Zambia

Zambia

Introduction

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. The new president launched an anticorruption investigation in 2002 to probe high-level corruption during the previous administration. In 2006-07, this task force successfully prosecuted four cases, including a landmark civil case in the UK in which former President CHILUBA and numerous others were found liable for more than USD 41 million. 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. Under President BANDA, the Task Force on Corruption was abolished, President CHILUBA and his wife were acquitted in their criminal cases, and the government declined to register the UK civil verdict.

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

15 00 S, 30 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

total: 752,618 sq km
country comparison to the world: 39 land:743,398 sq km
water:9,220 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly larger than Texas

Land boundaries

total: 5,664 km
border countries:Angola 1,110 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,930 km, Malawi 837 km, Mozambique 419 km, Namibia 233 km, Tanzania 338 km, Zimbabwe 797 km

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Climate

tropical

modified by altitude

rainy season (October to April)

Terrain

mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m
highest point:unnamed elevation in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m

Natural resources

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

Land use

arable land: 6.99%
permanent crops:0.04%
other:92.97% (2005)

Irrigated land

1,560 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

105.2 cu km (2001)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 1.74cu km/yr (17%/7%/76%)
per capita:149cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

periodic drought

tropical storms (November to April)

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

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

Geography – note

landlocked

the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Zambian(s)
adjective:Zambian

Ethnic groups

African 99.5% (includes Bemba, Tonga, Chewa, Lozi, Nsenga, Tumbuka, Ngoni, Lala, Kaonde, Lunda, and other African groups), other 0.5% (includes Europeans, Asians, and Americans) (2000 Census)

Languages

Bemba (official) 30.1%, Nyanja (official) 10.7%, Tonga (official) 10.6%, Lozi (official) 5.7%, Chewa 4.9%, Nsenga 3.4%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda (official) 2.2%, Kaonde (official) 2%, Lala 2%, Luvale (official) 1.7%, English (official) 1.7%, other 22.5% (2000 Census)

Religions

Christian 50%-75%, Muslim and Hindu 24%-49%, indigenous beliefs 1%

Population

13,881,336 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68 note: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

Age structure

0-14 years: 46.7% (male 3,253,125/female 3,228,844)
15-64 years:50.8% (male 3,544,640/female 3,508,344)
65 years and over:2.5% (male 148,531/female 197,852) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 16.5 years
male:16.5 years
female:16.6 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

3.062% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

Birth rate

44.08 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4

Death rate

12.61 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

Net migration rate

-0.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147

Urbanization

urban population: 36% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:3.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

LUSAKA (capital) 1.413 million (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.68 male(s)/female
total population:1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

470 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 28

Infant mortality rate

total: 66.6 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 23 male:71.27 deaths/1,000 live births
female:61.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 52.36 years
country comparison to the world: 207 male:51.13 years
female:53.63 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.98 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8

Health expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 142

Physicians density

0.055 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
country comparison to the world: 173

Hospital bed density

1.9 beds/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 106

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 87% of population
rural: 46% of population
total: 60% of population
unimproved:
urban: 13% of population
rural: 54% of population
total: 40% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 59% of population
rural: 43% of population
total: 49% of population
unimproved:
urban: 41% of population
rural: 47% of population
total: 51% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

13.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

980,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

HIV/AIDS – deaths

45,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases:malaria and plague are high risks in some locations
water contact disease:schistosomiasis
animal contact disease:rabies (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

14.9% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 54

Education expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 159

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write English
total population:80.6%
male:86.8%
female:74.8% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 7 years
male:8 years
female:7 years (2000)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Zambia
conventional short form:Zambia
former:Northern Rhodesia

Government type

republic

Capital

name: Lusaka
geographic coordinates:15 25 S, 28 17 E
time difference:UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

9 provinces

Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western

Independence

24 October 1964 (from the UK)

National holiday

Independence Day, 24 October (1964)

Constitution

24 August 1991

amended in 1996 to establish presidential term limits

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law and customary law

judicial review of legislative acts in an ad hoc constitutional council

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

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
head of government:President Michael Chilufya SATA (since 23 September 2011)

Vice President Guy SCOTT (since 30 September 2011)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) 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
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%

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)
elections:last held on 20 September 2011 (next to be held in 2016)
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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (the final court of appeal

justices are appointed by the president)

High Court (has unlimited jurisdiction to hear civil and criminal cases)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Democracy and Development or ADD [Charles MILUPI]

Forum for Democracy and Development or FDD [Edith NAWAKWI]

Heritage Party or HP [Godfrey MIYANDA]

Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [Rupiah BANDA]

National Restoration Party or NAREP [Elias CHIPIMO]

Party of Unity for Democracy and Development or PUDD [Dan PULE]

