Lesotho: immigration

How many refugees are there in Lesotho?

Lesotho hosted 478 refugees and 202 asylum seekers at the end of 2025, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The number of refugees has risen from 296 in 2021.

Refugees are people whose claims for protection have been accepted, and asylum seekers are those still awaiting a decision. UNHCR also counts 6 other people of concern. At the same date there were 27 refugees and 31 asylum seekers from Lesotho in other countries. These figures do not include Basotho who work in South Africa.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How much money do Basotho abroad send home?

Personal remittances received by Lesotho were equal to 20.8% of GDP in 2025, according to the World Bank, compared with 19.9% in 2024 and 22.5% in 2023.

Personal remittances cover money sent home by people living abroad and the pay of residents working abroad for short periods. The World Bank series is based on balance of payments data. The Central Bank of Lesotho publishes the balance of payments in its economic reports.

Official sources: World Bank: Personal remittances received, Lesotho · Central Bank of Lesotho: Economic reports

How many foreign-born people live in Lesotho?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people born abroad in Lesotho at 0.6% in 2024. It was 0.4% in 2015. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 2.2%, and Lesotho placed 43rd highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 166th highest.

Are more people leaving Lesotho than arriving?

The UN Population Division puts net migration in Lesotho at -5,192 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at -3,449; its low point was 2005, at -35,679. Sub-Saharan Africa median: -5,646; Lesotho is 23rd highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 115th of 193.

How many refugees are in Lesotho?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees in the country in Lesotho at 478 in 2025. No year since 2011 has been higher. It is 37th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 35,241. World rank, highest first: 130th of 169.

How many refugees come from Lesotho?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Lesotho at 27 in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 12,726, and Lesotho placed 45th highest of 48. Worldwide: 167th of 189.

How big are remittances in Lesotho's economy?

20.8% of GDP: that is personal remittances received in Lesotho for 2025, according to the World Bank. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 37.9% of GDP; its low point was 2015, at 14.7% of GDP. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 2.6% of GDP, and Lesotho placed 2nd highest of 20. World rank, highest first: 9th of 127.