More on Zambia

General Statistics on Zambia

Size:
290,585 square miles (slightly larger than Texas)

Population:
10,462,436

Religions:
Christian, Muslim and Hindu, indigenous African beliefs

Ethnic Groups:
African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other .2%

Languages
English is the country's official language, seven major vernaculars and over 70 other indigenous languages.

Education:
No compulsory education; 7 years free education
Net primary school enrollment: 67%
Literacy--women: 60.6%; men: 81.6%

Infant Mortality Rate:
98.4 deaths/1,000 live births

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
21.5% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.2 million (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
120,000 (2001 est.)

GDP: US$3.8 billion

Major Industries: Copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer

Type of Government: Constitutional democratic republic

Zambia is situated in the heart of Southern Africa. Its population of 9 million is divided among 73 tribes, each with its own language, culture, and traditions. Even so, Zambia is one of the most peaceful countries in the region.

Zambia prospered after gaining independence from Britain in 1964 (the official language is still English), but this prosperity came to an end in 1975 when prices for copper, Zambia's major export, dropped dramatically. Today, Zambia is one of the most indebted countries in Southern Africa. Over 80% of the nation's population is living below the poverty line; the average yearly income is about $300.

Zambia is one of the countries worst hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The national average infection rate is around 20%, with some districts as high as 33%.

More than 1.6 million children in Zambia are now orphans. That means more than 34% of all children under 15 have lost one or both parents. The burden of caring for these children falls onto the surviving relatives, who often have many children of their own to clothe and feed. It is not uncommon for a family to have more than 6 children. As a result, school fees become less and less manageable.

One of the most urgent challenges facing Zambian schools today is that of helping to educate children about HIV and AIDS and prevent the further spread of the disease. Most primary schools have started Anti-AIDS clubs, called HOPE clubs, whose members inform themselves, each other and their communities about AIDS.

For more information, visit the US Department of State or UNICEF websites about Zambia.