2014 Edition

Background

The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the [British] South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices, economic mismanagement and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule, but the subsequent vote in 1996 saw blatant harassment of opposition parties. The election in 2001 was marked by administrative problems with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. MWANAWASA was reelected in 2006 in an election that was deemed free and fair. Upon his abrupt death in August 2008, he was succeeded by his vice president, Rupiah BANDA, who subsequently won a special presidential by-election in October 2008. Michael SATA was elected president in September 2011.

Area

752,618 sq km 743,398 sq km 9,220 sq km

total

752,618 sq km

water

9,220 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Texas

Climate

tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Zambezi river 329 m unnamed elevation in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m

highest point

unnamed elevation in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m

lowest point

Zambezi river 329 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

1.57 cu km/yr (18%/8%/73%) 147 cu m/yr (2002)

per capita

147 cu m/yr (2002)

total

1.57 cu km/yr (18%/8%/73%)

Geographic coordinates

15 00 S, 30 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe; Lake Kariba on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border forms the world's largest reservoir by volume (180 cu km; 43 cu mi)

Irrigated land

1,559 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

5,664.1 km Angola 1,110 km, Botswana 0.1 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km

border countries

Angola 1,110 km, Botswana 0.1 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km

total

5,664.1 km

Land use

4.52% 0.05% 95.44% (2011)

arable land

4.52%

other

95.44% (2011)

permanent crops

0.05%

Location

Southern Africa, east of Angola, south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

periodic drought; tropical storms (November to April)

Natural resources

copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower

Terrain

mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains

Total renewable water resources

105.2 cu km (2011)

Age structure

46.2% (male 3,393,388/female 3,362,850) 20% (male 1,465,009/female 1,467,555) 28.5% (male 2,105,768/female 2,072,314) 2.9% (male 199,098/female 222,214) 2.4% (male 151,471/female 198,838) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

46.2% (male 3,393,388/female 3,362,850)

15-24 years

20% (male 1,465,009/female 1,467,555)

25-54 years

28.5% (male 2,105,768/female 2,072,314)

55-64 years

2.9% (male 199,098/female 222,214)

65 years and over

2.4% (male 151,471/female 198,838) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

42.46 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

1,000,850 41 % data represents children ages 7-14 (2005 est.)

percentage

41 %

total number

1,000,850

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

14.9% (2007)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

40.8% (2007)

Death rate

12.92 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

96.4 % 91.3 % 5.1 % 19.6 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5.1 %

potential support ratio

19.6 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

96.4 %

youth dependency ratio

91.3 %

Drinking water source

urban: 84.8% of population rural: 49.2% of population total: 63.3% of population urban: 15.2% of population rural: 50.8% of population total: 36.7% of population (2012 est.)

rural

50.8% of population

total

36.7% of population (2012 est.)

urban

15.2% of population

Education expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Bemba 21%, Tonga 13.6%, Chewa 7.4%, Lozi 5.7%, Nsenga 5.3%, Tumbuka 4.4%, Ngoni 4%, Lala 3.1%, Kaonde 2.9%, Namwanga 2.8%, Lunda (north Western) 2.6%, Mambwe 2.5%, Luvale 2.2%, Lamba 2.1%, Ushi 1.9%, Lenje 1.6%, Bisa 1.6%, Mbunda 1.2%, other 13.8%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.)

Health expenditures

6.1% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

12.7% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

30,300 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,106,400 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

2 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

66.62 deaths/1,000 live births 72.15 deaths/1,000 live births 60.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

60.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

66.62 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Bembe 33.4%, Nyanja 14.7%, Tonga 11.4%, Chewa 4.5%, Lozi 5.5%, Nsenga 2.9%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda (North Western) 1.9%, Kaonde 1.8%, Lala 1.8%, Lamba 1.8%, English (official) 1.7%, Luvale 1.5%, Mambwe 1.3%, Namwanga 1.2%, Lenje 1.1%, Bisa 1%, other 9.4%, unspecified 0.4% Zambia is said to have over 70 languages, although man of these may be considered dialects; all of Zambia's major languages are members of the Bantu family (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

51.83 years 50.24 years 53.48 years (2014 est.)

female

53.48 years (2014 est.)

total population

51.83 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write English 61.4% 71.9% 51.8% (2007 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write English

female

51.8% (2007 est.)

male

71.9%

total population

61.4%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever schistosomiasis rabies (2013)

animal contact disease

rabies (2013)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

LUSAKA (capital) 1.802 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

440 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

16.7 years 16.6 years 16.8 years (2014 est.)

female

16.8 years (2014 est.)

male

16.6 years

total

16.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.2 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2007 est.)

