People and Society of Zambia

Nationality

Zambian(s)

Ethnic Groups

African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2%

Population

20,569,737

Population in Major Urban Areas

LUSAKA (capital) 1.802 million

Government hospitals and clinics are often understaffed and lack supplies. Private medical clinics in major cities can provide reasonable care in many cases, but major medical emergencies usually require medical evacuation to South Africa, Europe, or the United States. The nearest air ambulances are based in South Africa. In addition to purchasing medical insurance that covers medical evacuation (see below), U.S. citizens may wish to register with a medical rescue/ambulance service in Zambia, as this can facilitate quick action in an emergency. Some lodges in Zambia may do this on behalf of travelers automatically. Basic medical care outside of major cities is extremely limited. Throughout the country doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. See the Embassy’s list of health care providers in Zambia, including ambulance service. Travelers should carry their prescription drugs and medications in the original labeled containers, as well as the written prescription from their physician. Travelers who cannot get a doctor’s note for their over-the-counter medications may wish to leave them behind or risk possible arrest. Refer to the section onCriminal Penaltiesabove for more information about over-the-counter medications. Rabies, a preventable but fatal illness most often transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, is prevalent in Zambia. While rabies vaccine is available in some parts of Zambia, the post-exposure prophylaxis rabies immunoglobulin is NOT available in Zambia. You should consult with your health care professional about vaccination prior to your trip. If you have not been vaccinated and are bitten, post-exposure prophylaxis should be sought urgently outside Zambia. U.S. citizens in Zambia have been bitten by monkeys, baboons, dogs, and other animals which potentially carry the rabies virus.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Zambia has shown meaningful improvement over the past two decades, though it remains below the global average. As of the most recent estimates, the average life expectancy at birth in Zambia stands at approximately 64 years, with women generally outliving men by several years — female life expectancy hovering around 66 years compared to roughly 62 years for males. This improvement represents a significant recovery from the sharp declines experienced during the 1990s and early 2000s, when the HIV/AIDS epidemic drove life expectancy down to as low as 44 years. Zambia was among the countries most severely affected by the epidemic, and the toll on the population was devastating. Sustained efforts in HIV prevention, the widespread rollout of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and strengthened public health infrastructure contributed substantially to the rebound seen over subsequent years. Despite this progress, several persistent challenges continue to weigh on overall life expectancy. Malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death, particularly among children under five and pregnant women. Tuberculosis, often compounding HIV infection, also poses an ongoing burden. Maternal and infant mortality rates, while improving, remain elevated compared to global benchmarks, reflecting gaps in access to skilled healthcare providers and adequate medical facilities, especially in rural and remote regions. Zambia's healthcare system continues to face resource constraints, including shortages of trained medical personnel and limited infrastructure outside of major urban centers like Lusaka and the Copperbelt region. Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and hypertension are also increasingly contributing to mortality as the country undergoes epidemiological transition, reflecting broader shifts in diet, urbanization, and lifestyle. International partnerships, government health programs, and NGO initiatives continue to play an important role in extending healthy life years for Zambians. Improvements in nutrition, sanitation, and access to clean water are expected to further support gains in life expectancy over the coming decades, as the country works toward the health targets outlined in its broader national development frameworks, including the Eighth National Development Plan.

Infant Mortality Rate

Zambia continues to face significant challenges in reducing its infant mortality rate, though the country has made measurable progress over recent decades. The infant mortality rate in Zambia stands at approximately 40 to 43 deaths per 1,000 live births, meaning that roughly four out of every hundred children born in Zambia do not survive to see their first birthday. This figure, while still high by global standards, represents a substantial improvement from rates exceeding 100 deaths per 1,000 live births recorded in the early 1990s. The leading causes of infant death in Zambia include neonatal complications such as birth asphyxia and prematurity, lower respiratory infections including pneumonia, malaria, diarrheal diseases, and neonatal sepsis. Malnutrition frequently compounds these conditions, weakening immune responses and reducing infants' ability to recover from illness. Geographic and socioeconomic disparities play a significant role in infant survival outcomes. Infants born in rural provinces face considerably higher mortality risks than those born in urban centers such as Lusaka or the Copperbelt, largely due to limited access to skilled birth attendants, emergency obstetric care, and essential medicines. Nationally, only about half of all births are attended by trained health professionals in rural settings, compared to much higher rates in urban hospitals and clinics. The Zambian government, in partnership with international organizations including UNICEF and the World Health Organization, has implemented interventions targeting key causes of infant death. These include expanded immunization campaigns, community-based health worker programs, distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets to reduce malaria transmission, and promotion of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life. Oral rehydration therapy has also been widely promoted to address deaths from diarrheal disease. Despite these efforts, Zambia's infant mortality rate remains well above the global average of approximately 27 deaths per 1,000 live births and continues to be a priority concern within the country's national health strategy. Sustained investment in maternal and child health infrastructure, clean water access, and nutrition programs will be essential to further reduce infant deaths in the years ahead.

