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Fertility & birth rates in Lesotho and Palestine

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has an annual birth rate of 24.1 births per 1,000 people, compared to 27.1 for Palestine. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 2.69 in Lesotho and 3.31 in Palestine — 22.9% difference.

1990 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 44% in Lesotho and by 51.4% in Palestine — in 1990, it was 4.81 and 6.81, respectively.

  • Lesotho is ranked 56/196 by birth rate compared to 44/196 for Palestine.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 27.8 in Lesotho — it's 28.5 in Palestine.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 70.6 in Lesotho vs 36 in Palestine.
  • In Lesotho, 27.8% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.5% in Palestine.

Fertility rate in Lesotho vs Palestine by year

Lesotho
Palestine
1x
Year Fertility rate
Lesotho Palestine
2023 2.69 3.31
2022 2.72 3.38
2021 2.77 3.44
2020 2.85 3.51
2019 2.92 3.59
2018 3.02 3.67
2017 3.11 3.77
2016 3.18 3.89
2015 3.22 3.98
2014 3.24 4
2013 3.28 4.05
2012 3.3 4.15
2011 3.34 4.31
2010 3.25 4.43
2009 3.31 4.44
2008 3.39 4.51
2007 3.44 4.63
2006 3.41 4.74
2005 3.43 4.87
2004 3.51 4.97
2003 3.62 5.06
2002 3.68 5.22
2001 3.63 5.34
2000 3.61 5.46
1999 3.67 5.58
1998 3.82 5.69
1997 3.98 5.82
1996 4.06 5.99
1995 4.13 6.16
1994 4.21 6.33
1993 4.37 6.5
1992 4.54 6.65
1991 4.68 6.75
1990 4.81 6.81
1989 4.96 -
1988 5.1 -
1987 5.22 -
1986 5.32 -
1985 5.4 -
1984 5.48 -
1983 5.56 -
1982 5.63 -
1981 5.69 -
1980 5.75 -
1979 5.79 -
1978 5.82 -
1977 5.85 -
1976 5.87 -
1975 5.83 -
1974 5.75 -
1973 5.69 -
1972 5.69 -
1971 5.7 -
1970 5.7 -
1969 5.7 -
1968 5.73 -
1967 5.75 -
1966 5.76 -
1965 5.77 -
1964 5.77 -
1963 5.78 -
1962 5.79 -
1961 5.79 -
1960 5.78 -

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/lesotho/palestine | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Lesotho was 2.69 children per woman in 2023, compared to 3.31 in Palestine in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Lesotho vs Palestine population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Lesotho
Palestine
1x
Year Natural population change
Lesotho Palestine
2023 31,115 102,613
2022 30,803 123,987
2021 27,806 120,396
2020 30,721 122,416
2019 32,279 124,508
2018 33,112 124,791
2017 33,601 125,688
2016 33,390 126,698
2015 32,087 126,189
2014 30,922 120,724
2013 29,789 120,503
2012 27,592 119,185
2011 25,647 119,021
2010 21,877 117,674
2009 20,335 111,724
2008 19,349 108,395
2007 17,763 112,453
2006 15,234 111,728
2005 15,831 110,569
2004 17,271 110,045
2003 20,133 109,162
2002 22,274 108,560
2001 23,190 107,320
2000 24,786 106,367
1999 27,393 104,823
1998 30,889 103,566
1997 34,637 102,307
1996 36,228 98,085
1995 37,370 94,037
1994 38,629 90,156
1993 40,505 86,434
1992 42,579 82,865
1991 44,026 79,444
1990 45,060 76,163
1989 46,264 -
1988 47,158 -
1987 47,718 -
1986 45,232 -
1985 44,575 -
1984 43,785 -
1983 42,899 -
1982 41,941 -
1981 40,808 -
1980 39,617 -
1979 38,440 -
1978 37,084 -
1977 35,654 -
1976 34,117 -
1975 32,311 -
1974 30,444 -
1973 28,859 -
1972 27,841 -
1971 26,838 -
1970 25,935 -
1969 25,137 -
1968 24,490 -
1967 23,911 -
1966 23,326 -
1965 22,755 -
1964 22,116 -
1963 21,585 -
1962 21,132 -
1961 20,581 -
1960 19,981 -

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/lesotho/palestine | CC BY

The chart above illustrates the comparison of the absolute yearly changes in population resulting from births and deaths.

Excluding migration, the natural population change due to births and deaths from 2022 to 2023 was +1.35% in Lesotho and +1.99% in Palestine.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +1.44% in Lesotho and +2.64% in Palestine.

