The latest officially reported population of Lesotho was 2,363,325 in 2025 vs 579,704 people in Malta in 2025. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Lesotho's population is 2,402,837 people compared to 586,345 in Malta.
Population statistics:
- Lesotho's population is 4.1 times bigger than Malta's.
- Lesotho is ranked the 143rd most populous country in the world, while Malta is the 167th.
- The countries together account for 0.04% of the world: 0.03% for Lesotho vs 0.007% for Malta.
- For the last 10 years, Lesotho has had an average growth rate of +1.17% per year vs +2.68% in Malta.
- Since 2006, the population of Lesotho has increased from 1.95M people to 2.4M (23.5% growth), while Malta has grown from 405K to 586K (44.7% growth).
Lesotho vs Malta: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Lesotho
|
Malta
|
|
| 2100 | 3,280,518 | 385,935 |
| 2099 | 3,286,430 | 389,134 |
| 2098 | 3,292,231 | 392,349 |
| 2097 | 3,297,835 | 395,676 |
| 2096 | 3,302,758 | 399,078 |
| 2095 | 3,307,678 | 402,765 |
| 2094 | 3,311,734 | 406,545 |
| 2093 | 3,315,488 | 410,348 |
| 2092 | 3,319,391 | 414,228 |
| 2091 | 3,322,303 | 418,324 |
| 2090 | 3,324,499 | 422,539 |
| 2089 | 3,326,577 | 426,802 |
| 2088 | 3,328,210 | 431,058 |
| 2087 | 3,329,694 | 435,593 |
| 2086 | 3,330,185 | 440,311 |
| 2085 | 3,330,989 | 444,985 |
| 2084 | 3,331,214 | 449,785 |
| 2083 | 3,331,221 | 454,721 |
| 2082 | 3,330,964 | 459,549 |
| 2081 | 3,330,141 | 464,574 |
| 2080 | 3,328,997 | 469,503 |
| 2079 | 3,326,895 | 474,408 |
| 2078 | 3,324,376 | 479,266 |
| 2077 | 3,321,152 | 484,147 |
| 2076 | 3,317,581 | 489,066 |
| 2075 | 3,313,968 | 493,650 |
| 2074 | 3,308,905 | 498,129 |
| 2073 | 3,303,592 | 502,551 |
| 2072 | 3,297,913 | 506,905 |
| 2071 | 3,291,224 | 511,168 |
| 2070 | 3,283,387 | 515,276 |
| 2069 | 3,274,978 | 519,370 |
| 2068 | 3,265,887 | 523,386 |
| 2067 | 3,256,362 | 527,196 |
| 2066 | 3,246,639 | 530,842 |
| 2065 | 3,236,890 | 534,346 |
| 2064 | 3,226,227 | 537,672 |
| 2063 | 3,214,843 | 540,800 |
| 2062 | 3,202,027 | 543,938 |
| 2061 | 3,188,674 | 546,831 |
| 2060 | 3,174,740 | 549,661 |
| 2059 | 3,159,947 | 552,414 |
| 2058 | 3,144,797 | 554,917 |
| 2057 | 3,129,007 | 557,274 |
| 2056 | 3,112,877 | 559,707 |
| 2055 | 3,095,653 | 562,109 |
| 2054 | 3,078,317 | 564,244 |
| 2053 | 3,059,904 | 566,461 |
| 2052 | 3,040,402 | 568,738 |
| 2051 | 3,019,864 | 571,060 |
| 2050 | 2,999,214 | 573,186 |
| 2049 | 2,977,795 | 575,026 |
| 2048 | 2,955,487 | 576,946 |
| 2047 | 2,932,450 | 579,015 |
| 2046 | 2,909,071 | 580,778 |
| 2045 | 2,885,303 | 582,504 |
| 2044 | 2,861,140 | 584,119 |
| 2043 | 2,836,547 | 585,724 |
| 2042 | 2,811,435 | 587,136 |
| 2041 | 2,785,921 | 588,589 |
| 2040 | 2,760,167 | 589,860 |
| 2039 | 2,734,178 | 591,157 |
| 2038 | 2,707,996 | 592,353 |
| 2037 | 2,681,646 | 593,277 |
| 2036 | 2,654,540 | 594,028 |
| 2035 | 2,627,488 | 594,615 |
| 2034 | 2,600,669 | 595,017 |
| 2033 | 2,573,856 | 594,907 |
| 2032 | 2,547,137 | 594,310 |
