Annual change in population in Lesotho
Lesotho: Annual change in population was 25,364 people in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Annual change in population in Lesotho, 1951–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
In 2023, annual change in population in Lesotho stood at 25,364 people.
The figure is up 3.3% on the previous year and up 14.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual change in population in Lesotho peaked at 45,393 people in 1985 and was at its lowest, -18,050 people, in 2005.
That places Lesotho 123rd out of 236 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 15,044 people | 10,716 people | 20,625 people | 9 |
| 1960s | 26,825 people | 21,558 people | 35,092 people | 10 |
| 1970s | 38,297 people | 36,073 people | 41,230 people | 10 |
| 1980s | 40,927 people | 35,590 people | 45,393 people | 10 |
| 1990s | 22,780 people | 5,190 people | 34,261 people | 10 |
| 2000s | -2,235 people | -18,050 people | 14,337 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 22,853 people | 15,372 people | 26,693 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 25,516 people | 24,563 people | 26,313 people | 4 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 120 El Salvador 29,313 people compare
- 121 Lebanon 29,002 people compare
- 122 Moldova 27,086 people compare
- 124 Costa Rica 23,762 people compare
- 125 Azerbaijan 22,902 people compare
- 126 Solomon Islands 18,939 people compare
More population data for Lesotho
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 190,191 people (2100)
- Population density 107.36 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 2.66 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 419 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 2.66 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 2.66 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 1.3% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 2.69 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual change in population in Lesotho?
- Annual change in population in Lesotho was 25,364 people in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual change in population recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 45,393 people in 1985.
- What is the lowest annual change in population recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was -18,050 people in 2005.
- How does Lesotho rank for annual change in population?
- Lesotho ranks 123rd out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is annual change in population rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 14.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Annual change in population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Annual change in population, calculated as the difference between population on 1 July of consecutive years.