Africa · Eastern Africa
Capital: Lusaka
Zambia
Explore the facts and rankings that shape Zambia in Country Blitz, from its population and economy to its military, innovation, manufacturing, and neighboring countries.
Country Blitz power profile
Overall rank #100
Zambia's Country Blitz power profile compares population, GDP, military expenditure, research-and-development spending, and manufacturing output across every playable country. A lower numerical rank represents a stronger position in that category.
Population
21.9M
#61 of 196
69th percentile
2025 · World Bank WDI / UN population sources
View data source ↗GDP (Nominal)
$28.88B
#114 of 196
42nd percentile
2025 · World Bank WDI
View data source ↗Military Expenditure
$349.7M
#118 of 196
40th percentile
2024 · SIPRI via World Bank WDI
View data source ↗R&D Spending
$49.8M
#104 of 196
47th percentile
2008 · UNESCO UIS and World Bank WDI
View data source ↗Manufacturing Output
$2.53B
#113 of 196
43rd percentile
2025 · World Bank WDI
View data source ↗Quick facts
- Capital
- Lusaka
- Region
- Africa
- Subregion
- Eastern Africa
- Country code
- ZMB
Three interesting facts
Zambia shares land borders with 8 countries: Angola, Botswana, DR Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
Zambia spans roughly 752,612 square kilometers, placing it around 38th by area in this factbook.
Its 8 land neighbors give Zambia one of the most connected positions on its regional map.
Geography
Zambia on the map
Zambia is located in Southern Africa, east of Angola, south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its terrain is mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains. The climate is tropical, modified by altitude, rainy season (October to April). In area, the country is almost five times the size of Georgia, slightly larger than Texas.
Economy
Economic profile
Zambia's economy is characterized by lower-middle-income sub-Saharan economy, regional hydroelectricity producer, trade ties and infrastructure investments from China, IMF assistance to restructure debt burden, one of youngest and fastest-growing labor forces, systemic corruption, extreme rural poverty. Major industries include copper mining and processing, emerald mining, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture. Important agricultural products include sugarcane, cassava, maize, soybeans, milk, vegetables, wheat, groundnuts, sweet potatoes, beef (2023). Notable exports include raw copper, refined copper, gold, precious stones, electricity (2023).
Demographics
People and population
Zambia has an estimated population of 19,693,423. Languages spoken include Bemba 33.4%, Nyanja 14.7%, Tonga 11.4%, Lozi 5.5%, Chewa 4.5%, 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 9.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2010 est.). The population includes 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.). The urban population represents 46.3% of total population (2023).
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