Nationality

Zambian(s) Zambian

adjective

Zambian

noun

Zambian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

3.6% (2008)

Physicians density

0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

14,638,505 estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

2.88% (2014 est.)

Religions

Protestant 75.3%, Roman Catholic 20.2%, other 2.7% (includes Muslim Buddhist, Hindu, and Baha'i), none 1.8% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 56.4% of population rural: 33.9% of population total: 42.8% of population urban: 43.6% of population rural: 66.1% of population total: 57.2% of population (2012 est.)

rural

66.1% of population

total

57.2% of population (2012 est.)

urban

43.6% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 14 years 13 years (2012)

female

13 years (2012)

male

14 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.02 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.75 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.76 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

23.4% (2005)

total

23.4% (2005)

Urbanization

39.2% of total population (2011) 4.15% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.15% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

39.2% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

10 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western

Capital

Lusaka 15 25 S, 28 17 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

15 25 S, 28 17 E

name

Lusaka

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 24 August 1991, promulgated 30 August 1991; amended 1996; note - in late 2013, a constitution committee submitted a draft constitution to the government, but the government has not yet publicly released the final copy or presented a plan to adopt the document (2013)

Country name

Republic of Zambia Zambia Northern Rhodesia

conventional long form

Republic of Zambia

conventional short form

Zambia

former

Northern Rhodesia

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David J. YOUNG Ibex Hill, Lusaka P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka [260] (211) 357-000 [260] ) (211) 357-224

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David J. YOUNG

embassy

Ibex Hill, Lusaka

FAX

[260] ) (211) 357-224

mailing address

P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka

telephone

[260] (211) 357-000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Palan MULONDA (since 8 January 2013) 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719 [1] (202) 332-0826

chancery

2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Palan MULONDA (since 8 January 2013)

FAX

[1] (202) 332-0826

telephone

[1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719

Executive branch

President Michael Chilufya SATA (since 23 September 2011); Vice President Guy SCOTT (since 30 September 2011); the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Michael Chilufya SATA (since 23 September 2011); Vice President Guy SCOTT (since 30 September 2011) Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly, along with eight unelected members president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 September 2011 (next to be held in 2016); vice president appointed by the president Michael Chilufya SATA elected president; percent of vote - Michael SATA 43.3%, Rupiah BANDA 36.2%, Hakainde HICHILEMA 18.5%, other 2.0%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly, along with eight unelected members

chief of state

President Michael Chilufya SATA (since 23 September 2011); Vice President Guy SCOTT (since 30 September 2011); the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Michael Chilufya SATA elected president; percent of vote - Michael SATA 43.3%, Rupiah BANDA 36.2%, Hakainde HICHILEMA 18.5%, other 2.0%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 September 2011 (next to be held in 2016); vice president appointed by the president

head of government

President Michael Chilufya SATA (since 23 September 2011); Vice President Guy SCOTT (since 30 September 2011)

Flag description

green field with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag; green stands for the country's natural resources and vegetation, red symbolizes the struggle for freedom, black the people of Zambia, and orange the country's mineral wealth; the eagle represents the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems

