Bank Account Ownership Statistics in Zambia (2026)
24.1% of adults in Zambia had an account at a bank or similar financial institution in 2024, World Bank Global Findex data show. Up from 23.8% in 2021 to 24.1% in 2024 (+0.2 percentage points). Zambia ranks #19 of 36 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa on this measure, and #123 of 145 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 24.1% (2024)
- Bank Account Ownership in Zambia as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- +0.2 pp (2024)
- Up from 23.8% in 2021 to 24.1% in 2024 (+0.2 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2011)
- 21.4% (2011)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 21.4% in 2011 to 24.1% in 2024.
- Peak value (2017)
- 35.8% (2017)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 24.1%.
- Rank in Sub-Saharan Africa
- #19 of 36 (2024)
- Zambia ranks 19 of 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #123 of 145 (2024)
- Zambia ranks 123 of 145 countries with data globally.
- Sub-Saharan Africa average
- 30.3% (2024)
- Zambia (24.1%) is below the average of 30.3% across the 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data.
- Among women (2024)
- 19.1% (2024)
- Value for women in Zambia, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2024)
- 29.5% (2024)
- Value for men in Zambia, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- −10.4 pp (2024)
- In 2024, the figure was 19.1% for women and 29.5% for men — 10.4 percentage points lower among women.
- In rural areas (2024)
- 20.5% (2024)
- Value for rural residents of Zambia in 2024.
- Rural gap vs national
- −3.6 pp (2024)
- Rural residents (20.5%) are 3.6 percentage points below the national figure (24.1%).
- Among the poorest 40% (2024)
- 15.8% (2024)
- Value for adults in the poorest 40% of households in Zambia in 2024.
- Poorest-40% gap vs national
- −8.3 pp (2024)
- The poorest 40% (15.8%) are 8.3 percentage points below the national figure (24.1%).
- Internet use in Zambia (2024)
- 17.1% (2024)
- 17.1% of the population in Zambia used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 21.3 million (2024)
- Zambia had a population of 21.3 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2011–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24.1% | +0.2 pp |
| 2021 | 23.8% | −12.0 pp |
| 2017 | 35.8% | +4.5 pp |
| 2014 | 31.3% | +9.9 pp |
| 2011 | 21.4% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Zambia had an account at a bank or similar financial institution?
24.1% of adults in Zambia had an account at a bank or similar financial institution in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How has bank account ownership in Zambia changed over time?
World Bank Global Findex data show a rise from 21.4% in 2011 to 24.1% in 2024.
How does Zambia compare with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Zambia ranks 19 of 36 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, with 24.1% versus a regional average of 30.3% (latest values per country).
Where does Zambia rank globally on bank account ownership?
Zambia ranks 123 of 145 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fiaccount.t.d, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .