This field gives the percent of women of reproductive age (15-49) who are married or in union and are using, or whose sexual partner is using, a method of contraception according to the date of the most recent available data. The contraceptive prevalence rate is an indicator of health services, development, and women’s empowerment. It is also useful in understanding, past, present, and future fertility trends, especially in developing countries.

Topic: Afghanistan18.9% (2018)

note:  percent of women aged 12-49

Topic: AkrotiriNA

Topic: Albania46% (2017/18)

Topic: Algeria57.1% (2012/13)

Topic: American SamoaNA

Topic: AndorraNA

Topic: Angola13.7% (2015/16)

Topic: AnguillaNA

Topic: Antigua and BarbudaNA

Topic: Argentina81.3% (2013)

note:  percent of women aged 14-49

Topic: Armenia57.1% (2015/16)

Topic: ArubaNA

Topic: Ashmore and Cartier IslandsNA

Topic: Australia66.9% (2015/16)

note: percent of women aged 18-44

Topic: Austria79% (2019)

note: percent of women aged 16-49

Topic: Azerbaijan54.9% (2011)

Topic: BahrainNA

Topic: Bangladesh62.7% (2019)

Topic: Barbados59.2% (2012)

Topic: Belarus71.2% (2017)

note:  percent of women aged 18-49

Topic: Belgium66.7% (2018)

Topic: Belize51.4% (2015/16)

Topic: Benin15.5% (2017/18)

Topic: BermudaNA

Topic: BhutanNA

Topic: Bolivia66.5% (2016)

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina45.8% (2011/12)

Topic: Botswana67.4% (2017)

Topic: Bouvet IslandNA

Topic: Brazil80.2% (2013)

note: percent of women aged 18-49

Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA

Topic: British Virgin IslandsNA

Topic: BruneiNA

Topic: BulgariaNA

Topic: Burkina Faso30.1% (2020)

Topic: Burma52.2% (2015/16)

Topic: Burundi28.5% (2016/17)

Topic: Cabo Verde55.8% (2018)

Topic: Cambodia56.3% (2014)

Topic: Cameroon19.3% (2018)

Topic: CanadaNA

Topic: Cayman IslandsNA

Topic: Central African Republic17.8% (2019)

Topic: Chad8.1% (2019)

Topic: Chile76.3% (2015/16)

Topic: China84.5% (2017)

Topic: Christmas IslandNA

Topic: Clipperton IslandNA

Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNA

Topic: Colombia81% (2015/16)

Topic: Comoros19.4% (2012)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the28.1% (2017/18)

Topic: Congo, Republic of the30.1% (2014/15)

Topic: Cook IslandsNA

Topic: Coral Sea IslandsNA

Topic: Costa Rica70.9% (2018)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoire23.3% (2018)

Topic: CroatiaNA

Topic: Cuba69% (2019)

Topic: CuracaoNA

Topic: CyprusNA

Topic: CzechiaNA

Topic: DenmarkNA

Topic: DhekeliaNA

Topic: Djibouti19% (2012)

Topic: DominicaNA

Topic: Dominican Republic69.5% (2014)

Topic: Ecuador80.1% (2007/12)

Topic: Egypt58.5% (2014)

Topic: El Salvador71.9% (2014)

Topic: Equatorial Guinea12.6% (2011)

Topic: Eritrea8.4% (2010)

Topic: EstoniaNA

Topic: Eswatini66.1% (2014)

Topic: Ethiopia37% (2019)

Topic: European UnionNA

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA

Topic: Faroe IslandsNA

Topic: FijiNA

Topic: Finland85.5% (2015)

note: percent of women aged 18-49

Topic: France78.4% (2010/11)

Topic: French PolynesiaNA

Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsNA

Topic: Gabon31.1% (2012)

Topic: Gambia, The16.8% (2018)

note: percent of women aged 15-49

Topic: Gaza Strip57.3% (2019/20)

note:  includes Gaza Strip and West Bank

Topic: Georgia40.6% (2018)

Topic: Germany67% (2018)

note: percent of women aged 18-49

Topic: Ghana27.2% (2017/18)

Topic: GibraltarNA

Topic: GreeceNA

Topic: GreenlandNA

Topic: GrenadaNA

Topic: GuamNA

Topic: Guatemala60.6% (2014/15)

Topic: GuernseyNA

Topic: Guinea10.9% (2018)

Topic: Guinea-Bissau20.6% (2018)

Topic: Guyana33.9% (2014)

Topic: Haiti34.3% (2016/17)

Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsNA

Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA

Topic: Honduras73.2% (2011/12)

Topic: Hong Kong66.7% (2017)

Topic: HungaryNA

Topic: IcelandNA

Topic: India53.5% (2015/16)

