The latest officially reported population of Cape Verde was 524,877 in 2024 vs 2,337,423 people in Lesotho in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Cape Verde's population is 530,391 people compared to 2,396,633 in Lesotho.
Population statistics:
- Lesotho's population is 4.52 times bigger than Cape Verde's.
- Cape Verde is ranked the 169th most populous country in the world, while Lesotho is the 143rd.
- The countries together account for 0.04% of the world: 0.006% for Cape Verde vs 0.03% for Lesotho.
- For the last 10 years, Cape Verde has had an average growth rate of +0.22% per year vs +1.17% in Lesotho.
- Since 2006, the population of Cape Verde has increased from 491K people to 530K (8.08% growth), while Lesotho has grown from 1.95M to 2.4M (23.2% growth).
Cape Verde vs Lesotho: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Cape Verde
|
Lesotho
|
|
| 2100 | 420,063 | 3,280,784 |
| 2099 | 424,339 | 3,286,697 |
| 2098 | 428,547 | 3,292,498 |
| 2097 | 432,823 | 3,298,102 |
| 2096 | 437,079 | 3,303,027 |
| 2095 | 441,399 | 3,307,947 |
| 2094 | 445,733 | 3,312,002 |
| 2093 | 450,100 | 3,315,757 |
| 2092 | 454,396 | 3,319,661 |
| 2091 | 458,688 | 3,322,573 |
| 2090 | 462,998 | 3,324,769 |
| 2089 | 467,377 | 3,326,847 |
| 2088 | 471,624 | 3,328,480 |
| 2087 | 475,845 | 3,329,964 |
| 2086 | 480,024 | 3,330,456 |
| 2085 | 484,207 | 3,331,259 |
| 2084 | 488,361 | 3,331,485 |
| 2083 | 492,342 | 3,331,492 |
| 2082 | 496,365 | 3,331,234 |
| 2081 | 500,326 | 3,330,412 |
| 2080 | 504,194 | 3,329,267 |
| 2079 | 507,990 | 3,327,166 |
| 2078 | 511,571 | 3,324,646 |
| 2077 | 515,063 | 3,321,422 |
| 2076 | 518,529 | 3,317,850 |
| 2075 | 521,923 | 3,314,237 |
| 2074 | 525,175 | 3,309,174 |
| 2073 | 528,314 | 3,303,860 |
| 2072 | 531,359 | 3,298,181 |
| 2071 | 534,222 | 3,291,492 |
| 2070 | 537,167 | 3,283,654 |
| 2069 | 540,078 | 3,275,244 |
| 2068 | 542,854 | 3,266,152 |
| 2067 | 545,645 | 3,256,626 |
| 2066 | 548,241 | 3,246,903 |
| 2065 | 550,631 | 3,237,153 |
| 2064 | 552,831 | 3,226,489 |
| 2063 | 554,976 | 3,215,103 |
| 2062 | 557,061 | 3,202,287 |
| 2061 | 558,943 | 3,188,933 |
| 2060 | 560,606 | 3,174,998 |
| 2059 | 562,202 | 3,160,204 |
| 2058 | 563,524 | 3,145,053 |
| 2057 | 564,676 | 3,129,261 |
| 2056 | 565,611 | 3,113,129 |
| 2055 | 566,437 | 3,095,904 |
| 2054 | 567,099 | 3,078,567 |
| 2053 | 567,452 | 3,060,152 |
| 2052 | 567,567 | 3,040,649 |
| 2051 | 567,565 | 3,020,109 |
| 2050 | 567,433 | 2,999,457 |
| 2049 | 567,091 | 2,978,037 |
| 2048 | 566,651 | 2,955,727 |
| 2047 | 566,116 | 2,932,688 |
| 2046 | 565,314 | 2,909,307 |
| 2045 | 564,356 | 2,885,537 |
| 2044 | 563,283 | 2,861,372 |
| 2043 | 562,118 | 2,836,777 |
| 2042 | 560,857 | 2,811,663 |
| 2041 | 559,474 | 2,786,147 |
| 2040 | 557,962 | 2,760,391 |
| 2039 | 556,312 | 2,734,400 |
| 2038 | 554,523 | 2,708,216 |
| 2037 | 552,714 | 2,681,863 |
| 2036 | 550,888 | 2,654,755 |
| 2035 | 548,939 | 2,627,701 |
| 2034 | 547,001 | 2,600,880 |
| 2033 | 545,142 | 2,574,065 |
| 2032 | 543,065 | 2,547,344 |