Birth rate in Lesotho vs Palestine by year

Lesotho
Palestine

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Lesotho Palestine
2023 24.1 27.1
2022 24.4 27.6
2021 24.9 28.2
2020 25.6 28.9
2019 26.4 29.7
2018 27.4 30.5
2017 28.2 31.4
2016 28.9 32.3
2015 29.2 32.9
2014 29.5 32.8
2013 30 32.9
2012 30 33.4
2011 30.2 34.1
2010 29.2 34.5
2009 29.4 34
2008 29.6 33.9
2007 29.5 35.9
2006 28.6 36.7
2005 28.6 37.3
2004 28.7 38.1
2003 29.3 38.8
2002 29.4 39.6
2001 28.7 40.2
2000 28.2 40.9
1999 28.5 41.4
1998 29.2 42.1
1997 30.2 42.7
1996 30.4 43.1
1995 30.6 43.4
1994 31 43.8
1993 32 44.1
1992 33.2 44.5
1991 34.2 44.9
1990 35.1 45.2
1989 36.3 -
1988 37.4 -
1987 38.3 -
1986 37.5 -
1985 37.9 -
1984 38.4 -
1983 38.9 -
1982 39.5 -
1981 39.9 -
1980 40.4 -
1979 40.8 -
1978 41 -
1977 41.1 -
1976 41 -
1975 40.6 -
1974 40.2 -
1973 39.9 -
1972 40.2 -
1971 40.5 -
1970 40.8 -
1969 41.3 -
1968 41.9 -
1967 42.5 -
1966 43 -
1965 43.3 -
1964 43.5 -
1963 43.7 -
1962 44.1 -
1961 44.3 -
1960 44.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/lesotho/palestine | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 24.1 in Lesotho and 27.1 in Palestine, compared with 35.1 and 45.2, respectively, in 1990.

Birth rate data compared

Lesotho Palestine
Fertility rate 2.69 3.31
Fertility rate rank 68/196 48/196
Birth rate 24.1 27.1
Birth rate rank 56/196 44/196
Population change due to births and deaths +31,115 +102,613
Natural population change rank 103/196 78/196
Natural population change rate +1.35% +1.99%
Population growth +1.12% +2.39%
Population growth rank 93/197 34/197
Age at first childbirth 20.9 years n/a
Average age at childbearing 27.8 years 28.5 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 69.3 34.1
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 133.8 179.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 37.3 46.1
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 27.8% 25.5%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 65.3% 42.8%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 86.6% 99.7%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.48% 0.02%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.87% 0.87%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 5.54% 1.43%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 5.89% 2.63%
Life expectancy 58.6 years 77.4 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Lesotho
Factual

UN forecast
Palestine
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Lesotho Palestine
2100 18% 16.1%
2099 18.1% 16.2%
2098 18.2% 16.3%
2097 18.3% 16.4%
2096 18.3% 16.5%
2095 18.4% 16.6%
2094 18.5% 16.8%
2093 18.6% 16.9%
2092 18.7% 17%
2091 18.9% 17.2%
2090 19% 17.4%
2089 19.1% 17.5%
2088 19.2% 17.7%
2087 19.3% 17.9%
2086 19.4% 18.1%
2085 19.6% 18.3%
2084 19.7% 18.4%
2083 19.8% 18.6%
2082 19.9% 18.8%
2081 20% 19%
2080 20.2% 19.2%
2079 20.3% 19.4%
2078 20.4% 19.6%
2077 20.5% 19.8%
2076 20.6% 20%
2075 20.7% 20.1%
2074 20.9% 20.3%
2073 21% 20.5%
2072 21.1% 20.7%
2071 21.3% 20.9%
2070 21.4% 21.1%
2069 21.5% 21.3%
2068 21.7% 21.5%
2067 21.9% 21.7%
2066 22% 21.9%
2065 22.2% 22.2%
2064 22.4% 22.5%
2063 22.6% 22.8%
2062 22.8% 23.1%
2061 23% 23.4%
2060 23.3% 23.7%
2059 23.5% 24.1%
2058 23.7% 24.5%
2057 24% 24.8%
2056 24.2% 25.2%
2055 24.5% 25.6%
2054 24.7% 25.9%
2053 25% 26.3%
2052 25.3% 26.7%
2051 25.5% 27%
2050 25.8% 27.3%
2049 26.1% 27.7%
2048 26.3% 28%
2047 26.5% 28.2%
2046 26.8% 28.5%
2045 27% 28.8%
2044 27.3% 29%
2043 27.5% 29.3%
2042 27.7% 29.6%
2041 28% 29.9%
2040 28.2% 30.1%
2039 28.4% 30.5%
2038 28.7% 30.8%
2037 28.9% 31.2%
2036 29.2% 31.6%
2035 29.5% 32.1%
2034 29.9% 32.6%
2033 30.3% 33.1%
2032 30.8% 33.7%
2031 31.3% 34.4%
2030 31.8% 35%
2029 32.3% 35.6%
2028 32.8% 36.2%
2027 33.4% 36.7%
2026 33.9% 37.3%
2025 34.3% 37.9%
2024 34.5% 38%
2023 34.9% 38.4%
2022 35.3% 38.7%
2021 35.6% 39%
2020 35.8% 39.3%
2019 36.1% 39.5%
2018 36.3% 39.6%
2017 36.5% 39.7%
2016 36.6% 39.9%
2015 36.6% 40.1%
2014 36.6% 40.4%
2013 36.5% 40.7%
2012 36.5% 41.1%
2011 36.5% 41.5%
2010 36.5% 41.9%
2009 36.6% 42.4%
2008 36.7% 43%
2007 36.8% 43.7%
2006 37.1% 44.3%
2005 37.4% 45%
2004 37.7% 45.6%
2003 38.1% 46.1%
2002 38.6% 46.6%
2001 39.1% 47.1%
2000 39.6% 47.4%
1999 40.2% 47.8%
1998 40.7% 48.1%
1997 41.2% 48.4%
1996 41.7% 48.6%
1995 42% 48.8%
1994 42.3% 48.9%
1993 42.6% 49%
1992 42.8% 49%
1991 42.9% 49.1%
1990 42.9% 49.1%
1989 42.8% -
1988 42.7% -
1987 42.5% -
1986 42.7% -
1985 43% -
1984 42.8% -
1983 42.7% -
1982 42.5% -
1981 42.3% -
1980 42.1% -
1979 41.9% -
1978 41.7% -
1977 41.5% -
1976 41.4% -
1975 41.6% -
1974 41.9% -
1973 42.3% -
1972 42.7% -
1971 43.1% -
1970 43.6% -
1969 44% -
1968 44.4% -
1967 44.8% -
1966 44.9% -
1965 44.8% -
1964 44.9% -
1963 45.2% -
1962 45.3% -
1961 45.2% -
1960 45.1% -

