Unmet need for contraception in Lesotho
Lesotho: Unmet need for contraception was 12.6% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Unmet need for contraception in Lesotho, 2004–2024
Source: Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division. Measured in % of married women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unmet need for contraception in Lesotho is 12.6%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.
That represents a change of down 31.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unmet need for contraception in Lesotho peaked at 31.0% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 12.6%, in 2024.
That places Lesotho 36th out of 58 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Unmet need for contraception in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | % of married women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 31.0% | — |
| 2009 | 23.3% | -24.8% |
| 2014 | 18.4% | -21.0% |
| 2018 | 16.0% | -13.0% |
| 2024 | 12.6% | -21.3% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 12.6% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 20.2%, 62% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 12.6% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 22.0%, 57% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 27.1% | 23.3% | 31.0% | 2 |
| 2010s | 17.2% | 16.0% | 18.4% | 2 |
| 2020s | 12.6% | 12.6% | 12.6% | 1 |
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 unmet need for contraception in Lesotho?
- Unmet need for contraception in Lesotho was 12.6% in 2024, according to Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division.
- What is the highest unmet need for contraception recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 31.0% in 2004.
- What is the lowest unmet need for contraception recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.6% in 2024.
- How does Lesotho rank for unmet need for contraception?
- Lesotho ranks 36th out of 58 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unmet need for contraception rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 31.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division, published as part of Unmet need for contraception (% of married women ages 15-49). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unmet need for contraception is the percentage of fertile, married women of reproductive age who do not want to become pregnant and are not using contraception.