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% |