Population in largest city in Zambia
Zambia: Population in largest city was 3.47 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Population in largest city in Zambia, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
In 2025, population in largest city in Zambia stood at 3.47 million. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.4% on the previous year and up 58.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in largest city in Zambia peaked at 3.47 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 98,968, in 1960.
Zambia ranks 56th of 153 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 161,808 | 98,968 | 257,980 | 10 |
| 1970s | 378,776 | 277,523 | 499,183 | 10 |
| 1980s | 628,123 | 532,878 | 731,445 | 10 |
| 1990s | 890,500 | 757,433 | 1.04 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.34 million | 1.07 million | 1.64 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.16 million | 1.72 million | 2.65 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.12 million | 2.77 million | 3.47 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More urban development data for Zambia
- Population in the largest city 34.5% (2025)
- Population density 27.88 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 20.24 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 3.47 million (2025)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO guidel 100.0% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in largest city in Zambia?
- Population in largest city in Zambia was 3.47 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in largest city recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 3.47 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population in largest city recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 98,968 in 1960.
- How does Zambia rank for population in largest city?
- Zambia ranks 56th out of 153 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population in largest city rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 58.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.