MigrantoBasotho Diaspora
246.9K Basotho live abroad — 11% of the population of Lesotho
Basotho diaspora by country
The top 3 countries are home to 100% of the diaspora
| Country | Emigrants |
|---|---|
| South Africa | 237718 |
| Mozambique | 8173 |
| Botswana | 292 |
| Eswatini | 226 |
| Australia | 157 |
| Tanzania | 143 |
| Namibia | 139 |
| Denmark | 48 |
| Guinea | 28 |
| Norway | 10 |
| Slovakia | 3 |
| Hungary | 1 |
| Greece | 0 |
| Bolivia | 0 |
By region
100% of the diaspora lives in Africa
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Key facts
The Basotho diaspora in numbers
Most Basotho abroad live in South Africa
96% of the diaspora lives in South Africa, while the next country accounts for just 3%.
1 in 9 people born in Lesotho lives abroad
246.9K people born in Lesotho now live in other countries — 10.6% of a population of 2.3M.
Basotho diaspora population over time
People living abroad, by year
| Year | Emigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 130251 |
| 1995 | 122192 |
| 2000 | 121214 |
| 2005 | 138931 |
| 2010 | 161987 |
| 2015 | 191588 |
| 2020 | 224803 |
| 2024 | 246938 |
Largest communities over time
Basotho living in the 5 largest countries, by year
| Year | South Africa | Mozambique | Botswana | Eswatini | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 126222 | 2875 | 505 | 293 | 46 |
| 1995 | 116921 | 3955 | 816 | 111 | 59 |
| 2000 | 114876 | 4601 | 1212 | 131 | 67 |
| 2005 | 130208 | 6319 | 1827 | 167 | 92 |
| 2010 | 153913 | 7201 | 241 | 198 | 112 |
| 2015 | 183120 | 7465 | 261 | 221 | 150 |
| 2020 | 215957 | 7842 | 277 | 223 | 150 |
| 2024 | 237718 | 8173 | 292 | 226 | 157 |
Fastest-changing communities
How the number of Basotho in each country has changed since the selected year
Basotho among immigrants in other countries
Where Basotho make up the largest share of a country's immigrants
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many Basotho live outside Lesotho?
Around 246.9K Basotho live abroad, the world's #126 largest diaspora.
Where do most Basotho abroad live?
Most Basotho live in South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana — these three countries account for about 100% of all Basotho living abroad.
Which country has the largest Basotho population outside Lesotho?
South Africa is home to the largest Basotho community abroad — 237.7K people, about 96% of all Basotho living abroad.
What share of the population of Lesotho lives abroad?
About 11% of the population of Lesotho lives abroad — that's 246.9K out of a total population of 2.3M.
Is the Basotho diaspora growing?
Yes — over the past decade, the number of Basotho living abroad has grown from 191.6K to 246.9K, about 29%.
Where does the data on the Basotho diaspora come from?
The source is International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division). It counts people born in Lesotho who now live in other countries. Descendants of emigrants born abroad are not included.
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Living in Lesotho
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