Understand the demographic development of Zambia through historical population data by age and sex.
Review the age and gender distribution of Zambia's population and compare demographic changes over time.
As of 2025, Zambia's population stands at approximately 21,913,874 people. Over the past five years it has grown by +14.98%, and over the past ten years by +33.63%.
Zambia ranks 61st of 217 countries by total population, and 17th by five-year population growth. Growth momentum is currently decelerating (+3.05% → +2.83% per year).
By gender, female residents make up the larger share of the population, at 50.5% (50.5% female vs 49.5% male).
By broad age group, the working-age (15-64) group accounts for the largest share of the population: 41.0% are under 15, 57.0% are aged 15-64, and 2.0% are aged 65 and above.
The share of the population under 15 is currently falling, and peaked at 49.5% in 1980.
The share of the population aged 60 and above has been falling, from 4.6% in 1960 to 3.4% in 2025.
Population of Zambia by Year: Total, Gender and Broad Age Groups
Data source: World Bank, World Development Indicators — Population, total (SP.POP.TOTL); population by gender (SP.POP.TOTL.MA.IN, SP.POP.TOTL.FE.IN); population by broad age group (SP.POP.0014.TO, SP.POP.1564.TO, SP.POP.65UP.TO). License: CC BY-4.0. Retrieved 2026-07-10.
Zambia Population by Five-Year Age Cohorts and Gender
Data source: World Bank, World Development Indicators — Population by five-year age groups and sex (SP.POP.0004.MA … SP.POP.80UP.FE). License: CC BY-4.0. Retrieved 2026-07-10.