← Back to all countries

Sub-Saharan Africa

Zambia

Zambia · ZMB · population about 22.5 million

Of every 1,000 babies born in the world right now, 5 are born here — about one in 184. That is 0.7 million a year, or 1.4 a minute.

This is a draw with the birthplace fixed, not weighted. Sex, family and everything after are still random.

The numbers here

16 indicators and where they rank among 237 countries and territories. Rank 1 is the better end (longer lives first, lower mortality first).

Births, deaths, income and education in Zambia, and where each ranks among 237 countries and territories
IndicatorValueRank
Female life expectancyhigher is better68.7yrs#203 / 237
Male life expectancyhigher is better63.9yrs#199 / 237
Dies before fivelower is better48.7‰#210 / 237
Infant mortalitylower is better35.8‰#209 / 237
GDP per person (PPP)higher is better4,379int$#208 / 237
Gini coefficientlower is more equal51.5#232 / 237
Maternal mortalitylower is better85/100k births#168 / 237
Secondary enrolmenthigher is better57%#198 / 237
Tertiary enrolmenthigher is better4%#230 / 237
Urban populationhigher is better46%#180 / 237
Agricultural employmentlower is better55%#220 / 237
Road deathslower is better20.5/100k people#170 / 237
Male smokinglower is better14%#91 / 237
Out-of-pocket healthlower is better10%#26 / 237
Internet usehigher is better17%#228 / 237
Fertility ratehigher is better3.91#26 / 237

Sources:UN World Population Prospects 2024 (births, population, life expectancy, infant and under-five mortality, fertility), World Bank WDI (income, Gini, enrolment, urbanisation, agricultural employment, internet use, out-of-pocket health spending), WHO (maternal mortality, smoking, road deaths), UNODC (homicide). Estimated values are marked. Methods and limits are inhow it is calculated.

Three questions about Zambia

What are the odds of being born in Zambia?

About 0.7 million babies are born in Zambia in 2026, 0.54% of the world’s 132.5 million newborns — roughly one in 184. At 4.2 births a second worldwide, that is about 1.4 a minute here.

What is life expectancy in Zambia?

On the UN life table, women in Zambia live 68.7 years and men 63.9; female life expectancy ranks 203 of 237. Infant mortality is 35.8‰ and under-five mortality 48.7‰.

What is income per person in Zambia?

GDP per person (PPP) is about 4,379 international dollars, ranking 208 of 237. The Gini coefficient is 51.5 (lower is more equal), and 46% of people live in cities.