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/lesotho/palestine | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 34.5% of the population in Lesotho and 38% in Palestine in 2024, compared to 42.9% and 49.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Lesotho and Palestine compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/lesotho/palestine | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Lesotho vs Palestine

Lesotho
Palestine
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Lesotho Palestine
2023 478 16
2022 477 17
2021 577 29
2020 529 20
2019 467 18
2018 491 19
2017 468 21
2016 518 23
2015 594 26
2014 707 29
2013 855 32
2012 1,000 36
2011 1,210 39
2010 1,311 42
2009 1,387 48
2008 1,205 49
2007 891 49
2006 696 51
2005 549 52
2004 499 55
2003 508 56
2002 484 58
2001 465 60
2000 413 59
1999 371 58
1998 332 59
1997 312 60
1996 319 61
1995 357 64
1994 423 66
1993 542 69
1992 601 73
1991 641 75
1990 665 78
1989 680 82
1988 680 85
1987 686 87
1986 680 96
1985 711 102

Data sources: World Bank | Gender (1985–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/lesotho/palestine | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 478 deaths per 100,000 live births in Lesotho, compared to 16 deaths in Palestine.

Under-five mortality rates

Lesotho
Palestine

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Lesotho Palestine
2023 5.89% 2.63%
2022 6.15% 1.42%
2021 6.44% 1.47%
2020 6.68% 1.52%
2019 6.87% 1.57%
2018 6.91% 1.63%
2017 7.12% 1.69%
2016 7.18% 1.76%
2015 7.51% 1.83%
2014 7.82% 2.2%
2013 8.02% 1.97%
2012 8.26% 2.04%
2011 8.59% 2.12%
2010 9.01% 2.2%
2009 9.64% 2.28%
2008 10.9% 2.35%
2007 11.2% 2.43%
2006 11.5% 2.52%
2005 11.6% 2.6%
2004 11.5% 2.68%
2003 11.4% 2.77%
2002 11.2% 2.85%
2001 11.1% 2.94%
2000 10.9% 3.03%
1999 10.7% 3.13%
1998 10.5% 3.24%
1997 10.2% 3.36%
1996 9.83% 3.49%
1995 9.45% 3.62%
1994 9.07% 3.77%
1993 8.73% 3.92%
1992 8.51% 4.09%
1991 8.43% 4.28%
1990 8.47% 4.49%
1989 8.6% 4.72%
1988 8.8% 4.97%
1987 9.06% 5.25%
1986 9.36% 5.56%
1985 9.72% 5.89%
1984 10.1% 6.25%
1983 10.6% 6.63%
1982 11.1% 7.04%
1981 11.7% 7.48%
1980 12.3% 7.95%
1979 12.9% 8.45%
1978 13.6% 8.98%
1977 14.2% 9.55%
1976 14.9% 10.2%
1975 15.5% 10.8%
1974 16% -
1973 16.5% -
1972 16.9% -
1971 17.3% -
1970 17.7% -
1969 18% -
1968 18.3% -
1967 18.5% -
1966 18.6% -
1965 18.7% -
1964 18.6% -
1963 18.6% -
1962 18.5% -
1961 18.5% -
1960 18.6% -

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/lesotho/palestine | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 5.89% in Lesotho and 2.63% in Palestine. Above is a chart with historical data on under-five mortality rates.

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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