Topic: Indonesia55.5% (2018)

Topic: Iran77.4% (2010/11)

Topic: Iraq52.8% (2018)

Topic: IrelandNA

Topic: Isle of ManNA

Topic: IsraelNA

Topic: Italy65.1% (2013)

note: percent of women aged 18-49

Topic: JamaicaNA

Topic: Jan MayenNA

Topic: Japan39.8% (2015)

note: percent of women aged 20-49

Topic: JerseyNA

Topic: Jordan51.8% (2017/18)

Topic: Kazakhstan53% (2018)

note: percent of women aged 18-49

Topic: Kenya59.7% (2019)

Topic: Kiribati33.5% (2018/19)

Topic: Korea, North70.2% (2017)

Topic: Korea, South82.3% (2018)

note: percent of women aged 20-49

Topic: KosovoNA

Topic: KuwaitNA

Topic: Kyrgyzstan39.4% (2018)

Topic: Laos54.1% (2017)

Topic: LatviaNA

Topic: LebanonNA

Topic: Lesotho64.9% (2018)

Topic: Liberia24.9% (2019/20)

Topic: Libya27.7% (2014)

Topic: LiechtensteinNA

Topic: LithuaniaNA

Topic: LuxembourgNA

Topic: MacauNA

Topic: Madagascar44.4% (2018)

Topic: Malawi59.2% (2015/16)

Topic: Malaysia52.2% (2014)

Topic: Maldives18.8% (2016/17)

Topic: Mali17.2% (2018)

Topic: MaltaNA

Topic: Marshall IslandsNA

Topic: Mauritania17.8% (2015)

Topic: Mauritius63.8% (2014)

Topic: Mexico73.1% (2018)

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofNA

Topic: Moldova56% (2020)

Topic: MonacoNA

Topic: Mongolia48.1% (2018)

Topic: Montenegro20.7% (2018)

Topic: MontserratNA

Topic: Morocco70.8% (2018)

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Topic: Mozambique27.1% (2015)

Topic: Namibia56.1% (2013)

Topic: NauruNA

Topic: Navassa IslandNA

Topic: Nepal46.7% (2019)

Topic: Netherlands73% (2013)

note: percent of women aged 18-45

Topic: New CaledoniaNA

Topic: New Zealand79.9% (2014/15)

note: percent of women aged 16-49

Topic: Nicaragua80.4% (2011/12)

Topic: Niger11% (2017/18)

Topic: Nigeria16.6% (2018)

Topic: NiueNA

Topic: Norfolk IslandNA

Topic: North Macedonia59.9% (2018/19)

Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsNA

Topic: NorwayNA

Topic: Oman29.7% (2014)

Topic: Pacific OceanNA

Topic: Pakistan34% (2018/19)

Topic: PalauNA

Topic: Panama50.8% (2014/15)

Topic: Papua New Guinea36.7% (2016/18)

Topic: Paracel IslandsNA

Topic: Paraguay68.4% (2016)

Topic: Peru76.3% (2018)

Topic: Philippines54.1% (2017)

Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNA

Topic: Poland62.3% (2014)

Topic: Portugal73.9% (2014)

Topic: Puerto RicoNA

Topic: Qatar37.5% (2012)

Topic: RomaniaNA

Topic: Russia68% (2011)

note: percent of women aged 15-44

Topic: Rwanda53.2% (2014/15)

Topic: Saint BarthelemyNA

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaNA

Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisNA

Topic: Saint Lucia55.5% (2011/12)

Topic: Saint MartinNA

Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNA

Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesNA

Topic: Samoa16.6% (2019/20)

Topic: San MarinoNA

Topic: Sao Tome and Principe49.7% (2019)

Topic: Saudi Arabia24.6% (2016)

Topic: Senegal26.9% (2019)

Topic: Serbia62.3% (2019)

Topic: SeychellesNA

Topic: Sierra Leone21.2% (2019)

Topic: SingaporeNA

Topic: Sint MaartenNA

Topic: SlovakiaNA

Topic: SloveniaNA

Topic: Solomon Islands29.3% (2015)

Topic: Somalia6.9% (2018/19)

Topic: South Africa54.6% (2016)

Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsNA

Topic: South SudanNA

Topic: Spain62.1% (2018)

note: percent of women aged 18-49

Topic: Spratly IslandsNA

Topic: Sri Lanka64.6% (2016)

Topic: Sudan12.2% (2014)

Topic: Suriname39.1% (2018)

Topic: SvalbardNA

Topic: Sweden70.3% (2017)

note: percent of women aged 16-49

Topic: Switzerland71.6% (2017)

Topic: SyriaNA

Topic: TaiwanNA

Topic: Tajikistan29.3% (2017)

