Zambia Profile


Zambia Profile

Previous

Auto

Next


The Republic of Zambia, with its population of 18.38 million (2020) of which roughly 50 per cent are under the age of 14, is situated in southern Africa bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo to its north, Tanzania to its north-east, Malawi to its east, and Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to its south with Angola to its west. The Zambia (named after the Zambezi river that flows through the country) was one of Africa's richest countries up until its independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 not least because of its rich copper mining and export heritage. However following independence from the United Kingdom in 1964, Zambia followed the route of so many emerging African nations with one party installing itself in power and opposition parties suppressed. Zambia's first president, Kenneth David Kaunda, pursued this route and his socialist policies severely damaged the country',;s economy and infrastructure which was already under resourced at the time of independence. By 1991 civil unrest forced multi party elections with Frederick Chiluba becoming president. Today Zambia is a relatively stable multi-party democracy having experienced a number of successful and peaceful transitions of power although serious challenges face the country.



Such challenges include widespread poverty, a low (though increasing) life expectancy of 63.51 years (2018) not least because of the high prevalence of AIDS and the high numbers of orphans in the country ~ 30% of all children in Zambia under the age of 15 are orphans. Many of them head towards urban areas simply to survive by begging, forced labour and/or sexual exploitation. One fifteen year old boy described the lifestyle: "I have lived like this since 2001 when my parents died. I sleep in ditches. If I see people carrying plastic bags, I ask to help. They give anything, maybe 1,000 kwacha [UK 18p], maybe more." There is so much work needed to be undertaken with children in Zambia to get them off the streets into safe environments, into school so that they can get an education and to develop a better awareness of HIV/AIDS. For more information about Zambia check our profile pages below.


Zambia Country Profile


Zambia is in 146th place out of 189 countries and territories in 2019 when ranked in terms of life expectancy, literacy, access to knowledge and the living standards of a country. That is above neighbouring Zimbabwe in 150th place, Angola in 148th place and well above its other neighbours Malawi 174th and Mozambique in 181th out of 189th but, although in a better position than in many other sub-Saharan countries, Zambia experiences food shortages on a regular basis and the urban/rural poverty gap has been growing even further over recent years. Find out more about Zambia in a series of articles and videos below together with news about Zambia.




Zambia Profile: Volunteer in Zambia

African Volunteer Work: Zambia


Check out all the latest fee paying and free African volunteer work placements and charity work job opportunities abroad with local projects and volunteering organisations in Zambia.

More >




Zambia Profile: Zambia History

Zambia History


A timeline and history of Zambia from ancient times, through colonial rule, independence and the present day.

More >







Zambia Profile: Life in Zambia

Life in Zambia


Facts and figures about daily life in Zambia including rural life in Zambia together with a video together about village life in Zambia.

More >




Zambia Profile: Children in Zambia

Children in Zambia


Facts and figures, video and information about the education and daily life of children in Zambia.

More >




Zambia Profile: Street Children

zambian Street Children


Find our more about the issue of street children in Zambia and see what you can do to help.

More >







Zambia Profile: Zambia Poverty

Zambia Poverty


Pictures, facts, figures and quotes about poverty in Zambia today where half of all children under five are malnourished together with a video documentary.

More >





Zambia Profile: Zambia Images

Zambia Images


Pictures and images of Zambia captured on video showing the finest of the country from its waterfalls to images of daily life in Zambia.

More >




Zambia Profile: Lake Tanganyika

African Lakes: Lake Tanganyika


A short video and information about Lake Tanganyika, the world's longest lake and the continent's second deepest.

More >







Zambia Profile: Lusaka Profile

Lusaka Profile


All about Lusaka, one of Africa's fastest growing cities, together with images and video.

More >




Zambia Profile: Lusaka Airport

Lusaka Airport


Pictures and images from the sky as you make a virtual landing at Zambia's international airport, your probable gateway to volunteering in Zambia.

More >




Zambia Profile: Zambia Quiz

Zambia Quiz


Take our online Zambia trivia quiz and see how much you know about Zambia together with some interesting facts.

More >







Zambia Profile: Sponsor a Child in Zambia

Child Sponsor Zambia


Details of how to sponsor children in Zambia with Zambia child sponsor organisations, charities, programs and projects.

More >




Zambia Profile: Zambia Map

Zambia Map


Use this Google Earth satellite map of Zambia to explore and take a virtual tour of Zambia in Africa and zoom in on places of interest.

More >




Zambia Profile: Zambia News

Zambia News


Read all the latest and breaking news from Zambia here at our Zambian profile portal. Updated daily.

More >




Back  



Main sections of this site:


Volunteer by Country

Details of current volunteer work
opportunities in each of the
countries of Africa.

More >


Sponsor a Child
Sponsor a Child in Africa

Find how to sponsor a child in Africa
with our list of organisations,
charities, programs and projects.

More >


All About Africa

Discover all about Africa, its tourist
attractions, history, people, culture
and daily life there.

More >


African Resources

A treasure trove of African
resources from webcams to
free downloads and news.

More >