International Migrant Population Statistics in Zambia (2026)
1.2% of the population in Zambia were international migrants in 2024, World Bank World Development Indicators data show. Up from 1% in 2020 to 1.2% in 2024 (+0.2 percentage points). Zambia ranks #34 of 48 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa on this measure, and #170 of 216 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 1.2% (2024)
- International Migrant Population in Zambia as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2020
- +0.2 pp (2024)
- Up from 1% in 2020 to 1.2% in 2024 (+0.2 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
- 3.6% (1990)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Down from 3.6% in 1990 to 1.2% in 2024.
- Peak value (1990)
- 3.6% (1990)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 1.2%.
- Rank in Sub-Saharan Africa
- #34 of 48 (2024)
- Zambia ranks 34 of 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #170 of 216 (2024)
- Zambia ranks 170 of 216 countries with data globally.
- Sub-Saharan Africa average
- 3.3% (2024)
- Zambia (1.2%) is below the average of 3.3% across the 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data.
- Personal remittances, received (current US$) (2024)
- $334.3 million (2024)
- Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
- 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 | 1.2% | +0.2 pp |
| 2020 | 1% | +0.2 pp |
| 2015 | 0.8% | −0.3 pp |
| 2010 | 1.1% | −1.1 pp |
| 2005 | 2.2% | −1.2 pp |
| 2000 | 3.4% | +0.6 pp |
| 1995 | 2.8% | −0.8 pp |
| 1990 | 3.6% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of people in Zambia were international migrants?
1.2% of the population in Zambia were international migrants in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
How has international migrant population in Zambia changed over time?
World Bank World Development Indicators data show a decline from 3.6% in 1990 to 1.2% in 2024.
How does Zambia compare with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Zambia ranks 34 of 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with data, with 1.2% versus a regional average of 3.3% (latest values per country).
Where does Zambia rank globally on international migrant population?
Zambia ranks 170 of 216 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank World Development Indicators value for each country.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator
SM.POP.TOTL.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 .