Inflation Lesotho 2020
Average inflation: 5.0%
Inflation in 2020
Inflation is very high at 5.0%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in August at 6.0%. The lowest inflation was in March at 4.0%.
- Highest month
- August: 6.0%
- Lowest month
- March: 4.0%
- Difference
- 2.0 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Food with an average of 10.3%. The lowest price increase was in Energy with an average of -1.9%.
- Highest increase
- Food: 10.3%
- Lowest increase
- Energy: -1.9%
Historical Context
Inflation is around the 5-year average of 5.2%.
- 5-year average
- 5.2%
- 10-year average
- 5.1%
- All-time high (2008)
- 10.7%
- All-time low (2009)
- -16.5%
Trend
Over the period 2018-2020, inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2019, inflation has fallen by 0.2 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.2 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- May: -1.9 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 3.0 percentage points above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this high inflation rate, purchasing power rapidly decreases. This has a major impact on households, especially without adequate salary increases.
What you could buy for LSL 100 this year will cost approximately LSL 105 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2020
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.1% | -0.9 |
| February | 4.2% | -0.8 |
| March | 4.0% | -1.2 |
| April | 4.2% | -1.4 |
| May | 4.0% | -1.9 |
| June | 4.9% | -0.7 |
| July | 5.6% | +0.2 |
| August | 6.0% | +0.8 |
| September | 5.9% | +0.8 |
| October | 5.6% | +0.7 |
| November | 5.6% | +1.0 |
| December | 5.7% | +0.9 |
| Average | 5.0% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.