| 2031 | 2,520,626 | 593,505 |
| 2030 | 2,494,444 | 592,412 |
| 2029 | 2,468,067 | 591,100 |
| 2028 | 2,441,673 | 589,420 |
| 2027 | 2,415,634 | 587,406 |
| 2026 | 2,389,322 | 585,225 |
| 2025 | 2,363,325 | 579,704 |
| 2024 | 2,337,423 | 568,847 |
| 2023 | 2,311,472 | 552,747 |
| 2022 | 2,286,110 | 531,113 |
| 2021 | 2,261,542 | 518,150 |
| 2020 | 2,235,727 | 515,490 |
| 2019 | 2,209,405 | 503,912 |
| 2018 | 2,183,603 | 483,903 |
| 2017 | 2,157,110 | 467,106 |
| 2016 | 2,130,422 | 454,505 |
| 2015 | 2,104,611 | 444,220 |
| 2014 | 2,080,089 | 433,481 |
| 2013 | 2,056,504 | 424,810 |
| 2012 | 2,034,354 | 420,028 |
| 2011 | 2,014,009 | 416,268 |
| 2010 | 1,996,251 | 414,508 |
| 2009 | 1,980,883 | 412,477 |
| 2008 | 1,966,541 | 409,379 |
| 2007 | 1,953,268 | 406,724 |
| 2006 | 1,945,063 | 405,308 |
| 2005 | 1,953,076 | 403,834 |
| 2004 | 1,971,129 | 401,268 |
| 2003 | 1,985,059 | 398,582 |
| 2002 | 1,994,679 | 395,969 |
| 2001 | 2,000,853 | 393,028 |
| 2000 | 2,003,913 | 390,087 |
| 1999 | 2,003,234 | 387,578 |
| 1998 | 1,998,049 | 385,287 |
| 1997 | 1,988,130 | 382,791 |
| 1996 | 1,972,418 | 379,905 |
| 1995 | 1,951,437 | 377,419 |
| 1994 | 1,927,707 | 374,797 |
| 1993 | 1,901,793 | 371,308 |
| 1992 | 1,873,274 | 367,618 |
| 1991 | 1,842,379 | 363,845 |
| 1990 | 1,809,696 | 354,170 |
| 1989 | 1,775,436 | 350,722 |
| 1988 | 1,739,841 | 347,325 |
| 1987 | 1,703,390 | 344,485 |
| 1986 | 1,666,138 | 342,121 |
| 1985 | 1,624,379 | 336,452 |
| 1984 | 1,578,986 | 330,593 |
| 1983 | 1,534,413 | 330,524 |
| 1982 | 1,490,732 | 325,898 |
| 1981 | 1,448,069 | 318,982 |
| 1980 | 1,406,521 | 316,645 |
| 1979 | 1,366,169 | 313,342 |
| 1978 | 1,327,240 | 310,182 |
| 1977 | 1,289,967 | 306,970 |
| 1976 | 1,253,214 | 305,774 |
| 1975 | 1,213,643 | 304,222 |
| 1974 | 1,172,420 | 301,996 |
| 1973 | 1,132,697 | 302,200 |
| 1972 | 1,094,063 | 302,450 |
| 1971 | 1,056,246 | 302,700 |
| 1970 | 1,019,273 | 302,650 |
| 1969 | 983,202 | 304,300 |
| 1968 | 948,105 | 307,900 |
| 1967 | 913,982 | 311,550 |
| 1966 | 881,870 | 315,200 |
| 1965 | 854,090 | 318,800 |
| 1964 | 829,437 | 321,250 |
| 1963 | 805,373 | 322,550 |
| 1962 | 781,814 | 323,900 |
| 1961 | 758,824 | 325,250 |
| 1960 | 736,500 | 326,550 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/lesotho/malta | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Lesotho increased by 185,359 people (a 9.53% growth), while Malta gained 49,197 people (a 12.1% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Lesotho gained 272,415 people (a 12.8% growth), while Malta's population increased by 131,840 people (a 29% growth).
Lesotho was ranked 144th most populous country in 2006 and is 143rd in 2026. Malta was ranked 168th in 2006 and ranked 167th now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Lesotho's population will grow by 24.8% to 2,999,214 people with a rank change from 143rd to 141st. The population of Malta will decrease by 2.24% to 573,186 people and will still be ranked 167th.
