Net migration in Lesotho
Lesotho: Net migration was -5,192 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Net migration in Lesotho, 1960–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
Analysis
The most recent figure for net migration in Lesotho is -5,192, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 1.7% on the previous year and up 26.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Lesotho peaked at 10,605 in 1970 and was at its lowest, -35,679, in 2005.
Lesotho ranks 136th of 215 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5,047 | 1,989 | 10,465 | 10 |
| 1970s | 6,750 | 746 | 10,605 | 10 |
| 1980s | -3,306 | -11,207 | 1,361 | 10 |
| 1990s | -16,565 | -24,610 | -11,598 | 10 |
| 2000s | -21,254 | -35,679 | -5,179 | 10 |
| 2010s | -6,646 | -7,087 | -5,886 | 10 |
| 2020s | -4,731 | -6,023 | -3,449 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More financial sector data for Lesotho
- Official exchange rate 17.89 LCU per US$, period average (2025)
- Total reserves in months of imports 5.54 (2024)
- Net domestic credit 3.67 billion current LCU (2024)
- Domestic credit to private sector by banks 23.8% (2024)
- Broad money 42.3% (2020)
- Net foreign assets 25.32 billion current LCU (2024)
- Monetary Sector credit to private sector 24.3% (2024)
- Domestic credit to private sector 24.3% (2024)
- Claims on central government, etc. -18.2% (2024)
- Claims on central government -3.5% (2021)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Lesotho?
- Net migration in Lesotho was -5,192 in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 10,605 in 1970.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was -35,679 in 2005.
- How does Lesotho rank for net migration?
- Lesotho ranks 136th out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the number of immigrants minus the number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens.