United Nations Population Fund

UNFPA Lesotho

A least developed country according to the Human Development Index, Lesotho is a landlocked country surrounded by South Africa. With more than half the population living below the poverty line, it faces major challenges including high HIV prevalence and a high maternal mortality rate. UNFPA initiatives in Lesotho, among others, provide support to reduce maternal mortality, prevent HIV, particularly among youth, reduce gender inequality, and develop quality data related to population issues.

Data overview View more

Population

Population, by age group, per cent
  •  
    Population aged 0-14
  •  
    Population aged 15-64
  •  
    Population aged 65+

Sexual and reproductive health

Births attended by skilled health personnel, per cent, 2014-2019
  •  
    Births attended by skilled health personnel

Family Planning

Proportion of demand satisfied with modern methods, women aged 15-49, per cent, 2022
  •  
    Modern method  

Education

Total net enrolment rate, percent

Gender, Rights, and Human Capital

Harmful Practices

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Key results of Lesotho in 2021 View more
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National plan for sexual and reproductive health

A costed, integrated national plan was developed for sexual and reproductive health, which prioritizes access for key groups
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Out-of-school comprehensive sexuality education

A national mechanism or strategy was in place to deliver out-of-school comprehensive sexuality education in accordance with international standards
global results icons 9.1

Reproductive rights, laws and policies

Strategies were in place to align laws, policies and regulations on reproductive rights
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Men and boys

A national mechanism was in place to engage men and boys in national policies and programmes
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Social norm mapping

A social norm assessment, based on the UNFPA social norm framework, was completed
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Social norms change programmes

The UNFPA manual on social norms and change was utilized
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Data on gender-based violence

National systems were in place to collect and disseminate data on the incidence of gender-based violence
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National plans against harmful practices

A costed national action plan to address harmful practices was developed
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Minimum Initial Services Package

288
Health service providers and managers were trained on the minimum initial service package
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Life skills programmes for girls

1,598
Marginalized girls were reached with health, social and economic asset-building programmes
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Advocacy platforms against harmful social norms

80
Communities developed advocacy platforms to eliminate discriminatory gender and sociocultural norms which affect women and girls
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Community declarations on harmful practices

16
Communities made public declarations to eliminate harmful practices, with support from UNFPA, including child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
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2021 Humanitarian results achieved for Lesotho View more
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Number of dignity kits distributed
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UNFPA-assisted safe deliveries
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Adolescent and youth-friendly spaces supported by UNFPA
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Safe spaces supported by UNFPA (includes safe spaces for women, girls and youth)
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Affected population reached with Family Planning services
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Personnel trained on Minimum Initial Service Package for reproductive health
People reached with Dignity Kits in 0 countries
Appeal Country People reached with Dignity Kits
Women reached with sexual and reproductive health services, including antenatal and postnatal care, emergency obstetric and newborn care services in 0 countries
Appeal Country Women reached with sexual and reproductive health services, including antenatal and postnatal care, emergency obstetric and newborn care services
People reached with adolescent sexual and reproductive health services, supplies and information in 0 countries
Appeal Country Women reached with sexual and reproductive health services, including antenatal and postnatal care, emergency obstetric and newborn care services
Safe spaces supported by UNFPA (includes safe spaces for women, girls and youth) in 0 countries
Appeal Country Safe spaces supported by UNFPA (includes safe spaces for women, girls and youth
Health Facilities that provide Emergency Obstetric Care, supported by UNFPA in 0 countries
Appeal Country Health Facilities that provide Emergency Obstetric Care, supported by UNFPA
Personnel trained on various aspects of sexual and reproductive health, including the Minimum Initial Service Package in 0 countries
Appeal Country Personnel trained on various aspects of sexual and reproductive health, including the Minimum Initial Service Package
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Demographic Dividend: Lesotho View more

Population Pyramid

females
males
Population in thousands

Life Expectancy

Total fertility rate

Select year range
Year: 2018 Note: Years 2017 to 2100 are projected data.
i
Source: United Nations, Population Division, World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision
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News

In climate change-affected Lesotho, self-injected contraceptives empower women to choose their own future
News

In climate change-affected Lesotho, self-injected contraceptives empower women to choose their own future

Regina Mokoena has seen first-hand how drought and climate change are increasing the demand for family planning in her…

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To tackle sexual violence in Lesotho, programme targets men and boys
News

To tackle sexual violence in Lesotho, programme targets men and boys

“Before, I never used a condom, and I would force myself violently onto girls and young women,” said Kabelo, 22, in…

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