Lesotho

1950

2025

2100

1950

2025

2100

Net emigration of 5,192 people per year—more people leaving than arriving.

Since 1950, Lesotho has lost a cumulative 386,895 people through migration.

By 2100, projections show continued net emigration.

Net migrants

-5,192

Net migration rate

-2.2 per 1,000 people

Key terms

Net migration: — Immigrants minus emigrants. Positive = more people arriving, negative = more leaving.
Net migration rate: — Net migration per 1,000 population per year.
Immigration: — People entering the country from abroad.
Emigration: — People leaving the country to live abroad.

Migration flows

Net migration from 1950 to 2100 (projections after 2024)

Net migrants

-651,143

Cumulative over selected range

Peak immigration

10,605

Top year: 1970

Peak emigration

-35,679

Lowest year: 2005

Recent avg (10 yrs)

-2697

Per year

Lesotho loses approximately 5,192 people per year to emigration (2.2 per 1,000 population). Peak immigration was 10,605 in 1970.

Migration flows in Lesotho are relatively modest.

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024. Historical estimates (1950–2024) and medium-variant projections (2025–2100).