Total number of international immigrants in Lesotho
Lesotho: Total number of international immigrants was 15,039 immigrants in 2024. ▲ Rising
Total number of international immigrants in Lesotho, 1990–2024
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in immigrants.
Analysis
In 2024, total number of international immigrants in Lesotho stood at 15,039 immigrants. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 64.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total number of international immigrants in Lesotho peaked at 15,039 immigrants in 2024 and was at its lowest, 6,167 immigrants, in 2000.
That places Lesotho 195th out of 232 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Total number of international immigrants in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | immigrants | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 8,240 immigrants | — |
| 1995 | 7,204 immigrants | -12.6% |
| 2000 | 6,167 immigrants | -14.4% |
| 2005 | 6,290 immigrants | +2.0% |
| 2010 | 6,414 immigrants | +2.0% |
| 2015 | 9,152 immigrants | +42.7% |
| 2020 | 12,060 immigrants | +31.8% |
| 2024 | 15,039 immigrants | +24.7% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 15,039 immigrants is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 195,937 immigrants, 8% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 15,039 immigrants is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 317,568 immigrants, 5% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 7,722 immigrants | 7,204 immigrants | 8,240 immigrants | 2 |
| 2000s | 6,228 immigrants | 6,167 immigrants | 6,290 immigrants | 2 |
| 2010s | 7,783 immigrants | 6,414 immigrants | 9,152 immigrants | 2 |
| 2020s | 13,550 immigrants | 12,060 immigrants | 15,039 immigrants | 2 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 192 Haiti 19,581 immigrants compare
- 193 Cape Verde 16,515 immigrants compare
- 194 Guinea-Bissau 15,064 immigrants compare
- 196 Fiji 14,362 immigrants compare
- 197 Seychelles 13,261 immigrants compare
- 198 Eritrea 12,512 immigrants compare
More population data for Lesotho
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1905 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.14 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1905 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.3315 % change on previous year (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.6353 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Population density 107.36 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 190,191 people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of people living in urban and rural areas, annual growth rate 3.4 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total number of international immigrants in Lesotho?
- Total number of international immigrants in Lesotho was 15,039 immigrants in 2024, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total number of international immigrants recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 15,039 immigrants in 2024.
- What is the lowest total number of international immigrants recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 6,167 immigrants in 2000.
- How does Lesotho rank for total number of international immigrants?
- Lesotho ranks 195th out of 232 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total number of international immigrants rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 64.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2024) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Total number of international immigrants. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
People living in a given country who were born in another country.