Zambia Population
Sub-Saharan Africa · 61st most populous · Lower middle income
Population right now (estimate)
22,713,469
The population of Zambia is about 22,713,469 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 22.5 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.27% of the world's people.
Zambia is ranked 61st of 217 by population. Its population is growing fast — about 2.8% a year, roughly 1,712 more people every day. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 38.1 million. That is 7.1 times its 1960 population of 3.2 million. Population density is 30 people per square kilometre. 46% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
22.5 million
Yearly change
+2.77%
World rank
61st
Share of world
0.27%
Density
30/km²
Land area
743,390 km²
Life expectancy
66.5 yrs
Births per woman
4.04
GDP per capita
$1,318
GDP
$28.9B
Population of Zambia, 1960–2050
Zambia population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 3,153,729 | — | 4 |
| 1970 | 4,321,718 | +2.97% | 6 |
| 1980 | 5,802,833 | +3.04% | 8 |
| 1990 | 7,786,169 | +2.60% | 10 |
| 2000 | 10,017,631 | +2.85% | 13 |
| 2010 | 13,965,594 | +3.52% | 19 |
| 2020 | 19,059,395 | +2.95% | 26 |
| 2024 | 21,314,956 | +2.85% | 29 |
| 2026proj. | 22,521,915 | +2.77% | 30 |
| 2030proj. | 25,024,901 | +2.60% | 34 |
| 2040proj. | 31,550,402 | +2.12% | 42 |
| 2050proj. | 38,083,385 | +1.73% | 51 |
Zambia vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 7.9 times as many people as Zambia. Bangladesh is 45.1 times more densely populated.
Zambia population: questions and answers
What is the population of Zambia in 2026?
About 22,521,915 (22.5 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Zambia's population growing?
Yes, by about 2.77% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Zambia?
About 30 people per km², with a land area of 743,390 km².
What will the population of Zambia be in 2050?
About 38.1 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Zambia?
Lusaka.
What is the life expectancy in Zambia?
66.5 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.