The total population in Zambia was estimated at 19.7 million people in 2023, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - Zambia Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Population density per pixel at 100 metre resolution. WorldPop provides estimates of numbers of people residing in each 100x100m grid cell for every low and middle income country. Through ingegrating cencus, survey, satellite and GIS datasets in a flexible machine-learning framework, high resolution maps of population counts and densities for 2000-2020 are produced, along with accompanying metadata. DATASET: Alpha version 2010 and 2015 estimates of numbers of people per grid square, with national totals adjusted to match UN population division estimates and remaining unadjusted. REGION: Africa SPATIAL RESOLUTION: 0.000833333 decimal degrees (approx 100m at the equator) PROJECTION: Geographic, WGS84 UNITS: Estimated persons per grid square MAPPING APPROACH: Land cover based, as described in: Linard, C., Gilbert, M., Snow, R.W., Noor, A.M. and Tatem, A.J., 2012, Population distribution, settlement patterns and accessibility across Africa in 2010, PLoS ONE, 7(2): e31743. FORMAT: Geotiff (zipped using 7-zip (open access tool): www.7-zip.org) FILENAMES: Example - AGO10adjv4.tif = Angola (AGO) population count map for 2010 (10) adjusted to match UN national estimates (adj), version 4 (v4). Population maps are updated to new versions when improved census or other input data become available.

This statistic shows the total population of Zambia from 2014 to 2024 by gender. In 2024, Zambia's female population amounted to approximately 10.76 million, while the male population amounted to approximately 10.55 million inhabitants.

The total population of Zambia was estimated at approximately 21.14 million people in 2024. Following a continuous upward trend, the total population has risen by around 15.59 million people since 1980. Between 2024 and 2030, the total population will rise by around 3.54 million people, continuing its consistent upward trajectory.This indicator describes the total population in the country at hand. This total population of the country consists of all persons falling within the scope of the census.

Population density (people per sq. km of land area) in Zambia was reported at 27.11 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Zambia - Population density (people per sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Zambia ZM: Population Density: People per Square Km data was reported at 22.995 Person/sq km in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 22.319 Person/sq km for 2016. Zambia ZM: Population Density: People per Square Km data is updated yearly, averaging 10.511 Person/sq km from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2017, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 22.995 Person/sq km in 2017 and a record low of 4.224 Person/sq km in 1961. Zambia ZM: Population Density: People per Square Km data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes.; ; Food and Agriculture Organization and World Bank population estimates.; Weighted average;

Abstract

The census of populaton and housing is designed to collect a complete count of households, dejure and defacto population. A Census of Population and Housing is defined by the United Nations as the total process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analysing and publishing demographic, economic and social data pertaining, at a specified time or times, to all persons in a designated area or the whole country. It is the primary source of information about the population of a country. It is undertaken at regular intervals, usually after ten years. The population Census is distinguished from other kinds of field surveys by its traditional background, legal sanctions, coverage, and by the whole scale of the operation and the resources normally devoted to it. A census of population and housing is the biggest national resource that acts both as an input into development programmes, and as a measure of the impact of various development programmes embarked on by Governments, NGOs and other stakeholders with development programmes in Zambia.

It provides a vital account of the impact of developmental programmes on the population in areas of education, health, economic activity, agriculture, housing and infrastructure, internal and international migration, urbanisation, fertility, mortality and population growth, size, composition and distribution. It also provides an accurate and reliable record of changes in these important population attributes over time and forms the cornerstone of the country's national statistical system.

The main objective of conducting a Population Census is to enumerate all the people in the country in order to provide the Government, private organisations, individuals, and other stakeholders with the number of persons in each district, township, locality, village, etc., according to age, sex, and other characteristics. For every aspect of planning, it is essential to know the size, structure and distribution of the population of a country. This information is required for various aspects of social and economic planning. The other objectives of the census include; - To provide accurate and reliable information on the size, composition and distribution of the population of Zambia - To provide Information on the Demographic and Socio-economic Characteristics of the population of Zambia - To provide indicators for measuring progress towards national and international development goals

Geographic coverage

Nationwide Census

Analysis unit

All Household and Individuals

Universe

The Census of Population and Housing covered all de jure and de facto population in the households. It excluded a) Foreign diplomatic personnel accredited to Zambia; and b) Zambian nationals accredited to foreign embassies and their family members who live with them abroad and , Zambian migrant workers and students in foreign countries who were not in the country at the time of the census.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

