Lesotho Population (LIVE)
- The current population of Lesotho is 2,397,341 as of Wednesday, October 28, 2026, based on Worldometer's elaboration of the latest United Nations data1.
- Lesotho 2026 population is estimated at 2,389,336 people at mid-year.
- Lesotho population is equivalent to 0.03% of the total world population .
- Lesotho ranks number 147 in the list of countries and other entities by population .
- The population density in Lesotho is 79 per km² (204 people per mi²).
- The total land area is 30,355 km² (11,720 sq. miles).
- 45.7% of the population is urban (1,090,789 people in 2026)
- The median age in Lesotho is 22.1 years .
Population of Lesotho (2026 and historical)
| Year | Population | Yearly % Change | Yearly Change | Migrants (net) | Median Age | Fertility Rate | Density (P/km²) | Urban Pop % | Urban Population | Country's Share of World Pop | World Population | Lesotho Global Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2,389,336 | +1.10% | 26,011 | −4,876 | 22.1 | 2.61 | 79 | 45.7% | 1,090,789 | 0.03% | 8,300,678,396 | 147 |
| 2025 | 2,363,325 | +1.11% | 25,902 | −5,192 | 21.8 | 2.64 | 78 | 44.7% | 1,055,687 | 0.03% | 8,231,613,070 | 147 |
| 2024 | 2,337,423 | +1.12% | 25,951 | −5,107 | 21.6 | 2.66 | 77 | 43.7% | 1,020,940 | 0.03% | 8,161,972,572 | 147 |
| 2023 | 2,311,472 | +1.11% | 25,362 | −5,168 | 21.4 | 2.69 | 76 | 42.7% | 986,494 | 0.03% | 8,091,734,930 | 147 |
| 2022 | 2,286,110 | +1.09% | 24,568 | −6,023 | 21.3 | 2.72 | 75 | 41.7% | 952,631 | 0.03% | 8,021,407,192 | 147 |
| 2021 | 2,261,542 | +1.15% | 25,815 | −3,449 | 21.1 | 2.77 | 75 | 40.7% | 919,434 | 0.03% | 7,954,448,392 | 147 |
| 2020 | 2,235,727 | +1.22% | 26,223 | −3,449 | 21.0 | 2.85 | 74 | 39.6% | 886,084 | 0.03% | 7,887,001,292 | 147 |
| 2015 | 2,104,612 | +1.06% | 21,672 | −7,087 | 20.3 | 3.22 | 69 | 34.1% | 717,470 | 0.03% | 7,470,491,872 | 146 |
| 2010 | 1,996,251 | +0.44% | 8,635 | −5,886 | 19.7 | 3.25 | 66 | 27.4% | 546,982 | 0.03% | 7,021,732,148 | 147 |
| 2005 | 1,953,076 | −0.51% | −10,167 | −35,679 | 18.9 | 3.43 | 64 | 22.5% | 440,063 | 0.03% | 6,586,970,132 | 146 |
| 2000 | 2,003,913 | +0.53% | 10,495 | −26,220 | 18.2 | 3.61 | 66 | 19.3% | 387,304 | 0.03% | 6,171,702,994 | 143 |
| 1995 | 1,951,437 | +1.52% | 28,348 | −14,588 | 17.4 | 4.13 | 64 | 16.5% | 321,382 | 0.03% | 5,758,878,982 | 145 |
| 1990 | 1,809,696 | +2.18% | 37,063 | −11,598 | 17.4 | 4.81 | 60 | 12.9% | 233,134 | 0.03% | 5,327,803,110 | 144 |
| 1985 | 1,624,379 | +2.92% | 43,572 | 1,222 | 17.4 | 5.40 | 54 | 11.3% | 183,181 | 0.03% | 4,868,943,466 | 144 |
| 1980 | 1,406,521 | +2.99% | 38,576 | 1,361 | 17.7 | 5.75 | 46 | 11.2% | 158,060 | 0.03% | 4,447,606,236 | 145 |
| 1975 | 1,213,643 | +3.55% | 38,874 | 9,723 | 17.8 | 5.82 | 40 | 11.1% | 135,115 | 0.03% | 4,070,735,278 | 144 |
| 1970 | 1,019,272 | +3.60% | 33,036 | 10,605 | 17.0 | 5.70 | 34 | 9.2% | 94,012 | 0.03% | 3,694,683,794 | 144 |
| 1965 | 854,090 | +3.01% | 23,518 | 2,239 | 16.2 | 5.77 | 28 | 6.6% | 56,515 | 0.03% | 3,334,533,703 | 145 |
| 1960 | 736,500 | +2.78% | 18,862 | 1,989 | 16.3 | 5.78 | 24 | 3.7% | 26,944 | 0.02% | 3,015,470,894 | 145 |
| 1955 | 642,188 | +2.07% | 12,527 | −1,380 | 16.6 | 5.79 | 21 | 2.0% | 13,001 | 0.02% | 2,740,213,792 | 144 |
Source: Worldometer (www.Worldometers.info)
Elaboration of data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2024 Revision . (Medium-fertility variant).
