Urban Population: Lesotho
Lesotho's urban population is currently 43.7% as of 2024. # Lesotho Urban Population Lesotho's urban population reached 43.
Current (2024)
43.7%
+2.3% y/y
Peak (2024)
43.7%
Low (1960)
3.7%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Lesotho
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Lesotho
Analysis# Lesotho Urban Population
Lesotho's urban population reached 43.678% in 2024, marking the country's all-time peak since records began in 1960. This represents a dramatic shift from the 3.658% baseline six decades ago—a cumulative increase of 1,094%. The nation has transformed from overwhelmingly rural to nearly evenly split between urban and rural populations, reflecting broader patterns of migration and development across southern Africa.
The acceleration became particularly pronounced after 2015, when urban population stood at 34.09%. Over the following nine years, Lesotho added approximately 9.6 percentage points to its urban share, averaging roughly 1.1 percentage points annually. This consistent upward trajectory suggests continued urbanization momentum, likely driven by economic opportunities in cities and changing rural livelihood conditions.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 43.7% | +2.34% |
| 2023 | 42.7% | +2.42% |
| 2022 | 41.7% | +2.50% |
| 2021 | 40.7% | +2.58% |
| 2020 | 39.6% | +2.67% |
| 2019 | 38.6% | +2.75% |
| 2018 | 37.6% | +2.85% |
| 2017 | 36.5% | +2.87% |
| 2016 | 35.5% | +4.16% |
| 2015 | 34.1% | +4.44% |
| 2014 | 32.6% | +4.48% |
| 2013 | 31.2% | +4.50% |
| 2012 | 29.9% | +4.48% |
| 2011 | 28.6% | +4.43% |
| 2010 | 27.4% | +4.35% |
| 2009 | 26.3% | +4.21% |
| 2008 | 25.2% | +4.04% |
| 2007 | 24.2% | +3.80% |
| 2006 | 23.3% | +3.55% |
| 2005 | 22.5% | +3.36% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 21.8% | +3.20% |
| 2003 | 21.1% | +3.07% |
| 2002 | 20.5% | +2.99% |
| 2001 | 19.9% | +2.95% |
| 2000 | 19.3% | +2.96% |
| 1999 | 18.8% | +3.03% |
| 1998 | 18.2% | +3.15% |
| 1997 | 17.7% | +3.35% |
| 1996 | 17.1% | +3.77% |
| 1995 | 16.5% | +4.39% |
| 1994 | 15.8% | +4.89% |
| 1993 | 15.0% | +5.24% |
| 1992 | 14.3% | +5.38% |
| 1991 | 13.6% | +5.26% |
| 1990 | 12.9% | +4.87% |
| 1989 | 12.3% | +4.09% |
| 1988 | 11.8% | +2.96% |
| 1987 | 11.5% | +1.42% |
| 1986 | 11.3% | +0.23% |
| 1985 | 11.3% | +0.12% |
| 1984 | 11.3% | +0.08% |
| 1983 | 11.3% | +0.06% |
| 1982 | 11.2% | +0.04% |
| 1981 | 11.2% | +0.04% |
| 1980 | 11.2% | +0.05% |
| 1979 | 11.2% | +0.07% |
| 1978 | 11.2% | +0.10% |
| 1977 | 11.2% | +0.13% |
| 1976 | 11.2% | +0.59% |
| 1975 | 11.1% | +1.80% |
| 1974 | 10.9% | +2.94% |
| 1973 | 10.6% | +3.95% |
| 1972 | 10.2% | +4.86% |
| 1971 | 9.7% | +5.67% |
| 1970 | 9.2% | +6.32% |
| 1969 | 8.7% | +6.80% |
| 1968 | 8.1% | +7.02% |
| 1967 | 7.6% | +6.87% |
| 1966 | 7.1% | +7.33% |
| 1965 | 6.6% | +9.05% |
| 1964 | 6.1% | +10.87% |
| 1963 | 5.5% | +12.73% |
| 1962 | 4.9% | +14.45% |
| 1961 | 4.2% | +15.97% |
| 1960 | 3.7% | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For Lesotho
Compare Urban Population
Same metric, other countries
Demographics
People & population data