Lesotho is projected to reach its peak in 2083 at 3.33M people compared to the peak of 595K people in 2034 for Malta.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Lesotho
|
Malta
|
|
| 2100 | -0.18% | -0.82% |
| 2099 | -0.18% | -0.82% |
| 2098 | -0.17% | -0.84% |
| 2097 | -0.15% | -0.85% |
| 2096 | -0.15% | -0.92% |
| 2095 | -0.12% | -0.93% |
| 2094 | -0.11% | -0.93% |
| 2093 | -0.12% | -0.94% |
| 2092 | -0.09% | -0.98% |
| 2091 | -0.07% | -1% |
| 2090 | -0.06% | -1% |
| 2089 | -0.05% | -0.99% |
| 2088 | -0.04% | -1.04% |
| 2087 | -0.01% | -1.07% |
| 2086 | -0.02% | -1.05% |
| 2085 | -0.007% | -1.07% |
| 2084 | -0% | -1.09% |
| 2083 | 0.008% | -1.05% |
| 2082 | 0.02% | -1.08% |
| 2081 | 0.03% | -1.05% |
| 2080 | 0.06% | -1.03% |
| 2079 | 0.08% | -1.01% |
| 2078 | 0.1% | -1.01% |
| 2077 | 0.11% | -1.01% |
| 2076 | 0.11% | -0.93% |
| 2075 | 0.15% | -0.9% |
| 2074 | 0.16% | -0.88% |
| 2073 | 0.17% | -0.86% |
| 2072 | 0.2% | -0.83% |
| 2071 | 0.24% | -0.8% |
| 2070 | 0.26% | -0.79% |
| 2069 | 0.28% | -0.77% |
| 2068 | 0.29% | -0.72% |
| 2067 | 0.3% | -0.69% |
| 2066 | 0.3% | -0.66% |
| 2065 | 0.33% | -0.62% |
| 2064 | 0.35% | -0.58% |
| 2063 | 0.4% | -0.58% |
| 2062 | 0.42% | -0.53% |
| 2061 | 0.44% | -0.51% |
| 2060 | 0.47% | -0.5% |
| 2059 | 0.48% | -0.45% |
| 2058 | 0.5% | -0.42% |
| 2057 | 0.52% | -0.43% |
| 2056 | 0.56% | -0.43% |
| 2055 | 0.56% | -0.38% |
| 2054 | 0.6% | -0.39% |
| 2053 | 0.64% | -0.4% |
| 2052 | 0.68% | -0.41% |
| 2051 | 0.69% | -0.37% |
| 2050 | 0.72% | -0.32% |
| 2049 | 0.75% | -0.33% |
| 2048 | 0.79% | -0.36% |
| 2047 | 0.8% | -0.3% |
| 2046 | 0.82% | -0.3% |
| 2045 | 0.84% | -0.28% |
| 2044 | 0.87% | -0.27% |
| 2043 | 0.89% | -0.24% |
| 2042 | 0.92% | -0.25% |
| 2041 | 0.93% | -0.22% |
| 2040 | 0.95% | -0.22% |
| 2039 | 0.97% | -0.2% |
| 2038 | 0.98% | -0.16% |
| 2037 | 1.02% | -0.13% |
| 2036 | 1.03% | -0.1% |
| 2035 | 1.03% | -0.07% |
| 2034 | 1.04% | 0.02% |
| 2033 | 1.05% | 0.1% |
| 2032 | 1.05% | 0.14% |
| 2031 | 1.05% | 0.18% |
| 2030 | 1.07% | 0.22% |
| 2029 | 1.08% | 0.29% |
| 2028 | 1.08% | 0.34% |
| 2027 | 1.1% | 0.37% |
| 2026 | 1.1% | 0.95% |
| 2025 | 1.11% | 1.91% |
| 2024 | 1.12% | 2.91% |
| 2023 | 1.11% | 4.07% |
| 2022 | 1.09% | 2.5% |
| 2021 | 1.15% | 0.52% |
| 2020 | 1.19% | 2.3% |
| 2019 | 1.18% | 4.13% |
| 2018 | 1.23% | 3.6% |
| 2017 | 1.25% | 2.77% |
| 2016 | 1.23% | 2.32% |
| 2015 | 1.18% | 2.48% |
| 2014 | 1.15% | 2.04% |
| 2013 | 1.09% | 1.14% |
| 2012 | 1.01% | 0.9% |
| 2011 | 0.89% | 0.42% |
| 2010 | 0.78% | 0.49% |
| 2009 | 0.73% | 0.76% |
| 2008 | 0.68% | 0.65% |
| 2007 | 0.42% | 0.35% |
| 2006 | -0.41% | 0.37% |
| 2005 | -0.92% | 0.64% |
| 2004 | -0.7% | 0.67% |
| 2003 | -0.48% | 0.66% |
| 2002 | -0.31% | 0.75% |
| 2001 | -0.15% | 0.75% |
| 2000 | 0.03% | 0.65% |
| 1999 | 0.26% | 0.59% |
| 1998 | 0.5% | 0.65% |
| 1997 | 0.8% | 0.76% |
| 1996 | 1.08% | 0.66% |
| 1995 | 1.23% | 0.7% |
| 1994 | 1.36% | 0.94% |
| 1993 | 1.52% | 1% |
| 1992 | 1.68% | 1.04% |
