Mobile phone subscriptions in Lesotho
Lesotho: Mobile phone subscriptions was 1.64 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
1.64 million
Change on year
up 2.5%
World rank
156th
of 212 countries
All-time high
2.38 million
in 2017
All-time low
0
in 1980
Years of data
45
1980–2024
Mobile phone subscriptions in Lesotho, 1980–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for mobile phone subscriptions in Lesotho is 1.64 million, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 2.5% on the previous year and down 23.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, mobile phone subscriptions in Lesotho peaked at 2.38 million in 2017 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1980.
Lesotho ranks 156th of 212 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.
Mobile phone subscriptions in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 1,262 | — |
| 1997 | 3,500 | +177.3% |
| 1998 | 9,831 | +180.9% |
| 1999 | 12,000 | +22.1% |
| 2000 | 21,600 | +80.0% |
| 2001 | 57,000 | +163.9% |
| 2002 | 137,953 | +142.0% |
| 2003 | 125,950 | -8.7% |
| 2004 | 196,213 | +55.8% |
| 2005 | 249,786 | +27.3% |
| 2006 | 357,913 | +43.3% |
| 2007 | 482,455 | +34.8% |
| 2008 | 593,216 | +23.0% |
| 2009 | 661,000 | +11.4% |
| 2010 | 987,448 | +49.4% |
| 2011 | 1.23 million | +24.8% |
| 2012 | 1.54 million | +25.4% |
| 2013 | 1.79 million | +15.9% |
| 2014 | 2.14 million | +19.5% |
| 2015 | 2.14 million | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 2.28 million | +6.7% |
| 2017 | 2.38 million | +4.3% |
| 2018 | 1.58 million | -33.5% |
| 2019 | 1.68 million | +6.3% |
| 2020 | 1.56 million | -7.1% |
| 2021 | 1.82 million | +16.6% |
| 2022 | 1.56 million | -14.5% |
| 2023 | 1.60 million | +3.0% |
| 2024 | 1.64 million | +2.5% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 1.64 million is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 12.17 million, 14% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 1.64 million is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 13.69 million, 12% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 1990s | 2,659 | 0 | 12,000 | 10 |
| 2000s | 288,309 | 21,600 | 661,000 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.78 million | 987,448 | 2.38 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.64 million | 1.56 million | 1.82 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
More science & technology data for Lesotho
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 70.33 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 0.7033 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0007 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 1.64 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 52.8 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 1.41 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 2.55 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 60.18 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is mobile phone subscriptions in Lesotho?
- Mobile phone subscriptions in Lesotho was 1.64 million in 2024, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 2.38 million in 2017.
- What is the lowest mobile phone subscriptions recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1980.
- How does Lesotho rank for mobile phone subscriptions?
- Lesotho ranks 156th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is mobile phone subscriptions rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 23.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Mobile phone subscriptions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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