Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Lesotho
Lesotho: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 202 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Lesotho, 2011–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
The most recent figure for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Lesotho is 202, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.8% on the previous year and up 12.8% over five years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Lesotho peaked at 363 in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0, in 2011.
Lesotho ranks 126th of 179 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 5 | — |
| 2017 | 28 | +460.0% |
| 2018 | 36 | +28.6% |
| 2019 | 78 | +116.7% |
| 2020 | 179 | +129.5% |
| 2021 | 226 | +26.3% |
| 2022 | 288 | +27.4% |
| 2023 | 363 | +26.0% |
| 2024 | 191 | -47.4% |
| 2025 | 202 | +5.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 16.33 | 0 | 78 | 9 |
| 2020s | 241.5 | 179 | 363 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More social development data for Lesotho
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 478 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 27 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh 2 (2025)
- Democracy lexical 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 27 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0002 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Lesotho?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in Lesotho was 202 in 2025, according to Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
- What is the highest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 363 in 2023.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 2011.
- How does Lesotho rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- Lesotho ranks 126th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published as part of Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Asylum-seekers are individuals who have sought international protection and whose claims for refugee status have not yet been determined. This includes those who are in various stages of the asylum process, such as initial application, appeal, or awaiting final decision. In specific contexts, asylum-seekers may also include those who are seeking protection under complementary forms of protection, and those enjoying temporary protection, but whose claims are still under consideration.