Quick facts
Lusaka overview
Lusaka (orange) and the other large cities of Zambia
Lusaka lies in Lusaka Province in Zambia at 15.41°S, 28.29°E, about 1,277 m above sea level. The local time zone is Africa/Lusaka (UTC+2); GeoNames classifies it as a national capital.
It is the biggest urban centre of Zambia: the next largest cities are Kitwe (665,961), Ndola (627,503), Chipata (327,059). Together, the three largest cities hold 15.4% of the national population.
The nearest large city is Mazabuka, about 76 km away, followed by Kabwe (108 km).
Zambia as a whole has a live population of 22,699,882 (+2.7% a year) and ranks #63 of 238 countries — see the Zambia population page for the full statistics and the Zambia atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Lusaka
| City | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Mazabuka Southern Province | 76 km | 104,412 |
| Kabwe Central Province | 108 km | 288,598 |
| Monze Southern Province | 129 km | 60,281 |
| Mumbwa Central Province | 140 km | 49,461 |
| Kapiri Mposhi Central Province | 165 km | 83,211 |
Largest cities in Zambia
| # | City | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LusakaCapital | Lusaka Province | 2,212,301 |
| 2 | Kitwe | Copperbelt | 665,961 |
| 3 | Ndola | Copperbelt | 627,503 |
| 4 | Chipata | Eastern Province | 327,059 |
| 5 | Solwezi | North-Western | 301,370 |
| 6 | Kabwe | Central Province | 288,598 |
| 7 | Chingola | Copperbelt | 256,560 |
| 8 | Luanshya | Copperbelt | 193,293 |
| 9 | Kasama | Northern Province | 179,636 |
| 10 | Livingstone | Southern Province | 178,361 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Lusaka?
Lusaka has about 2,212,301 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Lusaka the capital of Zambia?
Yes — Lusaka is the national capital of Zambia.
How big is Lusaka compared with the rest of Zambia?
Its 2,212,301 residents are 9.7% of the 22,699,882 people living in Zambia today. It is the largest city in the country.
Where is Lusaka?
In Lusaka Province, Zambia, at latitude -15.41 and longitude 28.29, 1,277 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Mazabuka (76 km), Kabwe (108 km), Monze (129 km).
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Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Lusaka Population 2026 — Zambia. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/zambia/lusaka/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/zambia/lusaka/">Lusaka Population 2026 — Zambia</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
City populations are GeoNames figures (CC BY 4.0): the latest official census or estimate for the city proper — the municipality, not the wider metropolitan area — so they can differ from "metro area" numbers you see elsewhere. Country populations are live Glostats estimates from the UN World Population Prospects. Distances are great-circle distances between city centres. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.