound range60.8–75.7

Weakest areaParticipation

The source-bound range is an uncertainty guide, not a confidence interval for this combined score. How to read the range →

SCORE HISTORY

Lesotho, 1975–2025

The shaded area is a plain-language uncertainty guide. Treat small score differences cautiously.

About uncertainty

BEYOND THE NUMBERS

What changed on the ground?

A documented development to help interpret the institutions behind the score.

2025 context · Freedom House assessment

Less factional conflict improved government functioning

The government elected in 2022 experienced less instability and parliamentary conflict than recent predecessors, according to Freedom House. That can improve elected institutions’ ability to carry out decisions. Stability is not sufficient by itself, however: limits on executive power and protection for dissent still need separate assessment.

Read the country report · Freedom in the World 2026

AI-assisted source summary · not independently expert-reviewed

What this context does—and does not—explain

This is a selected development, not a complete political history. Its date may differ from the selected comparison period. It is not evidence that one event caused a particular number of points, and it may describe progress even when this index declines.

The scores use V-Dem. The narrative summarizes a separate assessment by Freedom House, whose definitions and coverage differ. Neither organization endorses this website. The summary is AI-assisted, source-linked, and has not received independent country-expert review. Source checked October 5, 2026.

Why democracy measures can disagree →

UNDERSTAND THE CHANGE

What drove the score?

2015–2025 · the measured story

The score for Lesotho rose 0.6 points, from 67.0 to 67.6 between 2015 and 2025. 3 of the five areas improved while 2 worsened, so the headline combines competing movements. Political equality contributed the largest downward push in the score calculation. The latest year moved in the opposite direction (−0.8), so the longer trend is not the whole story.

Read the political context ↓

Largest influence on the calculation

Political equality

The evidence rates the distribution of political influence, rights, and access across social groups less favorably.

Area score: 80.4 → 71.5
Approx. contribution to overall change: −1.7 points

Moving in the other direction

Elections

The evidence rates electoral choice, voting rights, political organization, and the space for open debate more favorably.

Area score: 59.7 → 66.1
Approx. contribution to overall change: +1.3 points

These contributions explain the calculation—not the causes. The five area scores combine several indicators; they do not identify which individual law, election, or event changed.

When did the biggest shifts appear?

The largest year-to-year movements within this period. These are changes in annual estimates, not precise dates of political events.

2016–2017−2.9 points
The overall score fell from 66.3 to 63.4. Elections supplied the largest downward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2017–2018+4.6 points
The overall score rose from 63.4 to 68.0. Elections supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.
2019–2020+1.8 points
The overall score rose from 69.3 to 71.1. Public reasoning supplied the largest upward contribution to that year’s calculated change.

Highest published score in this window: 71.1 in 2020. Small differences may fall within the source’s uncertainty.

See all five areas and how contributions are calculated

Changes in inputs versus contributions to the overall score
Area	2015	2025	Input change	Approx. contribution
Political equality	80.4	71.5	−8.9	−1.7
Elections	59.7	66.1	+6.4	+1.3
Rights and checks	71.6	76.0	+4.4	+0.8
Participation	53.6	54.6	+1.0	+0.2
Public reasoning	71.4	71.0	−0.4	−0.1

We change the five inputs from their starting to ending values in every possible order, then average each area’s effect on the formula. This distributes the formula’s interactions (a Shapley allocation). It is a mathematical attribution, not a causal estimate.

Inputs and published scores are rounded, so contributions are approximate and may not add exactly to the displayed total. No significance test is implied. Read the full scoring method →

BENEATH THE SCORE

Five dimensions of democracy

The headline score cannot show where a political system is strong or constrained. These five tests can. Each has equal weight in the beta standard.

Free and fair elections

Can people choose their leaders through broad voting rights, honest elections, free political groups, and open public debate?

66.1

Rights and checks on power

Are basic freedoms protected, laws applied fairly, courts independent, and leaders prevented from abusing power?

76.0

Public participation

Can people shape public life through civic groups, direct voting, and meaningful local and regional government?

54.6

Public reasoning

Do leaders explain decisions, consult the public, answer opposing arguments, and consider the common good?

71.0

Political equality

Do different social groups have equal rights, access, resources, and a real chance to influence political power?

71.5

HOW TO READ THIS PROFILE

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.

The score breakdown identifies which parts of the measure changed most. The country report adds documented political context. Together they help explain the institutions at stake—but they do not prove that a specific event produced a specific number of points.

Why this score differs from other democracy indices →

What a declining score can—and cannot—tell us about democratic backsliding

A recent improvement can coexist with a long-term decline. Always compare the dates, check the linked source, and consider developments the selected narrative does not cover.