Lesotho Population Forecast
| Year | Population | Yearly % Change | Yearly Change | Migrants (net) | Median Age | Fertility Rate | Density (P/km²) | Urban Pop % | Urban Population | Country's Share of World Pop | World Population | Lesotho Global Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 2,493,818 | +1.08% | 26,099 | −4,982 | 23.0 | 2.50 | 82 | 49.5% | 1,234,126 | 0.03% | 8,569,124,911 | 147 |
| 2035 | 2,626,567 | +1.04% | 26,550 | −4,199 | 24.3 | 2.38 | 87 | 54.0% | 1,419,196 | 0.03% | 8,885,210,181 | 146 |
| 2040 | 2,757,876 | +0.98% | 26,262 | −4,250 | 25.8 | 2.29 | 91 | 58.3% | 1,606,474 | 0.03% | 9,177,190,203 | 142 |
| 2045 | 2,881,339 | +0.88% | 24,693 | −3,693 | 27.4 | 2.21 | 95 | 62.1% | 1,788,954 | 0.03% | 9,439,639,668 | 142 |
| 2050 | 2,993,076 | +0.76% | 22,347 | −3,675 | 28.8 | 2.14 | 99 | 65.5% | 1,960,162 | 0.03% | 9,664,378,587 | 142 |
Source: Worldometer (www.Worldometers.info)
Elaboration of data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2024 Revision . (Medium-fertility variant).
Lesotho Demographics (2026)
(life expectancy at birth, both sexes)
(infant deaths per 1,000 live births)
(per 1,000 live births)
Largest Urban Centers and Peri-Urban Centers in Lesotho
All 44 urban centers and peri-urban centers, ranked by population at the census of April 10, 2016 (by Lesotho Bureau of Statistics).
| Rank | Urban Center or Peri-Urban Center | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maseru | 343,541 |
| 2 | Maputsoe | 59,126 |
| 3 | Mohale's Hoek | 44,494 |
| 4 | Mafeteng | 43,247 |
| 5 | Hlotse | 41,986 |
| 6 | Butha-Buthe | 38,770 |
| 7 | Quthing | 32,382 |
| 8 | Teyateyaneng | 26,043 |
| 9 | Qacha's Nek | 18,282 |
| 10 | Thaba-Tseka | 16,010 |
| 11 | Mokhotlong | 13,810 |
| 12 | Roma | 13,617 |
| 13 | Mapoteng-Makhoroana | 13,523 |
| 14 | Mazenod | 12,141 |
| 15 | Mantsebo | 8,801 |
| 16 | Semonkong | 8,247 |
| 17 | Mamathe | 7,695 |
| 18 | Mount Moorosi | 6,677 |
| 19 | Pitseng | 6,194 |
| 20 | Thabana-Morena | 5,970 |
| 21 | Mants'onyane | 5,697 |
| 22 | Peka | 5,670 |
| 23 | Kolo/Motsekuoa | 5,233 |
| 24 | Morija | 4,928 |
| 25 | Sefikeng | 4,889 |
| 26 | Rothe | 4,879 |
| 27 | Matelile | 4,337 |
| 28 | Matsieng | 4,008 |
| 29 | Kolonyama | 3,810 |
| 30 | Mapholaneng | 3,739 |
| 31 | Katse | 2,870 |
| 32 | Tsa-Kholo | 2,688 |
| 33 | Makhakhe | 2,486 |
| 34 | Sekake | 2,333 |
| 35 | Sehonghong | 2,134 |
| 36 | Mpharane | 2,083 |
| 37 | Lejone | 2,080 |
| 38 | Ketane | 1,908 |
| 39 | Sehlabathebe | 1,896 |
| 40 | Mphaki | 1,889 |
| 41 | Ramabanta | 1,883 |
| 42 | Likalaneng/Mohale | 1,845 |
| 43 | Seshote | 1,775 |
| 44 | Marakabei | 1,585 |
See also
- Demographics of Lesotho
- Median Age (Historical Chart)
- Total Fertility Rate (Historical Chart)
- Urban vs. Rural Population (Historical Chart)
Notes
The Lesotho Population (Live) counter shows a continuously updated estimate of the current population of Lesotho delivered by Worldometer's RTS algorithm , which processes data collected from the United Nations Population Division.
The Population of Lesotho (1950 - 2026) chart plots the total population count as of July 1 of each year, from 1950 to 2026.
The Yearly Population Growth Rate chart plots the annual percentage changes in population registered on July 1 of each year, from 1951 to 2026. For years before 2021, this value can differ from the Yearly % Change shown in the historical table, which shows the annual percentage change equivalent assuming homogeneous change in the preceding five year period.
Definitions
Year: as of July 1 of the year indicated.
Population: Overall total population (both sexes and all ages) in the country as of July 1 of the year indicated, as estimated by the United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2024 Revision . For forecasted years, the U.N. medium-fertility variant is used.
Yearly % Change: For 2021 to 2026: percentage change in total population over the year before (from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the year indicated). For earlier years and for forecast years: latest year annual percentage change equivalent assuming homogeneous change in the preceding five year period, calculated through reverse compounding.
Yearly Change: For 2021 to 2026: absolute change in total population (increase or decrease in number of people) over the year before (from July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the year indicated). For earlier years and for forecast years: average annual numerical change over the preceding five year period.
Migrants (net): The number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants in the year indicated. A negative number means that there are more emigrants than immigrants.
Median Age: age that divides the population into two numerically equal groups: half of the people are older than the median age indicated and half are younger. This parameter provides an indication of age distribution.
Fertility Rate: (Total Fertility Rate, or TFR), it is expressed as children per woman. It is calculated as the average number of children an average woman will have during her reproductive period (15 to 49 years old) based on the current fertility rates of every age group in the country, and assuming she is not subject to mortality.
Density (P/km²): (Population Density) Population per square Kilometer (km²).
Urban Pop % : Urban population as a percentage of total population.
Urban Population: Population living in areas classified as urban according to the criteria used by each country.
Country's Share of World Pop: Total population in the country as a percentage of total World Population as of July 1 of the year indicated.
World Population: Total World Population as of July 1 of the year indicated.
Global Rank: Position held by Lesotho in the list of all countries worldwide ranked by population (from the highest population to the lowest population) as of July 1 of the year indicated.