| 1991 | 1.81% | 2.73% |
| 1990 | 1.93% | 0.98% |
| 1989 | 2.05% | 0.98% |
| 1988 | 2.14% | 0.82% |
| 1987 | 2.24% | 0.69% |
| 1986 | 2.57% | 1.68% |
| 1985 | 2.87% | 1.77% |
| 1984 | 2.9% | 0.02% |
| 1983 | 2.93% | 1.42% |
| 1982 | 2.95% | 2.17% |
| 1981 | 2.95% | 0.74% |
| 1980 | 2.95% | 1.05% |
| 1979 | 2.93% | 1.02% |
| 1978 | 2.89% | 1.05% |
| 1977 | 2.93% | 0.39% |
| 1976 | 3.26% | 0.51% |
| 1975 | 3.52% | 0.74% |
| 1974 | 3.51% | -0.07% |
| 1973 | 3.53% | -0.08% |
| 1972 | 3.58% | -0.08% |
| 1971 | 3.63% | 0.02% |
| 1970 | 3.67% | -0.54% |
| 1969 | 3.7% | -1.17% |
| 1968 | 3.73% | -1.17% |
| 1967 | 3.64% | -1.16% |
| 1966 | 3.25% | -1.13% |
| 1965 | 2.97% | -0.76% |
| 1964 | 2.99% | -0.4% |
| 1963 | 3.01% | -0.42% |
| 1962 | 3.03% | -0.42% |
| 1961 | 3.03% | -0.4% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/lesotho/malta | CC BY
In 2025, the population of Lesotho grew by 1.11%, while Malta's population grew by 1.91%.
Live population counters
|
Lesotho
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
2402837
|
586345
|
| Population rank | 143/197 | 167/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.03% | 0.007% |
| One net population change |
20.3 minutes
|
48.5 minutes
|
| One birth every |
9.46 minutes
|
2 hours
|
| One death every |
21.5 minutes
|
2.11 hours
|
| Daily growth/decline | +71 | +30 |
| Annual growth/decline | +25,902 | +10,857 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +1.11% | +1.91% |
| Population growth rate rank | 94/197 | 52/197 |
| One migration net change every |
1.69 hours
|
1.7 hours
|
| Annual migration change | -5,192 | +5,161 |
| Net migration rank | 117/196 | 52/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 15,039 | 199,466 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 173/195 | 112/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 0.6% | 37% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 170/195 | 15/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lesotho
|
Malta
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | -5,192 | - | 5,161 |
| 2024 | 31,050 | -5,107 | 228 | 6,323 |
| 2023 | 31,115 | -5,168 | 442 | 6,591 |
| 2022 | 30,803 | -6,023 | 54 | 2,480 |
| 2021 | 27,806 | -3,449 | 259 | 4,638 |
| 2020 | 30,721 | -3,449 | 361 | 6,904 |
| 2019 | 32,279 | -6,896 | 655 | 20,302 |
| 2018 | 33,112 | -6,892 | 774 | 16,961 |
| 2017 | 33,601 | -6,850 | 747 | 14,372 |
| 2016 | 33,390 | -6,766 | 1,091 | 8,624 |
| 2015 | 32,087 | -7,087 | 888 | 9,588 |
| 2014 | 30,922 | -6,877 | 910 | 9,192 |
| 2013 | 29,789 | -6,659 | 807 | 861 |
| 2012 | 27,592 | -6,425 | 714 | 911 |
| 2011 | 25,647 | -6,118 | 916 | 999 |
| 2010 | 21,877 | -5,886 | 871 | 741 |
| 2009 | 20,335 | -5,599 | 825 | 836 |
| 2008 | 19,349 | -5,392 | 777 | 869 |
| 2007 | 17,763 | -5,179 | 691 | 926 |
| 2006 | 15,234 | -11,416 | 568 | 997 |
| 2005 | 15,831 | -35,679 | 727 | 1,626 |
| 2004 | 17,271 | -33,530 | 883 | 1,662 |
| 2003 | 20,133 | -31,723 | 917 | 1,626 |