| 2031 | 541,069 | 2,520,831 |
| 2030 | 538,756 | 2,494,646 |
| 2029 | 536,526 | 2,468,268 |
| 2028 | 534,280 | 2,441,871 |
| 2027 | 532,028 | 2,415,830 |
| 2026 | 529,785 | 2,389,516 |
| 2025 | 527,409 | 2,363,516 |
| 2024 | 524,877 | 2,337,423 |
| 2023 | 522,331 | 2,311,472 |
| 2022 | 519,741 | 2,286,110 |
| 2021 | 516,649 | 2,261,542 |
| 2020 | 514,679 | 2,235,727 |
| 2019 | 514,104 | 2,209,405 |
| 2018 | 513,415 | 2,183,603 |
| 2017 | 512,893 | 2,157,110 |
| 2016 | 512,554 | 2,130,422 |
| 2015 | 512,394 | 2,104,611 |
| 2014 | 512,326 | 2,080,089 |
| 2013 | 512,225 | 2,056,504 |
| 2012 | 511,955 | 2,034,354 |
| 2011 | 511,447 | 2,014,009 |
| 2010 | 509,784 | 1,996,251 |
| 2009 | 506,141 | 1,980,883 |
| 2008 | 501,355 | 1,966,541 |
| 2007 | 496,190 | 1,953,268 |
| 2006 | 490,728 | 1,945,063 |
| 2005 | 485,115 | 1,953,076 |
| 2004 | 479,370 | 1,971,129 |
| 2003 | 473,383 | 1,985,059 |
| 2002 | 467,046 | 1,994,679 |
| 2001 | 460,293 | 2,000,853 |
| 2000 | 453,317 | 2,003,913 |
| 1999 | 446,519 | 2,003,234 |
| 1998 | 439,784 | 1,998,049 |
| 1997 | 432,798 | 1,988,130 |
| 1996 | 425,581 | 1,972,418 |
| 1995 | 418,104 | 1,951,437 |
| 1994 | 410,228 | 1,927,707 |
| 1993 | 401,965 | 1,901,793 |
| 1992 | 393,415 | 1,873,274 |
| 1991 | 384,586 | 1,842,379 |
| 1990 | 375,428 | 1,809,696 |
| 1989 | 367,803 | 1,775,436 |
| 1988 | 362,329 | 1,739,841 |
| 1987 | 357,302 | 1,703,390 |
| 1986 | 352,312 | 1,666,138 |
| 1985 | 347,365 | 1,624,379 |
| 1984 | 342,505 | 1,578,986 |
| 1983 | 337,654 | 1,534,413 |
| 1982 | 332,724 | 1,490,732 |
| 1981 | 327,846 | 1,448,069 |
| 1980 | 323,301 | 1,406,521 |
| 1979 | 319,480 | 1,366,169 |
| 1978 | 316,147 | 1,327,240 |
| 1977 | 312,834 | 1,289,967 |
| 1976 | 309,455 | 1,253,214 |
| 1975 | 305,847 | 1,213,643 |
| 1974 | 302,570 | 1,172,420 |
| 1973 | 299,881 | 1,132,697 |
| 1972 | 297,386 | 1,094,063 |
| 1971 | 294,046 | 1,056,246 |
| 1970 | 287,885 | 1,019,273 |
| 1969 | 279,248 | 983,202 |
| 1968 | 270,164 | 948,105 |
| 1967 | 261,404 | 913,982 |
| 1966 | 252,976 | 881,870 |
| 1965 | 244,856 | 854,090 |
| 1964 | 237,006 | 829,437 |
| 1963 | 229,373 | 805,373 |
| 1962 | 221,919 | 781,814 |
| 1961 | 215,087 | 758,824 |
| 1960 | 210,024 | 736,500 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/cape-verde/lesotho | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Cape Verde increased by 21,826 people (a 4.45% growth), while Lesotho gained 185,359 people (a 9.53% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Cape Verde gained 17,837 people (a 3.48% growth), while Lesotho's population increased by 266,211 people (a 12.5% growth).
Cape Verde was ranked 166th most populous country in 2006 and is 169th in 2026. Lesotho was ranked 144th in 2006 and ranked 143rd now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Cape Verde's population will grow by 6.98% to 567,433 people with a rank change from 169th to 168th. The population of Lesotho will increase by 25.2% to 2,999,457 people and rank change from 143rd to 141st.
