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Fertility & birth rates in Lesotho and Sri Lanka

Updated on by Georank team

Lesotho has an annual birth rate of 24.1 births per 1,000 people, compared to 11.2 for Sri Lanka. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 2.69 in Lesotho and 1.97 in Sri Lanka — 26.7% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 53.4% in Lesotho and by 63.1% in Sri Lanka — in 1960, it was 5.78 and 5.35, respectively.

  • Lesotho is ranked 56/196 by birth rate compared to 125/196 for Sri Lanka.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 20.9 years in Lesotho, compared to 25.6 years in Sri Lanka.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 27.8 in Lesotho — it's 29.7 in Sri Lanka.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 70.6 in Lesotho vs 15.1 in Sri Lanka.
  • In Lesotho, 27.8% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.1% in Sri Lanka.

Fertility rate in Lesotho vs Sri Lanka by year

Lesotho
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Fertility rate
Lesotho Sri Lanka
2023 2.69 1.97
2022 2.72 1.98
2021 2.77 2
2020 2.85 2.01
2019 2.92 2.02
2018 3.02 2.03
2017 3.11 2.04
2016 3.18 2.06
2015 3.22 2.09
2014 3.24 2.13
2013 3.28 2.18
2012 3.3 2.17
2011 3.34 2.14
2010 3.25 2.13
2009 3.31 2.18
2008 3.39 2.23
2007 3.44 2.3
2006 3.41 2.29
2005 3.43 2.26
2004 3.51 2.27
2003 3.62 2.3
2002 3.68 2.31
2001 3.63 2.28
2000 3.61 2.21
1999 3.67 2.14
1998 3.82 2.14
1997 3.98 2.22
1996 4.06 2.29
1995 4.13 2.35
1994 4.21 2.4
1993 4.37 2.44
1992 4.54 2.49
1991 4.68 2.51
1990 4.81 2.54
1989 4.96 2.58
1988 5.1 2.57
1987 5.22 2.64
1986 5.32 2.74
1985 5.4 2.9
1984 5.48 3.01
1983 5.56 3.11
1982 5.63 3.32
1981 5.69 3.65
1980 5.75 3.73
1979 5.79 3.82
1978 5.82 3.81
1977 5.85 3.74
1976 5.87 3.78
1975 5.83 3.82
1974 5.75 3.86
1973 5.69 4
1972 5.69 4.16
1971 5.7 4.27
1970 5.7 4.39
1969 5.7 4.5
1968 5.73 4.66
1967 5.75 4.79
1966 5.76 4.83
1965 5.77 4.93
1964 5.77 5.06
1963 5.78 5.12
1962 5.79 5.18
1961 5.79 5.24
1960 5.78 5.35

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/lesotho/sri-lanka | 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 1.97 in Sri Lanka in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Lesotho
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Natural population change
Lesotho Sri Lanka
2023 31,115 66,111
2022 30,803 95,378
2021 27,806 121,858
2020 30,721 170,968
2019 32,279 172,243
2018 33,112 183,610
2017 33,601 187,993
2016 33,390 194,232
2015 32,087 201,815
2014 30,922 211,541
2013 29,789 221,021
2012 27,592 229,138
2011 25,647 224,461
2010 21,877 224,325
2009 20,335 200,175
2008 19,349 232,225
2007 17,763 248,287
2006 15,234 248,706
2005 15,831 248,683
2004 17,271 212,527
2003 20,133 252,008
2002 22,274 252,840
2001 23,190 244,377
2000 24,786 227,060
1999 27,393 206,876
1998 30,889 201,059
1997 34,637 208,193
1996 36,228 215,290
1995 37,370 221,957
1994 38,629 228,904
1993 40,505 226,257
1992 42,579 222,230
1991 44,026 218,117
1990 45,060 224,454
1989 46,264 212,401
1988 47,158 219,184
1987 47,718 226,414
1986 45,232 233,782
1985 44,575 247,836
1984 43,785 263,175
1983 42,899 277,768
1982 41,941 300,030
1981 40,808 328,096
1980 39,617 328,155
1979 38,440 329,791
1978 37,084 317,055
1977 35,654 300,038
1976 34,117 291,816
1975 32,311 282,496
1974 30,444 275,521
1973 28,859 278,577
1972 27,841 282,494
1971 26,838 281,200
1970 25,935 286,719
1969 25,137 286,218
1968 24,490 286,642
1967 23,911 284,738
1966 23,326 275,549
1965 22,755 272,422
1964 22,116 269,584
1963 21,585 262,880
1962 21,132 256,719
1961 20,581 251,087
1960 19,981 247,631

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/lesotho/sri-lanka | 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 +0.3% in Sri Lanka.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +1.44% in Lesotho and +0.75% in Sri Lanka.

