Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in Lesotho
Lesotho: Total population (thousands), annual growth rate was 1.12 % change on previous year in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in Lesotho, 1971–2025
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in % change on previous year.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total population (thousands), annual growth rate in Lesotho is 1.12 % change on previous year, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.1% on the previous year and down 4.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total population (thousands), annual growth rate in Lesotho peaked at 3.65 % change on previous year in 1971 and was at its lowest, -1.01 % change on previous year, in 2006.
That places Lesotho 98th out of 233 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.
Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | % change on previous year | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 3.65 % change on previous year | — |
| 1972 | 3.61 % change on previous year | -1.2% |
| 1973 | 3.56 % change on previous year | -1.4% |
| 1974 | 3.51 % change on previous year | -1.4% |
| 1975 | 3.51 % change on previous year | -0.0% |
| 1976 | 3.53 % change on previous year | +0.6% |
| 1977 | 3 % change on previous year | -14.8% |
| 1978 | 2.86 % change on previous year | -4.7% |
| 1979 | 2.92 % change on previous year | +1.8% |
| 1980 | 2.95 % change on previous year | +1.2% |
| 1981 | 2.96 % change on previous year | +0.2% |
| 1982 | 2.95 % change on previous year | -0.2% |
| 1983 | 2.94 % change on previous year | -0.4% |
| 1984 | 2.92 % change on previous year | -0.7% |
| 1985 | 2.89 % change on previous year | -1.0% |
| 1986 | 2.86 % change on previous year | -1.1% |
| 1987 | 2.29 % change on previous year | -19.9% |
| 1988 | 2.18 % change on previous year | -4.7% |
| 1989 | 2.1 % change on previous year | -3.9% |
| 1990 | 1.99 % change on previous year | -4.9% |
| 1991 | 1.87 % change on previous year | -6.5% |
| 1992 | 1.75 % change on previous year | -6.4% |
| 1993 | 1.61 % change on previous year | -7.9% |
| 1994 | 1.44 % change on previous year | -10.6% |
| 1995 | 1.29 % change on previous year | -10.4% |
| 1996 | 1.17 % change on previous year | -8.8% |
| 1997 | 0.9772 % change on previous year | -16.8% |
| 1998 | 0.6176 % change on previous year | -36.8% |
| 1999 | 0.3806 % change on previous year | -38.4% |
| 2000 | 0.1389 % change on previous year | -63.5% |
| 2001 | -0.0708 % change on previous year | -151.0% |
| 2002 | -0.2346 % change on previous year | +231.2% |
| 2003 | -0.3823 % change on previous year | +62.9% |
| 2004 | -0.5827 % change on previous year | +52.4% |
| 2005 | -0.8215 % change on previous year | +41.0% |
| 2006 | -1.01 % change on previous year | +23.0% |
| 2007 | 0.1961 % change on previous year | -119.4% |
| 2008 | 0.6472 % change on previous year | +230.1% |
| 2009 | 0.7114 % change on previous year | +9.9% |
| 2010 | 0.7469 % change on previous year | +5.0% |
| 2011 | 0.8047 % change on previous year | +7.7% |
| 2012 | 0.9739 % change on previous year | +21.0% |
| 2013 | 1.05 % change on previous year | +7.4% |
| 2014 | 1.13 % change on previous year | +8.1% |
| 2015 | 1.16 % change on previous year | +2.8% |
| 2016 | 1.19 % change on previous year | +2.8% |
| 2017 | 1.26 % change on previous year | +5.2% |
| 2018 | 1.25 % change on previous year | -0.7% |
| 2019 | 1.21 % change on previous year | -3.2% |
| 2020 | 1.15 % change on previous year | -4.4% |
| 2021 | 1.23 % change on previous year | +6.3% |
| 2022 | 1.08 % change on previous year | -11.7% |
| 2023 | 1.09 % change on previous year | +0.6% |
| 2024 | 1.13 % change on previous year | +3.6% |
| 2025 | 1.12 % change on previous year | -1.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 3.35 % change on previous year | 2.86 % change on previous year | 3.65 % change on previous year | 9 |
| 1980s | 2.7 % change on previous year | 2.1 % change on previous year | 2.96 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.31 % change on previous year | 0.3806 % change on previous year | 1.99 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2000s | -0.1409 % change on previous year | -1.01 % change on previous year | 0.7114 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.08 % change on previous year | 0.7469 % change on previous year | 1.26 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.13 % change on previous year | 1.08 % change on previous year | 1.23 % change on previous year | 6 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 95 Faroe Islands 1.17 % change on previous year compare
- 96 Haiti 1.15 % change on previous year compare
- 97 Luxembourg 1.15 % change on previous year compare
- 99 Peru 1.08 % change on previous year compare
- 100 Ireland 1.06 % change on previous year compare
- 101 Eswatini 1.05 % change on previous year 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)
- Population growth rate -0.201 (2100)
- Population density 107.36 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 190,191 (2100)
- Population growth rate by level of development -0.201 (2100)
- Total population (thousands), per unit of GDP 0 thousands per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total population (thousands), annual growth rate in Lesotho?
- Total population (thousands), annual growth rate in Lesotho was 1.12 % change on previous year in 2025, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest total population (thousands), annual growth rate recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 3.65 % change on previous year in 1971.
- What is the lowest total population (thousands), annual growth rate recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was -1.01 % change on previous year in 2006.
- How does Lesotho rank for total population (thousands), annual growth rate?
- Lesotho ranks 98th out of 233 countries with data for 2025.
- Is total population (thousands), annual growth rate rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 4.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Total population (thousands), annual growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 55 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
The year-on-year percentage change in Total population (thousands). Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.
Computed from
- Total population UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
The year-on-year percentage change in Total population (thousands). Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.