Cape Verde is projected to reach its peak in 2052 at 568K people compared to the peak of 3.33M people in 2083 for Lesotho.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Cape Verde
|
Lesotho
|
|
| 2100 | -1.01% | -0.18% |
| 2099 | -0.98% | -0.18% |
| 2098 | -0.99% | -0.17% |
| 2097 | -0.97% | -0.15% |
| 2096 | -0.98% | -0.15% |
| 2095 | -0.97% | -0.12% |
| 2094 | -0.97% | -0.11% |
| 2093 | -0.95% | -0.12% |
| 2092 | -0.94% | -0.09% |
| 2091 | -0.93% | -0.07% |
| 2090 | -0.94% | -0.06% |
| 2089 | -0.9% | -0.05% |
| 2088 | -0.89% | -0.04% |
| 2087 | -0.87% | -0.01% |
| 2086 | -0.86% | -0.02% |
| 2085 | -0.85% | -0.007% |
| 2084 | -0.81% | -0% |
| 2083 | -0.81% | 0.008% |
| 2082 | -0.79% | 0.02% |
| 2081 | -0.77% | 0.03% |
| 2080 | -0.75% | 0.06% |
| 2079 | -0.7% | 0.08% |
| 2078 | -0.68% | 0.1% |
| 2077 | -0.67% | 0.11% |
| 2076 | -0.65% | 0.11% |
| 2075 | -0.62% | 0.15% |
| 2074 | -0.59% | 0.16% |
| 2073 | -0.57% | 0.17% |
| 2072 | -0.54% | 0.2% |
| 2071 | -0.55% | 0.24% |
| 2070 | -0.54% | 0.26% |
| 2069 | -0.51% | 0.28% |
| 2068 | -0.51% | 0.29% |
| 2067 | -0.47% | 0.3% |
| 2066 | -0.43% | 0.3% |
| 2065 | -0.4% | 0.33% |
| 2064 | -0.39% | 0.35% |
| 2063 | -0.37% | 0.4% |
| 2062 | -0.34% | 0.42% |
| 2061 | -0.3% | 0.44% |
| 2060 | -0.28% | 0.47% |
| 2059 | -0.23% | 0.48% |
| 2058 | -0.2% | 0.5% |
| 2057 | -0.17% | 0.52% |
| 2056 | -0.15% | 0.56% |
| 2055 | -0.12% | 0.56% |
| 2054 | -0.06% | 0.6% |
| 2053 | -0.02% | 0.64% |
| 2052 | 0% | 0.68% |
| 2051 | 0.02% | 0.69% |
| 2050 | 0.06% | 0.72% |
| 2049 | 0.08% | 0.75% |
| 2048 | 0.09% | 0.79% |
| 2047 | 0.14% | 0.8% |
| 2046 | 0.17% | 0.82% |
| 2045 | 0.19% | 0.84% |
| 2044 | 0.21% | 0.87% |
| 2043 | 0.22% | 0.89% |
| 2042 | 0.25% | 0.92% |
| 2041 | 0.27% | 0.93% |
| 2040 | 0.3% | 0.95% |
| 2039 | 0.32% | 0.97% |
| 2038 | 0.33% | 0.98% |
| 2037 | 0.33% | 1.02% |
| 2036 | 0.35% | 1.03% |
| 2035 | 0.35% | 1.03% |
| 2034 | 0.34% | 1.04% |
| 2033 | 0.38% | 1.05% |
| 2032 | 0.37% | 1.05% |
| 2031 | 0.43% | 1.05% |
| 2030 | 0.42% | 1.07% |
| 2029 | 0.42% | 1.08% |
| 2028 | 0.42% | 1.08% |
| 2027 | 0.42% | 1.1% |
| 2026 | 0.45% | 1.1% |
| 2025 | 0.48% | 1.12% |
| 2024 | 0.49% | 1.12% |
| 2023 | 0.5% | 1.11% |
| 2022 | 0.6% | 1.09% |
| 2021 | 0.38% | 1.15% |
| 2020 | 0.11% | 1.19% |
| 2019 | 0.13% | 1.18% |
| 2018 | 0.1% | 1.23% |
| 2017 | 0.07% | 1.25% |
| 2016 | 0.03% | 1.23% |
| 2015 | 0.01% | 1.18% |
| 2014 | 0.02% | 1.15% |
| 2013 | 0.05% | 1.09% |
| 2012 | 0.1% | 1.01% |
| 2011 | 0.33% | 0.89% |
| 2010 | 0.72% | 0.78% |
| 2009 | 0.95% | 0.73% |
| 2008 | 1.04% | 0.68% |
| 2007 | 1.11% | 0.42% |
| 2006 | 1.16% | -0.41% |
| 2005 | 1.2% | -0.92% |
| 2004 | 1.26% | -0.7% |
| 2003 | 1.36% | -0.48% |
| 2002 | 1.47% | -0.31% |
| 2001 | 1.54% | -0.15% |
| 2000 | 1.52% | 0.03% |
| 1999 | 1.53% | 0.26% |
| 1998 | 1.61% | 0.5% |
| 1997 | 1.7% | 0.8% |
| 1996 | 1.79% | 1.08% |
| 1995 | 1.92% | 1.23% |
| 1994 | 2.06% | 1.36% |
| 1993 | 2.17% | 1.52% |
| 1992 | 2.3% | 1.68% |
| 1991 | 2.44% | 1.81% |
| 1990 | 2.07% | 1.93% |
| 1989 | 1.51% | 2.05% |
| 1988 | 1.41% | 2.14% |
| 1987 | 1.42% | 2.24% |
| 1986 | 1.42% | 2.57% |
