Zambia Population: How Many People Live in Zambia?
Historical Population Data (1960-2024)
What is the population of Zambia? The current Zambia population is 21 314 956 people in 2024. Zambia has experienced significant growth in population over the past six decades. From 3 153 729 people in 1960, the population has grown to 21 314 956 in 2023, representing a growth of 18 161 227 people (+575.9%).
The country reached its peak population of 21 314 956 in 2024, after which population levels began to stabilize. This historical data provides valuable insights into Zambia's demographic evolution and long-term population trends.
Current Population (2024)
Population in 1960
Total Growth
Peak Population
📈 Population Trend of Zambia (1960-2024)
This interactive chart visualizes Zambia's population growth over more than six decades, from 1960 to 2024. The trend line shows how the country's total population has changed year by year, making it easy to identify periods of rapid growth, stability, or decline.
Hover over any point on the chart to see the exact population figure for that specific year. The data is sourced from World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025) and provides a comprehensive historical view of demographic changes in Zambia.
📊 Zambia Population by Decade
|
Year
|
Population
|
Change from Previous Decade
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 3 153 729 | |
| 1970 | 4 321 718 | +1 167 989 (+37.0%) |
| 1980 | 5 802 833 | +1 481 115 (+34.3%) |
| 1990 | 7 786 169 | +1 983 336 (+34.2%) |
| 2000 | 10 017 631 | +2 231 462 (+28.7%) |
| 2010 | 13 965 594 | +3 947 963 (+39.4%) |
| 2020 | 19 059 395 | +5 093 801 (+36.5%) |
| 2024 | 21 314 956 | +2 255 561 (+11.8%) |
This table presents Zambia's population data at key 10-year intervals, providing a clear overview of long-term demographic trends. Each row shows the population count for a specific decade, along with the absolute and percentage change from the previous data point.
By examining these decade-by-decade changes, you can quickly identify major demographic shifts and understand the overall growth pattern of Zambia without getting into year-by-year details.
📅 Complete Historical Data of Zambia (1960-2024)
|
Year
|
Population
|
Annual Change
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 3 153 729 | |
| 1961 | 3 254 086 | +100 357 |
| 1962 | 3 358 099 | +104 013 |
| 1963 | 3 465 907 | +107 808 |
| 1964 | 3 577 017 | +111 110 |
| 1965 | 3 692 086 | +115 069 |
| 1966 | 3 812 003 | +119 917 |
| 1967 | 3 936 343 | +124 340 |
| 1968 | 4 065 593 | +129 250 |
| 1969 | 4 197 116 | +131 523 |
| 1970 | 4 321 718 | +124 602 |
| 1971 | 4 442 525 | +120 807 |
| 1972 | 4 569 309 | +126 784 |
| 1973 | 4 702 693 | +133 384 |
| 1974 | 4 842 746 | +140 053 |
| 1975 | 4 990 086 | +147 340 |
| 1976 | 5 143 842 | +153 756 |
| 1977 | 5 302 480 | +158 638 |
| 1978 | 5 465 374 | +162 894 |
| 1979 | 5 631 728 | +166 354 |
| 1980 | 5 802 833 | +171 105 |
| 1981 | 5 983 289 | +180 456 |
| 1982 | 6 178 637 | +195 348 |
| 1983 | 6 381 038 | +202 401 |
| 1984 | 6 580 490 | +199 452 |
| 1985 | 6 780 953 | +200 463 |
| 1986 | 6 986 471 | +205 518 |
| 1987 | 7 191 282 | +204 811 |
| 1988 | 7 391 440 | +200 158 |
| 1989 | 7 589 216 | +197 776 |
| 1990 | 7 786 169 | +196 953 |
| 1991 | 7 981 650 | +195 481 |
| 1992 | 8 176 680 | +195 030 |
| 1993 | 8 373 921 | +197 241 |
| 1994 | 8 576 269 | +202 348 |
| 1995 | 8 785 763 | +209 494 |
| 1996 | 9 004 053 | +218 290 |
| 1997 | 9 237 063 | +233 010 |
| 1998 | 9 482 408 | +245 345 |
| 1999 | 9 740 005 | +257 597 |
| 2000 | 10 017 631 | +277 626 |
| 2001 | 10 325 185 | +307 554 |
| 2002 | 10 647 949 | +322 764 |
| 2003 | 10 983 595 | +335 646 |
| 2004 | 11 338 198 | +354 603 |
| 2005 | 11 718 819 | +380 621 |
| 2006 | 12 129 553 | +410 734 |
| 2007 | 12 565 085 | +435 532 |
| 2008 | 13 021 324 | +456 239 |
| 2009 | 13 490 389 | +469 065 |
| 2010 | 13 965 594 | +475 205 |
| 2011 | 14 437 796 | +472 202 |
| 2012 | 14 913 629 | +475 833 |
| 2013 | 15 398 997 | +485 368 |
| 2014 | 15 895 315 | +496 318 |
| 2015 | 16 399 089 | +503 774 |
| 2016 | 16 914 423 | +515 334 |
| 2017 | 17 441 320 | +526 897 |
| 2018 | 17 973 569 | +532 249 |
| 2019 | 18 513 839 | +540 270 |
| 2020 | 19 059 395 | +545 556 |
| 2021 | 19 603 607 | +544 212 |
| 2022 | 20 152 938 | +549 331 |
| 2023 | 20 723 965 | +571 027 |
| 2024 | 21 314 956 | +590 991 |
This comprehensive table displays the complete year-by-year population records for Zambia from 1960 to 2024. Each row represents one calendar year, showing the total population and the annual change compared to the previous year.
Use this detailed dataset to analyze short-term population fluctuations, identify specific years with significant changes, or track precise demographic patterns. The sortable columns allow you to organize the data by year, population size, or annual change to suit your research needs. Data source: World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Zambia Population
What is the current population of Zambia?
The population of Zambia is estimated to be approximately 21 314 956 people as of 2024, based on official data from the World Bank.
How fast is the population of Zambia growing?
Zambia has experienced growth with an average annual growth rate of approximately 3.03% per year from 1960 to 2024. The total population has increased by 18 161 227 people (+575.9%) over this 64-year period.
How does Zambia's population compare to other countries?
Zambia ranks #106 in the world by population as of 2024, making it one of the less populous countries globally. With 21 314 956 people, Zambia accounts for approximately 0.02% of the world's total population.
How has the population of Zambia changed over time?
Over the past decades, Zambia's population has increased from 3 153 729 people in 1960 to 21 314 956 in 2024. The country reached its peak population of 21 314 956 in 2024. This growth reflects improvements in healthcare, economic development, and overall quality of life.
What were the population milestones of Zambia?
Zambia achieved several significant demographic milestones throughout its history. The population first reached 3 153 729 in 1960, and grew to its current level of 21 314 956 by 2024. The highest recorded population was 21 314 956 people in 2024, while the lowest in recent history was 3 153 729 in 1960.
What factors influence population growth in Zambia?
Key factors influencing population dynamics in Zambia include birth and death rates, migration patterns, government policies related to family planning and immigration, healthcare infrastructure and life expectancy, economic conditions affecting family size decisions, urbanization trends, and socio-cultural factors. The country's positive population trend over the past 64 years reflects the combined impact of these various demographic drivers.
Where can I find historical population data for Zambia?
This page provides comprehensive historical population data for Zambia from 1960 to 2024, sourced directly from the World Bank's official database. The data includes year-by-year population figures, decade summaries, growth rates, and interactive charts showing long-term demographic trends. This information is updated regularly (last update: 10/7/2025) to ensure accuracy and reliability for research, educational, and analytical purposes.