ANNUAL DATA

Lesotho score table

Download Lesotho CSV

Year	Score	Source-bound range	Elections	Rights & checks	Participation	Reasoning	Equality
2025	67.6	60.8–75.7	66.1	76.0	54.6	71.0	71.5
2024	68.4	61.4–76.1	65.2	75.8	54.6	73.5	74.1
2023	69.5	63.5–77.4	66.7	76.2	55.5	75.9	74.2
2022	70.4	63.8–77.4	64.8	76.9	56.7	76.5	78.4
2021	69.8	63.3–77.1	61.6	79.8	56.7	74.5	78.1
2020	71.1	65.3–78.7	62.7	79.3	55.5	82.5	77.8
2019	69.3	62.6–76.4	62.1	77.3	55.5	77.8	75.2
2018	68.0	61.4–75.2	60.1	70.3	57.7	75.6	77.7
2017	63.4	57.3–70.7	50.1	66.3	55.4	68.3	79.2
2016	66.3	60.2–74.2	57.6	70.1	53.6	71.4	80.4
2015	67.0	60.7–74.6	59.7	71.6	53.6	71.4	80.4
2014	68.2	61.7–75.5	62.1	75.2	53.6	71.4	80.4
2013	67.8	60.9–74.9	61.9	74.7	53.6	70.1	80.4
2012	66.6	60.6–74.6	58.2	75.7	51.4	69.1	81.0
2011	64.3	57.5–71.8	57.4	72.1	51.4	61.9	81.0
2010	64.1	57.4–71.8	56.6	72.0	51.4	61.9	81.0
2009	62.7	55.8–70.6	55.9	70.4	51.5	57.6	80.0
2008	62.8	55.8–70.6	56.1	70.6	51.7	57.6	80.2
2007	62.9	55.8–70.5	56.8	70.1	51.7	57.6	80.2
2006	63.8	56.5–71.3	61.4	70.1	51.7	57.6	80.2
2005	63.7	56.6–71.3	61.4	69.7	51.7	57.6	80.2
2004	60.3	53.9–68.3	61.4	69.5	37.6	57.6	80.2
2003	60.4	54.0–68.3	61.4	69.6	37.6	57.6	80.2
2002	57.7	51.2–64.8	49.6	69.1	37.6	56.9	80.2
2001	52.8	47.0–59.1	31.5	66.5	37.6	57.1	79.0
2000	52.8	47.0–59.1	31.5	66.5	37.6	57.1	79.0
1999	52.3	46.4–58.8	31.5	66.7	37.6	56.0	76.8
1998	53.2	47.0–59.9	37.1	65.6	37.6	54.5	76.8
1997	52.0	46.1–58.8	31.4	66.5	37.6	54.5	77.0
1996	50.4	44.1–57.4	31.4	66.5	31.3	54.5	77.0
1995	50.3	44.0–57.2	31.4	65.6	31.3	54.5	77.0
1994	53.3	46.2–61.1	46.9	62.8	31.3	54.5	77.0
1993	54.3	47.0–62.1	50.1	64.4	31.3	54.5	76.8
1992	34.4	27.6–41.2	15.8	51.5	22.0	27.2	68.1
1991	34.3	27.3–41.0	15.8	50.7	22.0	27.3	67.7
1990	34.4	26.4–40.4	15.9	60.1	22.0	23.6	64.2
1989	29.0	22.0–34.7	12.7	40.8	19.0	21.5	62.7
1988	29.0	22.0–34.7	12.7	40.8	19.0	21.5	62.7
1987	29.0	22.1–34.7	12.7	40.8	19.0	21.5	62.7
1986	27.4	20.6–33.0	11.9	36.6	15.4	23.2	62.3
1985	26.3	19.5–32.0	12.6	42.1	15.4	13.9	62.3
1984	26.2	19.4–31.8	12.2	42.1	15.4	13.9	62.3
1983	26.2	19.4–31.8	12.2	42.1	15.4	13.9	62.3
1982	26.2	19.3–31.7	12.3	42.0	15.4	13.9	62.3
1981	26.3	19.5–31.7	12.3	42.1	15.4	13.9	62.3
1980	26.3	19.5–31.7	12.3	42.1	15.4	13.9	62.3
1979	26.1	19.2–31.4	12.3	41.2	15.4	13.9	61.9
1978	26.0	18.8–31.2	11.7	41.2	15.3	14.5	61.9
1977	26.0	18.7–31.1	11.5	41.2	15.3	14.5	61.9
1976	26.0	18.7–31.1	11.5	41.2	15.3	14.5	61.9
1975	26.0	18.7–31.1	11.5	41.2	15.3	14.5	61.9
1974	26.0	18.7–31.1	11.5	41.2	15.3	14.5	61.9
1973	26.0	18.7–31.1	11.5	41.2	15.3	14.5	61.9
1972	25.1	18.2–30.1	11.5	35.7	15.3	14.5	61.9
1971	25.4	18.8–30.7	11.5	35.7	15.3	15.9	61.9
1970	30.4	23.1–36.3	14.1	36.6	15.8	35.1	61.9
1969	36.3	29.1–42.8	18.8	44.5	20.3	46.0	61.6
1968	42.6	34.0–50.0	35.8	57.1	20.3	46.0	61.5
1967	42.8	34.2–50.2	35.8	57.1	20.3	46.0	62.4
1966	40.1	32.0–47.1	27.3	56.0	20.3	42.9	62.4
1965	30.1	22.1–36.5	20.6	44.3	15.8	36.1	39.4
1964	22.5	15.8–28.2	8.9	37.4	15.2	19.8	39.4
1963	22.5	15.9–28.3	8.9	37.2	15.2	19.8	39.4
1962	22.9	15.9–28.5	8.9	39.8	15.2	19.8	39.4
1961	22.3	15.7–28.0	8.9	36.2	15.2	19.8	39.4
1960	22.9	16.2–28.7	8.9	35.9	15.2	23.8	38.2
1959	21.1	14.4–26.6	7.3	33.9	15.2	19.9	37.1
1958	21.1	14.4–26.6	7.3	33.9	15.2	19.9	37.1
1957	21.1	14.4–26.6	7.3	33.9	15.2	19.9	37.1
1956	21.1	14.4–26.6	7.3	33.9	15.2	19.9	37.1
1955	21.1	14.4–26.6	7.3	33.9	15.2	19.9	37.1
1954	21.1	14.4–26.6	7.3	33.9	15.2	19.9	37.1
1953	21.1	14.4–26.6	7.3	33.9	15.2	19.9	37.1
1952	21.1	14.4–26.6	7.3	33.9	15.2	19.9	37.1
1951	20.2	13.8–25.5	5.2	33.9	15.2	19.9	37.1
1950	20.2	13.8–25.5	5.2	33.9	15.2	19.9	37.1
1949	19.3	13.0–24.3	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	36.2
