Replacement-level fertility rate in Lesotho
Lesotho: Replacement-level fertility rate was 2.41 in 2010. ▼ Falling
Replacement-level fertility rate in Lesotho, 1950–2010
Source: Gietel-Basten and Scherbov (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Lesotho recorded 2.41 for replacement-level fertility rate in 2010.
The figure is down 10.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, replacement-level fertility rate in Lesotho peaked at 3.16 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 2.37, in 1990.
That places Lesotho 19th out of 199 countries with data for 2010, putting it in the top 10%.
Replacement-level fertility rate in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 3.16 | — |
| 1960 | 2.85 | -9.8% |
| 1970 | 2.76 | -3.2% |
| 1980 | 2.54 | -8.0% |
| 1990 | 2.37 | -6.7% |
| 2000 | 2.68 | +13.1% |
| 2010 | 2.41 | -10.1% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 2.41 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 2.24, 1.1× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 2.41 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.37, 1.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 3.16 | 3.16 | 3.16 | 1 |
| 1960s | 2.85 | 2.85 | 2.85 | 1 |
| 1970s | 2.76 | 2.76 | 2.76 | 1 |
| 1980s | 2.54 | 2.54 | 2.54 | 1 |
| 1990s | 2.37 | 2.37 | 2.37 | 1 |
| 2000s | 2.68 | 2.68 | 2.68 | 1 |
| 2010s | 2.41 | 2.41 | 2.41 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More population data for Lesotho
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.3315 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run 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 regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1905 % change on previous year (2100)
- 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)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.6353 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, per capita 0.5533 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is replacement-level fertility rate in Lesotho?
- Replacement-level fertility rate in Lesotho was 2.41 in 2010, according to Gietel-Basten and Scherbov (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest replacement-level fertility rate recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 3.16 in 1950.
- What is the lowest replacement-level fertility rate recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.37 in 1990.
- How does Lesotho rank for replacement-level fertility rate?
- Lesotho ranks 19th out of 199 countries with data for 2010.
- Is replacement-level fertility rate rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from Gietel-Basten and Scherbov (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Replacement-level fertility rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 7 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The replacement-level fertility rate (the total fertility rate needed to keep the population size stable over time, without migration) is commonly stated to be 2.1. But the level can vary based on the sex ratio, child mortality rates, and other factors.