Zambia: environment

How many people in Zambia have electricity?

53.6% of Zambia's population had access to electricity in 2024, according to the World Bank, based on household surveys and modelled estimates.

Access counts people living in households with an electricity connection, including off-grid solar. Electricity supply output fell 28.9% in 2024 and was almost unchanged in 2025, according to the national accounts in The Monthly, September 2026 from the Zambia Statistics Agency.

Official sources: World Bank: Access to electricity, Zambia · ZamStats: The Monthly, Volume 282, September 2026 (PDF)

How much of Zambia is forest?

60.5% of Zambia's land area was forest in 2024, according to the World Bank, based on FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment data.

Forest area counts land with trees at least 5 metres tall covering more than 10% of the ground, and excludes tree stands in farms and urban parks. The World Bank reports that renewable sources, which include wood fuel and hydropower, made up 83% of final energy consumption in 2021.

Official sources: World Bank: Forest area (% of land area), Zambia · World Bank: Renewable energy consumption, Zambia

What are the CO2 emissions of Zambia?

Zambia's carbon dioxide emissions were 0.54 tonnes per person in 2024, according to the World Bank, which takes the figures from the EDGAR database.

The figure covers carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industrial processes, divided by the population, and excludes emissions from land use and forestry. Total greenhouse gas emissions, including other gases converted to CO2 equivalents, were 38.5 million tonnes in 2024 on the World Bank total emissions indicator.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Zambia · World Bank: Total greenhouse gas emissions, Zambia

How much CO2 does Zambia emit per person?

0.5 tonnes: that is carbon dioxide emissions per person in Zambia for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 0.5 tonnes; its low point was 2007, at 0.2 tonnes. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.4 tonnes, and Zambia placed 19th highest of 47. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 147th highest.

How much greenhouse gas does Zambia emit?

38.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent: that is total greenhouse gas emissions in Zambia for 2024, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Zambia placed 15th highest of 47. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 94th highest.

What share of Zambia's energy comes from renewables?

The IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO puts the renewable share of final energy use in Zambia at 83.0% in 2021. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 11th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 71.1%. Worldwide: 11th of 191.

How much of Zambia is forest?

60.5%: that is forest area as a share of land in Zambia for 2024, according to the FAO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 8th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 22.2%. Worldwide: 29th of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Zambia?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Zambia was 20.2 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. The peak was 24.5 micrograms per cubic metre in 2010 and the low 19.4 micrograms per cubic metre in 2020. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre; Zambia is 32nd highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 80th of 192.

How much of Zambia is in national parks and reserves?

In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in Zambia was 41.3%, according to the UN Environment Programme. That is the highest since at least 2013. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 16.9%; Zambia is 3rd highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 7th of 192.

Is Zambia short of water?

In 2022, water stress in Zambia was 2.8%, according to the FAO. It has not changed since 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 5.1%; Zambia is 28th highest of 47. Worldwide: 139th of 175.