Country Profile: Zambia

Zambia is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa, bordered by several nations including Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its population is estimated at over 20 million people, characterized by a rich tapestry of ethnic groups and languages, with Bemba and Nyanja being the most widely spoken. The economy remains largely dependent on mining, particularly copper, alongside agricultural and service sectors, while governance has transitioned from colonial rule to a presidential republic since gaining independence in 1964.

Geography

Zambia is situated in southern Africa, east of Angola and south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country covers an area of approximately 752,618 sq km, making it almost five times the size of Georgia and slightly larger than Texas. Zambia is landlocked, with a diverse landscape that includes a high plateau and numerous rivers, such as the Zambezi, which forms the boundary with Zimbabwe.

Elevation: Highest point at 2,330 m (Mafinga Central).
Natural resources: Rich in copper, cobalt, and hydropower.
Climate: Tropical, with a rainy season from October to April.
Urbanization: High density in Lusaka, Ndola, and Kitwe.

People and Society

Zambia's population stands at approximately 20.8 million as of 2024, with a significant majority being under the age of 15. The country is ethnically diverse, with the Bemba making up around 21% of the population. English is the official language, but numerous local dialects are widely spoken. The country has a high urbanization rate, with nearly 46.3% of the population living in urban areas.

Life expectancy: Approximately 66.9 years.
Birth rate: 34.1 births per 1,000 people.
Literacy rate: 71.1% of the population.
Religion: Predominantly Protestant (75.3%).

Economy

Zambia's economy, classified as a lower-middle-income sub-Saharan economy, significantly relies on hydroelectric power and copper mining. The GDP is estimated at $79.207 billion (2024), with a growth rate of 4% expected. The country faces challenges such as systemic corruption and extreme poverty, with 60% of the population living below the poverty line.

Unemployment rate: 6% (2024).
GDP per capita: Approximately $3,700 (2024).
Industrial growth: 3.5% (2024).
Poverty rate: 60% of the population below the poverty line.

Government

Zambia operates as a presidential republic with a multi-party system. The current president, Hakainde Hichilema, has been in office since 2021. The governance framework includes a mix of English common law and customary law, along with a constitution adopted in 1991.

Voting age: Universal suffrage is granted at 18 years.
Legislative branch: Unicameral National Assembly with 167 seats.
Administrative divisions: Comprising 10 provinces.
Last election: Conducted on 12 August 2021.

Military and Security

Zambia maintains a defense force comprised of the Army, Air Force, and National Service. The military's primary focus includes territorial defense and participation in peacekeeping operations across the region. The military budget is around 1.3% of the GDP.

Active personnel: Approximately 16,000 in the Defense Forces.
Military age: Voluntary service for individuals aged 18-25.
Peacekeeping deployments: Around 930 personnel in the Central African Republic.

Energy

Zambia is a regional producer of hydroelectric power, with about 87.9% of its electricity generated from this source. Access to electricity remains limited, with 47.8% of the population having access as of 2022.

Installed capacity: Approximately 3.986 million kW (2023).
Total energy consumption: About 8.265 million Btu per capita (2023).
Coal production: 2.091 million metric tons (2023).

Environment

Zambia faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation and pollution resulting from mining activities. The country is party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at mitigating these issues.

Biodiversity threats: Loss of biodiversity and poaching are critical concerns.
Carbon dioxide emissions: Estimated at 9.877 million metric tonnes (2023).
Urbanization rate: Urban population constitutes 46.3% of total (2023).

Transportation

Zambia's transportation network consists of over 120 airports and more than 3,126 km of railway. The country's merchant marine fleet includes 2 vessels, contributing to its transportation capacity.

Airports: 120 operational airports by 2025.
Railway system: Fully operational narrow gauge of 3,126 km.
Civil aircraft registration: Prefix 9J.

Communications

Communication infrastructure in Zambia includes a growing mobile cellular sector, with around 21.2 million mobile subscriptions. However, fixed-line services remain limited, reflecting the ongoing development of the telecommunications industry.

Internet users: Estimated at 33% of the population (2023).
Mobile subscriptions: Approximately 99 per 100 inhabitants.
Broadcast media: 47 TV stations and 137 radio stations are operational.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	20,799,116 (2024 est.)
Area	752,618 sq km
GDP	$79.207 billion (2024 est.)	Purchasing power parity
Energy Consumption per Capita	8.265 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	34.1 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	6% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	66.9 years (2024 est.)
Electric Access	47.8% (2022 est.)	Total population with access to electricity
Literacy Rate	71.1% (2018 est.)	Total population literacy
Urban Population	46.3% (2023)	Percentage of population living in urban areas