Birth rate in Lesotho vs Sri Lanka by year

Lesotho
Sri Lanka

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Lesotho Sri Lanka
2023 24.1 11.2
2022 24.4 12.4
2021 24.9 12.9
2020 25.6 13.8
2019 26.4 14.6
2018 27.4 15.2
2017 28.2 15.4
2016 28.9 15.7
2015 29.2 16
2014 29.5 16.5
2013 30 17
2012 30 17.1
2011 30.2 17.1
2010 29.2 17.1
2009 29.4 17.6
2008 29.6 18.2
2007 29.5 18.8
2006 28.6 18.9
2005 28.6 18.7
2004 28.7 18.8
2003 29.3 19.1
2002 29.4 19.2
2001 28.7 19
2000 28.2 18.4
1999 28.5 17.9
1998 29.2 17.8
1997 30.2 18.5
1996 30.4 19
1995 30.6 19.6
1994 31 20
1993 32 20
1992 33.2 20.1
1991 34.2 20.2
1990 35.1 20.5
1989 36.3 20.6
1988 37.4 20.3
1987 38.3 20.8
1986 37.5 21.4
1985 37.9 22.4
1984 38.4 23.5
1983 38.9 24.4
1982 39.5 26
1981 39.9 28.1
1980 40.4 28.6
1979 40.8 29.3
1978 41 29
1977 41.1 28.3
1976 41 28.3
1975 40.6 28.2
1974 40.2 28.2
1973 39.9 28.9
1972 40.2 29.7
1971 40.5 30.2
1970 40.8 31.2
1969 41.3 31.8
1968 41.9 32.6
1967 42.5 33.2
1966 43 33.2
1965 43.3 33.8
1964 43.5 34.5
1963 43.7 34.7
1962 44.1 35.1
1961 44.3 35.6
1960 44.6 36.3

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/lesotho/sri-lanka | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 24.1 in Lesotho and 11.2 in Sri Lanka, compared with 44.6 and 36.3, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Lesotho Sri Lanka
Fertility rate 2.69 1.97
Fertility rate rank 68/196 101/196
Birth rate 24.1 11.2
Birth rate rank 56/196 125/196
Population change due to births and deaths +31,115 +66,111
Natural population change rank 103/196 87/196
Natural population change rate +1.35% +0.3%
Population growth +1.12% -0.55%
Population growth rank 93/197 188/197
Age at first childbirth 20.9 years 25.6 years
Average age at childbearing 27.8 years 29.7 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 69.3 14.1
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 133.8 94.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 37.3 20.9
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 27.8% 25.1%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 65.3% 53.6%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 86.6% 99.5%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.48% 0.02%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.87% 0.41%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 5.54% 0.53%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 5.89% 0.61%
Life expectancy 58.6 years 78 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Lesotho
Factual

UN forecast
Sri Lanka
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Lesotho Sri Lanka
2100 18% 13.1%
2099 18.1% 13.1%
2098 18.2% 13.2%
2097 18.3% 13.2%
2096 18.3% 13.2%
2095 18.4% 13.3%
2094 18.5% 13.3%
2093 18.6% 13.4%
2092 18.7% 13.4%
2091 18.9% 13.5%
2090 19% 13.6%
2089 19.1% 13.7%
2088 19.2% 13.7%
2087 19.3% 13.8%
2086 19.4% 13.9%
2085 19.6% 14%
2084 19.7% 14%
2083 19.8% 14.1%
2082 19.9% 14.2%
2081 20% 14.3%
2080 20.2% 14.3%
2079 20.3% 14.4%
2078 20.4% 14.5%
2077 20.5% 14.5%
2076 20.6% 14.6%
2075 20.7% 14.6%
2074 20.9% 14.7%
2073 21% 14.7%
2072 21.1% 14.8%
2071 21.3% 14.9%
2070 21.4% 14.9%
2069 21.5% 15%
2068 21.7% 15%
2067 21.9% 15.1%
2066 22% 15.2%
2065 22.2% 15.3%
2064 22.4% 15.4%
2063 22.6% 15.5%
2062 22.8% 15.6%
2061 23% 15.7%
2060 23.3% 15.8%
2059 23.5% 16%
2058 23.7% 16.1%
2057 24% 16.3%
2056 24.2% 16.4%
2055 24.5% 16.6%
2054 24.7% 16.8%
2053 25% 16.9%
2052 25.3% 17.1%
2051 25.5% 17.2%
2050 25.8% 17.4%
2049 26.1% 17.5%
2048 26.3% 17.7%
2047 26.5% 17.8%
2046 26.8% 17.9%
2045 27% 18%
2044 27.3% 18.2%
2043 27.5% 18.3%
2042 27.7% 18.4%
2041 28% 18.5%
2040 28.2% 18.6%
2039 28.4% 18.7%
2038 28.7% 18.9%
2037 28.9% 19%
2036 29.2% 19.1%
2035 29.5% 19.3%
2034 29.9% 19.5%
2033 30.3% 19.7%
2032 30.8% 19.9%
2031 31.3% 20.1%
2030 31.8% 20.3%
2029 32.3% 20.6%
2028 32.8% 20.9%
2027 33.4% 21.2%
2026 33.9% 21.5%
2025 34.3% 21.9%
2024 34.5% 22%
2023 34.9% 22.4%
2022 35.3% 22.7%
2021 35.6% 23%
2020 35.8% 23.3%
2019 36.1% 23.7%
2018 36.3% 24%
2017 36.5% 24.2%
2016 36.6% 24.5%
2015 36.6% 24.7%
2014 36.6% 24.9%
2013 36.5% 25%
2012 36.5% 25.2%
2011 36.5% 25.3%
2010 36.5% 25.4%
2009 36.6% 25.5%
2008 36.7% 25.6%
2007 36.8% 25.7%
2006 37.1% 25.7%
2005 37.4% 25.8%
2004 37.7% 26%
2003 38.1% 26.1%
2002 38.6% 26.3%
2001 39.1% 26.6%
2000 39.6% 27%
1999 40.2% 27.4%
1998 40.7% 27.8%
1997 41.2% 28.2%
1996 41.7% 28.6%
1995 42% 29.2%
1994 42.3% 29.9%
1993 42.6% 30.6%
1992 42.8% 31.4%
1991 42.9% 32.1%
1990 42.9% 32.5%
1989 42.8% 33%
1988 42.7% 33.5%
1987 42.5% 34%
1986 42.7% 34.6%
1985 43% 35.2%
1984 42.8% 35.5%
1983 42.7% 35.8%
1982 42.5% 36%
1981 42.3% 36.2%
1980 42.1% 36.4%
1979 41.9% 36.7%
1978 41.7% 36.9%
1977 41.5% 37.2%
1976 41.4% 37.6%
1975 41.6% 38%
1974 41.9% 38.4%
1973 42.3% 38.8%
1972 42.7% 39.2%
1971 43.1% 39.5%
1970 43.6% 39.7%
1969 44% 39.9%
1968 44.4% 40.1%
1967 44.8% 40.3%
1966 44.9% 40.4%
1965 44.8% 40.5%
1964 44.9% 40.6%
1963 45.2% 40.7%
1962 45.3% 40.8%
1961 45.2% 40.9%
1960 45.1% 41%

