Quick facts
Zambia population overview
Zambia is the 22nd most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 22,216,197 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.7% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 1,654 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 710,918 births (32 per 1,000 people) and 113,303 deaths (5.1 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 6,665 people. The infant mortality rate is 35.7 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 3,153,729 in 1960 to 21,913,874 in 2025 — a change of +594.9%, or +3% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 18.2 years; life expectancy at birth is 66.9 years; women have on average 4 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 41% of residents are under 15 and 2% are 65 or older (2025); 45.9% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Lusaka. Zambia covers 752,610 km², giving a population density of about 30.2 people per km². GDP was $28.88B in 2025 — about $1,318 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Zambia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 22,698,095 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 22,216,197 |
| World rank | #63 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #22 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.3% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.7% |
| Births per year est. | 710,918 |
| Deaths per year est. | 113,303 |
| Net migration per year est. | +6,665 |
| Birth rate | 32 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5.1 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 35.7 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 98.1 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 18.2 years |
| Life expectancy | 66.9 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 4 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 45.9% |
| Surface area 2023 | 752,610 km² |
| Population density | 30.2 per km² |
| Capital | Lusaka |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $28.88B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $1,318 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Zambia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 22,698,095 | – | – |
| 2025 | 21,913,874 | +598,918 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | 21,314,956 | +590,991 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | 20,723,965 | +571,027 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | 20,152,938 | +549,331 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | 19,603,607 | +544,212 | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 19,059,395 | +2,660,306 | +3.1% |
| 2015 | 16,399,089 | +2,433,495 | +3.3% |
| 2010 | 13,965,594 | +2,246,775 | +3.6% |
| 2005 | 11,718,819 | +1,701,188 | +3.2% |
| 2000 | 10,017,631 | +1,231,868 | +2.7% |
| 1995 | 8,785,763 | +999,594 | +2.4% |
| 1990 | 7,786,169 | +1,005,216 | +2.8% |
| 1985 | 6,780,953 | +978,120 | +3.2% |
| 1980 | 5,802,833 | +812,747 | +3.1% |
| 1975 | 4,990,086 | +668,368 | +2.9% |
| 1970 | 4,321,718 | +629,632 | +3.2% |
| 1965 | 3,692,086 | +538,357 | +3.2% |
| 1960 | 3,153,729 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Zambia
Population over time
- From 3,153,729 in 1960 to 22,698,095 today — up 619.7%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.9% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 66.5 years (2024), up 15.9 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 4 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 32.7 births vs 5.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 27.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 41% of the population is under 15 and 2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 2.9% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 11.57 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0.54 t in 2024, vs 0.86 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 804.2 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 15.1% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 83% of final energy in 2021 (+0 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 59.5% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 63.8% to 59.5% since 1990 — roughly 32,018 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 45.9% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 17.2% in 1960 (+28.7 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 2% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 3,980 m³ in 2022, down 83.9% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $28.88B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 35.9% since 2015.
- That works out to $1,318 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 5.9% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 13.9% in 2025 — persistently high inflation erodes real incomes.
Internet & mobile
- 17.1% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 108.7 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Zambia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Zambia in 2026?
As of October 2026, Zambia has an estimated population of 22,698,095. The United Nations estimated 22,216,197 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Zambia growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.7% per year — roughly 1,654 more people every day. Each year there are about 710,918 births and 113,303 deaths, with net migration of +6,665.
What is the population density of Zambia?
About 30.2 people per square kilometre: 22,698,095 people living on 752,610 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Zambia?
The median age is 18.2 years, and life expectancy at birth is 66.9 years. 41% of the population is under 15 and 2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Zambia rank by population?
Zambia is the 63rd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 22nd in Africa, with 0.3% of the global population.
How has the population of Zambia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 3,153,729; by 2025 it had grown to 21,913,874 (+594.9%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Sri LankaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.7%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.