Population · Africa · 2025 data
Lesotho Population
Lesotho had a population of 2.36 million in 2025, ranking #144 of 216 countries and territories (0.03% of the world). The population grew by 12.3% over the past ten years.
2.36 million
Population (2025) · #144
+1.10%
Annual growth
77
People per km²
45%
Live in cities
Population of Lesotho, 1960–2025
736,5001960
854,0901965
1.01970
1.21975
1.41980
1.61985
1.81990
2.01995
2.02000
2.02005
2.02010
2.12015
2.22020
2.42025
Values in millions · World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0)
Population by year (table)
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,363,325 | +1.11% |
| 2024 | 2,337,423 | +1.12% |
| 2023 | 2,311,472 | +1.11% |
| 2022 | 2,286,110 | +1.09% |
| 2021 | 2,261,542 | +1.15% |
| 2020 | 2,235,727 | +1.19% |
| 2019 | 2,209,405 | +1.18% |
| 2018 | 2,183,603 | +1.23% |
| 2017 | 2,157,110 | +1.25% |
| 2016 | 2,130,422 | +1.23% |
| 2015 | 2,104,611 | +1.18% |
| 2014 | 2,080,089 | +1.15% |
| 2013 | 2,056,504 | +1.09% |
| 2012 | 2,034,354 | +1.01% |
| 2011 | 2,014,009 | +0.89% |
| 2010 | 1,996,251 | +0.78% |
| 2009 | 1,980,883 | +0.73% |
| 2008 | 1,966,541 | +0.68% |
| 2007 | 1,953,268 | +0.42% |
| 2006 | 1,945,063 | -0.41% |
| 2005 | 1,953,076 | -0.92% |
| 2004 | 1,971,129 | -0.70% |
| 2003 | 1,985,059 | -0.48% |
| 2002 | 1,994,679 | -0.31% |
| 2001 | 2,000,853 | -0.15% |
| 2000 | 2,003,913 | +0.03% |
| 1999 | 2,003,234 | +0.26% |
| 1998 | 1,998,049 | +0.50% |
| 1997 | 1,988,130 | +0.80% |
| 1996 | 1,972,418 | +1.08% |
| 1995 | 1,951,437 | +1.23% |
| 1994 | 1,927,707 | +1.36% |
| 1993 | 1,901,793 | +1.52% |
| 1992 | 1,873,274 | +1.68% |
| 1991 | 1,842,379 | +1.81% |
| 1990 | 1,809,696 | +1.93% |
| 1989 | 1,775,436 | +2.05% |
| 1988 | 1,739,841 | +2.14% |
| 1987 | 1,703,390 | +2.24% |
| 1986 | 1,666,138 | +2.57% |
| 1985 | 1,624,379 | +2.87% |
| 1984 | 1,578,986 | +2.90% |
| 1983 | 1,534,413 | +2.93% |
| 1982 | 1,490,732 | +2.95% |
| 1981 | 1,448,069 | +2.95% |
| 1980 | 1,406,521 | +2.95% |
| 1979 | 1,366,169 | +2.93% |
| 1978 | 1,327,240 | +2.89% |
| 1977 | 1,289,967 | +2.93% |
| 1976 | 1,253,214 | +3.26% |
| 1975 | 1,213,643 | +3.52% |
| 1974 | 1,172,420 | +3.51% |
| 1973 | 1,132,697 | +3.53% |
| 1972 | 1,094,063 | +3.58% |
| 1971 | 1,056,246 | +3.63% |
| 1970 | 1,019,273 | +3.67% |
| 1969 | 983,202 | +3.70% |
| 1968 | 948,105 | +3.73% |
| 1967 | 913,982 | +3.64% |
| 1966 | 881,870 | +3.25% |
| 1965 | 854,090 | +2.97% |
| 1964 | 829,437 | +2.99% |
| 1963 | 805,373 | +3.01% |
| 1962 | 781,814 | +3.03% |
| 1961 | 758,824 | +3.03% |
| 1960 | 736,500 | — |
Demographics of Lesotho
57.8
Life expectancy (years)
2.66
Births per woman (above replacement)
3.9%
Aged 65 and over
24 years
Median age
Ethnic groups
Sotho 99.7%, other 0.3% (includes Kwena, Nguni (Hlubi and Phuthi), Zulu)
Languages
Sesotho (official), English (official), Phuthi, Xhosa, Zulu
Religions
Protestant 47.8% (Pentecostal 23.1%, Lesotho Evangelical 17.3%, Anglican 7.4%), Roman Catholic 39.3%, other Christian 9.1%, non-Christian 1.4%, none 2.3% (2014 est.)
Where people live
Urban population: 30.4% of total population (2023).
Largest cities
1
Maseru Capital
202,000
Frequently asked questions about the population of Lesotho
What is the population of Lesotho?
Lesotho had a population of 2.36 million in 2025, ranking #144 of 216 countries and territories (0.03% of the world).
Is the population of Lesotho growing?
Yes. The population grew by 12.3% over the past ten years. Annual growth in 2025: 1.10%.
How has the population of Lesotho changed since 1960?
It has grown 3.2-fold, from 736,500 in 1960 to 2.36 million in 2025.
How densely populated is Lesotho?
About 77 people per km² of land (2024).
What is the largest city in Lesotho?
Maseru — about 202,000 people in its urban area, and it is also the capital.
Population and demographics: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). Cities, ethnic groups, languages and religions: CIA World Factbook (public domain).