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On July 23, 2007 the MCC signed a five-year, $363 million compact with Lesotho. The compact provides funding for urban and rural water system upgrades and expansion, a health sector project, and private sector development.
MCA Status
Lesotho's compact with the MCC entered-into-force on September 17, 2008. The compact projects focus on improving the provision of water supplies for industrial and domestic use, improving health outcomes, and removing barriers to foreign and local private sector investment.
Country Compact
Lesotho MCC compact
Lesotho's Monitoring and Evaluation plan
Lesotho's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
Country Eligibility
In the FY2011 selection process, Lesotho scored above the median on all six Ruling Justly indicators, four of five Investing in People indicators, and four of six Economic Freedom indicators. Lesotho is a low income country.
Review Lesotho's performance on the FY2011 selection indicators
Review Lesotho's performance on the FY2010 selection indicators
Review Lesotho's performance on the FY2009 selection indicators
Review Lesotho’s performance on the FY2008 selection indicators
Review Lesotho’s performance on the FY2007 selection indicators
Review Lesotho's performance on the FY2006 selection indicators
Review Lesotho's performance on the FY2005 selection indicators
Review Lesotho's performance on the FY2004 selection indicators
Learn more about the MCC's country selection process
Country Facts
Data are for 2009 (or most recent year available)
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Per capita income (GNI, current US$)
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$980
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Poverty rate ($2 a day)
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62.3%
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GDP growth (annual)
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0.9%
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Population, total
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2,066,919
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Rural population (% of total)
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74%
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Life expectancy
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45 yrs
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Literacy rate
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90%
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Source: World Development Indicators 2010
Lesotho Country Brief from the World Bank
Other U.S. Policies
USAID does not have a mission in Lesotho. However, USAID's Regional Center for Southern Africa (RCSA) supports programs that benefit Lesotho.
Review the USAID strategy in RCSA
Other Donors
The top three donors to Lesotho in 2009 were:
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Donor
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Gross ODA,
2008-2009 average (USD millions) |
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World Bank IDA
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22
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EU Institutions
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21
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United States
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19
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Source: OECD/DAC Database
*ODA is Official Development Assistance
Other Resources
Department of State country profile providing background on Lesotho's history and U.S.-Lesotho relations