15 / 126
Chapter 1- Over view
15
Zambia has a population of 13,092,666 of which
49 per cent are male and 51 per cent are female.
The majority of the population, 61 per cent, resides
in rural areas. At the provincial level, Lusaka, with
a population of 2,191,225, is home to the largest
proportion of Zambia’s population, followed by
the Copperbelt, which is home to 1,972,317 people
(Central Statistics Office, 2012).
Zambia’s average annual rate of population growth
is approximately 2.8 per cent, and is said to be one
of the fastest in sub-Saharan Africa. The country’s
population although still small compared to other
African nations, grew from about 2.3 million in
1963 to 9.9 million in 2000, before reaching nearly
11.7 million in 2006 (Environmental Council of
Zambia, 2008).
Figure 1.2 Zambia Districts
Central Statistics Office, 2012
Population
TANZANIA
MALAWI
MOZAMBIQUE
ZIMBABWE
BOTSWANA
NAMIBIA
ANGOLA
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Districts of Zambia
Chiengi
Kaputa Mpulungu
Mbala
Nakonde
Isoka
Ma nga
Chinsali
Chama
Mpika
Samfya
Chilubi
Mansa
Milenge
Serenje
Lundazi
Mambwe
Chipata
Chadiza
Katete
Petauke
Nyimba
Mkushi
Masaiti
Mpongwe
Luanshya
Kitwe
Mufulira
Chingola
Solwezi
Kasempa
Kapiri Mposhi
Kabwe
Chibombo
Mumbwa
Chongwe
Luangwa
Kafue
Siavonga
Mazabuka
Itezhi - Tezhi
Namwala
Monze
Gwembe
Choma
Sinazongwe
Kalomo
Kazangula
Sesheke
Shangombo
Senanga
Mongu
Kaoma
Kalabo
Lukulu
Zambesi
Chavuma
Kabompo
Mufumbwe
Mwinilunga
Livingstone
Lusaka
Chililabomwe
Kalulushi
Lufwanyama
Mungwi
Mporokoso
Kawambwa
Mwense Luwingu
Kasama
Nchelenge
Western
NorthWestern
Southern
Central
Lusaka
Eastern
Muchinga
Northern
Luapula
Source: Central Statistics O ce, 2012
Although the majority of Zambia’s population resides
in rural areas, migration to urban areas is an ongoing
trend (Central Statistics Office, 2012). The primary
drivers of migration include prospects for improved
economic conditions and better opportunities for
higher education and employment. Rapidly growing
urban populations have resulted in the emergence
of unplanned settlements, making the provision
of basic social services such as housing, water and
sanitation a challenge. This is particularly the case
in Lusaka city where the population increased from
991,226 inhabitants in 1990 to 2,191,225 inhabitants
in 2010. This represents a growth rate of 4.6 per cent,
which was above the national average of 2.8 per cent
(Central Statistics Office, 2012).