Major Infectious Diseases

very high

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write English

• Christian65.0%
• Muslim and Hindu45.0%
• indigenous beliefs1.0%

English (official), - Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and about 70 other indigenous languages.

• English

Crime Information

Travel in many sections of Lusaka, Livingstone, and most other major cities, as well as in the major game parks, is generally safe during daylight hours. However, expatriates have been the victim of armed robberies in Livingstone, Copperbelt Province, and elsewhere. Though victims are seldom seriously injured, the incidents can be frightening and stolen property is rarely recovered. Carjacking remains an ongoing problem, especially in Lusaka and Livingstone. In most cases, carjackers will block the rear of a victim’s vehicle while it waits to pass through a security gate into a residence and then assailants will threaten the driver and take the car. In some cases, the victim has been held and assaulted. Drivers are advised to lock their car doors, close their windows, and remain vigilant when entering or exiting a residence. Travelers using public transportation or visiting high pedestrian traffic areas are advised to be vigilant against robbery and pick-pocketing. Vehicle thefts and burglaries occur throughout the country. You should use caution when traveling near the border with Congo. Although rebel militias are no longer active in the Katanga province of Congo, armed criminal elements remain in the border area. Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Zambia, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places, you may be taken in for questioning. It is illegal to take pictures of certain government structures, particularly presidential residences or offices, oil refineries, bridges, mines, railways, electrical power supply buildings, and military facilities. Often, these sites are not clearly marked and the first notification that a tourist would receive is a police officer demanding his/her camera memory card, film and/or camera. Authorities may also challenge photography of areas other than tourist attractions. In some places, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit but still illegal in the United States; for example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is also a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Zambia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what is legal and what is not legal wherever you travel. Possession of more than 0.5 grams of an illegal substance can constitute drug trafficking in Zambia. The Zambian Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has detained a number of U.S. citizens for possession of antihistamines such as Benadryl and other over-the-counter medications, which contained small quantities of diphenhydramine, an active ingredient that is on Zambia’s list of controlled substances. Although unaware of these restrictions, U.S. citizens have been charged with drug-trafficking offenses, had their passports confiscated, and have been jailed. While government officials have told the Embassy that carrying such over-the-counter medications with a doctor’s prescription is permitted, U.S. citizens visiting Zambia should consider leaving such medications behind. When traveling with prescription medications, U.S. citizens should likewise carry a doctor’s prescription and ensure that the medication is in its original bottle. A complete list of controlled substances banned in Zambia is available via the U.S. Embassy website on the web page Living in Zambia. U.S. citizens carrying any of these banned drugs for medical purposes should contact the Government of Zambia’s Pharmaceutical Authority to request advance permission to bring the drugs into the country by emailing the Director General at pharmacy@pra.gov.zm or writing to: Director General Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority, Box 31890 Lusaka. The office is located at Plot No 6903 Tuleteka Road, off Makish Road. Any U.S. citizen stopped by the Drug Enforcement Commission for possession of over-the-counter medications should contact the Embassy as soon as possible. Additional information about controlled substances may be found at the Zambian Drug Enforcement Commission website. It is against both Zambian and U.S. law to buy, possess, or transport the following animal products: tortoise shells, rhino horns, elephant ivory, tusks of any animal, or any items made out of these materials. While many of these items are sold in open markets particularly aimed at foreign tourists, it remains the responsibility of the customer to ensure that he/she is not purchasing a prohibited item. The Zambian Wildlife Authority has screeners at international ports of entry/exit and WILL prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law with penalties ranging from large fines to five year prison sentences. If you are arrested in Zambia, you should seek the assistance of an attorney. The Embassy maintains a list of attorneys in major cities, but cannot recommend the services of a particular lawyer. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.