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Topic 05 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Zambia: Health & Wellbeing
How long, and how well fed, do people live?
Zambia is placed 174th of 200 countries on health & wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Life Expectancy at Birth 66.35 (2023); Under-Five Mortality Rate 48.37 (2024).
Share
Health & Wellbeing
174th
of 200 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 66.35Life Expectancy at Birth, 2023Years a newborn would live at current death rates
- 48.37Under-Five Mortality Rate, 2024Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
- 34.59Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five, 2024Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
- 17.2Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity, 2024Population in severe food insecurity (%)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Zambia on health & wellbeing — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Life Expectancy at Birth
UN DESA Population Division
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
66.35
Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Higher is better
Zambia: 66.35. Across the 222 countries in this edition, values run from 54.46 (Nigeria) to 86.37 (Monaco); the world median is 74.63.
- World median
- 74.63
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 74.93 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Angola 64.62 · DR Congo 61.9 · Mozambique 63.61 · Malawi 67.35 · Namibia 67.38 · Tanzania 67 · Zimbabwe 62.77
Key 2 of 4
Under-Five Mortality Rate
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
48.37
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Lower is better
Zambia: 48.37. Across the 200 countries in this edition, values run from 1.26 (San Marino) to 115.65 (Nigeria); the world median is 14.54.
- World median
- 14.54
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 13.96 Seychelles
- Land neighbours
- Angola 49 · DR Congo 89.68 · Mozambique 59.42 · Malawi 48.78 · Namibia 39.46 · Tanzania 37 · Zimbabwe 64.66
Key 3 of 4
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Zambia’s is from 2018 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
34.59
Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Lower is better
Zambia: 34.59. Across the 162 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.518 (Latvia) to 52.8 (Burundi); the world median is 13.8.
- World median
- 13.8
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 7.917 Seychelles
- Land neighbours
- Angola 37.57 · DR Congo 44.7 · Mozambique 36.73 · Malawi 34.9 · Namibia 22.72 · Tanzania 30.01 · Zimbabwe 25.9
Key 4 of 4
Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
17.2
Population in severe food insecurity (%)
Lower is better
Zambia: 17.2. Across the 125 countries in this edition, values run from 0.6 (Brazil) to 62.9 (South Sudan); the world median is 4.9.
- World median
- 4.9
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 12.2 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Angola 16.2 · DR Congo 43.9 · Malawi 58.1 · Namibia 28.1 · Tanzania 22.9 · Zimbabwe 25.3
02Over time
Which way Zambia is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Life Expectancy at Birth
Years a newborn would live at current death rates · higher is better
ZambiaWorld median
Zambia rose from 46.58 in 2000 to 66.35 in 2023; the world median went from 70.68 to 74.63.
Every year’s figures
Year Zambia World median 2023 66.3 74.630 2022 65.3 74.313 2021 62.4 72.433 2020 63.4 73.063 2019 62.9 74.196 2018 62.1 74.081 2017 61.6 74.029 2016 61.1 74.013 2015 60.7 73.783 2014 60.1 73.330 2013 59.4 73.386 2012 58.7 73.210 2011 57.8 73.003 2010 56.9 72.827 2009 55.9 72.426 2008 54.8 72.264 2007 53.7 72.113 2006 52.7 72.027 2005 51.6 71.876 2004 50.5 71.477 2003 49.6 71.409 2002 48.5 71.173 2001 47.4 70.926 2000 46.6 70.678 Under-Five Mortality Rate
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) · lower is better
ZambiaWorld median
Zambia fell from 151.76 in 2000 to 48.37 in 2024; the world median went from 30.43 to 14.54.
