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The country and its Inhabitants

Zambia’s population

The Republic of Zambia has a population of some 10 million people, of which around 10% reside in the capital Lusaka. The country covers an area of 756,614 km².

Annual population growth is estimated to be 3%. The population comprises more than 70 ethnic groups although just two of these groups do comprise at least 10% of the entire population. There is a small population group of Asians (mainly Indian), who are economically extremely active.

Just as varied and numerous as the ethnic groups described above, is the plethora of spoken languages. After English, the official language of Zambia, you will find more than 70 native dialects as well as local languages such as Benga, Tomga, Nyanja, Lozi, Luvale, Ndembu and Kaonde.

The Zambian population also patronizes a variety of different religions where Christians, Muslims and Hindus sit alongside a multiplicity of other local religious beliefs.

The state of the education system is parlous, similar to most other African countries. Less than 50% of children of school-going age attend school at all, with no more than 20% of children finishing primary school and then moving on to high school. Illiteracy throughout the population is higher than 70%.

The medical and health sectors of the country paint a similar picture. Mortality amongst children is around 10%. The average life expectancy for men is only 44 years and for women just 47 years.

Around 60% of all Zambians sustain themselves through subsistence farming. Foreigners, such as the estimated 15 000 English and South Africans residents, live mostly either in Lusaka or the Copper Belt in Northern Zambia, where they generally work in the mining industry.

Urban growth is about 42%, unsurprisingly most evident in Lusaka.