Background: Bantu-speaking groups mainly from the Luba and Lunda Kingdoms in the Congo River Basin and from the Great Lakes region in East Africa settled in what is now Zambia beginning around A.D. 300, displacing and mixing with previous population groups in the region. The Mutapa Empire developed after the fall of Great Zimbabwe to the south in the 14th century and ruled the region, including large parts of Zambia, from the 14th to 17th century. The empire collapsed as a result of the growing slave trade and Portuguese incursions in the 16th and 17th centuries. The region was further influenced by migrants from the Zulu Kingdom to the south and the Luba and Lunda Kingdoms to the north, after invading colonial and African powers displaced local residents into the area around the Zambezi River, in what is now Zambia. In the 1880s, British companies began securing mineral and other economic concessions from local leaders. The companies eventually claimed control of the region and incorporated it as the protectorate of Northern Rhodesia in 1911. The UK took over administrative control from the British South Africa Company in 1924. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred British economic ventures and colonial settlement. Northern Rhodesia’s name was changed to Zambia upon independence from the UK in 1964, under independence leader and first President Kenneth KAUNDA. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices, economic mismanagement, and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule and propelled the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) into power. The subsequent vote in 1996, however, saw increasing harassment of opposition parties and abuse of state media and other resources. Administrative problems marked the election in 2001, with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. MWANAWASA was reelected in 2006 in an election that was deemed free and fair. Upon his death in 2008, he was succeeded by his vice president, Rupiah BANDA, who won a special presidential byelection later that year. BANDA and the MMD lost to Michael SATA and the Patriotic Front (PF) in the 2011 general elections. SATA, however, presided over a period of haphazard economic management and attempted to silence opposition to PF policies. SATA died in 2014 and was succeeded by his vice president, Guy SCOTT, who served as interim president until 2015, when Edgar LUNGU won the presidential byelection and completed SATA's term. LUNGU then won a full term in the 2016 presidential elections. Hakainde HICHILEMA was elected president in 2021.

Area
Total: 752,618 km²
Land: 743,398 km²
Water: 9,220 km²
Comparative: almost five times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Texas

Land boundaries
Total: 6,043.15 km
Border countries (8): (8) Angola 1,065 km; Botswana 0.15 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,332 km; Malawi 847 km; Mozambique 439 km; Namibia 244 km; Tanzania 353 km; Zimbabwe 763 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Climate: tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)

Terrain: mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains

Elevation
Highest point: Mafinga Central 2,330 m
Lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m
Mean elevation: 1,138 m

Land use
Agricultural land: 32.1% (2023 est.)
Arable land: 5.1% (2023 est.)
Permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.)
Permanent pasture: 26.9% (2023 est.)
Forest: 60.6% (2023 est.)
Other: 7.3% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land: 1,560 km² (2012)

Major rivers: Congo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km
Note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Natural hazards: periodic drought; tropical storms (November to April)

Geography
Note: landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural river boundary with Zimbabwe; Lake Kariba on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border forms the world's largest reservoir by volume (180 cu km; 43 m³i)

Population
Total: 20,799,116 (2024 est.)
Male: 10,407,253
Female: 10,391,863
Distribution: one of the highest levels of urbanization in Africa; high density in the central area, particularly around the cities of Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, and Mufulira, as shown in this population distribution map
Growth rate: 2.83% (2024 est.)

Languages: Bemba 33.4%, Nyanja 14.7%, Tonga 11.4%, Lozi 5.5%, Chewa 4.5%, Nsenga 2.9%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda (North Western) 1.9%, Kaonde 1.8%, Lala 1.8%, Lamba 1.8%, English (official) 1.7%, Luvale 1.5%, Mambwe 1.3%, Namwanga 1.2%, Lenje 1.1%, Bisa 1%, other 9.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2010 est.)
Note: Zambia is said to have over 70 languages, although many of these may be considered dialects; all of Zambia's major languages are members of the Bantu family; Chewa and Nyanja are mutually intelligible dialects

Religions: Protestant 75.3%, Roman Catholic 20.2%, other 2.7% (includes Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Baha'i), none 1.8% (2010 est.)

Age structure
0-14 years: 42.1% (male 4,418,980/female 4,337,187)
15-64 years: 55.1% (male 5,726,265/female 5,736,732)
65 years and over: 2.8% (2024 est.) (male 262,008/female 317,944)

Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 81.4 (2024 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 76.4 (2024 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 5.1 (2024 est.)
Potential support ratio: 19.8 (2024 est.)

Median age
Total: 18.4 years (2024 est.)
Male: 18.2 years
Female: 18.6 years

Population growth rate: 2.83% (2024 est.)

