Health in Northern Province, Zambia: official figures
A baby born in Northern Province in 2026 is projected to live 68.6 years on average, 4th longest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 67.5), according to ZamStats projections from the 2022 census.
How many children die young in Northern?
For every 1,000 babies born in Northern Province in the ten years before the 2024 survey, 30 died before their first birthday and 51 before their fifth; the under-five rate is the joint 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 Northern are vaccinated?
58.0% of children aged 12 to 23 months in Northern Province had all basic vaccines (BCG, three doses of DPT-HepB-Hib and polio, and measles) in 2024 and 0.9% had none; the 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 Northern are malnourished?
42.6% of children under five in Northern Province were stunted (too short for their age, a sign of long-term undernutrition) in 2024, 3rd 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 Northern give birth in a health facility?
94.0% of babies born in Northern Province in the two years before the 2024 survey were delivered in a health facility, 5th highest 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 Northern?
4.9% of adults aged 15 to 49 in Northern Province tested HIV positive in the 2024 survey (5.8% of women, 3.9% of men), 2nd 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 Northern have health insurance?
Only 4.3% of women aged 15 to 49 in Northern Province had any health insurance in 2024, mostly through the National Health Insurance Scheme; 3rd lowest of the 10 provinces (Zambia: 9.3%).
Source: Zambia Statistics Agency and Ministry of Health (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Northern Province compares with other provinces
Under-five deaths per 1,000 live births (10 years before the survey) (2014-2024)
Northern Province ranks 2 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)
Northern Province ranks 3 of 10, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children under 5 stunted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luapula Province | 45.3% |
| 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% |
Children 12-23 months with all basic vaccines (2024)
Northern Province ranks 10 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)
Northern Province ranks 9 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 Northern 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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