Urban Population: Zambia
Zambia's urban population is currently 45.5% as of 2024. # Zambia Urban Population Zambia's urban population reached 45.
Current (2024)
45.5%
+1.0% y/y
Peak (2024)
45.5%
Low (1960)
17.2%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Zambia
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Zambia
Analysis# Zambia Urban Population
Zambia's urban population reached 45.47% in 2024, marking an all-time peak for the country. This represents a dramatic transformation since 1960, when only 17.224% of Zambians lived in urban areas—a total increase of 164% over six decades. The current urban share reflects ongoing migration from rural to urban centers, though Zambia remains less urbanized than many regional peers.
The past decade reveals consistent upward momentum, with urban population rising from 41.956% in 2015 to 45.47% in 2024. This steady annual growth of approximately 0.4–0.5 percentage points shows no signs of reversing. Continued urbanization appears likely as economic opportunities concentrate in cities, though infrastructure demands will intensify alongside this demographic shift.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 45.5% | +0.98% |
| 2023 | 45.0% | +0.96% |
| 2022 | 44.6% | +0.82% |
| 2021 | 44.2% | +0.85% |
| 2020 | 43.9% | +0.86% |
| 2019 | 43.5% | +0.88% |
| 2018 | 43.1% | +0.89% |
| 2017 | 42.7% | +0.91% |
| 2016 | 42.3% | +0.92% |
| 2015 | 42.0% | +0.95% |
| 2014 | 41.6% | +0.96% |
| 2013 | 41.2% | +0.98% |
| 2012 | 40.8% | +1.00% |
| 2011 | 40.4% | +1.03% |
| 2010 | 40.0% | +1.18% |
| 2009 | 39.5% | +1.36% |
| 2008 | 39.0% | +1.46% |
| 2007 | 38.4% | +1.49% |
| 2006 | 37.8% | +1.45% |
| 2005 | 37.3% | +1.34% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 36.8% | +1.15% |
| 2003 | 36.4% | +0.87% |
| 2002 | 36.1% | +0.52% |
| 2001 | 35.9% | +0.03% |
| 2000 | 35.9% | -0.82% |
| 1999 | 36.2% | -1.50% |
| 1998 | 36.7% | -1.75% |
| 1997 | 37.4% | -1.60% |
| 1996 | 38.0% | -1.09% |
| 1995 | 38.4% | -0.68% |
| 1994 | 38.7% | -0.60% |
| 1993 | 38.9% | -0.51% |
| 1992 | 39.1% | -0.40% |
| 1991 | 39.3% | -0.28% |
| 1990 | 39.4% | -0.22% |
| 1989 | 39.5% | -0.21% |
| 1988 | 39.5% | -0.19% |
| 1987 | 39.6% | -0.17% |
| 1986 | 39.7% | -0.16% |
| 1985 | 39.7% | -0.13% |
| 1984 | 39.8% | -0.11% |
| 1983 | 39.8% | -0.08% |
| 1982 | 39.9% | -0.05% |
| 1981 | 39.9% | -0.00% |
| 1980 | 39.9% | +0.46% |
| 1979 | 39.7% | +1.11% |
| 1978 | 39.3% | +1.70% |
| 1977 | 38.6% | +2.23% |
| 1976 | 37.8% | +2.72% |
| 1975 | 36.8% | +3.14% |
| 1974 | 35.6% | +3.50% |
| 1973 | 34.4% | +3.79% |
| 1972 | 33.2% | +4.00% |
| 1971 | 31.9% | +4.11% |
| 1970 | 30.6% | +4.18% |
| 1969 | 29.4% | +5.00% |
| 1968 | 28.0% | +6.30% |
| 1967 | 26.4% | +7.18% |
| 1966 | 24.6% | +7.57% |
| 1965 | 22.9% | +7.31% |
| 1964 | 21.3% | +6.12% |
| 1963 | 20.1% | +5.13% |
| 1962 | 19.1% | +5.22% |
| 1961 | 18.1% | +5.37% |
| 1960 | 17.2% | — |
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