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%
related programmes

Treating women’s depression

Keeping students healthy so they can learn