| 1985 | 1.42% | 2.87% |
| 1984 | 1.44% | 2.9% |
| 1983 | 1.48% | 2.93% |
| 1982 | 1.49% | 2.95% |
| 1981 | 1.41% | 2.95% |
| 1980 | 1.2% | 2.95% |
| 1979 | 1.05% | 2.93% |
| 1978 | 1.06% | 2.89% |
| 1977 | 1.09% | 2.93% |
| 1976 | 1.18% | 3.26% |
| 1975 | 1.08% | 3.52% |
| 1974 | 0.9% | 3.51% |
| 1973 | 0.84% | 3.53% |
| 1972 | 1.14% | 3.58% |
| 1971 | 2.14% | 3.63% |
| 1970 | 3.09% | 3.67% |
| 1969 | 3.36% | 3.7% |
| 1968 | 3.35% | 3.73% |
| 1967 | 3.33% | 3.64% |
| 1966 | 3.32% | 3.25% |
| 1965 | 3.31% | 2.97% |
| 1964 | 3.33% | 2.99% |
| 1963 | 3.36% | 3.01% |
| 1962 | 3.18% | 3.03% |
| 1961 | 2.41% | 3.03% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/cape-verde/lesotho | CC BY
In 2024, the population of Cape Verde grew by 0.49%, while Lesotho's population grew by 1.12%.
Live population counters
|
Cape Verde
|
Lesotho
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
530391
|
2396633
|
| Population rank | 169/197 | 143/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.006% | 0.03% |
| One net population change |
3.44 hours
|
20.3 minutes
|
| One birth every |
1.36 hours
|
9.43 minutes
|
| One death every |
3.32 hours
|
21.4 minutes
|
| Daily growth/decline | +7 | +71 |
| Annual growth/decline | +2,546 | +25,951 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +0.49% | +1.12% |
| Population growth rate rank | 136/197 | 93/197 |
| One migration net change every |
6.84 hours
|
1.69 hours
|
| Annual migration change | -1,284 | -5,192 |
| Net migration rank | 94/196 | 117/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 16,515 | 15,039 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 171/195 | 173/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 3.1% | 0.6% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 116/195 | 170/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cape Verde
|
Lesotho
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | -1,284 | - | -5,192 |
| 2024 | - | -1,209 | - | -5,107 |
| 2023 | 3,798 | -1,226 | 31,115 | -5,168 |
| 2022 | 3,864 | -1,253 | 30,803 | -6,023 |
| 2021 | 3,575 | 0 | 27,806 | -3,449 |
| 2020 | 3,734 | -3,362 | 30,721 | -3,449 |
| 2019 | 4,773 | -4,001 | 32,279 | -6,896 |
| 2018 | 5,282 | -4,679 | 33,112 | -6,892 |
| 2017 | 5,993 | -5,550 | 33,601 | -6,850 |
| 2016 | 6,238 | -6,004 | 33,390 | -6,766 |
| 2015 | 6,314 | -6,226 | 32,087 | -7,087 |
| 2014 | 6,622 | -6,578 | 30,922 | -6,877 |
| 2013 | 6,780 | -6,622 | 29,789 | -6,659 |
| 2012 | 7,157 | -6,779 | 27,592 | -6,425 |
| 2011 | 7,874 | -7,226 | 25,647 | -6,118 |
| 2010 | 7,746 | -5,069 | 21,877 | -5,886 |
| 2009 | 7,216 | -2,618 | 20,335 | -5,599 |
| 2008 | 7,313 | -2,340 | 19,349 | -5,392 |
| 2007 | 7,559 | -2,200 | 17,763 | -5,179 |
| 2006 | 7,980 | -2,408 | 15,234 | -11,416 |
| 2005 | 8,428 | -2,768 | 15,831 | -35,679 |
| 2004 | 8,825 | -2,993 | 17,271 | -33,530 |
| 2003 | 9,037 | -2,898 | 20,133 | -31,723 |
| 2002 | 9,278 | -2,751 | 22,274 | -29,924 |
| 2001 | 9,510 | -2,528 | 23,190 | -27,874 |
| 2000 | 9,752 | -2,772 | 24,786 | -26,220 |
| 1999 | 9,989 | -3,371 | 27,393 | -24,610 |
| 1998 | 10,187 | -3,332 | 30,889 | -23,299 |
