Zambia Population Clock
Zambia has an estimated population of about 21.9 million, which makes it the 61st most populous of the 115 countries tracked here.
Its population is growing rapidly, at 2.77% a year.
The capital is Lusaka.
The counter below is a live estimate interpolated from the World Bank's latest annual figures — not a real-time measurement. It links to its source, base year and method via the ⓘ next to it.
Statistics
Population trend
Population 2016–2025 (World Bank)
How Zambia's population is changing
Zambia records about 1,963 births and 310 deaths a day. That is a natural increase of roughly 1,653 people per day, or about 603,758 a year before migration is counted.
Net migration runs at about 6,562 over the reported period, with more people arriving than leaving. That is equivalent to about 1% of its natural change.
If the current rate held indefinitely, Zambia would take roughly 25 years to double in size — a projection of today's rate, not a forecast.
Over the 9 years from 2016 to 2025, the population rose from 16.9 million to 21.9 million — a gain of 5.00 million, or 29.6%.
Where people live in Zambia
With about 28 people per square kilometre, Zambia is sparsely populated, well below the world average of 62. That ranks 92nd of the 115 countries here. Its closest comparisons on density are Sudan and Somalia.
Zambia covers about 743,390 km² of land, which is what turns a population of 21.9 million into that density figure.
About 45.9% of people live in urban areas, making Zambia split between town and countryside, below the world average of 57.8%. That works out to roughly 10.1 million town and city dwellers and 11.9 million living rurally.
Age, fertility and life expectancy in Zambia
Zambia has a very young population: about 41.0% are under 15 and 2.0% are 65 or older. Children outnumber over-65s by roughly 20.5 to one.
The total fertility rate is about 4.04 births per woman, above the ~2.1 replacement level, which is what sustains growth from births alone. The world figure is about 2.19.
Life expectancy at birth is about 66.5 years, roughly 7.0 years below the global average of 73.5.
Zambia at a glance
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21.9 million | 2025 |
| World rank by population | #61 | 2025 |
| Annual growth rate | 2.77% | 2025 |
| Population density | 28 /km² | 2023 |
| Land area | 743,390 km² | 2023 |
| Urban population | 45.9% | 2025 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 66.5 years | 2024 |
| Fertility rate | 4.04 births per woman | 2024 |
| Population under 15 | 41.0% | 2025 |
| Population 65 and over | 2.0% | 2025 |
| Net migration | 6,562 | 2025 |
| Births per day | 1,963 | 2025 |
| Deaths per day | 310 | 2025 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Zambia?
Is Zambia's population growing or shrinking?
How densely populated is Zambia?
Where do these Zambia figures come from?
Current local time in Zambia
Methodology & sources
Data: World Bank (CC BY 4.0), base year 2025. The live counter animates the latest annual growth rate per second; it is an estimate, not a real-time measurement. No figures are invented — every number traces back to the World Bank indicators listed above.
Source: World Bank