1948	19.3	13.0–24.3	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	36.2
1947	19.3	13.0–24.3	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	36.2
1946	19.3	13.0–24.3	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	36.2
1945	19.3	13.0–24.3	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	36.2
1944	19.3	13.0–24.3	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	36.2
1943	19.3	13.0–24.3	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	36.2
1942	19.3	13.0–24.3	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	36.2
1941	19.3	13.0–24.3	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	36.2
1940	19.3	13.0–24.3	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	36.2
1939	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1938	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1937	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1936	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1935	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1934	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1933	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1932	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1931	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1930	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1929	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1928	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1927	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1926	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1925	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1924	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1923	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1922	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1921	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1920	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1919	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1918	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1917	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1916	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1915	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1914	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1913	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1912	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1911	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1910	18.7	12.6–23.8	4.5	31.0	15.2	19.9	32.0
1909	18.6	12.7–23.8	4.5	30.7	15.2	19.9	32.0
1908	18.6	12.7–23.8	4.5	30.7	15.2	19.9	32.0
1907	18.6	12.7–23.8	4.5	30.7	15.2	19.9	32.0
1906	18.6	12.7–23.8	4.5	30.7	15.2	19.9	32.0
1905	18.6	12.7–23.8	4.5	30.7	15.2	19.9	32.0
1904	18.6	12.7–23.8	4.5	30.7	15.2	19.9	32.0
1903	18.6	12.7–23.8	4.5	30.7	15.2	19.9	32.0
1902	18.6	12.7–23.8	4.5	30.7	15.2	19.9	32.0
1901	18.6	12.7–23.8	4.5	30.7	15.2	19.9	32.0
1900	18.6	12.7–23.8	4.5	30.7	15.2	19.9	32.0

CITE THIS PROFILE

Source and attribution

Democracys.org (2026), “Lesotho Democracy Score, 1900–2025,” Democracys Standard v1.0 beta; derived from Coppedge et al. (2026), V-Dem Country-Year Dataset v16.

Open source DOI

NEARBY IN THE 2025 RANKING

#52Senegal70.4 #53The Gambia68.4 #55Ghana67.4 #56Panama66.4

All rankings

How democratic isLesotho?

Lesotho, 1975–2025

Less factional conflict improved government functioning

Political equality

Elections

When did the biggest shifts appear?

Five dimensions of democracy

Free and fair elections

Rights and checks on power

Public participation

Public reasoning

Political equality

Two kinds of evidence.One clearer picture.

Lesotho score table

Source and attribution

How democratic is
Lesotho?

Two kinds of evidence.
One clearer picture.