Complete enumeration of all persons in Zambia in 2000

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaires for the census were structured questionnaires that included internationally agreed core topics. There were two questionnaires used, Form A capturing General Characteristics and Form B capturing Personal information. Form A - General charateristics includes household listing, various questions on housing characteristics such as type of housing, occupancy status,housing building materials Sanitation (garbage disposal, main source of water) and various questions on household characteristics such as Source of energy (heating, lighting and cooking), ownership of assests, toilet facilities. Form B - Personal Information collected information on Age, marital status, ethnicity, ecomonic activity, education and health data.

Census questionnaires provided as an external resource

Cleaning operations

Data editing of the questionnaires was done manually before data was captured using Optical Mark Reading (OMR) technology. Some questionnaires were entered manually and editing and validation of data was done.

Editing was a continuous process throughout the scanning exercise. Rejected forms were checked for errors that might have arisen due to incorrect or insufficient recording of information in the field. Trained Questionnaire Editors then made corrections accordingly, and the forms were re-scanned. Completely rejected forms were forwarded for manual data entry.

Zambia ZM: Population: Growth data was reported at 2.985 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.003 % for 2016. Zambia ZM: Population: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 3.018 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.509 % in 1974 and a record low of 2.534 % in 1993. Zambia ZM: Population: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; Derived from total population. Population source: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Kitwe, Zambia metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Comprehensive socio-economic dataset for Zambia including population demographics, economic indicators, geographic data, and social statistics. This dataset covers key metrics such as GDP, population density, area, capital city, and regional classifications.

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Lusaka, Zambia metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Rural population (% of total population) in Zambia was reported at 53.09 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Zambia - Rural population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Zambia Population: Rural: 40-44 data was reported at 334,078.000 Person in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 330,708.000 Person for 2012. Zambia Population: Rural: 40-44 data is updated yearly, averaging 330,708.000 Person from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2014, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 334,078.000 Person in 2014 and a record low of 287,958.000 Person in 2008. Zambia Population: Rural: 40-44 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.G004: Population: by Age Group, Sex and Settlement Type.

Population, total in Zambia was reported at 21314956 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Zambia - Population, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Abstract

The census of population and housing is designed to collect a complete count of households, dejure and defacto population. A Census of Population and Housing is defined by the United Nations as the total process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analysing and publishing demographic, economic and social data pertaining, at a specified time or times, to all persons in a designated area or the whole country. It is the primary source of information about the population of a country. It is undertaken at regular intervals, usually after ten years. The population Census is distinguished from other kinds of field surveys by its traditional background, legal sanctions, coverage, and by the whole scale of the operation and the resources normally devoted to it. A census of population and housing is the biggest national resource that acts both as an input into development programmes, and as a measure of the impact of various development programmes embarked on by Governments, NGOs and other stakeholders with development programmes in Zambia.

It provides a vital account of the impact of developmental programmes on the population in areas of education, health, economic activity, agriculture, housing and infrastructure, internal and international migration, urbanization, fertility, mortality and population growth, size, composition and distribution. It also provides an accurate and reliable record of changes in this important population attributes over time and forms the cornerstone of the country's national statistical system.

The main objective of conducting a Population Census is to enumerate all the people in the country in order to provide the Government, private organisations, individuals, and other stakeholders with the number of persons in each district, township, locality, village, etc., according to age, sex, and other characteristics. For every aspect of planning, it is essential to know the size, structure and distribution of the population of a country. This information is required for various aspects of social and economic planning. The other objectives of the census include that of; - Providing accurate and reliable information on the size, composition and distribution of the population of Zambia - Providing Information on the Demographic and Socio-economic Characteristics of the population of Zambia - Providing indicators for measuring progress towards national and international development goals

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Individuals, household, persons over the age of 12 years

Universe

The Census of Population and Housing covered all de jure and de facto population in the households. It excluded a) Foreign diplomatic personnel accredited to Zambia; and b) Zambian nationals accredited to foreign embassies and their family members who live with them abroad and, Zambian migrant workers and students in foreign countries who were not in the country at the time of the census.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