Every year’s figures
Year Zambia World median 2024 48.4 14.5 2023 49.1 15.2 2022 49.5 14.7 2021 50.4 15.1 2020 52.5 15.3 2019 53.5 15.7 2018 54.7 16.3 2017 55.2 16.8 2016 57.1 17.5 2015 60.2 17.9 2014 62.6 18.3 2013 66.0 18.7 2012 69.2 18.8 2011 71.8 19.0 2010 74.3 19.2 2009 78.4 20.8 2008 84.2 20.7 2007 89.1 21.8 2006 94.8 22.8 2005 102.7 24.0 2004 111.7 25.9 2003 122.1 26.9 2002 132.9 28.0 2001 143.2 29.1 2000 151.8 30.4 Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Population in severe food insecurity (%) · lower is better
ZambiaWorld median
Zambia fell from 22.4 in 2015 to 17.2 in 2024; the world median went from 3.4 to 4.9.
Every year’s figures
Year Zambia World median 2024 17.2 4.9 2023 17.2 4.7 2022 19.0 5.4 2021 19.7 5.7 2020 22.4 5.6 2019 22.5 5.0 2018 25.0 4.2 2017 24.1 4.0 2016 23.8 3.4 2015 22.4 3.4
03In context
Zambia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 200 countries on health & wellbeing, never a place within the region.
Zambia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 200; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Life Expectancy at BirthYears a newborn would live at current death rates | Under-Five Mortality RateDeaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) | Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveChildren under 5 who are stunted (%) | Prevalence of Severe Food InsecurityPopulation in severe food insecurity (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tanzania | 169th | 67 | 37 | 30.01 | 22.9 |
| Zambia | 174th | 66.35 | 48.37 | 34.59 | 17.2 |
 Namibia | 175th | 67.38 | 39.46 | 22.72 | 28.1 |
 Angola | 178th | 64.62 | 49 | 37.57 | 16.2 |
 Zimbabwe | 181st | 62.77 | 64.66 | 25.9 | 25.3 |
 Malawi | 182nd | 67.35 | 48.78 | 34.9 | 58.1 |
 Mozambique | 189th | 63.61 | 59.42 | 36.73 | — |
 DR Congo | =197th | 61.9 | 89.68 | 44.7 | 43.9 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 200.
Placed either side on health & wellbeing
The countries immediately above and below Zambia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Zambia is ahead of the world, and behind
54 more statistics filed under health & wellbeing, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median8
Statistics on which Zambia does better than the middle country measured.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7464.140.74No earlier reading
Zambia: 64.1 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 14th of 136 · derived.
Care-Seeking for Children with Symptoms of PneumoniaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 67.782.467.7No earlier reading
Zambia: 82.4 · world median 67.7 · Children under 5 with pneumonia symptoms taken to a health provider (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14 to 99.1; higher is better.
Position 22nd of 127 · derived.
Insecticide-Treated Net UseMAP · 2025 · world median 4562.0945No real change since 2015
Zambia: 62.09 · world median 45 · Population that slept under an insecticide-treated net (%). Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 8.586 to 88.58; higher is better.
Oral Rehydration Salts for Children with DiarrhoeaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 41.561.141.5No earlier reading
Zambia: 61.1 · world median 41.5 · Children under 5 with diarrhoea given oral rehydration salts (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 9.9 to 95.4; higher is better.
Position 24th of 127 · derived.
Early Initiation of BreastfeedingUNICEF · 2024 · world median 52.956852.95No earlier reading
Zambia: 68 · world median 52.95 · Newborns put to the breast within one hour of birth (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.749 to 93.1; higher is better.
Position 28th of 136 · derived.
Agreement That Vaccines Are SafeWellcome Trust · 2018 · world median 77.6580.5477.65No earlier reading
Zambia: 80.54 · world median 77.65 · People aged 15+ who agree that vaccines are safe (% of those who had heard of vaccines). Wellcome Trust, 2018 edition, data for 2018.
Published values in that edition run from 29.29 to 97.91; higher is better.
Position 62nd of 144 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909290▲ Improved since 2015
Zambia: 92 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Antenatal Care Coverage, At Least Four VisitsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 8182.181No earlier reading
Zambia: 82.1 · world median 81 · Women with a live birth who had 4+ antenatal visits (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 22.6 to 100; higher is better.
Position 74th of 153 · derived.
Behind the world median33
Statistics on which Zambia does worse than the middle country measured.
