HistoryData

Population Pyramid of Lesotho2024

Total population
2.3M
Median age
22.7
Peak year
2083
Peak population
3.3M

Age & sex distribution over time

195019802000202420502100
1950 · 580K · median age 18.8
Population pyramid: Lesotho, 1950. Total population 580 thousand, median age 18.8. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale1950
1980 · 1.4M · median age 18.8
Population pyramid: Lesotho, 1980. Total population 1.4 million, median age 18.8. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale1980
2000 · 2.0M · median age 19.2
Population pyramid: Lesotho, 2000. Total population 2.0 million, median age 19.2. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2000
2024 · 2.3M · median age 22.7
Population pyramid: Lesotho, 2024. Total population 2.3 million, median age 22.7. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2024
2050 · 3.0M · median age 29.8
Population pyramid: Lesotho, 2050. Total population 3.0 million, median age 29.8. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2050
2100 · 3.3M · median age 39.7
Population pyramid: Lesotho, 2100. Total population 3.3 million, median age 39.7. Male and female age-band distribution in 5-year cohorts.0–45–910–1415–1920–2425–2930–3435–3940–4445–4950–5455–5960–6465–6970–7475–7980–8485–8990–9495–99100+MaleFemale2100

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 Revision (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Values in thousands. Years after 2024 are medium-variant projections.

Key insights

Demographic profile

Lesotho presently shows an expansive pyramid with a young median age, characteristic of the early demographic transition — fertility remains high while mortality has fallen. The median age in 2024 is 22.7 years.

Age composition

Children under 15 account for 34.5% of the population; people 65 and older account for 3.9%.

Peak population

UN medium-variant projections place Lesotho's peak population in 2083.

Long arc

In 1950 the population was 0.6 million with median age 18.8. Projected 2100 values are 3.3 million and median age 39.7.

More about Lesotho

Population history
Lesotho's population over time
Famous people
Notable figures from Lesotho
GDP history
Economic output of Lesotho
Life expectancy
Longevity in Lesotho
Inflation history
Price changes in Lesotho
Fertility rate
Births per woman in Lesotho
Average height
Adult height in Lesotho by birth year