Health in Central Province, Zambia: official figures
A baby born in Central Province in 2026 is projected to live 68.7 years on average, 3rd longest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 67.5), according to ZamStats projections from the 2022 census.
How many children die young in Central?
For every 1,000 babies born in Central Province in the ten years before the 2024 survey, 34 died before their first birthday and 47 before their fifth; the under-five rate is 3rd highest of the 10 provinces (Zambia, last five years: 29 and 42).
Source: Zambia Statistics Agency and Ministry of Health (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many children in Central are vaccinated?
66.1% of children aged 12 to 23 months in Central Province had all basic vaccines (BCG, three doses of DPT-HepB-Hib and polio, and measles) in 2024 and 0.0% had none; joint 4th highest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 65.0% and 0.4%).
Source: Zambia Statistics Agency and Ministry of Health (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many children in Central are malnourished?
28.2% of children under five in Central Province were stunted (too short for their age, a sign of long-term undernutrition) in 2024, 4th lowest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 32.1%).
Source: Zambia Statistics Agency and Ministry of Health (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyDo women in Central give birth in a health facility?
89.7% of babies born in Central Province in the two years before the 2024 survey were delivered in a health facility, 3rd lowest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 93.0%).
Source: Zambia Statistics Agency and Ministry of Health (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow common is HIV in Central?
10.3% of adults aged 15 to 49 in Central Province tested HIV positive in the 2024 survey (12.7% of women, 7.7% of men), 4th highest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 8.7%).
Source: Zambia Statistics Agency and Ministry of Health (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many people in Central have health insurance?
Only 7.0% of women aged 15 to 49 in Central Province had any health insurance in 2024, mostly through the National Health Insurance Scheme; 4th highest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 9.3%).
Source: Zambia Statistics Agency and Ministry of Health (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Central Province compares with other provinces
Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (10 years before the survey) (2014-2024)
Central Province ranks 3 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (10 years before the survey) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lusaka Province | 51 |
| 2 | Northern Province | 51 |
| 3 | Central Province | 47 |
| 4 | Copperbelt Province | 46 |
| 5 | Western Province | 45 |
| 6 | Eastern Province | 40 |
| 7 | Southern Province | 40 |
Children under 5 stunted (2024)
Central Province ranks 7 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children under 5 stunted |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Eastern Province | 36.3% |
| 5 | North-Western Province | 35.3% |
| 6 | Copperbelt Province | 30.5% |
| 7 | Central Province | 28.2% |
| 8 | Western Province | 27.6% |
| 9 | Southern Province | 27.2% |
| 10 | Lusaka Province | 20.1% |
Children 12-23 months with all basic vaccines (2024)
Central Province ranks 4 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children 12-23 months with all basic vaccines |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Copperbelt Province | 70.8% |
| 2 | Southern Province | 69.4% |
| 3 | Western Province | 68.5% |
| 4 | Central Province | 66.1% |
| 5 | Lusaka Province | 66.1% |
| 6 | Muchinga Province | 65.1% |
| 7 | Eastern Province | 62.3% |
HIV prevalence, adults 15-49 (2024)
Central Province ranks 4 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | HIV prevalence, adults 15-49 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lusaka Province | 12.1% |
| 2 | Copperbelt Province | 11.6% |
| 3 | Western Province | 10.4% |
| 4 | Central Province | 10.3% |
| 5 | Southern Province | 8.6% |
| 6 | Luapula Province | 6.6% |
| 7 | North-Western Province | 6.2% |
More on Central Province: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Zambia
Sources
- Zambia Statistics Agency and Ministry of Health (with ICF, The DHS Program): Zambia Demographic and Health Survey 2024, Final Report (province rows of Tables 2.6, 2.12, 3.3, 3.9.1, 5.2, 8.1, 8.3, 9.8, 10.4, 11.1, 14.4.1, 16.11, 17.2, 17.7), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 12e99ddc4a98…)
- Zambia Statistics Agency: 2022 Census of Population and Housing: National, Provincial and District Population Projections 2023-2047 (Tables A4, A5, A6; medium variant), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 76c7c9904915…)
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