Internet Adoption Statistics in Zambia (2026)
As of the 2024 data, 17.1% of the population in Zambia used the internet, per World Bank World Development Indicators. Up from 16.5% in 2023 to 17.1% in 2024 (+0.7 percentage points). Zambia ranks #40 of 46 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa on this measure, and #181 of 188 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 17.1% (2024)
- Internet Adoption in Zambia as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2023
- +0.7 pp (2024)
- Up from 16.5% in 2023 to 17.1% in 2024 (+0.7 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
- 0% (1990)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 0% in 1990 to 17.1% in 2024.
- Record high (2024)
- 17.1% (2024)
- The 2024 value is the highest in the available World Bank World Development Indicators series for Zambia.
- Rank in Sub-Saharan Africa
- #40 of 46 (2024)
- Zambia ranks 40 of 46 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #181 of 188 (2024)
- Zambia ranks 181 of 188 countries with data globally.
- Sub-Saharan Africa average
- 39.9% (2024)
- Zambia (17.1%) is below the average of 39.9% across the 46 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data.
- Projected 2026 value
- 18.8% (2026)
- Projection based on 7-year trend (CAGR 4.9%); not an official figure.
- 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, 1990–2024
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17.1% | +0.7 pp |
| 2023 | 16.5% | +1.5 pp |
| 2022 | 15% | +0.2 pp |
| 2021 | 14.8% | +0.2 pp |
| 2020 | 14.6% | +0.2 pp |
| 2019 | 14.5% | +0.2 pp |
| 2018 | 14.3% | +2.1 pp |
| 2017 | 12.2% | +1.9 pp |
| 2016 | 10.3% | +1.5 pp |
| 2015 | 8.8% | +2.3 pp |
| 2014 | 6.5% | +1.7 pp |
| 2013 | 4.8% | +0.7 pp |
| 2012 | 4.1% | +0.6 pp |
| 2011 | 3.5% | +0.5 pp |
| 2010 | 3% | +0.5 pp |
| 2009 | 2.5% | +0.3 pp |
| 2008 | 2.2% | +0.3 pp |
| 2007 | 1.9% | +0.3 pp |
| 2006 | 1.6% | +0.3 pp |
| 2005 | 1.3% | +0.2 pp |
| 2004 | 1.1% | +0.1 pp |
| 2003 | 1% | +0.5 pp |
| 2002 | 0.5% | +0.2 pp |
| 2001 | 0.2% | +0.0 pp |
| 2000 | 0.2% | +0.0 pp |
| 1999 | 0.1% | +0.1 pp |
| 1998 | 0% | +0.0 pp |
| 1997 | 0% | +0.0 pp |
| 1996 | 0% | +0.0 pp |
| 1995 | 0% | +0.0 pp |
| 1994 | 0% | +0.0 pp |
| 1990 | 0% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of people in Zambia used the internet?
17.1% of the population in Zambia used the internet in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
How recent is the internet adoption data for Zambia?
The most recent observation is from 2024. World Bank World Development Indicators data is reported with a lag, so 2024 is the latest available year for Zambia.
Where does the internet adoption data for Zambia come from?
The data comes from the World Bank World Development Indicators (indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS). The latest observation for Zambia is from 2024; the snapshot was retrieved on 2026-06-10.
How has internet adoption in Zambia changed over time?
World Bank World Development Indicators data show a rise from 0% in 1990 to 17.1% in 2024.
How does Zambia compare with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Zambia ranks 40 of 46 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, with 17.1% versus a regional average of 39.9% (latest values per country).
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator
IT.NET.USER.ZS, 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 .