Health in North-Western Province, Zambia: official figures
A baby born in North-Western Province in 2026 is projected to live 67.3 years on average, joint 3rd shortest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 67.5), according to ZamStats projections from the 2022 census.
How many children die young in North-Western?
For every 1,000 babies born in North-Western Province in the ten years before the 2024 survey, 20 died before their first birthday and 28 before their fifth; the under-five rate is the lowest 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 North-Western are vaccinated?
60.5% of children aged 12 to 23 months in North-Western Province had all basic vaccines (BCG, three doses of DPT-HepB-Hib and polio, and measles) in 2024 and 1.3% had none; 2nd lowest 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 North-Western are malnourished?
35.3% of children under five in North-Western Province were stunted (too short for their age, a sign of long-term undernutrition) in 2024, 5th highest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 32.1%).
Source: Zambia Statistics Agency and Ministry of Health (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyDo women in North-Western give birth in a health facility?
87.8% of babies born in North-Western Province in the two years before the 2024 survey were delivered in a health facility, 2nd 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 North-Western?
6.2% of adults aged 15 to 49 in North-Western Province tested HIV positive in the 2024 survey (8.3% of women, 3.7% of men), 4th lowest 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 North-Western have health insurance?
Only 7.3% of women aged 15 to 49 in North-Western Province had any health insurance in 2024, mostly through the National Health Insurance Scheme; 3rd highest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 9.3%).
Source: Zambia Statistics Agency and Ministry of Health (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow North-Western Province compares with other provinces
Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (10 years before the survey) (2014-2024)
North-Western Province ranks 10 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (10 years before the survey) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Copperbelt Province | 46 |
| 5 | Western Province | 45 |
| 6 | Eastern Province | 40 |
| 7 | Southern Province | 40 |
| 8 | Luapula Province | 37 |
| 9 | Muchinga Province | 30 |
| 10 | North-Western Province | 28 |
Children under 5 stunted (2024)
North-Western Province ranks 5 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children under 5 stunted |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Muchinga Province | 42.9% |
| 3 | Northern Province | 42.6% |
| 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% |
Children 12-23 months with all basic vaccines (2024)
North-Western Province ranks 9 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children 12-23 months with all basic vaccines |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Central Province | 66.1% |
| 5 | Lusaka Province | 66.1% |
| 6 | Muchinga Province | 65.1% |
| 7 | Eastern Province | 62.3% |
| 8 | Luapula Province | 62.2% |
| 9 | North-Western Province | 60.5% |
| 10 | Northern Province | 58.0% |
HIV prevalence, adults 15-49 (2024)
North-Western Province ranks 7 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | HIV prevalence, adults 15-49 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Central Province | 10.3% |
| 5 | Southern Province | 8.6% |
| 6 | Luapula Province | 6.6% |
| 7 | North-Western Province | 6.2% |
| 8 | Eastern Province | 5.0% |
| 9 | Northern Province | 4.9% |
| 10 | Muchinga Province | 4.0% |
More on North-Western 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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