Zambia
- Capital:
- Lusaka
- Continent:
- Africa
- Region(s):
- Eastern Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa
- Abbreviation:
- ZMB
22,521,915
As of Jan 1, 2026 - Source
22,521,915
As of Jan 1, 2026 - Source
Zambia's population is projected to be 63,434,684 by 2097.
Historical
Switch the toggle to see projected data.
| Year ↓ | Population | Change | Pop. Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22,521,915 | 2.81% | 63 |
| 2025 | 21,913,874 | 2.83% | 63 |
| 2020 | 19,059,395 | 2.95% | 66 |
| 2019 | 18,513,839 | 3.01% | 66 |
| 2018 | 17,973,569 | 3.05% | 66 |
| 2017 | 17,441,320 | 3.12% | 66 |
| 2015 | 16,399,089 | 3.26% | 67 |
| 2010 | 13,965,594 | 3.57% | 70 |
| 2005 | 11,718,819 | 3.19% | 71 |
| 2000 | 10,017,631 | 2.66% | 77 |
| Year ↑ | Population | Change | Pop. Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22,521,915 | 2.81% | 63 |
| 2032 | 26,311,951 | 2.6% | 61 |
| 2037 | 29,583,492 | 2.37% | 59 |
| 2042 | 32,856,603 | 2.12% | 57 |
| 2047 | 36,129,283 | 1.92% | 54 |
| 2052 | 39,372,618 | 1.73% | 53 |
| 2057 | 42,570,791 | 1.57% | 51 |
| 2062 | 45,716,224 | 1.44% | 50 |
| 2067 | 48,746,696 | 1.29% | 46 |
| 2072 | 51,658,255 | 1.17% | 46 |
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Lusaka has a metropolitan area population of 2,393,400, comprising 10.63%% of Zambia's total population.
As of 2026, Zambia has a total population of 22,521,915, ranking as the 63rd most populous nation in the world.
Zambia has a net population change of approximately 1,678 people per day, driven by 1,974 births, 315 deaths, and net immigration of 19 people.
Zambia represents 0.28% of the total global population and 1.42% of Africa's population.
Zambia has a population density of 30.3 people per km² (approximately 78.5 per mi²), making it the 184th most densely populated country in the world.
Currently, 40.24% of the population resides in urban areas, a figure that is increasing annually.
*Rates last updated: June 16, 2026
As of 2026, the largest ethnicity in Zambia is Bemba (21%) , followed by Other (13.8%) .
As of 2026, Protestant is the largest religion in Zambia, comprising 75.3% of the population.