Zambia

All demographic indicators on this page are based on UN mid 2025 estimates unless stated otherwise.

Zambia population (live estimate)

Real-time estimate based on UN demographic growth models.

21,913,000

Annual growth: 2.752%.

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Official population estimates

World population
21,913,000
Median age
17.9
Population growth rate (%)
2.752 ▲ Population is growing

This map shows first-level administrative regions (ADM1).

Key Facts

  • Capital: Lusaka
  • Official language: English
  • Region: Eastern Africa
  • Continent: Africa
Languages
Languages and linguistic groups
Religions
Religious composition
Cities
Major cities and urban areas
Administrative divisions
Provinces
Population
Population structure and dynamics

Languages

A brief overview of the linguistic situation in the country.

Official language
English
Minority language
12
Working / administrative language
1

Zambia has more than 70 Indigenous languages, with seven major ones—Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi, Kaonde, Lunda, and Luvale—used as regional administrative and educational languages. English is the official national language.

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Religions

A brief overview of the religious composition of the country.

Dominant religion
Christianity
Largest share
98.3%
Number of religions
7

Zambia’s population is young and increasingly urban, particularly around Lusaka and the Copperbelt. Multilingualism is common, with major regional languages shaping local identity and communication.

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Cities

A brief overview of the major cities and urban structure of the country.

Largest city
Lusaka
Number of cities
33

The cities shown here represent major urban centres with populations over 50,000, as defined by the UN Degree of Urbanisation (DEGURBA) methodology. Smaller towns and rural settlements are not included.

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