Zambia Urban Population
Urban population as % of total SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Zambia's urban population was 45.84% in 2025, ranked 159th globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Zambia's urban population stood at 45.84% in 2025, a rise of +0.37% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 45.84% by 2025. Zambia ranked 159th globally.
Zambia’s urban population share has risen steadily from 17.22 % in 1960 to 45.84 % in 2025, marking the highest proportion recorded over a 66‑year span and placing the country 159th globally. The increase reflects sustained rural‑to‑urban migration driven by expanding mining, services and infrastructure sectors, while the share of the population living in towns and cities more than doubled in six decades. Zambia’s 2025 figure of 45.84 % is virtually identical to that of its peer Sierra Leone (45.89 %) and only slightly above Seychelles (45.58 %), underscoring a regional convergence in urbanisation levels among lower‑income African states. The all‑time trough of 17.22 % in 1960 occurred before independence, when the economy was predominantly agrarian and urban centres were limited to colonial administrative hubs. Continued growth of the manufacturing base, improvements in urban housing, and investment in public transport are likely to keep the urban share climbing, although a shift toward remote work or a slowdown in industrial expansion could temper the upward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Urban Population | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 46.64% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 46.24% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 45.84% | - | - |
| 2025 | 45.84% | +0.37% | #159 |
| 2024 | 45.47% | +0.44% | #59 |
| 2023 | 45.03% | +0.43% | #58 |
| 2022 | 44.60% | +0.36% | #58 |
| 2021 | 44.24% | +0.37% | #58 |
| 2020 | 43.86% | +0.37% | #58 |
| 2019 | 43.49% | +0.38% | #58 |
| 2018 | 43.11% | +0.38% | #58 |
| 2017 | 42.73% | +0.39% | #58 |
| 2016 | 42.34% | +0.39% | #57 |
| 2015 | 41.96% | +0.39% | #57 |
| 2014 | 41.56% | +0.40% | #57 |
| 2013 | 41.17% | +0.40% | #57 |
| 2012 | 40.77% | +0.40% | #58 |
| 2011 | 40.37% | +0.41% | #58 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zambia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw urban population improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zambia's urban population was 45.84% in 2025. Ranked 159th globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from the previous year.
Zambia's urban population peaked at 45.84% in 2025.
The lowest urban population in Zambia was 17.22% in 1960.
Zambia ranks 159th globally in urban population as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Zambia's urban population is projected to reach 45.84% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The urban population of Zambia in 2025 was 45.84%. This ranks 159th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zambia_urban-population,
title = {Zambia Urban Population},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zambia/urban-population/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}