Zambia: cost of living

How much is petrol in Zambia?

Petrol costs K31.46 a litre and diesel K33.27 a litre in Zambia from 1 October 2026, according to the Energy Regulation Board (ERB). Before the review, petrol was K25.29 and diesel K26.86. Kerosene rose from K27.02 to K29.76.

The ERB sets national uniform pump prices at monthly reviews. It said the rise followed higher international prices, a weaker kwacha and the reinstatement of excise duty from October 2026, after the government suspended excise duty and zero-rated VAT on fuel from April to September 2026. VAT is due to be reinstated on 1 December 2026.

Official sources: Energy Regulation Board: Revision of petroleum pump prices for October 2026 (PDF)

How much does mealie meal cost in Zambia?

A 25 kg bag of breakfast mealie meal cost K236.34 on average in Zambia in September 2026, according to The Monthly, September 2026 from the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats). That was 3.12% less than in August and 9.22% less than a year earlier.

A 25 kg bag of roller mealie meal averaged K182.19, down 10.48% on a year earlier, and a 20-litre tin of maize grain K101.67, down 15.03%. These are national averages of prices collected for the consumer price index; prices vary by district.

Official sources: ZamStats: The Monthly, Volume 282, September 2026 (PDF)

What is the poverty rate in Zambia?

60.0% of Zambia's population lived below the national poverty line in 2022, according to the World Bank, based on the Zambia Statistics Agency's 2022 Living Conditions Monitoring Survey. The Gini index of inequality was 51.5.

The survey findings show average monthly household income of K2,112.2 in rural areas and K5,546.6 in urban areas. The top 10% of households received 56% of total household income, and the bottom 50% received 7%. Rural households spent 56.4% of their income on food.

Official sources: World Bank: Poverty headcount at national poverty lines, Zambia · ZamStats: Findings from the 2022 Living Conditions Monitoring Survey

What is the inflation rate in Zambia?

In 2025, consumer price inflation in Zambia was 13.9%, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 22.0%; its low point was 2011, at 6.4%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 3.4%; Zambia is 6th highest of 39. Of 165 countries with 2025 data, 12th highest.

How much do households in Zambia spend per person?

According to the World Bank, household consumption per person in Zambia was $604 in 2015. It is 30th highest of 43 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $875. World rank, highest first: 151st of 164.

What is the extreme poverty rate in Zambia?

According to the World Bank, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Zambia was 71.7% in 2022. That compares with 71.4% in 2010. It is 2nd highest of 7 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 41.8%. Of 72 countries with 2022 data, 2nd highest.

What share of Zambia lives below the poverty line?

The World Bank puts the share of people below the national poverty line in Zambia at 60.0% in 2022. It was 57.0% in 2010. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 53.0%; Zambia is 2nd highest of 8. World rank, highest first: 2nd of 52.

What is Zambia's Gini coefficient?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2022, is 51.5. It was 52.0 in 2010. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 38.5; Zambia is 2nd highest of 7. Worldwide: 4th of 72.

How many people in Zambia go hungry?

According to the FAO, moderate or severe food insecurity in Zambia was 45.8% in 2024. The peak was 54.2% in 2018 and the low 45.3% in 2023. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 60.5%, and Zambia placed 26th highest of 34. World rank, highest first: 31st of 135.