| 2002 | 22,274 | -29,924 | 911 | 1,821 |
| 2001 | 23,190 | -27,874 | 1,061 | 1,678 |
| 2000 | 24,786 | -26,220 | 1,482 | 1,591 |
| 1999 | 27,393 | -24,610 | 1,357 | 1,463 |
| 1998 | 30,889 | -23,299 | 1,656 | 1,260 |
| 1997 | 34,637 | -22,396 | 1,991 | 1,003 |
| 1996 | 36,228 | -17,042 | 2,279 | 1,142 |
| 1995 | 37,370 | -14,588 | 1,887 | 1,306 |
| 1994 | 38,629 | -13,953 | 2,136 | 1,136 |
| 1993 | 40,505 | -13,347 | 2,451 | 1,006 |
| 1992 | 42,579 | -12,707 | 2,573 | 737 |
| 1991 | 44,026 | -12,114 | 2,438 | 763 |
| 1990 | 45,060 | -11,598 | 2,621 | 568 |
| 1989 | 46,264 | -11,207 | 2,981 | 248 |
| 1988 | 47,158 | -11,028 | 2,813 | 164 |
| 1987 | 47,718 | -10,946 | 2,412 | 295 |
| 1986 | 45,232 | -7,501 | 2,395 | 464 |
| 1985 | 44,575 | 1,222 | 2,590 | -428 |
| 1984 | 43,785 | 1,199 | 2,678 | -558 |
| 1983 | 42,899 | 1,253 | 2,512 | -740 |
| 1982 | 41,941 | 1,281 | 2,835 | -1,059 |
| 1981 | 40,808 | 1,307 | 2,233 | -548 |
| 1980 | 39,617 | 1,361 | 2,375 | -886 |
| 1979 | 38,440 | 1,285 | 2,852 | -1,311 |
| 1978 | 37,084 | 1,047 | 2,389 | -1,302 |
| 1977 | 35,654 | 746 | 2,916 | -1,598 |
| 1976 | 34,117 | 2,986 | 2,721 | -1,641 |
| 1975 | 32,311 | 9,723 | 2,829 | -1,742 |
| 1974 | 30,444 | 9,972 | 2,687 | -1,597 |
| 1973 | 28,859 | 10,183 | 2,327 | -1,549 |
| 1972 | 27,841 | 10,386 | 2,480 | -1,316 |
| 1971 | 26,838 | 10,563 | 2,482 | -1,327 |
| 1970 | 25,935 | 10,605 | 2,270 | -1,123 |
| 1969 | 25,137 | 10,465 | 2,069 | -827 |
| 1968 | 24,490 | 10,108 | 2,247 | -753 |
| 1967 | 23,911 | 9,734 | 2,306 | -4,073 |
| 1966 | 23,326 | 7,248 | 2,458 | -4,318 |
| 1965 | 22,755 | 2,239 | 2,646 | -4,329 |
| 1964 | 22,116 | 2,198 | 3,630 | -4,768 |
| 1963 | 21,585 | 2,220 | 3,709 | -4,773 |
| 1962 | 21,132 | 2,172 | 4,664 | -5,360 |
| 1961 | 20,581 | 2,100 | 4,748 | -5,099 |
| 1960 | 19,981 | 1,989 | 5,747 | -5,540 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/lesotho/malta | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 84.6% of the population change in Lesotho is from natural causes (a gain of 315,964 people) and 15.4% is from migration (a loss of 57,687 people). In Malta 5.38% is from natural causes (a gain of 5,499 people) and 94.6% is from migration (a gain of 96,783 people).
As of 2024, 15,039 residents or 0.6% of the population were not native-born in Lesotho, compared to 199,466 people or 37% in Malta.
Biggest cities by population
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Population differences between Lesotho and Malta
|
Lesotho
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 58.6 years | 83.8 years |
| Average age | 26 years | 43.2 years |
| Median age | 22.9 years | 42.1 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 48.8:51.2 | 51.9:48.1 |
| Fertility rate | 2.66 births per woman | 1.01 births per woman |
| Population density | 203.8 ppl/mi² | 4,737 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/population/lesotho/malta | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.