| 1997 | 10,323 | -3,211 | 34,637 | -22,396 |
| 1996 | 10,613 | -3,297 | 36,228 | -17,042 |
| 1995 | 10,764 | -3,125 | 37,370 | -14,588 |
| 1994 | 11,410 | -3,299 | 38,629 | -13,953 |
| 1993 | 11,805 | -3,393 | 40,505 | -13,347 |
| 1992 | 11,915 | -3,231 | 42,579 | -12,707 |
| 1991 | 11,899 | -2,924 | 44,026 | -12,114 |
| 1990 | 11,738 | -2,398 | 45,060 | -11,598 |
| 1989 | 11,608 | -5,704 | 46,264 | -11,207 |
| 1988 | 11,523 | -6,474 | 47,158 | -11,028 |
| 1987 | 11,426 | -6,418 | 47,718 | -10,946 |
| 1986 | 11,295 | -6,314 | 45,232 | -7,501 |
| 1985 | 11,105 | -6,192 | 44,575 | 1,222 |
| 1984 | 10,835 | -6,035 | 43,785 | 1,199 |
| 1983 | 10,736 | -5,834 | 42,899 | 1,253 |
| 1982 | 10,597 | -5,629 | 41,941 | 1,281 |
| 1981 | 10,470 | -5,684 | 40,808 | 1,307 |
| 1980 | 10,276 | -5,980 | 39,617 | 1,361 |
| 1979 | 10,223 | -6,875 | 38,440 | 1,285 |
| 1978 | 10,152 | -6,833 | 37,084 | 1,047 |
| 1977 | 10,036 | -6,730 | 35,654 | 746 |
| 1976 | 9,833 | -6,389 | 34,117 | 2,986 |
| 1975 | 9,601 | -5,829 | 32,311 | 9,723 |
| 1974 | 9,295 | -6,512 | 30,444 | 9,972 |
| 1973 | 9,003 | -6,410 | 28,859 | 10,183 |
| 1972 | 8,716 | -6,316 | 27,841 | 10,386 |
| 1971 | 8,359 | -4,085 | 26,838 | 10,563 |
| 1970 | 7,878 | 172 | 25,935 | 10,605 |
| 1969 | 7,625 | 1,608 | 25,137 | 10,465 |
| 1968 | 7,408 | 1,521 | 24,490 | 10,108 |
| 1967 | 7,214 | 1,376 | 23,911 | 9,734 |
| 1966 | 7,039 | 1,230 | 23,326 | 7,248 |
| 1965 | 6,877 | 1,093 | 22,755 | 2,239 |
| 1964 | 6,725 | 1,006 | 22,116 | 2,198 |
| 1963 | 6,589 | 945 | 21,585 | 2,220 |
| 1962 | 6,468 | 904 | 21,132 | 2,172 |
| 1961 | 6,247 | 49 | 20,581 | 2,100 |
| 1960 | 6,098 | -2,267 | 19,981 | 1,989 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/cape-verde/lesotho | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 56.4% of the population change in Cape Verde is from natural causes (a gain of 50,193 people) and 43.6% is from migration (a loss of 38,879 people). In Lesotho 84.2% is from natural causes (a gain of 315,836 people) and 15.8% is from migration (a loss of 59,457 people).
As of 2024, 16,515 residents or 3.1% of the population were not native-born in Cape Verde, compared to 15,039 people or 0.6% in Lesotho.
Biggest cities by population
|
Cape Verde
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Praia | 159K |
| Mindelo | 70.5K |
| Assomada | 12K |
|
Lesotho
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Maseru | 344K |
| Teyateyaneng | 75.1K |
| Mafeteng | 57.1K |
| Butha-Buthe | 10K |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between Cape Verde and Lesotho
|
Cape Verde
|
Lesotho
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 76.6 years | 58.6 years |
| Average age | 31.4 years | 25.8 years |
| Median age | 29.4 years | 22.7 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 50.9:49.1 | 48.7:51.3 |
| Fertility rate | 1.52 births per woman | 2.69 births per woman |
| Population density | 340 ppl/mi² | 203.8 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/population/cape-verde/lesotho | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-02-08)
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