What we do

Zambia

Zambia has managed to avoid the war and upheaval that has marked much of Africa’s post-colonial history, earning itself a reputation for political stability. The landlocked country has experienced rapid economic growth over the past decade as Africa’s second-largest copper producer after the DR Congo. In 2011, Zambia achieved middle-income country status, but this growth and massive Chinese investment only benefitted a small segment of the urban population and had a limited impact on poverty. 64% of Zambians earn less than the international poverty line figure of $1.90 per day (compared to 41% across Sub-Saharan Africa), and three quarters of the country’s poor live in rural areas.
Zambia also has one of the world’s fastest-growing populations with the UN projecting that its population will triple by 2050.

total population (thousands)

16,150

GNI per capita

1,430$

Life expectancy at birth

62 years

Human Development Index

144 (out of 189)

Under-5 mortality rate

63‰

Primary school net enrolment

87%

Adult HIV prevalence (% of the population)

11.3%

People of all ages living with HIV (thousands)

1

improved access to safe water (% of the population)

61%

moderate-severe underweight (% children under-5)

40%