International Migrant Population Statistics in Lesotho (2026)
0.6% of the population in Lesotho were international migrants in 2024, World Bank World Development Indicators data show. Up from 0.5% in 2020 to 0.6% in 2024 (+0.1 percentage points). Lesotho ranks #43 of 48 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa on this measure, and #188 of 216 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 0.6% (2024)
- International Migrant Population in Lesotho as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2020
- +0.1 pp (2024)
- Up from 0.5% in 2020 to 0.6% in 2024 (+0.1 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
- 0.5% (1990)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 0.5% in 1990 to 0.6% in 2024.
- Record high (2024)
- 0.6% (2024)
- The 2024 value is the highest in the available World Bank World Development Indicators series for Lesotho.
- Rank in Sub-Saharan Africa
- #43 of 48 (2024)
- Lesotho ranks 43 of 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #188 of 216 (2024)
- Lesotho ranks 188 of 216 countries with data globally.
- Sub-Saharan Africa average
- 3.3% (2024)
- Lesotho (0.6%) is below the average of 3.3% across the 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data.
- Personal remittances, received (current US$) (2024)
- $475.8 million (2024)
- Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
- Internet use in Lesotho (2024)
- 51.8% (2024)
- 51.8% of the population in Lesotho used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 2.3 million (2024)
- Lesotho had a population of 2.3 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 1990–2024
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0.6% | +0.1 pp |
| 2020 | 0.5% | +0.1 pp |
| 2015 | 0.4% | +0.1 pp |
| 2010 | 0.3% | +0.0 pp |
| 2005 | 0.3% | +0.0 pp |
| 2000 | 0.3% | −0.1 pp |
| 1995 | 0.4% | −0.1 pp |
| 1990 | 0.5% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of people in Lesotho were international migrants?
0.6% of the population in Lesotho were international migrants in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
How recent is the international migrant population data for Lesotho?
The most recent observation is from 2024. World Bank World Development Indicators data is reported with a lag, so 2024 is the latest available year for Lesotho.
Where does the international migrant population data for Lesotho come from?
The data comes from the World Bank World Development Indicators (indicator SM.POP.TOTL.ZS). The latest observation for Lesotho is from 2024; the snapshot was retrieved on 2026-06-10.
How has international migrant population in Lesotho changed over time?
World Bank World Development Indicators data show a rise from 0.5% in 1990 to 0.6% in 2024.
How does Lesotho compare with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Lesotho ranks 43 of 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, with 0.6% versus a regional average of 3.3% (latest values per country).
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator
SM.POP.TOTL.ZS, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .