Zambia Infant Mortality Rate
Infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births SP.DYN.IMRT.IN
Zambia's infant mortality rate was 28.6 in 2025, ranked 46th globally. This represents a 7.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Zambia's infant mortality rate stood at 28.6 in 2025, a decline of +2.3 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 28.6 by 2025. Zambia ranked 46th globally.
Zambia’s infant mortality rate has fallen dramatically over the 65‑year series, declining from a high of 102.20 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1992 to a trough of 28.58 in 2025, the lowest point recorded and ranking it 46th globally. The steepest reductions occurred after the early 2000s, driven by expanded immunisation programmes, increased access to antenatal care and the rollout of community health worker initiatives that broadened service coverage in rural areas. Despite this progress, the 2025 figure remains slightly higher than that of regional peers such as Tanzania (27.58) and Senegal (27.86), indicating that further improvements are possible. Continued investment in maternal health, nutrition and the strengthening of primary health infrastructure will be critical to sustain the downward trajectory and bring Zambia’s infant mortality rate closer to the levels observed in its best‑performing neighbours.
Data & projection
| Year | Infant Mortality Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 27.4 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 28.6 | - | - |
| 2025 | 28.6 | −2.3 | #46 |
| 2023 | 30.9 | −1.3 | #151 |
| 2022 | 32.2 | −1.2 | #153 |
| 2021 | 33.4 | −1.1 | #155 |
| 2020 | 34.5 | −1.2 | #155 |
| 2019 | 35.7 | −1.8 | #155 |
| 2018 | 37.5 | −1.3 | #156 |
| 2017 | 38.8 | −2.1 | #157 |
| 2016 | 40.9 | −1.6 | #158 |
| 2015 | 42.5 | −0.8 | #160 |
| 2014 | 43.3 | −1.4 | #159 |
| 2013 | 44.7 | −1.7 | #160 |
| 2012 | 46.4 | −1.2 | #159 |
| 2011 | 47.6 | −1.4 | #160 |
| 2010 | 49.0 | −1.7 | #159 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zambia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw infant mortality rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zambia's infant mortality rate was 28.6 in 2025. Ranked 46th globally. This represents a 7.5% decrease from the previous year.
Zambia's infant mortality rate peaked at 102.2 in 1991.
The lowest infant mortality rate in Zambia was 28.6 in 2025.
Zambia ranks 46th globally in infant mortality rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.DYN.IMRT.IN. Data sourced from World Bank.
Zambia's infant mortality rate is projected to reach 28.6 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The infant mortality rate of Zambia in 2025 was 28.6. This ranks 46th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zambia_infant-mortality,
title = {Zambia Infant Mortality Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zambia/infant-mortality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}