Population (International Monetary) in Zambia
Zambia: Population (International Monetary) was 21.32 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
21.32 million
Change on year
up 2.9%
World rank
61st
of 186 countries
All-time high
21.32 million
in 2024
All-time low
3.15 million
in 1960
Years of data
65
1960–2024
Population in Zambia, 1960–2024
Source: International Monetary Fund.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population in Zambia is 21.32 million, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 65 years on record.
That represents a change of up 2.9% on the previous year and up 34.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in Zambia peaked at 21.32 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 3.15 million, in 1960.
That places Zambia 61st out of 186 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population (International Monetary) in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 3.15 million | — |
| 1961 | 3.25 million | +3.2% |
| 1962 | 3.36 million | +3.2% |
| 1963 | 3.47 million | +3.2% |
| 1964 | 3.58 million | +3.2% |
| 1965 | 3.69 million | +3.2% |
| 1966 | 3.81 million | +3.2% |
| 1967 | 3.94 million | +3.3% |
| 1968 | 4.07 million | +3.3% |
| 1969 | 4.20 million | +3.2% |
| 1970 | 4.32 million | +3.0% |
| 1971 | 4.44 million | +2.8% |
| 1972 | 4.57 million | +2.9% |
| 1973 | 4.70 million | +2.9% |
| 1974 | 4.84 million | +3.0% |
| 1975 | 4.99 million | +3.0% |
| 1976 | 5.14 million | +3.1% |
| 1977 | 5.30 million | +3.1% |
| 1978 | 5.47 million | +3.1% |
| 1979 | 5.63 million | +3.0% |
| 1980 | 5.80 million | +3.0% |
| 1981 | 5.98 million | +3.1% |
| 1982 | 6.18 million | +3.3% |
| 1983 | 6.38 million | +3.3% |
| 1984 | 6.58 million | +3.1% |
| 1985 | 6.78 million | +3.0% |
| 1986 | 6.99 million | +3.0% |
| 1987 | 7.19 million | +2.9% |
| 1988 | 7.39 million | +2.8% |
| 1989 | 7.59 million | +2.7% |
| 1990 | 7.79 million | +2.6% |
| 1991 | 7.98 million | +2.5% |
| 1992 | 8.18 million | +2.4% |
| 1993 | 8.37 million | +2.4% |
| 1994 | 8.58 million | +2.4% |
| 1995 | 8.79 million | +2.4% |
| 1996 | 9.00 million | +2.5% |
| 1997 | 9.24 million | +2.6% |
| 1998 | 9.48 million | +2.7% |
| 1999 | 9.74 million | +2.7% |
| 2000 | 10.02 million | +2.9% |
| 2001 | 10.33 million | +3.1% |
| 2002 | 10.65 million | +3.1% |
| 2003 | 10.98 million | +3.2% |
| 2004 | 11.34 million | +3.2% |
| 2005 | 11.72 million | +3.4% |
| 2006 | 12.13 million | +3.5% |
| 2007 | 12.57 million | +3.6% |
| 2008 | 13.02 million | +3.6% |
| 2009 | 13.49 million | +3.6% |
| 2010 | 13.97 million | +3.5% |
| 2011 | 14.44 million | +3.4% |
| 2012 | 14.91 million | +3.3% |
| 2013 | 15.40 million | +3.3% |
| 2014 | 15.90 million | +3.2% |
| 2015 | 16.40 million | +3.2% |
| 2016 | 16.91 million | +3.1% |
| 2017 | 17.44 million | +3.1% |
| 2018 | 17.97 million | +3.1% |
| 2019 | 18.51 million | +3.0% |
| 2020 | 19.06 million | +2.9% |
| 2021 | 19.60 million | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 20.15 million | +2.8% |
| 2023 | 20.72 million | +2.8% |
| 2024 | 21.32 million | +2.9% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 21.32 million is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 12.35 million, 1.7× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 21.32 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 14.61 million, 1.5× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 3.65 million | 3.15 million | 4.20 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 4.94 million | 4.32 million | 5.63 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 6.69 million | 5.80 million | 7.59 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 8.71 million | 7.79 million | 9.74 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 11.62 million | 10.02 million | 13.49 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 16.19 million | 13.97 million | 18.51 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.17 million | 19.06 million | 21.32 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More gender data for Zambia
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 9,719 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth 1.61 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 15,306 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 15,306 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 3.24 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 340,219 (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 341,639 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 331,557 (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 332,331 (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 324,712 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in Zambia?
- Population in Zambia was 21.32 million in 2024, according to International Monetary Fund.
- What is the highest population recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 21.32 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest population recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.15 million in 1960.
- How does Zambia rank for population?
- Zambia ranks 61st out of 186 countries with data for 2024.
- Is population rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 34.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Population. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Data on Gender-disaggregated on selected population characteristics.