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/sri-lanka | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 34.5% of the population in Lesotho and 22% in Sri Lanka in 2024, compared to 42.9% and 32.5% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Lesotho and Sri Lanka compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/lesotho/sri-lanka | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Lesotho vs Sri Lanka

Lesotho
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Lesotho Sri Lanka
2023 478 18
2022 477 22
2021 577 34
2020 529 23
2019 467 20
2018 491 21
2017 468 21
2016 518 22
2015 594 22
2014 707 23
2013 855 23
2012 1,000 24
2011 1,210 25
2010 1,311 26
2009 1,387 28
2008 1,205 30
2007 891 31
2006 696 32
2005 549 32
2004 499 37
2003 508 35
2002 484 36
2001 465 37
2000 413 39
1999 371 41
1998 332 43
1997 312 45
1996 319 47
1995 357 48
1994 423 49
1993 542 51
1992 601 54
1991 641 57
1990 665 59
1989 680 61
1988 680 62
1987 686 64
1986 680 66
1985 711 68

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/lesotho/sri-lanka | 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 18 deaths in Sri Lanka.

Under-five mortality rates

Lesotho
Sri Lanka

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Lesotho Sri Lanka
2023 5.89% 0.61%
2022 6.15% 0.64%
2021 6.44% 0.66%
2020 6.68% 0.69%
2019 6.87% 0.72%
2018 6.91% 0.76%
2017 7.12% 0.79%
2016 7.18% 0.83%
2015 7.51% 0.87%
2014 7.82% 0.92%
2013 8.02% 0.98%
2012 8.26% 1.03%
2011 8.59% 1.08%
2010 9.01% 1.12%
2009 9.64% 2.08%
2008 10.9% 1.2%
2007 11.2% 1.26%
2006 11.5% 1.33%
2005 11.6% 1.4%
2004 11.5% 2.88%
2003 11.4% 1.52%
2002 11.2% 1.55%
2001 11.1% 1.58%
2000 10.9% 1.63%
1999 10.7% 1.69%
1998 10.5% 1.76%
1997 10.2% 1.86%
1996 9.83% 1.95%
1995 9.45% 2.05%
1994 9.07% 2.14%
1993 8.73% 2.22%
1992 8.51% 2.29%
1991 8.43% 2.32%
1990 8.47% 2.33%
1989 8.6% 2.74%
1988 8.8% 2.41%
1987 9.06% 2.54%
1986 9.36% 2.74%
1985 9.72% 3.02%
1984 10.1% 3.35%
1983 10.6% 3.67%
1982 11.1% 3.98%
1981 11.7% 4.29%
1980 12.3% 4.63%
1979 12.9% 4.99%
1978 13.6% 5.38%
1977 14.2% 5.77%
1976 14.9% 6.12%
1975 15.5% 6.41%
1974 16% 6.62%
1973 16.5% 6.77%
1972 16.9% 6.86%
1971 17.3% 6.94%
1970 17.7% 7.02%
1969 18% 7.14%
1968 18.3% 7.32%
1967 18.5% 7.55%
1966 18.6% 7.81%
1965 18.7% 8.07%
1964 18.6% 8.3%
1963 18.6% 8.48%
1962 18.5% 8.66%
1961 18.5% 8.95%
1960 18.6% 9.41%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/lesotho/sri-lanka | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 5.89% in Lesotho and 0.61% in Sri Lanka. 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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