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Sheet 194 of 195 · AfricaZMB · 14.7°S 26.2°E

Zambia

Republic of Zambia

Capital
Lusaka
Population
21.9 million 2025
Area
752,612 km²
Neighbours
8
Locator map of ZambiaZAMBIALusakaANGOLADR CONGOMOZAMBIQUEZIMBABWEMALAWIBOTSWANA0250 km
Zambia hatched, Lusaka marked with a triangle, land neighbours shaded. Orthographic projection centred on 13.1°S 27.8°E; the scale bar is true at the centre.

Zambia is a landlocked country in Eastern Africa, bordered by Angola, Botswana, the DR Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Only six countries have more land neighbours. The land border with Botswana is too small to draw at this map's scale. Its area of 752,612 km² puts it 38th in the world and 17th of 54 in Africa.

Its population was 21.9 million in 2025 (World Bank), the 61st-largest of 194. That works out at 29 people per km². Most people live outside urban areas: the urban share was 45.9% in 2025.

In 2025, GDP per capita stood at US$1,318 in current US dollars: 167th of 191 worldwide, 31st of 52 in Africa. Newborns in 2024 had a life expectancy of 66.5 years. The fertility rate was 4.04 births per woman in 2024. Forest covers 60.5% of its land (2024).

Its main landmass lies entirely in the Southern and Eastern hemispheres. From 18.0°S to 8.2°S, it spans about 1,095 km north to south. The point on the opposite side of the Earth from Lusaka lies in the North Pacific Ocean, about 560 km from the nearest land, the United States.

How it compares Africa: 54 countries

MeasureFigureWorldAfrica
Population21,913,8742025, World Bank61st of 19422nd of 54
Area752,612 km²world-countries38th of 19517th of 54
GDPUS$28.9 billion2025, World Bank, current US$114th of 19121st of 52
GDP per capitaUS$1,3182025, World Bank, current US$167th of 19131st of 52
Population density29 per km²population 2025, World Bank; area, world-countries152nd of 19441st of 54
Life expectancy66.5 years2024, World Bank158th of 19422nd of 54
Urban population45.9%2025, World Bank138th of 19427th of 54
Forest area60.5% of land2024, World Bank29th of 1948th of 54
Population growth+2.77% a year2025, World Bank19th of 19411th of 54
Internet users17.1%2024, World Bank180th of 18846th of 53
Fertility rate4.04 births per woman2024, World Bank25th of 19423rd of 54
Land neighbours8world-countries; among the 1957th of 1952nd of 54
 Ranks run from the largest value (1st) among the countries with data; equal values share a rank.

Closest in areaChile, Türkiye and Mozambique

Closest in populationSri Lanka, Malawi and Chad

Neighbours 8 countries by land, nearest capital first

  • Zimbabwe397 km
    Lusaka to Harare, capital to capital
  • Malawi613 km
    Lusaka to Lilongwe, capital to capital
  • Botswana1,056 km
    Lusaka to Gaborone, capital to capital; border too short to draw at the 1:50m scale of this map
  • Mozambique1,254 km
    Lusaka to Maputo, capital to capital
  • Tanzania1,311 km
    Lusaka to Dodoma, capital to capital
  • Namibia1,420 km
    Lusaka to Windhoek, capital to capital
  • Angola1,791 km
    Lusaka to Luanda, capital to capital
  • DR Congo1,879 km
    Lusaka to Kinshasa, capital to capital

Where on Earth main landmass

Hemispheres
Southern and Eastern
Capital
Lusaka
15.41°S 28.28°E
Northernmost latitude
8.19°S
Southernmost latitude
18.04°S
Westernmost longitude
21.98°E
Easternmost longitude
33.66°E
North to south
about 1,095 km
Antipode of Lusaka
15.42°N 151.72°W
in the North Pacific Ocean, about 560 km from the nearest land (United States)