Complete enumeration of all persons in Zambia in 1990

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The 1990 census questionnaire included internationally agreed core topics. The questionnaire was developed in English. Among the information included in the questionnaire is that of household identification, Personal information such as membership status, sex, Age and disability. Other information includes that of migration, ethnicity and language, education, economic activity, employment status, occupation and industry. For females 12 years and over, the questionnaire had information on fertility and mortality. Household characteristics such as Source of energy (heating, lighting and cooking), ownership of assets and type of toilet facilities, is included as well as housing characteristics such as type of housing, occupancy status, housing building materials Sanitation (garbage disposal, main source of water. The questionnaire also has a section on agriculture activity.

Zambia Population: Western data was reported at 1,024,505.000 Person in 2017. Zambia Population: Western data is updated yearly, averaging 1,024,505.000 Person from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2017, with 1 observations. Zambia Population: Western data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.G007: Labour Force Survey: Population: by Province and Settlement Type.

Historical dataset of population level and growth rate for the Kitwe, Zambia metro area from 1950 to 2025.

Zambia Population: Male: Age 15 and Above: Nothern data was reported at 317,587.000 Person in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 293,121.000 Person for 2012. Zambia Population: Male: Age 15 and Above: Nothern data is updated yearly, averaging 317,587.000 Person from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2014, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 396,286.000 Person in 2008 and a record low of 293,121.000 Person in 2012. Zambia Population: Male: Age 15 and Above: Nothern data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistical Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Zambia – Table ZM.G005: Population: by Province, Sex and Settlement Type.

Abstract

The primary objective of the 2018 ZDHS was to provide up-to-date estimates of basic demographic and health indicators. Specifically, the ZDHS collected information on: - Fertility levels and preferences; contraceptive use; maternal and child health; infant, child, and neonatal mortality levels; maternal mortality; and gender, nutrition, and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS and other health issues relevant to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - Ownership and use of mosquito nets as part of the national malaria eradication programmes - Health-related matters such as breastfeeding, maternal and childcare (antenatal, delivery, and postnatal), children’s immunisations, and childhood diseases - Anaemia prevalence among women age 15-49 and children age 6-59 months - Nutritional status of children under age 5 (via weight and height measurements) - HIV prevalence among men age 15-59 and women age 15-49 and behavioural risk factors related to HIV - Assessment of situation regarding violence against women

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

• Household
• Individual
• Children age 0-5
• Woman age 15-49
• Man age 15-59

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents), all women age 15-49, all men age 15-59, and all children age 0-5 years who are usual members of the selected households or who spent the night before the survey in the selected households.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The sampling frame used for the 2018 ZDHS is the Census of Population and Housing (CPH) of the Republic of Zambia, conducted in 2010 by ZamStats. Zambia is divided into 10 provinces. Each province is subdivided into districts, each district into constituencies, and each constituency into wards. In addition to these administrative units, during the 2010 CPH each ward was divided into convenient areas called census supervisory areas (CSAs), and in turn each CSA was divided into enumeration areas (EAs). An enumeration area is a geographical area assigned to an enumerator for the purpose of conducting a census count; according to the Zambian census frame, each EA consists of an average of 110 households.

The current version of the EA frame for the 2010 CPH was updated to accommodate some changes in districts and constituencies that occurred between 2010 and 2017. The list of EAs incorporates census information on households and population counts. Each EA has a cartographic map delineating its boundaries, with identification information and a measure of size, which is the number of residential households enumerated in the 2010 CPH. This list of EAs was used as the sampling frame for the 2018 ZDHS.

The 2018 ZDHS followed a stratified two-stage sample design. The first stage involved selecting sample points (clusters) consisting of EAs. EAs were selected with a probability proportional to their size within each sampling stratum. A total of 545 clusters were selected.

The second stage involved systematic sampling of households. A household listing operation was undertaken in all of the selected clusters. During the listing, an average of 133 households were found in each cluster, from which a fixed number of 25 households were selected through an equal probability systematic selection process, to obtain a total sample size of 13,625 households. Results from this sample are representative at the national, urban and rural, and provincial levels.

