Zambia

The population of Zambia is approximately 23M (2024).

The capital of Zambia is Lusaka.

Zambia's GDP per capita is $1.3K (2024).

Life expectancy in Zambia is 66.53 years (2024).

Zambia covers 752,612 km² (290,585 sq mi).

Zambia is sparsely populated, averaging 30 people per km², below the global average of 60.

Zambia's population is growing rapidly at 2.8% per year — among the fastest in the world.

Based on GDP per capita, Zambia falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $1.3K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Zambia's intentional homicide rate is 5.2 per 100,000 people, close to the global average.

The official language of Zambia is English.

Zambia uses the Zambian kwacha (ZK) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Zambia are May, August, September, October, based on climate data for the capital.

Zambia currently holds a global nominal GDP rank of 117th and a regional rank of 21st in Africa. Recent data shows the GDP per capita is approximately 1,280 USD, which ranks 184th in the world and 29th across the African continent. The economy is primarily driven by mining, construction, and agriculture.

Recent data indicates that the adult literacy rate in Zambia is approximately 71.8%. This educational outcome ranks the country 136th of 170 nations globally in literacy. While primary education is highly prioritized, challenges remain in rural access and secondary school completion rates across the various provinces.

The current life expectancy at birth in Zambia is approximately 66.5 years. According to the latest available data, this health indicator ranks the country 179th out of 215 nations globally. Improvements in healthcare access and disease management programs have contributed to gradual gains in life expectancy over the last decade.

Internet connectivity is still in a development phase, with current estimates showing that 17.1% of the population are internet users. This level of digital penetration ranks Zambia 200th out of 212 countries globally. While urban centers like Lusaka have better access, infrastructure development is ongoing to reach more remote areas.

Recent data indicates that the unemployment rate in Zambia is approximately 5.9%. This figure ranks the nation 79th out of 186 countries globally when ordered from lowest to highest unemployment. Most of the workforce is employed in the agricultural sector, though the mining industry remains the largest contributor to export revenue.

The estimated 2026 population of Zambia is 22,530,486, based on the latest official 2024 figure of 21,314,956. This represents a significant increase driven by a steady annual growth rate of 2.8%. The country remains one of the more populous and fastest-growing nations in the Eastern Africa subregion.

Zambia holds a global population rank of 62 of 215 countries and territories. Regionally, it is ranked 22 of 54 in Africa and 8 of 16 within the Eastern Africa subregion. This position reflects its growing demographic influence and its status as a key nation in the Southern-Central African corridor.

The estimated 2026 population density of Zambia is 30.3 people per km² (78.5 sq mi). This ranks the country global 174 of 215 for density and 41 of 54 in Africa. Most of the population is concentrated in the capital, Lusaka, and the northern Copperbelt mining regions.

The current fertility rate in Zambia is 4.04 births per woman, which is the 25th highest fertility rate in the world. This high rate is a primary driver of the nation's rapid population growth and contributes to a young demographic structure that will continue to expand for decades.

About 45.5% of Zambia's total population lives in urban centers, ranking the nation 157 of 215 globally for urbanization. This high level of urbanization, relative to its regional neighbors, is largely due to the concentration of residents in the industrial Copperbelt and the expanding capital city of Lusaka.