KINGDOM OF LESOTHO STATISTICAL YEARBOOK 2010 Ministry of Finance and Development Planningn Bureau of Statistic National Statistical System of Lesotho Statistical Reports No 12:2009 Statistical Yearbook 2010 Preface The Statistical Yearbook 2008 was published in April 2009. It was the first Yearbook in many years, after the Bureau of Statistics decided to revive this publication, which was compiled and released fairly regularly until 1996 but then discontinued. The intention of the Yearbook is to put together available statistics produced by the Bureau and other institutions, thus providing a comprehensive set of statistics for Lesotho in one publication. This yearbook is an update of the 2008 Statistical Yearbook. However, it is labelled the 2010 Statistical Yearbook although the data included run up to 2007 or 2008. Henceforth, the intention is to release a new yearbook in April or May every year and to include the year of release in the title. Statistics are presented in 15 thematic chapters, A-O. When available and appropriate, the tables contain time series of up to ten years. Each chapter begins with one or two pages of comments and graphs, which are meant to highlight and explain some of the facts contained in the tables. The intention is now to update and modify the Yearbook annually. In our quest to improve on the Yearbook and the statistics produced by the Bureau, we welcome suggestions and critique from our users. The Bureau acknowledges the continued cooperation of government ministries, business enterprises and other private organisations that have contributed data to the Yearbook. Liengoane Lefosa Director of the Bureau of Statistics June 2010 Bureau of Statistics Mission: To provide accurate, timely and reliable culturally PO Box 455, Maseru 100, Lesotho relevant and internationally comparable statistical Tel: +266 22 323 852 Fax: +266 310177 data for evidence based planning, and to satisfy the E-mail: [email protected] demand of each data user Website: www.bos.gov.ls Table of Contents A. Geography and Climate .................................................................................... 1 B. Population ......................................................................................................... 7 C. Tourism ........................................................................................................... 15 D. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing ................................................................... 19 E. Industry and Electricity .................................................................................. 27 F. Transport and Communication ....................................................................... 31 G. National Accounts .......................................................................................... 37 H. External Sector ............................................................................................... 43 I. Public Finance ................................................................................................ 49 J. Money and Banking ....................................................................................... 55 K. Prices .............................................................................................................. 59 L. Labour Market ................................................................................................ 63 M. Education ........................................................................................................ 67 N. Health and Medical Care ................................................................................ 71 O. Crime and Correctional Services .................................................................... 75 Symbols and Conventions ••• Data not available - Nil; equal to zero 0 Less than 0.5 but greater than zero 0.0 Less than 0.05 but greater than zero More Statistics The Bureau produces and publishes more detailed statistics on subject matter areas in this Yearbook. This is available from the Bureau’s website: www.bos.gov.ls The Yearbook is available for download from the website as well as all the tables in Excel files. A. Geography and Climate List of tables Table A.1 Some basic geographical facts ....................................................................................................................................... 3 Table A.2 Lesotho districts .............................................................................................................................................................. 3 Table A.3 Agro-ecological zones .................................................................................................................................................... 3 Table A.4 Rainfall, mm – 2000-2009 .............................................................................................................................................. 3 Table A.5a Rainfall, mm – 2007 ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 Table A.5b Rainfall, mm – 2008 ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 Table A.5c Rainfall, mm – 2009 ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 Table A.6a Average maximum temperature, °C – 2007 .................................................................................................................. 5 Table A.6b Average maximum temperature, °C – 2008 .................................................................................................................. 5 Table A.6c Average maximum temperature, °C – 2009 .................................................................................................................. 5 Table A.7a Average minimum temperature, °C – 2007 ................................................................................................................... 6 Table A.7b Average minimum temperature, °C – 2008 ................................................................................................................... 6 Table A.7c Average minimum temperature, °C – 2009 ................................................................................................................... 6 Some basic facts (Table A.1) Lesotho is a country in Southern Africa, located at around Mountains: Characterized by very cold winters. It rises to 29°30' south latitude and 28°30' east longitude. It is the 141st elevation of 3500 meters and constitutes by far the largest, largest country in the world, with a total land area of 30,355 and yet the least densely populated portion of the country. square kilometres. Lesotho is completely surrounded by Livestock is commonly found in this zone. Wheat and peas South Africa, making it one of only three countries in the are grown in this zone. Communication facilities are very world that are enclaves within another country; the other two poor in most of the mountain areas. are San Marino and Vatican City, both located within Italy. Senqu River Valley: This is a steep valley along the The total length of the South African border is 909 Senqu River Valley, which runs from east to west across kilometres. Lesotho's status as an enclave also means that it the country. The valley is characterized by a low rainfall is landlocked and largely dependent on South Africa. The especially in the south-western portion and by its rich soil nearest major shipping port is Durban in South Africa. along the banks of the Senqu River. Winter wheat and The most notable geographic fact about Lesotho, apart maize are grown in this valley. Much of the valley floor is from its status as an enclave, is that it is the only independent cultivated while valley sides provide grazing. state in the world that lies entirely above an altitude of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level. Its lowest point is at 1,388 Climate (Table A.4-6) metres (4,600 ft), the highest lowest point of any country. Due to its altitude, the country remains cooler throughout the year than most other regions at the same latitude. Lesotho Administrative areas (Table A.2) has a temperate climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Lesotho is divided into 10 administrative districts, each Maseru and its surrounding lowlands often reach 30°C in the with its own capital. The districts are further subdivided into summer. Winters can be cold with the lowlands getting down 80 constituencies and 129 local community councils. The to −7° C and the highlands to −18° C at times. The mean district towns have the same name as the district itself with summer temperature is about 25° C and the mean winter three exceptions: Leribe, where the capital is Hlotse; Berea, temperate about 15° C. where the capital is Teyateyaneng; and Quthing, where the The yearly precipitation varies between about 600 milli- capital is also known as Moyeni. metres in the lowland valleys to about 1200 millimetres in Besides the district towns, there are two more gazetted areas of the northern and eastern escarpment bordering South towns in Lesotho, namely Maputsoe in Leribe district and Africa. The annual mean precipitation for the country is in Semonkong in Maseru district. between 700 and 800 millimetres, Most of the rain falls as summer thunderstorms: 85% of the annual precipitation falls