Lesotho Population: How Many People Live in Lesotho?
Historical Population Data (1960-2024)
What is the population of Lesotho? The current Lesotho population is 2 337 423 people in 2024. Lesotho has experienced significant growth in population over the past six decades. From 736 500 people in 1960, the population has grown to 2 337 423 in 2023, representing a growth of 1 600 923 people (+217.4%).
The country reached its peak population of 2 337 423 in 2024, after which population levels began to stabilize. This historical data provides valuable insights into Lesotho's demographic evolution and long-term population trends.
Current Population (2024)
Population in 1960
Total Growth
Peak Population
📈 Population Trend of Lesotho (1960-2024)
This interactive chart visualizes Lesotho's population growth over more than six decades, from 1960 to 2024. The trend line shows how the country's total population has changed year by year, making it easy to identify periods of rapid growth, stability, or decline.
Hover over any point on the chart to see the exact population figure for that specific year. The data is sourced from World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025) and provides a comprehensive historical view of demographic changes in Lesotho.
📊 Lesotho Population by Decade
|
Year
|
Population
|
Change from Previous Decade
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 736 500 | |
| 1970 | 1 019 273 | +282 773 (+38.4%) |
| 1980 | 1 406 521 | +387 248 (+38.0%) |
| 1990 | 1 809 696 | +403 175 (+28.7%) |
| 2000 | 2 003 913 | +194 217 (+10.7%) |
| 2010 | 1 996 251 | -7 662 (-0.4%) |
| 2020 | 2 235 727 | +239 476 (+12.0%) |
| 2024 | 2 337 423 | +101 696 (+4.5%) |
This table presents Lesotho's population data at key 10-year intervals, providing a clear overview of long-term demographic trends. Each row shows the population count for a specific decade, along with the absolute and percentage change from the previous data point.
By examining these decade-by-decade changes, you can quickly identify major demographic shifts and understand the overall growth pattern of Lesotho without getting into year-by-year details.
📅 Complete Historical Data of Lesotho (1960-2024)
|
Year
|
Population
|
Annual Change
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 736 500 | |
| 1961 | 758 824 | +22 324 |
| 1962 | 781 814 | +22 990 |
| 1963 | 805 373 | +23 559 |
| 1964 | 829 437 | +24 064 |
| 1965 | 854 090 | +24 653 |
| 1966 | 881 870 | +27 780 |
| 1967 | 913 982 | +32 112 |
| 1968 | 948 105 | +34 123 |
| 1969 | 983 202 | +35 097 |
| 1970 | 1 019 273 | +36 071 |
| 1971 | 1 056 246 | +36 973 |
| 1972 | 1 094 063 | +37 817 |
| 1973 | 1 132 697 | +38 634 |
| 1974 | 1 172 420 | +39 723 |
| 1975 | 1 213 643 | +41 223 |
| 1976 | 1 253 214 | +39 571 |
| 1977 | 1 289 967 | +36 753 |
| 1978 | 1 327 240 | +37 273 |
| 1979 | 1 366 169 | +38 929 |
| 1980 | 1 406 521 | +40 352 |
| 1981 | 1 448 069 | +41 548 |
| 1982 | 1 490 732 | +42 663 |
| 1983 | 1 534 413 | +43 681 |
| 1984 | 1 578 986 | +44 573 |
| 1985 | 1 624 379 | +45 393 |
| 1986 | 1 666 138 | +41 759 |
| 1987 | 1 703 390 | +37 252 |
| 1988 | 1 739 841 | +36 451 |
| 1989 | 1 775 436 | +35 595 |
| 1990 | 1 809 696 | +34 260 |
| 1991 | 1 842 379 | +32 683 |
| 1992 | 1 873 274 | +30 895 |
| 1993 | 1 901 793 | +28 519 |
| 1994 | 1 927 707 | +25 914 |
| 1995 | 1 951 437 | +23 730 |
| 1996 | 1 972 418 | +20 981 |
| 1997 | 1 988 130 | +15 712 |
| 1998 | 1 998 049 | +9 919 |
| 1999 | 2 003 234 | +5 185 |
| 2000 | 2 003 913 | +679 |
| 2001 | 2 000 853 | -3 060 |
| 2002 | 1 994 679 | -6 174 |
| 2003 | 1 985 059 | -9 620 |
| 2004 | 1 971 129 | -13 930 |
| 2005 | 1 953 076 | -18 053 |
| 2006 | 1 945 063 | -8 013 |
| 2007 | 1 953 268 | +8 205 |
| 2008 | 1 966 541 | +13 273 |
| 2009 | 1 980 883 | +14 342 |
| 2010 | 1 996 251 | +15 368 |
| 2011 | 2 014 009 | +17 758 |
| 2012 | 2 034 354 | +20 345 |
| 2013 | 2 056 504 | +22 150 |
| 2014 | 2 080 089 | +23 585 |
| 2015 | 2 104 611 | +24 522 |
| 2016 | 2 130 422 | +25 811 |
| 2017 | 2 157 110 | +26 688 |
| 2018 | 2 183 603 | +26 493 |
| 2019 | 2 209 405 | +25 802 |
| 2020 | 2 235 727 | +26 322 |
| 2021 | 2 261 542 | +25 815 |
| 2022 | 2 286 110 | +24 568 |
| 2023 | 2 311 472 | +25 362 |
| 2024 | 2 337 423 | +25 951 |
This comprehensive table displays the complete year-by-year population records for Lesotho from 1960 to 2024. Each row represents one calendar year, showing the total population and the annual change compared to the previous year.
Use this detailed dataset to analyze short-term population fluctuations, identify specific years with significant changes, or track precise demographic patterns. The sortable columns allow you to organize the data by year, population size, or annual change to suit your research needs. Data source: World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Lesotho Population
What is the current population of Lesotho?
The population of Lesotho is estimated to be approximately 2 337 423 people as of 2024, based on official data from the World Bank.
How fast is the population of Lesotho growing?
Lesotho has experienced growth with an average annual growth rate of approximately 1.82% per year from 1960 to 2024. The total population has increased by 1 600 923 people (+217.4%) over this 64-year period.
How does Lesotho's population compare to other countries?
Lesotho ranks #194 in the world by population as of 2024, making it one of the less populous countries globally. With 2 337 423 people, Lesotho accounts for approximately 0.00% of the world's total population.
How has the population of Lesotho changed over time?
Over the past decades, Lesotho's population has increased from 736 500 people in 1960 to 2 337 423 in 2024. The country reached its peak population of 2 337 423 in 2024. This growth reflects improvements in healthcare, economic development, and overall quality of life.
What were the population milestones of Lesotho?
Lesotho achieved several significant demographic milestones throughout its history. The population first reached 736 500 in 1960, and grew to its current level of 2 337 423 by 2024. The highest recorded population was 2 337 423 people in 2024, while the lowest in recent history was 736 500 in 1960.
What factors influence population growth in Lesotho?
Key factors influencing population dynamics in Lesotho include birth and death rates, migration patterns, government policies related to family planning and immigration, healthcare infrastructure and life expectancy, economic conditions affecting family size decisions, urbanization trends, and socio-cultural factors. The country's positive population trend over the past 64 years reflects the combined impact of these various demographic drivers.
Where can I find historical population data for Lesotho?
This page provides comprehensive historical population data for Lesotho from 1960 to 2024, sourced directly from the World Bank's official database. The data includes year-by-year population figures, decade summaries, growth rates, and interactive charts showing long-term demographic trends. This information is updated regularly (last update: 10/7/2025) to ensure accuracy and reliability for research, educational, and analytical purposes.