Topic: Tanzania38.4% (2015/16)

Topic: Thailand73% (2019)

Topic: Timor-Leste26.1% (2016)

Topic: Togo23.9% (2017)

Topic: TokelauNA

Topic: Tonga29.3% (2019)

Topic: Trinidad and Tobago40.3% (2011)

Topic: Tunisia50.7% (2018)

Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)69.8% (2018)

Topic: Turkmenistan49.7% (2019)

Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsNA

Topic: TuvaluNA

Topic: Uganda41.8% (2018)

Topic: Ukraine65.4% (2012)

Topic: United Arab EmiratesNA

Topic: United Kingdom76.1% (2010/12)

note: percent of women aged 16-49

Topic: United States73.9% (2017/19)

Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesNA

Topic: Uruguay79.6% (2015)

note: percent of women aged 15-44

Topic: UzbekistanNA

Topic: Vanuatu49% (2013)

Topic: Venezuela75% (2010)

Topic: Vietnam76.5% (2018/19)

Topic: Virgin IslandsNA

Topic: Wake IslandNA

Topic: Wallis and FutunaNA

Topic: West Bank57.3% (2019/20)

note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank

Topic: WorldNA

Topic: Yemen33.5% (2013)

Topic: Zambia49.6% (2018)

Topic: Zimbabwe66.8% (2015)


Topic: Photos of New Caledonia

Topic: Introduction
Background: The first humans settled in New Caledonia around 1600 B.C. The Lapita were skilled navigators and evidence of their pottery around the Pacific has served as a guide for understanding human expansion in the region. Successive waves of migrants from other islands in Melanesia intermarried with the Lapita, giving rise to the Kanak ethnic group considered indigenous to New Caledonia. British explorer James COOK was the first European to visit New Caledonia in 1774, giving it the Latin name for Scotland. Missionaries first landed in New Caledonia in 1840. In 1853, France annexed New Caledonia to preclude any British attempt to claim the island. France declared it a penal colony in 1864 and sent more than 20,000 prisoners to New Caledonia in the ensuing three decades.

Nickel was discovered in 1864 and French prisoners were directed to mine it. France brought in indentured servants and enslaved labor from elsewhere in Southeast Asia to work the mines, blocking Kanaks from accessing the most profitable part of the local economy. In 1878, High Chief ATAI led a rebellion against French rule. The Kanaks were relegated to reservations, leading to periodic smaller uprisings and culminating in a large revolt in 1917 that was brutally suppressed by colonial authorities. During World War II, New Caledonia became an important base for Allied troops, and the US moved its South Pacific headquarters to the island in 1942. Following the war, New Caledonia was made an overseas territory and French citizenship was granted to all inhabitants in 1953, thereby permitting the Kanaks to move off the reservations.

The Kanak nationalist movement began in the 1950s but most voters chose to remain a territory in an independence referendum in 1958. The European population of New Caledonia boomed in the 1970s with a renewed focus on nickel mining, reigniting Kanak nationalism. Key Kanak leaders were assassinated in the early 1980s, leading to escalating violence and dozens of fatalities. The Matignon Accords of 1988 provided for a 10-year transition period. The Noumea Accord of 1998 transferred an increasing amount of governing responsibility from France to New Caledonia over a 20-year period and provided for three independence referenda. In the first held in 2018, voters rejected independence by 57 to 43 percent; in the second held in 2020, voters rejected independence 53 to 47 percent. In the third referendum held in December 2021, voters rejected independence 96 to 4 percent; however, a boycott by key Kanak groups spurred challenges about the legitimacy of the vote. In February 2021, pro-independence parties gained a majority in the New Caledonian Government for the first time.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Geographic coordinates: 21 30 S, 165 30 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 18,575 sq km

land: 18,275 sq km

water: 300 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 2,254 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
Terrain: coastal plains with interior mountains
Elevation: highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper
Land use: agricultural land: 10.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0.4% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 9.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 45.9% (2018 est.)

other: 43.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 100 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: most of the populace lives in the southern part of the main island, in and around the capital of Noumea
Natural hazards: cyclones, most frequent from November to Marchvolcanism: Matthew and Hunter Islands are historically activecyclones, most frequent from November to Marchvolcanism: Matthew and Hunter Islands are historically active
Geography - note: consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls
Map description: New Caledonia map showing the various islands that comprise this French territorial archipelago in the Coral Sea.New Caledonia map showing the various islands that comprise this French territorial archipelago in the Coral Sea.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 297,160 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: New Caledonian(s)

adjective: New Caledonian
Ethnic groups: Kanak 39.1%, European 27.1%, Wallisian, Futunian 8.2%, Tahitian 2.1%, Indonesian 1.4%, Ni-Vanuatu 1%, Vietnamese 0.9%, other 17.7%, unspecified 2.5% (2014 est.)
Languages: French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects

major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Christian 85.2%, Muslim 2.8%, other 1.6%, unaffiliated 10.4% (2020 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.74% (male 32,227/female 30,819)