Demand for Family Planning Satisfied by Modern MethodsUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 71.2568.871.25▲ Improved since 2013
Zambia: 68.8 · world median 71.25 · Share of women aged 15–49 wanting to avoid pregnancy who use a modern method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 8.4 to 92.4; higher is better.
Position 105th of 196 · derived.
Overweight Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 5.56.3325.5▼ Worsened since 2014
Zambia: 6.332 · world median 5.5 · Children under 5 who are overweight (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.623 to 26.43; lower is better.
Position 73rd of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5464.2283.546No earlier reading
Zambia: 4.228 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 72nd of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2111.2510.21▲ Improved since 2010
Zambia: 11.25 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 67th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Severe Child Food Poverty, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 21.2623.5821.26No earlier reading
Zambia: 23.58 · world median 21.26 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at most 2 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.169 to 63.08; lower is better.
Position 47th of 113 · derived, 1st = worst.
Institutional DeliveriesUNICEF · 2025 · world median 96.99396.9No earlier reading
Zambia: 93 · world median 96.9 · Live births delivered in a health facility (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.5 to 100; higher is better.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4518.314.45▼ Worsened since 2013
Zambia: 18.3 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 81st of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Maternal Mortality RatioMMEIG · 2023 · world median 46.6585.4546.65▲ Improved since 2013
Zambia: 85.45 · world median 46.65 · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.11 to 992.83; lower is better.
Position 69th of 195 · derived, 1st = worst.
Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum)MAP · 2024 · world median 8.10629.948.106▲ Improved since 2014
Zambia: 29.94 · world median 8.106 · Deaths from P. falciparum malaria per 100,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 133.27; lower is better.
HPV Vaccination Coverage, GirlsWUENIC · 2025 · world median 65.55265.5▼ Worsened since 2020
Zambia: 52 · world median 65.5 · Girls in the target group given the final dose of HPV vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 99; higher is better.
Days Above 35°CECMWF · 2025 · world median 3.4814.433.48No real change since 2015
Zambia: 14.43 · world median 3.48 · Days a year with a maximum temperature above 35°C, averaged over the country’s land. World Bank Group (Climate Change Knowledge Portal), from Copernicus ERA5 (ECMWF), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 222.89; lower is better.
Minimum Dietary Diversity, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 37.5722.137.57No earlier reading
Zambia: 22.1 · world median 37.57 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at least 5 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 8.089 to 85.88; higher is better.
Position 85th of 115 · derived.
Adult Mortality (Probability of Dying Between 15 and 60)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 133.7193.74133.7▲ Improved since 2013
Zambia: 193.74 · world median 133.7 · Deaths before age 60 per 1,000 people alive at 15, at that year's death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 25.15 to 415.44; lower is better.
Position 57th of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.16314.048.163No real change since 2013
Zambia: 14.04 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 50th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food InsecurityFAO · 2024 · world median 20.945.820.9▲ Improved since 2015
Zambia: 45.8 · world median 20.9 · Population in moderate or severe food insecurity (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 88.8; lower is better.
Position 31st of 135 · derived, 1st = worst.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.2320.039▼ Worsened since 2018
Zambia: 0.232 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 23rd of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.7620.5950.762No real change since 2013
Zambia: 0.595 · world median 0.762 · HDI score (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.388 to 0.972; higher is better.
Ranked 154th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Global Report on Food CrisesFSIN · 2024 · world median 223322▼ Worsened since 2019
Zambia: 33 · world median 22 · In IPC Phase 3+ (% of analysed population). Food Security Information Network (FSIN), 2025 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3 to 56; lower is better.
Position 9th of 44 · derived, 1st = worst.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.13421.448.134▼ Worsened since 2014
Zambia: 21.44 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 37th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.5240.351No real change since 2013
Zambia: 0.524 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 141st of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2634.6112.26No real change since 2014
Zambia: 34.61 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 35th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8589.2522.858▼ Worsened since 2014
Zambia: 9.252 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 32nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.3970.564▼ Worsened since 2017
Zambia: 0.397 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 148th of 172 · derived.
Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum)MAP · 2025 · world median 52.47266.3852.47▼ Worsened since 2015
Zambia: 266.38 · world median 52.47 · New P. falciparum malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 334.75; lower is better.
