Lesotho Population
Sub-Saharan Africa · 144th most populous · Lower middle income
Population right now (estimate)
2,397,421
The population of Lesotho is about 2,397,421 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 2.4 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.03% of the world's people.
Lesotho is ranked 144th of 217 by population. The population is still growing, by about 1.10% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 3.0 million. That is 3.2 times its 1960 population of 737 thousand. Population density is 79 people per square kilometre. 45% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
2.4 million
Yearly change
+1.10%
World rank
144th
Share of world
0.03%
Density
79/km²
Land area
30,360 km²
Life expectancy
57.8 yrs
Births per woman
2.66
GDP per capita
$1,089
GDP
$2.6B
Population of Lesotho, 1960–2050
Lesotho population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 736,500 | — | 24 |
| 1970 | 1,019,273 | +3.67% | 34 |
| 1980 | 1,406,521 | +2.95% | 46 |
| 1990 | 1,809,696 | +1.93% | 60 |
| 2000 | 2,003,913 | +0.03% | 66 |
| 2010 | 1,996,251 | +0.78% | 66 |
| 2020 | 2,235,727 | +1.19% | 74 |
| 2024 | 2,337,423 | +1.12% | 77 |
| 2026proj. | 2,389,336 | +1.10% | 79 |
| 2030proj. | 2,493,818 | +1.06% | 82 |
| 2040proj. | 2,757,876 | +0.94% | 91 |
| 2050proj. | 2,993,077 | +0.70% | 99 |
Lesotho vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 74.4 times as many people as Lesotho. Bangladesh is 17.4 times more densely populated.
Lesotho population: questions and answers
What is the population of Lesotho in 2026?
About 2,389,336 (2.4 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Lesotho's population growing?
Yes, by about 1.10% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Lesotho?
About 79 people per km², with a land area of 30,360 km².
What will the population of Lesotho be in 2050?
About 3.0 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Lesotho?
Maseru.
What is the life expectancy in Lesotho?
57.8 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.