HIV/AIDS deaths in Lesotho
Lesotho: HIV/AIDS deaths was 3,956 deaths in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
3,956 deaths
Change on year
down 4.2%
World rank
25th
of 143 countries
All-time high
18,535 deaths
in 2004
All-time low
582.4 deaths
in 1990
Years of data
35
1990–2024
HIV/AIDS deaths in Lesotho, 1990–2024
Source: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
The most recent figure for hiv/aids deaths in Lesotho is 3,956 deaths, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 4.2% on the previous year and down 49.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, hiv/aids deaths in Lesotho peaked at 18,535 deaths in 2004 and was at its lowest, 582.4 deaths, in 1990.
That places Lesotho 25th out of 143 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
HIV/AIDS deaths in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 582.4 deaths | — |
| 1991 | 970.85 deaths | +66.7% |
| 1992 | 1,561 deaths | +60.8% |
| 1993 | 2,392 deaths | +53.2% |
| 1994 | 3,492 deaths | +46.0% |
| 1995 | 4,856 deaths | +39.0% |
| 1996 | 6,422 deaths | +32.3% |
| 1997 | 8,115 deaths | +26.4% |
| 1998 | 9,841 deaths | +21.3% |
| 1999 | 11,583 deaths | +17.7% |
| 2000 | 13,300 deaths | +14.8% |
| 2001 | 14,954 deaths | +12.4% |
| 2002 | 16,440 deaths | +9.9% |
| 2003 | 17,624 deaths | +7.2% |
| 2004 | 18,535 deaths | +5.2% |
| 2005 | 18,308 deaths | -1.2% |
| 2006 | 16,928 deaths | -7.5% |
| 2007 | 14,020 deaths | -17.2% |
| 2008 | 11,276 deaths | -19.6% |
| 2009 | 9,379 deaths | -16.8% |
| 2010 | 8,227 deaths | -12.3% |
| 2011 | 7,612 deaths | -7.5% |
| 2012 | 7,718 deaths | +1.4% |
| 2013 | 7,780 deaths | +0.8% |
| 2014 | 7,843 deaths | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 7,631 deaths | -2.7% |
| 2016 | 6,973 deaths | -8.6% |
| 2017 | 6,322 deaths | -9.3% |
| 2018 | 5,617 deaths | -11.1% |
| 2019 | 5,367 deaths | -4.5% |
| 2020 | 5,032 deaths | -6.2% |
| 2021 | 4,593 deaths | -8.7% |
| 2022 | 4,263 deaths | -7.2% |
| 2023 | 4,131 deaths | -3.1% |
| 2024 | 3,956 deaths | -4.2% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 3,956 deaths is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 1,357 deaths, 2.9× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 3,956 deaths is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 3,222 deaths, 1.2× the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 4,982 deaths | 582.4 deaths | 11,583 deaths | 10 |
| 2000s | 15,076 deaths | 9,379 deaths | 18,535 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 7,109 deaths | 5,367 deaths | 8,227 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,395 deaths | 3,956 deaths | 5,032 deaths | 5 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More health data for Lesotho
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.05 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.4669 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,227 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 382 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2020)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.8108 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0548 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -0.7473 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is hiv/aids deaths in Lesotho?
- Hiv/aids deaths in Lesotho was 3,956 deaths in 2024, according to Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest hiv/aids deaths recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 18,535 deaths in 2004.
- What is the lowest hiv/aids deaths recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 582.4 deaths in 1990.
- How does Lesotho rank for hiv/aids deaths?
- Lesotho ranks 25th out of 143 countries with data for 2024.
- Is hiv/aids deaths rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 49.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of HIV/AIDS deaths. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Total number of people dying from AIDS-related causes, central estimate.