Share of Dietary Energy Supply from Cereals, Roots and TubersFAO · 2022 · world median 416841▼ Worsened since 2012
Zambia: 68 · world median 41 · Share of dietary energy supply from cereals, roots and tubers (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 21 to 82; lower is better.
Coefficient of Variation of Habitual Caloric ConsumptionFAO · 2024 · world median 0.250.370.25▲ Improved since 2014
Zambia: 0.37 · world median 0.25 · Coefficient of variation of habitual calorie consumption across the population (standard deviation ÷ mean). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.17 to 0.4; lower is better.
Adolescent Birth Rate (Ages 15–19)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 27.46115.9127.46No real change since 2013
Zambia: 115.91 · world median 27.46 · Live births per 1,000 women aged 15–19. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.465 to 163.09; lower is better.
Position 12th of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Life Expectancy at Age 65UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 16.3912.8416.39No real change since 2013
Zambia: 12.84 · world median 16.39 · Further years a 65-year-old would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 12.13 to 23.21; higher is better.
Position 211th of 222 · derived.
Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 26.486.226.4No real change since 2017
Zambia: 86.2 · world median 26.4 · Share of the population unable to afford a healthy diet (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 93.9; lower is better.
Position 8th of 145 · derived, 1st = worst.
Vegetable Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 102.6917.95102.69▼ Worsened since 2013
Zambia: 17.95 · world median 102.69 · Vegetables available as food (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.89 to 412.72; higher is better.
Prevalence of UndernourishmentFAO · 2023 · world median 5.237.25.2No real change since 2013
Zambia: 37.2 · world median 5.2 · Population undernourished (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 54.2; lower is better.
Position 6th of 104 · derived, 1st = worst.
Dietary Energy SupplyFAO · 2024 · world median 2,9822,0612,982No real change since 2014
Zambia: 2,061 · world median 2,982 · Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1,757 to 3,962; higher is better.
Position 152nd of 155 · derived.
Fruit Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 84.834.2784.83No real change since 2013
Zambia: 4.27 · world median 84.83 · Fruit available as food, excluding wine (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.27 to 379.63; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare3
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 919191▲ Improved since 2015
Zambia: 91 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
INFORM Severity IndexACAPS · 2025 · world median 3.13.13.1▼ Worsened since 2020
Zambia: 3.1 · world median 3.1 · INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis). ACAPS, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.3 to 4.7; lower is better.
Position 41st of 81 · derived, 1st = worst.
Postnatal Care for Newborns Within Two DaysUNICEF · 2025 · world median 82.982.982.9No earlier reading
Zambia: 82.9 · world median 82.9 · Newborns with a health check within 2 days of birth (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.3 to 99.9; higher is better.
Position 55th of 109 · derived.
No better end10
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry OnWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 20.0540.420.05No earlier reading
Zambia: 40.4 · world median 20.05 · People aged 15+ who have ever been too anxious or depressed to continue their usual activities for two weeks or more (%). Wellcome Trust, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.934 to 49.35.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8942.538.89Moved since 2015
Zambia: 42.5 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 45th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Modern Contraceptive PrevalenceUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 35.435.935.4Moved since 2013
Zambia: 35.9 · world median 35.4 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using a modern contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 73.8.
Fish and Seafood Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 16.1712.8916.17Moved since 2013
Zambia: 12.89 · world median 16.17 · Fish and seafood available as food (kg per person per year, live-weight equivalent). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 83.81.
Contraceptive Prevalence (Any Method)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 41.2537.541.25No real change since 2013
Zambia: 37.5 · world median 41.25 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using any contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.6 to 78.7.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.731.091.73Moved since 2014
Zambia: 1.09 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 110th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Cost of a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 4.554.184.55Moved since 2017
Zambia: 4.18 · world median 4.55 · Cost of the cheapest locally available healthy diet, PPP dollars per person per day. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.66 to 8.27.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8317.6357.83Moved since 2013
Zambia: 17.63 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Caesarean Section RateUNICEF · 2025 · world median 20.65520.65No earlier reading
Zambia: 5 · world median 20.65 · Live births delivered by caesarean section (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 72.2.
