Zambia: housing

How many people in Zambia have clean water and sanitation?

73.4% of Zambia's population used at least basic drinking water services in 2024, and 37.5% used at least basic sanitation, according to the World Bank, based on the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme.

A basic service means an improved source, such as piped water or a protected well, within a 30-minute round trip; basic sanitation means an improved toilet not shared with other households. The World Bank also estimates that 48.3% of the urban population lived in slums in 2022, based on UN-Habitat data.

Official sources: World Bank: People using at least basic drinking water services, Zambia · World Bank: People using at least basic sanitation services, Zambia · World Bank: Urban population living in slums, Zambia

How many people in Zambia live in cities?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 45.9%. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 44.9%, and Zambia placed 22nd highest of 48. Worldwide: 137th of 193.

How common are informal settlements in Zambia?

48.3%: that is the share of city dwellers living in slums in Zambia for 2022, according to UN-Habitat. No year since 2006 has been lower. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 48.7%, and Zambia placed 31st highest of 48. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 41st highest.

What is the electricity access rate in Zambia?

The World Bank puts the share of people with access to electricity in Zambia at 53.6% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 57.8%; Zambia is 31st highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 175th of 193.

How many people in Zambia cook with wood or charcoal?

In 2024, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Zambia was 10.0%, according to the WHO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 28th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 13.0%. World rank, highest first: 170th of 192.