Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Lesotho
Lesotho: Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age was 12.6% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Lesotho, 2004–2024
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of married women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Lesotho is 12.6%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.
The figure is down 31.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age 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 among married women of reproductive age 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 gender data for Lesotho
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 786.22 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth -0.5717 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 1,708 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 1,708 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 1.83 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 26,291 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 26,787 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 25,880 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 26,319 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 25,717 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Lesotho?
- Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age in Lesotho was 12.6% in 2024, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 31.0% in 2004.
- What is the lowest unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.6% in 2024.
- How does Lesotho rank for unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age?
- Lesotho ranks 36th out of 58 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age 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 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Unmet need for contraception among married women of reproductive age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Fertile, married women of reproductive age (ages 15-49) who do not want to become pregnant and are not using contraception.