Lesotho Population: 2,136,383

Lesotho is a landlocked country encircling the South Africa region. Lesotho is officially a republic of Lesotho. The land area of this country includes mountains, crisscross rivers, and the famous Thabana Ntlenyana high peak. The country holds the 147th rank in the world’s population, and its estimated population for the current year is 2.14 million.

Lesotho largest cities by population

Maseru is the largest and the capital city of Lesotho. Maseru is home to 118,355 people. The next largest city is known as mafeteng, with the estimated population of 57,059. Leribe is the third populated city that consists of 47,675 residents. The top 4 and 5 large cities are maputsoe and mohales’s’ hoek.

CITY NAME POPULATION
Maseru 118,355
Mafeteng 57,059
Leribe 47,675
Maputsoe 32,117
Mohale’s Hoek 28,310
Qacha’s Nek 25,573
Quthing 24,130
Butha-Buthe 16,330

Lesotho population history

The population history of the country shows that for the past three years, the population remains stable, which is 0.80%. The overall historical data shows an increasing trend in population. Before 2015 the population was at a declining rate. However, there is a sudden growth in population from the year 2015 that is 2,059,021, with a 0.63% increase.

Year Population Yearly % Change Yearly Change Migrants (net) Median Age Fertility Rate Density (P/Km²) Urban Pop % Urban Population Country’s Share of World Pop World Population Global Rank
2020 2,142,249 0.80% 16,981 -10,047 24 3.16 71 31.50% 674,092 0.03% 7,794,798,739 147
2019 2,125,268 0.80% 16,940 -10,047 23.2 3.24 70 30.80% 655,374 0.03% 7,713,468,100 147
2018 2,108,328 0.80% 16,794 -10,047 23.2 3.24 69 30.20% 637,101 0.03% 7,631,091,040 147
2017 2,091,534 0.80% 16,504 -10,047 23.2 3.24 69 29.60% 619,305 0.03% 7,547,858,925 146
2016 2,075,030 0.78% 16,009 -10,047 23.2 3.24 68 29.00% 602,028 0.03% 7,464,022,049 147
2015 2,059,021 0.63% 12,688 -9,541 23 3.26 68 28.40% 585,146 0.03% 7,379,797,139 148
2010 1,995,581 -0.01% -107 -18,495 21.7 3.37 66 25.40% 506,015 0.03% 6,956,823,603 146
2005 1,996,114 -0.36% -7,338 -32,244 20.3 3.66 66 21.70% 433,749 0.03% 6,541,907,027 144
2000 2,032,804 1.38% 26,841 -7,442 19 3.96 67 18.00% 365,288 0.03% 6,143,493,823 144
1995 1,898,598 2.19% 38,970 -1,568 18.2 4.46 63 15.70% 298,639 0.03% 5,744,212,979 144
1990 1,703,747 2.23% 35,523 -8,039 17.1 4.98 56 13.10% 224,016 0.03% 5,327,231,061 145
1985 1,526,131 2.63% 37,175 -5,152 16.9 5.42 50 11.30% 173,014 0.03% 4,870,921,740 143
1980 1,340,255 2.92% 35,893 -1,308 16.9 5.69 44 11.20% 150,006 0.03% 4,458,003,514 144
1975 1,160,792 2.44% 26,373 -4,810 16.9 5.8 38 10.70% 124,517 0.03% 4,079,480,606 143
1970 1,028,926 2.21% 21,324 -4,480 17.1 5.8 34 8.60% 88,923 0.03% 3,700,437,046 143
1965 922,306 1.95% 17,007 -5,000 17.3 5.81 30 6.40% 59,437 0.03% 3,339,583,597 141
1960 837,270 1.77% 14,101 -5,200 17.6 5.86 28 3.60% 29,906 0.03% 3,034,949,748 144
1955 766,763 1.70% 12,415 -4,000 18.3 5.84 25 2.10% 16,146 0.03% 2,773,019,936 141

Lesotho Population forecast

In the foreseeing future, there is no drastic change, but a decent growth in the total population continues. The population anticipated for the future years are for 2040 it is 2,507,454 with a 0.73% growth, in 2045 it 2,591,075 with 0.66% increase and in 2050 it is 2,665,270 increases with 0.57% yearly change. The median age in the country is increasing by 1% every year, and for 2050 the age is 29.8. The urban population also increases by 7 % in 2050.

Year Population Yearly % Change Yearly Change Migrants (net) Median Age Fertility Rate Density (P/Km²) Urban Pop % Urban Population Country’s Share of World Pop World Population Global Rank
2020 2,142,249 0.80% 16,646 -10,047 24 3.16 71 31.50% 674,092 0.03% 7,794,798,739 147
2025 2,227,560 0.78% 17,062 -8,000 25 3.16 73 34.80% 774,177 0.03% 8,184,437,460 147
2030 2,325,164 0.86% 19,521 -4,000 25.9 3.16 77 38.10% 886,719 0.03% 8,548,487,400 148
2035 2,418,173 0.79% 18,602 -4,000 26.8 3.16 80 41.90% 1,014,316 0.03% 8,887,524,213 148
2040 2,507,454 0.73% 17,856 -4,000 27.7 3.16 83 46.20% 1,158,199 0.03% 9,198,847,240 147
2045 2,591,075 0.66% 16,724 -4,000 28.7 3.16 85 50.80% 1,316,407 0.03% 9,481,803,274 146
2050 2,665,270 0.57% 14,839 29.8 3.16 88 55.70% 1,484,831 0.03% 9,735,033,990 146

Lesotho demographics

The life expectancy rate in Lesotho is very low, which is 55.65 years. The infant deaths and deaths under age 5 rate are dangerously high that is 50.5 and 71.2. The population pyramid shows the males to female’s sex ration as 0.97. The male and female population percentage is 49.34 and 50.66% that suggests that the female population is higher. The population by broad age group chart shows that the people of 24-55 years of age are the highest population that is 37.8%.

Lesotho religion and politics

The major religion in Lesotho is Christianity, as 90% of the population is Christians. 45% are Protestants, 45% are Roman Catholics, and the other remaining 10% are Hindus, Muslims, and non-believers.

Lesotho economy

The economy of the country is dependent upon agriculture, manufacturing, mining, livestock’s and receipts from the Africa Union. As there is a high literacy rate in the country, there are more job opportunities and a stable economy.

Largest Countries in the World by Population

S.No Country Population (2020) World Population Share (%)
1 China 1,439,323,776 18.47%
2 India 1,380,004,385 17.70%
3 United States 331,002,651 4.25%
4 Indonesia 273,523,615 3.51%
5 Pakistan 220,892,340 2.83%
6 Brazil 212,559,417 2.73%
7 Nigeria 206,139,589 2.64%
8 Bangladesh 164,689,383 2.11%
9 Russia 145,934,462 1.87%
10 Mexico 128,932,753 1.65%