Catastrophic Out-of-Pocket Health SpendingWorld Bank Group · 2019 · world median 6.880.2886.88No earlier reading
Zambia: 0.288 · world median 6.88 · Population in households spending more than 10% of their budget on health out of pocket (%). World Bank Group, 2019 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0.133 to 31.21.
No current reading for Zambia
Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff (last 2019), Children with Functional Difficulties, Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Malaria Incidence (P. vivax) and Violent Discipline of Children. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Health & Wellbeing among Zambia’s 15 topics
Health & Wellbeing is Zambia’s 13th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 61st of 1864/4 keys
- Energy63rd of 1653/3 keys
- Digital & Technology94th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Security99th of 1774/4 keys
- Gender & Equality103rd of 1834/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions113th of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties117th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture127th of 1844/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital142nd of 1963/3 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 144th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience143rd of 1934/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation140th of 1764/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing174th of 2004/4 keys
- Work & Labour163rd of 1824/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality158th of 1593/3 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on health & wellbeing
The three countries placed highest of 200, and the leaders Zambia can most readily be measured against.
1
San MarinoSouthern Europe
1st of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Matl derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
MonacoWestern Europe
2nd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
AndorraSouthern Europe
3rd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
South Korea5th4/4 keysHighest in Africa
Cabo Verde80th4/4 keysHighest in Eastern Africa
Seychelles108th2/4 keysThis page
Zambia174th4/4 keys
Positions out of 200 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Zambia and health & wellbeing
On health & wellbeing
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On health & wellbeing
World Happiness Report 2025: Finland Leads Again as the US and UK Face Major Declines
The ten highest life evaluations of 2025, drawn on a world map, and the six things the report uses to explain them. Costa Rica and Mexico are the only two outside Europe and the Middle East.
08Questions
Zambia on health & wellbeing: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Zambia rank on health & wellbeing?
Zambia is placed 174th of 200 countries on Health & Wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Life Expectancy at Birth, Under-Five Mortality Rate, Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five and Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Life Expectancy at Birth figure for Zambia?
66.35 in 2023 (years a newborn would live at current death rates), according to UN DESA Population Division. The world median in the same edition was 74.63.
What is the latest Under-Five Mortality Rate figure for Zambia?
48.37 in 2024 (deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)), according to UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). The world median in the same edition was 14.54.
How does Zambia compare with DR Congo on health & wellbeing?
DR Congo is placed joint 197th of 200, and Zambia 174th. Life Expectancy at Birth: DR Congo 61.9, Zambia 66.35; Under-Five Mortality Rate: DR Congo 89.68, Zambia 48.37; Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five: DR Congo 44.7, Zambia 34.59; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity: DR Congo 43.9, Zambia 17.2.
How have Zambia’s health & wellbeing figures changed?
Life Expectancy at Birth rose from 46.58 in 2000 to 66.35 in 2023; Under-Five Mortality Rate fell from 151.76 in 2000 to 48.37 in 2024; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity fell from 22.4 in 2015 to 17.2 in 2024.
Which health & wellbeing statistics are missing for Zambia?
No current reading is published for Zambia on Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff, Children with Functional Difficulties, Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Malaria Incidence (P. vivax) and Violent Discipline of Children. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Health spending, hospital beds and doctors per person are not measured, because more of any of them does not guarantee better outcomes. Mental health and self-reported happiness are not part of this topic. Food supply per person is measured under Food & Agriculture. Maternal mortality and many other indicators are published here as context; maternal mortality is a key in Development & Human Capital instead.
How the Health & Wellbeing standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The health & wellbeing method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Life Expectancy at Birth — UN DESA Population Division, CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Under-Five Mortality Rate — UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five — UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
The other 54 statistics on this page come from 18 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Zambia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Zambia (banner) — Kkibumba, CC0
- San Marino — Matl derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Monaco — Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Andorra — Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Zambia: Health & Wellbeing — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/zambia/health