Government type

republic

Independence

24 October 1964 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of 9 judges) Supreme Court judges appointed by the president and ratified by the National Assembly; judge tenure NA High Court; magistrate's courts and local courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of 9 judges)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges appointed by the president and ratified by the National Assembly; judge tenure NA

subordinate courts

High Court; magistrate's courts and local courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (158 seats; 150 members are elected by popular vote, 8 members appointed by the president, to serve five-year terms) last held on 20 September 2011 (next to be held in 2016); note - over 25 by-elections, prompted by resignation, death, change of party or legal nullification have taken place since September 2011 percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PF 60, MMD 55, UPND 28, ADD 1, FDD 1, independents 3; seats not determined 2; note - seats as of 4 March 2014 - PF 69, MMD 41, UPND 31, ADD 1, FDD 1, independents 2, pending court decision 7, other 6

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PF 60, MMD 55, UPND 28, ADD 1, FDD 1, independents 3; seats not determined 2; note - seats as of 4 March 2014 - PF 69, MMD 41, UPND 31, ADD 1, FDD 1, independents 2, pending court decision 7, other 6

elections

last held on 20 September 2011 (next to be held in 2016); note - over 25 by-elections, prompted by resignation, death, change of party or legal nullification have taken place since September 2011

National anthem

"Lumbanyeni Zambia" (Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free) multiple/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA adopted 1964; the melody, from the popular song "God Bless Africa," is the same as that of Tanzania but with different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem

lyrics/music

multiple/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA

name

"Lumbanyeni Zambia" (Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free)

National holiday

Independence Day, 24 October (1964)

National symbol(s)

African fish eagle

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Democracy and Development or ADD [Charles MILUPI] Alliance for a Better Zambia or ABZ [Frank BWALYA] Christian Democratic Party or CDP [Daniel PULE] Forum for Democracy and Development or FDD [Edith NAWAKWI] Heritage Party or HP [Godfrey MIYANDA] Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [Nevers MUMBA] National Restoration Party or NAREP [Elias CHIPIMO] National Revolution Party or NRP [Cosmo MUMBA] Party of Unity for Democracy and Development or PUDD [Dan PULE] Patriotic Front or PF [Michael SATA] Republican Progressive Party or RPP [James LUKUKU] United National Independence Party or UNIP [Tilyenji KAUNDA] United Party for National Development or UPND [Hakainde HICHILEMA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seeds, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (manioc, tapioca), coffee; cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides

Budget

$4.814 billion $6.687 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$6.687 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$4.814 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-8.4% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

8.39% (31 December 2009) 14.49% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.4% (31 December 2013 est.) 12.15% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.25 billion (2013 est.) -$189.9 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$5.985 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $5.618 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

57.5 (2010) 50.8 (2004)

Economy - overview

Zambia's economy has experienced strong growth in recent years, with real GDP growth in 2005-13 more than 6% per year. Privatization of government-owned copper mines in the 1990s relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated by the industry and greatly increased copper mining output and profitability to spur economic growth. Copper output has increased steadily since 2004, due to higher copper prices and foreign investment. Zambia's dependency on copper makes it vulnerable to depressed commodity prices, but record high copper prices and a bumper maize crop in 2010 helped Zambia rebound quickly from the world economic slowdown that began in 2008. Zambia has made some strides to improve the ease of doing business. Regulatory changes by the current government in 2012-2013 included Statutory Instruments (SI) Number 33 (mandating use of the kwacha for domestic transactions) and SI Number 55 (monitoring foreign exchange transactions). Along with problems of fiscal management and weakening global copper prices, these SI's were perceived as undermining confidence in Zambia's economy and currency, leading to sharp depreciation of the kwacha in March 2014. In response, the Minister of Finance revoked SI 33 and 55 in late March 2014. Despite a strong economy, poverty remains a significant problem in Zambia, made worse by a high birth rate, relatively high HIV/AIDS burden, and by market distorting agricultural policies.

