Sotho Speaking Countries (2026)
Sotho is spoken in 2 countries across 1 region (Africa). The combined population of all Sotho-speaking countries is approximately 19 million people, covering a total land area of 421,112 km².
Zimbabwe is the largest Sotho-speaking country by population, home to 89.0% of the total Sotho-speaking population. It is also the largest by land area at 390,757 km².
The second most populous Sotho-speaking country is Lesotho with 2,116,427 people (11.0% of total). The average population density across all Sotho-speaking countries is 46 people per km². These countries use 3 different currencies, including Zimbabwean dollar, Lesotho loti, South African rand.
Countries
2
Total Population
19M
Most Populous
Zimbabwe
Largest by Area
Zimbabwe
Population Share by Country
Proportion of total Sotho-speaking population per country
Zimbabwe
LesothoAll Sotho-Speaking Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries speak Sotho?
Sotho is an official or recognized language in 2 countries across 1 region (Africa).
What is the most populous Sotho-speaking country?
Zimbabwe is the most populous Sotho-speaking country with a population of 17,073,087, accounting for 89.0% of all Sotho-speaking people.
What is the total population of Sotho-speaking countries?
The combined population of all 2 Sotho-speaking countries is approximately 19 million, covering a total land area of 421,112 km².
Explore Regions
Sotho-speaking countries span 1 region. Explore each region for more population data.
Currencies Used
Currencies used in Sotho-speaking countries.