Zambia: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Zambia?

Zambia's unemployment rate was 12.9% in 2024, according to the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) 2024 Labour Force Survey. The rate was 11.8% for men and 14.6% for women, and 13.9% in urban areas against 11.6% in rural areas.

For young people aged 15 to 24, the unemployment rate was 29.1%; for the wider youth group aged 19 to 34, it was 18.4%. The survey counted 587,876 unemployed people out of a labour force of 4,560,760. The labour force participation rate, the share of people aged 15 and over who were working or looking for work, was 38.0%.

Official sources: ZamStats: 2024 Labour Force Survey Report (PDF)

What is the average salary in Zambia?

Average monthly earnings for paid employees in Zambia were K6,467 in 2024, according to the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) 2024 Labour Force Survey. Men earned K6,600 on average and women K6,188.

In urban areas, men averaged K7,585 and women K6,706; in rural areas, women averaged K4,696 and men K4,587. The figure covers paid employees, interns and apprentices only, not the self-employed or people working on family farms.

Official sources: ZamStats: 2024 Labour Force Survey Report (PDF)

How many jobs in Zambia are informal?

74.2% of employed people in Zambia were in informal employment in 2024, according to the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) 2024 Labour Force Survey, and 25.8% in formal employment. Of 3,972,883 employed people, 2,946,508 had informal jobs.

By sector, 1,179,529 people worked in registered firms and institutions (the formal sector), 2,585,812 in the informal sector and 207,543 in households. Informal employment can also exist within formal firms, which is why the two measures differ. Agriculture employed 1,166,803 people.

Official sources: ZamStats: 2024 Labour Force Survey Report (PDF)

What is the minimum wage in Zambia?

1,300 ZMW a month (about $50): that is the statutory minimum wage in Zambia for 2024, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is the average monthly salary in Zambia?

In 2024, average monthly earnings of employees in Zambia was $170 a month, according to the ILO. Since 2017 it has ranged from $160 a month (2021) to $413 a month (2017). It is 7th highest of 12 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $173 a month. Of 75 countries with 2024 data, 67th highest.

What is Zambia's unemployment rate?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 5.9%. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 15.9%; its low point was 2017, at 4.5%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 5.2%, and Zambia placed 20th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 70th of 174.

How many young people in Zambia are unemployed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 10.5%. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 31.5%; its low point was 2017, at 8.5%. It is 19th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 8.8%. Worldwide: 100th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Zambia?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Zambia was 61.9%, according to the ILO. The peak was 62.0% in 2023 and the low 58.5% in 2018. It is 26th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 64.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 87th highest.

What is female labour force participation in Zambia?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Zambia was 56.4%, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 57.3%; Zambia is 26th highest of 45. Worldwide: 71st of 174.

What share of adults in Zambia have a job?

In 2025, the employment to population ratio in Zambia was 58.3%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 49.9% (2005) to 58.3% (2023). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 58.8%, and Zambia placed 24th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 86th highest.

How many workers in Zambia are self-employed or family workers?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 70.2%. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 83.0%; its low point was 2021, at 69.7%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 67.6%; Zambia is 20th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 26th highest.

What share of workers in Zambia earn a wage or salary?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 28.3%. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 24th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 29.0%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 146th highest.