Exchange rates

Zambian kwacha (ZMK) per US dollar - 5.3 (2013 est.) 5.1 (2012 est.) 4,797.1 (2010 est.) 5,046.1 (2009) 3,512.9 (2008)

Exports

$8.547 billion (2013 est.) $9.414 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

copper/cobalt, cobalt, electricity; tobacco, flowers, cotton

Exports - partners

China 43.4%, South Africa 7.2%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 6.7%, South Korea 5.4%, India 4.7%, UAE 4.3%, Egypt 4.1% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

60% 26.5% 19.1% 1% 36.2% -42.9% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

36.2%

government consumption

26.5%

household consumption

60%

imports of goods and services

-42.9%

investment in fixed capital

19.1%

investment in inventories

1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

19.8% 33.8% 46.5% (2013 est.)

agriculture

19.8%

industry

33.8%

services

46.5% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,800 (2013 est.) $1,700 (2012 est.) $1,600 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6% (2013 est.) 7.2% (2012 est.) 6.8% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$22.24 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$25.47 billion (2013 est.) $24.01 billion (2012 est.) $22.39 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

14.5% of GDP (2013 est.) 19.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 23.7% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.5% 47.4% (2010)

highest 10%

47.4% (2010)

lowest 10%

1.5%

Imports

$8.216 billion (2013 est.) $7.961 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, electricity, fertilizer, foodstuffs, clothing

Imports - partners

South Africa 36.7%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 19.8%, China 10.4%, Kuwait 6% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

8% (2013 est.)

Industries

copper mining and processing, emerald mining, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.1% (2013 est.) 6.6% (2012 est.)

Labor force

6.275 million (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

85% 6% 9% (2004)

agriculture

85%

industry

6%

services

9% (2004)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$3.004 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.009 billion (31 December 2011) $NA (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

60.5% (2010)

Public debt

31.8% of GDP (2013 est.) 29.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.833 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $3.042 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$5.047 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $4.86 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$5.458 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $3.833 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.299 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.185 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

21.6% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

15% (2008 est.) 50% (2000 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

2.434 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

12,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

174.6 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

7.96 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

578 million kWh (2010)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

0.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

99.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

23 million kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.679 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

11.19 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

19,260 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

254 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,272 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

12,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) operates 1 TV station and is the principal local-content provider; several private TV stations; multi-channel subscription TV services are available; ZNBC operates 3 radio networks; about 2 dozen private radio stations; relays of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Lusaka and Kitwe (2007)

Internet country code

.zm

Internet hosts

16,571 (2012)

Internet users

816,200 (2009)

Telephone system

among the best in sub-Saharan Africa high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving; domestic satellite system being installed to improve telephone service in rural areas; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 3 owned by Zamtel (2010)

domestic

high-capacity microwave radio relay connects most larger towns and cities; several cellular telephone services in operation and network coverage is improving; domestic satellite system being installed to improve telephone service in rural areas; Internet service is widely available; very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks are operated by private firms

general assessment

among the best in sub-Saharan Africa

international

country code - 260; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean), 3 owned by Zamtel (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

82,500 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

10.525 million (2012)

Airports

88 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1

total

8

Airports - with unpaved runways

21 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

5

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

53

total

80

Pipelines

oil 771 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Mpulungu (Zambezi)

river port(s)

Mpulungu (Zambezi)

Railways

2,922 km 2,157 km 1.067-m gauge includes 1,860 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) (2013)

total

2,922 km

Roadways

67,671 km 9,403 km 31,051 km

total

67,671 km

unpaved

31,051 km

Waterways

2,250 km (includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula rivers) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

3,041,069 2,948,291 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,948,291 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

3,041,069

Manpower fit for military service

1,745,656 1,688,670 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,688,670 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,745,656

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

158,592 158,805 (2010 est.)

female

158,805 (2010 est.)

male

158,592

Military branches

Zambian National Defense Force (ZNDF): Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, National Service (paramilitary youth organization) (2012)

Zambian National Defense Force (ZNDF)

Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, National Service (paramilitary youth organization) (2012)

Military expenditures

1.55% of GDP (2012) 1.59% of GDP (2011) 1.55% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

national registration required at age 16; 18-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (16 years of age with parental consent); no conscription; Zambian citizenship required; grade 12 certification required; mandatory HIV testing on enlistment; mandatory retirement for officers at age 65 (Army, Air Force) (2012)

Disputes - international

in 2004, Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for southern Africa and possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it an unattractive venue for money launderers; major consumer of cannabis

Refugees and internally displaced persons

16,684 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2013)

refugees (country of origin)

16,684 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2013)