Lesotho—Population Growth (%)
Lesotho's population growth rate was 1.1% in 2025, ranking #96 out of 217 countries. This represents a -1.3% change from 2024. Over the past 65 years, the highest recorded value was 3.7% (1968) and the lowest was -0.9% (2005). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1.1% | -1.3% |
| 2024 | 1.1% | +1.2% |
| 2023 | 1.1% | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 1.1% | -5.9% |
| 2021 | 1.1% | -3.1% |
| 2020 | 1.2% | +0.8% |
| 2019 | 1.2% | -3.8% |
| 2018 | 1.2% | -1.9% |
| 2017 | 1.2% | +2.1% |
| 2016 | 1.2% | +4.0% |
| 2015 | 1.2% | +2.8% |
| 2014 | 1.1% | +5.3% |
| 2013 | 1.1% | +7.7% |
| 2012 | 1.0% | +13.5% |
| 2011 | 0.9% | +14.6% |
| 2010 | 0.8% | +6.4% |
| 2009 | 0.7% | +7.3% |
| 2008 | 0.7% | +60.9% |
| 2007 | 0.4% | +202.4% |
| 2006 | -0.4% | +55.3% |
| 2005 | -0.9% | -30.7% |
| 2004 | -0.7% | -45.7% |
| 2003 | -0.5% | -56.4% |
| 2002 | -0.3% | -102.2% |
| 2001 | -0.2% | -550.9% |
| 2000 | 0.0% | -86.9% |
| 1999 | 0.3% | -47.9% |
| 1998 | 0.5% | -37.3% |
| 1997 | 0.8% | -25.8% |
| 1996 | 1.1% | -12.6% |
| 1995 | 1.2% | -9.6% |
| 1994 | 1.4% | -10.4% |
| 1993 | 1.5% | -9.1% |
| 1992 | 1.7% | -7.1% |
| 1991 | 1.8% | -6.4% |
| 1990 | 1.9% | -5.6% |
| 1989 | 2.0% | -4.4% |
| 1988 | 2.1% | -4.2% |
| 1987 | 2.2% | -12.9% |
| 1986 | 2.5% | -10.4% |
| 1985 | 2.8% | -1.0% |
| 1984 | 2.9% | -0.9% |
| 1983 | 2.9% | -0.5% |
| 1982 | 2.9% | -0.3% |
| 1981 | 2.9% | +0.0% |
| 1980 | 2.9% | +0.7% |
| 1979 | 2.9% | +1.5% |
| 1978 | 2.8% | -1.5% |
| 1977 | 2.9% | -9.9% |
| 1976 | 3.2% | -7.2% |
| 1975 | 3.5% | +0.3% |
| 1974 | 3.4% | -0.7% |
| 1973 | 3.5% | -1.3% |
| 1972 | 3.5% | -1.3% |
| 1971 | 3.6% | -1.1% |
| 1970 | 3.6% | -0.9% |
| 1969 | 3.6% | -0.8% |
| 1968 | 3.7% | +2.5% |
| 1967 | 3.6% | +11.7% |
| 1966 | 3.2% | +9.3% |
| 1965 | 2.9% | -0.5% |
| 1964 | 2.9% | -0.8% |
| 1963 | 3.0% | -0.5% |
| 1962 | 3.0% | -0.0% |
| 1961 | 3.0% |
Top Countries — Population Growth (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Arab Emirates | 4.7% | 2025 |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia | 4.6% | 2025 |
| 3 | Oman | 4.0% | 2025 |
| 4 | Qatar | 3.9% | 2025 |
| 5 | Syrian Arab Republic | 3.8% | 2025 |
| 6 | Chad | 3.4% | 2025 |
| 7 | Central African Republic | 3.4% | 2025 |
| 8 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 9 | Niger | 3.2% | 2025 |
| 10 | Congo, Dem. Rep. | 3.2% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.
Methodology
World Bank WDI. Original contributors: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division; Statistical databases and publications from national statistical offices, National Statistical Offices (NSOs), note: Derived from total population; Demographic Statistics, Eurostat (ESTAT), note: Derived from total population; Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Statistical Division
Unit
annual %