Zambia/Society

Society in Zambia

An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.

Explore Social Domains

Demographics

Coming Soon
Population
20.7M(2023)
Population Growth
2.8%(2023)
Fertility Rate
4.10(2023)
Death Rate
5.2 per 1k(2023)
Net Migration
+7.4K(2024)

Public Health

Coming Soon
Life Expectancy
66.3 years(2023)
Under-5 Mortality
44.7 per 1k(2023)
Maternal Mortality
85 per 100k(2023)
Health Expenditure (as share of GDP)
5.3%(2022)

Education & Human Capital

Coming Soon
Literacy Rate
87.5%(2020)
Primary Enrollment
83.2%(2017)
Secondary Enrollment
20.6%(1994)
Tertiary Enrollment
4(2012)
Education Expenditure (as share of GDP)
3.6%(2022)

Living Standards & Connectivity

Coming Soon
Internet Users
33%(2023)
Access to Electricity
51.1%(2023)
Access to Basic Drinking Water
68.2%(2022)
Urban Population
9.6M(2023)
Rural Population
11.1M(2023)

Current Snapshot Overview

A summary of key social and demographic indicators for Zambia

  • Zambia has an estimated population of 20.7M
    2023
    The nation is experiencing rapid demographic expansion with an annual growth rate of 2.8%
    2023
    , indicative of a dynamic and youthful population structure and potential for a significant demographic dividend. The elevated fertility rate of 4.1 births per woman
    2023
    contributes to a young population, presenting both opportunities for future growth and demands on educational and health services. Net immigration is relatively minor, impacting the population by approximately 7K individuals annually (or 0.4 per 1,000 inhabitants)
    2024
    .
  • Regarding public health, Healthcare outcomes show foundational progress with a life expectancy of 66.3 years
    2023
    , yet significant disparities or developmental gaps may still exist. Concurrently, Healthcare delivery faces significant systemic challenges, as evidenced by elevated child mortality (under 5 years) (44.7 per 1,000 live births
    2023
    and maternal mortality (85 per 100,000 live births
    2023
    ) rates, suggesting areas for critical intervention and resource allocation. These outcomes are supported by limited healthcare spending, at 5.3% of GDP
    2022
    , which may constrain comprehensive health system improvements and the attainment of higher health outcomes.
  • Educational progress is reflected in a literacy rate of 88%
    2020
    , though continued efforts are needed to achieve universal literacy and enhance foundational skills. Complementing this, while primary education reaches 83% of children
    2017
    , secondary enrollment at 21%
    1994
    suggests significant attrition challenges that may hinder higher skill development and future economic potential. This educational framework is supported by limited educational investment, at 3.6% of GDP
    2022
    , which may constrain the scale and quality of future human capital development initiatives.
  • In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, a still balanced urban-rural distribution (46% urban population
    2023
    ) creates diverse economic opportunities but necessitates coordinated infrastructure development to bridge potential disparities. Furthermore, critical infrastructure gaps are evident, with electricity access at 51%
    2023
    and internet penetration at 33%
    2023
    severely limiting economic potential, hindering social development, and impeding digital integration.

Key Development Insights

Population Dynamics

A youthful, rapidly growing population presents a "demographic dividend" opportunity if met with sufficient investment in jobs and services.

Public Health System

Public health outcomes are a core indicator of national development and quality of life. Access to healthcare is essential for sustainable growth.

Human Capital Formation

Improving foundational literacy and secondary school completion is a critical priority for unlocking future economic potential.

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Expanding access to basic infrastructure, particularly electricity, remains a key bottleneck for broad-based development.

More About This Country

Neighbors & Regional Peers

Note: The information on this page has been compiled from authoritative sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please note that some figures may not be current or entirely precise.