For further details on sample selection, see Appendix A of the final report.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Four questionnaires were used in the 2018 ZDHS: the Household Questionnaire, the Woman’s Questionnaire, the Man’s Questionnaire, and the Biomarker Questionnaire. The questionnaires, based on The DHS Program’s Model Questionnaires, were adapted to reflect the population and health issues relevant to Zambia. Input on questionnaire content was solicited from various stakeholders representing government ministries and agencies, nongovernmental organisations, and international cooperating partners. After all questionnaires were finalised in English, they were translated into seven local languages: Bemba, Kaonde, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, and Tonga. In addition, information about the fieldworkers for the survey was collected through a self-administered Fieldworker Questionnaire.

Cleaning operations

All electronic data files were transferred via a secure internet file streaming system to the ZamStats central office in Lusaka, where they were stored on a password-protected computer. The data processing operation included secondary editing, which required resolution of computer-identified inconsistencies and coding of open-ended questions. The data were processed by two IT specialists and one secondary editor who took part in the main fieldwork training; they were supervised remotely by staff from The DHS Program. Data editing was accomplished using CSPro software. During the fieldwork, field-check tables were generated to check various data quality parameters, and specific feedback was given to the teams to improve performance. Secondary editing and data processing were initiated in July 2018 and completed in March 2019.

Response rate

Of the 13,595 households in the sample, 12,943 were occupied. Of these occupied households, 12,831 were successfully interviewed, yielding a response rate of 99%.

In the interviewed households, 14,189 women age 15-49 were identified as eligible for individual interviews; 13,683 women were interviewed, yielding a response rate of 96% (the same rate achieved in the 2013-14 survey). A total of 13,251 men were eligible for individual interviews; 12,132 of these men were interviewed, producing a response rate of 92% (a 1 percentage point increase from the previous survey).

Of the households successfully interviewed, 12,505 were interviewed in 2018 and 326 in 2019. As the large majority of households were interviewed in 2018 and the year for reference indicators is 2018.

Sampling error estimates

The estimates from a sample survey are affected by two types of errors: nonsampling errors and sampling errors. Nonsampling errors are the results of mistakes made in implementing data collection and data processing, such as failure to locate and interview the correct household, misunderstanding of the questions on the part of either the interviewer or the respondent, and data entry errors. Although numerous efforts were made during the implementation of the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) to minimise this type of error, nonsampling errors are impossible to avoid and difficult to evaluate statistically.

Sampling errors, on the other hand, can be evaluated statistically. The sample of respondents selected in the 2018 ZDHS is only one of many samples that could have been selected from the same population, using the same design and expected size. Each of these samples would yield results that differ somewhat from the results of the actual sample selected. Sampling errors are a measure of the variability among all possible samples. Although the degree of variability is not known exactly, it can be estimated from the survey results.

Sampling error is usually measured in terms of the standard error for a particular statistic (mean, percentage, etc.), which is the square root of the variance. The standard error can be used to calculate confidence intervals within which the true value for the population can reasonably be assumed to fall. For example, for any given statistic calculated from a sample survey, the value of that statistic will fall within a range of plus or minus two times the standard error of that statistic in 95% of all possible samples of identical size and design.

If the sample of respondents had been selected as a simple random sample, it would have been possible to use straightforward formulas for calculating sampling errors. However, the 2018 ZDHS sample is the result of a multi-stage stratified design, and, consequently, it was necessary to use more complex formulas. Sampling errors are computed in SAS, using programs developed by ICF. These programs use the Taylor linearisation method to estimate variances for survey estimates that are means, proportions, or ratios. The Jackknife repeated replication method is used for variance estimation of more complex statistics such as fertility and mortality rates.

Note: A more detailed description of estimates of sampling errors are presented in APPENDIX B of the survey report.

Data appraisal

Data Quality Tables - Household age distribution - Age distribution of eligible and interviewed women - Age distribution of eligible and interviewed men - Completeness of reporting - Births by calendar years - Reporting of age at death in days - Reporting of age at death in months - Completeness of information on siblings - Sibship size and sex ratio of siblings - Height and weight data completeness and quality for children - Number of enumeration areas completed by month, according to province, Zambia DHS 2018

Note: Data quality tables are presented in APPENDIX C of the report.

This statistic shows the total population of Zambia from 2013 to 2023 by gender. In 2023, Zambia's female population amounted to approximately 10.47 million, while the male population amounted to approximately 10.26 million inhabitants.