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The population of the Zambezi River Basin
grew from 31.7 million in 1998 to 38.4 million
in 2005, before reaching 40 million in 2008. It
is projected that by 2025 the population will
reach 51 million (Chenje 2000; SADC and ZRA
2007; SARDC and HBS 2010). Although sparsely
populated, average population densities in the
basin show a consistent shrinkage in per capita
land availability, which is projected to decline to
2.56 hectares/person in 2025 from as much as
4.16 hectares/person in 1998.
Population distribution is uneven in the basin,
with large areas uninhabited and reserved
for wildlife. In 1998, the average population
density in the basin was 24 people per sq km,
and this increased to 28.75 people per sq km in
2005 before reaching 30.26 people per sq km
in 2008 (Chenje 2000; SARDC and HBS 2010).
There are disparities in population densities
between countries in the basin, with Malawi
being the most densely populated country.
In 2008 Malawi’s population density was
125.3 people per sq km. Tanzania had 45
people per sq km, Zimbabwe had 31.9, and
Zambia had 16.8 (UN Statistics Division 2011).
In 1998 Malawi had an average of 105 people
per sq km; Tanzania had 36; Zimbabwe had
28.5; and Zambia had 13 (Chenje 2000).
Figure 2.1
Population growth places pressure on facilities,
including rural housing.
1 kilometre
1 kilometre
1994
= one person
2008
2025
2.56 Hectares
3.48 Hectares
4.16 Hectares
Available land per capita
Population density
Population density increasing, per capita land area shrinking in Zambezi River Basin
Source: SADC and ZRA 2007. Rapid Assessment Report: IntegratedWater Resources Management Strategy for the Zambezi River Basin. SADCWater Division. Gaborone
The Growing Population and Shrinking
Resource Base
© SARDC