Patriotic Front or PF [Michael SATA]

Reform Party [Nevers MUMBA]

United Democratic Alliance or UDA (a coalition of RP, ZADECO, PUDD, and ZRP)

United Liberal Party or ULP [Sakwiba SIKOTA]

United National Independence Party or UNIP [Tilyenji KAUNDA]

United Party for National Development or UPND [Hakainde HICHILEMA]

Zambia Democratic Congress or ZADECO [Langton SICHONE]

Zambian Republican Party or ZRP [Benjamin MWILA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

International organization participation

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Sheila Z. SIWELA
chancery:2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 265-9717 through 9719
FAX:[1] (202) 332-0826

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Mark C. STORELLA
embassy:corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues, Lusaka
mailing address:P. O. Box 31617, Lusaka
telephone:[260] (211) 357-000
FAX:[260] (211) 357-224

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

National symbol(s)

African fish eagle

National anthem

name: “Lumbanyeni Zambia” (Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free)
lyrics/music:multiple/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA
note: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

Economy

Economy – overview

Zambia’s economy has experienced strong growth in recent years, with real GDP growth in 2005-10 about 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. In 2005, Zambia qualified for debt relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Country Initiative, consisting of approximately USD 6 billion in debt relief. Poverty remains a significant problem in Zambia, despite a stronger economy. 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. A high birth rate, relatively high HIV/AIDS burden, and market distorting agricultural policies have meant that Zambia’s economic growth has not dramatically decreased the stubbornly high poverty rates.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$20.04 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124 $18.63 billion (2009 est.)
$17.5 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$16.19 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

7.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24 6.4% (2009 est.)
5.7% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$1,500 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199 $1,400 (2009 est.)
$1,400 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 21.5%
industry:34.5%
services:44.1% (2010 est.)

Labor force

5.46 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 85%
industry:6%
services:9% (2004)

Unemployment rate

14% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144 50% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line

64% (2006)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.2%
highest 10%:38.8% (2004)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

50.8 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 21 52.6 (1998)

Investment (gross fixed)

20.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105

Budget

revenues: $3.217 billion
expenditures:$3.76 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

19.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

Public debt

26.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97 26% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193 13.4% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

8.39% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 17 14.49% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

20.92% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15 22.06% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.455 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128 $1.069 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$3.77 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130 $2.983 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$3.061 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120 $2.581 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.817 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 93 $2.346 billion (31 December 2007)
$1.186 billion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture – products

corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), coffee

cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

11.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19

Electricity – production

9.597 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91

Electricity – consumption

7.614 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity – exports

96 million kWh (2008)

Electricity – imports

279 million kWh (2008 est.)

Oil – production

190 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116

Oil – consumption

16,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138

Oil – exports

360 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127

Oil – imports

17,570 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208

Current account balance

$464.6 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55 -$404 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$7.251 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102 $4.319 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

copper/cobalt 64%, cobalt, electricity

tobacco, flowers, cotton

Exports – partners

Switzerland 51.3%, China 20.3%, South Africa 9.2%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 4.6% (2010)

Imports

$4.71 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119 $3.413 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

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

Imports – partners

South Africa 35%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 23.5%, Kuwait 8.9%, China 5.6% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.094 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117 $1.892 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$3.461 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126 $3.049 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$NA

Exchange rates

Zambian kwacha (ZMK) per US dollar -
4,823.6 (2010)
5,046.1 (2009)
3,512.9 (2008)
3,990.2 (2007)
3,601.5 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

94 (2010)
country comparison to the world:64

Airports – with paved runways

total: 8
over 3,047 m:1
2,438 to 3,047 m:3
1,524 to 2,437 m:3
914 to 1,523 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 86
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:4
914 to 1,523 m:63
under 914 m:18 (2010)

Pipelines

oil 771 km (2010)

Railways

total: 2,157 km
country comparison to the world: 69 narrow gauge:2,157 km 1.067-m gauge
note:includes 891 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) (2010)

Roadways

total: 91,440 km
country comparison to the world: 53 paved:20,117 km
unpaved:71,323 km (2001)

Waterways

2,250 km (includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula rivers) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 39

Ports and terminals

Mpulungu

Military

Military branches

Zambian National Defense Force (ZNDF): Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, National Service (paramilitary youth organization) (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18-27 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (16 years of age with parental consent)

no conscription

Zambian citizenship required

mandatory HIV testing upon enlistment

mandatory retirement for officers at age 65 (Army, Air Force) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 3,041,069
females age 16-49:2,948,291 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,745,656
females age 16-49:1,688,670 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 158,592
female:158,805 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1.8% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81

Transnational Issues

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 42,565 (Angola)

60,874 (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

4,100 (Rwanda) (2007)

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