Zambia: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Zambia?

Life expectancy at birth in Zambia was 66.5 years in 2024, according to the World Bank, which compiles estimates from UN population sources.

Life expectancy is the average number of years a newborn would live if that year's death rates stayed the same throughout their life. The same database puts infant mortality at 34.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024 on the World Bank infant mortality indicator, a modelled estimate from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.

Official sources: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, Zambia · World Bank: Infant mortality rate, Zambia

How common is malaria in Zambia?

Zambia had an estimated 252 malaria cases per 1,000 people at risk in 2024, according to the World Bank, based on World Health Organization estimates.

The incidence rate estimates new cases in a year among the population living in areas where malaria is transmitted. It is modelled from health facility reports and surveys, so it differs from counts of confirmed cases recorded by the health system. The Ministry of Health's site could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: Incidence of malaria, Zambia

What is the maternal mortality rate in Zambia?

Zambia's maternal mortality ratio was 85 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the World Bank, which publishes the modelled estimates of the UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group.

The ratio counts deaths from pregnancy-related causes during pregnancy or within 42 days of its end. Because not all deaths are registered, it is modelled from surveys, censuses and health records and has a wide uncertainty range.

Official sources: World Bank: Maternal mortality ratio, Zambia

How much does Zambia spend on health?

Current health spending in Zambia was 6.0% of GDP in 2023, according to the World Bank, based on WHO Global Health Expenditure data.

The figure covers spending by government, households, insurers and donors on health goods and services, excluding capital investment. The same database records 0.32 doctors per 1,000 people in 2022 on the World Bank physicians indicator, or about one doctor for every 3,100 people.

Official sources: World Bank: Current health expenditure (% of GDP), Zambia · World Bank: Physicians per 1,000 people, Zambia

How long do people live in Zambia?

66.5 years: that is life expectancy at birth in Zambia for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.3 years; Zambia is 17th highest of 48. Worldwide: 157th of 193.

What is Zambia's infant mortality rate?

The latest figure from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, for 2024, is 34.6 per 1,000. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 37.2 per 1,000, and Zambia placed 29th highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 34th highest.

How many women die in childbirth in Zambia?

85.0 per 100,000: that is the maternal mortality ratio in Zambia for 2023, according to the WHO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 44th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 257 per 100,000. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 70th highest.

What share of GDP does Zambia spend on health care?

6.0% of GDP: that is current health spending in Zambia for 2023, according to the WHO. The peak was 6.8% of GDP in 2019 and the low 3.8% of GDP in 2014. It is 16th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 4.4% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 103rd of 191.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Zambia?

According to the WHO, out-of-pocket health spending in Zambia was 10.3% in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 26.1%; its low point was 2021, at 7.1%. It is 44th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 32.4%. World rank, highest first: 166th of 191.

How many doctors does Zambia have?

0.32 per 1,000: that is the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Zambia for 2022, according to the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.18 per 1,000, and Zambia placed 12th highest of 46. Of 125 countries with 2022 data, 88th highest.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Zambia?

According to WHO and UNICEF, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Zambia was 88.0% in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 80.0% (2013) to 97.0% (2016). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 81.0%, and Zambia placed 14th highest of 48. Worldwide: 111th of 191.