Birth rate: 34.1 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate: 5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Population distribution: one of the highest levels of urbanization in Africa; high density in the central area, particularly around the cities of Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, and Mufulira, as shown in this population distribution map

Urbanization
Urban population: 46.3% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 4.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas
Population: 3.181 million LUSAKA (capital), 763,000 Kitwe (2023)

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
Total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio: 85 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate
Total: 35.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male: 38.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 32.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 66.9 years (2024 est.)
Male: 65.2 years
Female: 68.7 years

Total fertility rate: 4.42 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Drinking water source
Urban: 11.4% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 48.9% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 31.8% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access
Urban: 21.9% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 59.1% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 42.1% of population (2022 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 11.8% (2018 est.)

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 6% (2024 est.); 6% (2023 est.); 6% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Capital
Name: Lusaka
Geographic coordinates: 15 25 S, 28 17 E
Time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Etymology: named after a village with a headman (chief) called LUSAAKAS

Administrative divisions: 10 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western

Legal system: mixed system of English common law and customary law

International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Hakainde HICHILEMA (since 24 August 2021)
Head of government: President Hakainde HICHILEMA (since 24 August 2021)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president from among members of the National Assembly
Election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)
Most recent election date: 12 August 2021
2021: Hakainde HICHILEMA elected president; percent of the vote - Hakainde HICHILEMA (UPND) 57.9%, Edgar LUNGU (PF) 37.3%, other 4.8%
2016: Edgar LUNGU reelected president; percent of vote - Edgar LUNGU (PF) 50.4%, Hakainde HICHILEMA (UPND) 47.6%, other 2%; note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
Expected date of next election: 2026

Legislative branch
Legislature name: National Assembly
Legislative structure: unicameral
Number of seats: 167 (156 directly elected; 8 appointed)
Electoral system: plurality/majority
Scope of elections: full renewal
Term in office: 5 years
Most recent election date: 44,420
Parties elected and seats per party: United Party for National Development (UPND) (82); Patriotic Front (PF) (60); Independents (13); Other (1)
Percentage of women in chamber: 15%
Expected date of next election: August 2026

Flag description: green field with a soaring orange eagle in the upper-right corner; a panel of three vertical bands is under the eagle, in red (left side), black, and orange

National anthem
Title: 'Lumbanyeni Zambia' (Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free)
Lyrics/music: multiple/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA
History: adopted 1964; the melody, which comes from the popular song 'God Bless Africa,' a popular song and anthem in southern Africa

National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales:

Real gdp growth rate: 4% (2024 est.); 5.4% (2023 est.); 5.2% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real gdp per capita: 4% (2024 est.); 5.4% (2023 est.); 5.2% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 47.1% (2023 est.)
Government consumption: 13.3% (2023 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 26.4% (2023 est.)
Investment in inventories: 5% (2023 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 40.8% (2023 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -37.4% (2023 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 1.8% (2024 est.)
Industry: 37.5% (2024 est.)
Services: 55.1% (2024 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Industries: copper mining and processing, emerald mining, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture

Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2024 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force: 7.407 million (2024 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate: 6% (2024 est.); 6% (2023 est.); 6% (2022 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 6% (2024 est.); 6% (2023 est.); 6% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Budget
Revenues: $5.388 billion (2021 est.)
Expenditures: $6.19 billion (2021 est.)
Note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Taxes and other revenues: 16.8% (of GDP) (2021 est.)
Note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Exports: $11.454 billion (2023 est.); $12.444 billion (2022 est.); $11.728 billion (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: raw copper, refined copper, gold, precious stones, electricity (2023)
Commodities note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports: $10.854 billion (2023 est.); $10.022 billion (2022 est.); $7.691 billion (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: refined petroleum, fertilizers, trucks, sulphur, tractors (2023)
Commodities note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Electricity
Installed generating capacity: 3.986 million kW (2023 est.)
Consumption: 14.399 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Exports: 3 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Imports: 180 million kWh (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 2.229 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Access electrification - total population: 47.8% (2022 est.)
Access electrification - urban areas: 87%
Access electrification - rural areas: 14.5%
Generation sources fossil fuels: 11% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources solar: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 87.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources biomass and waste: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal
Production: 2.091 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Consumption: 2.081 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Exports: 15,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Imports: 103,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Proven reserves: 945 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum
Refined petroleum consumption: 34,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions: 9.877 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 4.835 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 5.042 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita: 8.265 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 81,000 (2023 est.)
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 21.2 million (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 99 (2022 est.)

Internet
Users percent of population: 33% (2023 est.)

Broadband fixed subscriptions
Total: 99,000 (2023 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1

Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2024 est.); 1.3% of GDP (2023 est.); 1.1% of GDP (2022 est.); 1.1% of GDP (2021 est.); 1.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Airports: 120 (2025)

Heliports: 4 (2025)

Railways
Total: 3,126 km (2014)
Narrow gauge: 3,126 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
Note: includes 1,860 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA)

Merchant marine
Total: 2 (2023)
By type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 1