Share of population living in urban areas in Lesotho
Lesotho: Share of population living in urban areas was 44.7% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in urban areas in Lesotho, 1950–2025
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in urban areas in Lesotho is 44.7%, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.3% on the previous year and up 31.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in urban areas in Lesotho peaked at 44.7% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 1.8%, in 1950.
That places Lesotho 175th out of 236 countries with data for 2025, 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 | 2.1% | 1.8% | 3.1% | 10 |
| 1960s | 6.2% | 3.7% | 8.7% | 10 |
| 1970s | 10.7% | 9.2% | 11.2% | 10 |
| 1980s | 11.4% | 11.2% | 12.3% | 10 |
| 1990s | 16.0% | 12.9% | 18.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 22.4% | 19.3% | 26.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 33.2% | 27.4% | 38.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 42.2% | 39.6% | 44.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 172 Zambia 45.9% compare
- 173 Seychelles 45.5% compare
- 174 Democratic Republic of Congo 45.1% compare
- 176 Central African Republic 44.6% compare
- 177 Togo 44.4% compare
- 178 Moldova 43.7% compare
More population data for Lesotho
- 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)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 2.66 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 2.66 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 419 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 2.66 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 2.69 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 2.41 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in urban areas in Lesotho?
- Share of population living in urban areas in Lesotho was 44.7% in 2025, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in urban areas recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 44.7% in 2025.
- What is the lowest share of population living in urban areas recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.8% in 1950.
- How does Lesotho rank for share of population living in urban areas?
- Lesotho ranks 175th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of population living in urban areas rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 31.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in urban areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population living in urban areas, based on each country's national definition.