15-24 years: 15.63% (male 23,164/female 22,163)

25-54 years: 43.73% (male 63,968/female 62,856)

55-64 years: 9.06% (male 12,700/female 13,568)

65 years and over: 9.84% (2020 est.) (male 12,552/female 15,992)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 46.6

youth dependency ratio: 32.4

elderly dependency ratio: 14.2

potential support ratio: 7 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 32.9 years

male: 32.1 years

female: 33.7 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.19% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 14.13 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 5.88 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia
Population distribution: most of the populace lives in the southern part of the main island, in and around the capital of Noumea
Urbanization: urban population: 72.3% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 198,000 NOUMEA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 5 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 5.97 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.83 years

male: 74.93 years

female: 82.92 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.86 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 99.3% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0.7% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: NA
Physicians density: NA
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: malaria
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: NA
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.9%

male: 97.3%

female: 96.5% (2015)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 38.4%

male: 37.1%

female: 40% (2014 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: preservation of coral reefs; prevention of invasive species; limiting erosion caused by nickel mining and forest fires
Air pollutants: carbon dioxide emissions: 5.33 megatons (2016 est.)
Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
Land use: agricultural land: 10.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0.4% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 9.8% (2018 est.)

forest: 45.9% (2018 est.)

other: 43.7% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 72.3% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 1.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: malaria
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 108,157 tons (2016 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies

conventional short form: New Caledonia

local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances

local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie

etymology: British explorer Captain James COOK discovered and named New Caledonia in 1774; he used the appellation because the northeast of the island reminded him of Scotland (Caledonia is the Latin designation for Scotland)
Government type: parliamentary democracy (Territorial Congress); an overseas collectivity of France
Dependency status: special collectivity (or a sui generis collectivity) of France since 1998; note - independence referenda took place on 4 November 2018, 4 October 2020, and 12 December 2021 with a majority voting in each case to reject independence in favor of maintaining the status quo; an 18-month transition period is now in place (ending 30 June 2023), during which a referendum on the new status of New Caledonia within France will take place
Capital: name: Noumea

geographic coordinates: 22 16 S, 166 27 E

time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: established in 1854 as Port-de-France, the settlement was renamed Noumea in 1866, in order to avoid any confusion with Fort-de-France in Martinique; the New Caledonian language of Ndrumbea (also spelled Ndumbea, Dubea, and Drubea) spoken in the area gave its name to the capital city, Noumea, as well as to the neighboring town (suburb) of Dumbea
Administrative divisions: 3 provinces; Province Iles (Islands Province), Province Nord (North Province), and Province Sud (South Province)
Independence: none (overseas collectivity of France); note - in three independence referenda, on 4 November 2018, 4 October 2020, and 12 December 2021, the majority voted to reject independence in favor of maintaining the status quo; an 18-month transition period is now in place (ending 30 June 2023), during which a referendum on the new status of New Caledonia within France will take place
National holiday: Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - the local holiday is New Caledonia Day, 24 September (1853)
Constitution: history: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution with changes as reflected in the Noumea Accord of 5 May 1998)

amendments: French constitution amendment procedures apply
Legal system: civil law system based on French civil law
Citizenship: see France
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by High Commissioner Patrice FAURE (since 6 June 2021)

head of government: President of the Government Louis MAPOU (since 22 July 2021); Vice President Isabelle CHAMPMOREAU (since 22 July 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet elected from and by the Territorial Congress

elections/appointments: French president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of New Caledonia elected by Territorial Congress for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 8 July 2022 (next to be held in 2027)

election results: Louis MAPOU elected president by Territorial Congress with 6 votes out of 11
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Territorial Congress or Congrès du Territoire (54 seats; members indirectly selected proportionally by the partisan makeup of the 3 Provincial Assemblies or Assemblés Provinciales; members of the 3 Provincial Assemblies directly elected by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - the Customary Senate is the assembly of the various traditional councils of the Kanaks, the indigenous population, which rules on laws affecting the indigenous population
New Caledonia indirectly elects 2 members to the French Senate by an electoral colleges for a 6-year term with one seat renewed every 3 years and directly elects 2 members to the French National Assembly by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term

elections:
Territorial Congress - last held on 12 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024)
French Senate - election last held in September 2019 (next to be held not later than 2021)
French National Assembly - election last held on 11 and 18 June 2017 (next to be held by June 2022)

election results: Territorial Congress - percent of vote by party - N/A; seats by party -Future With Confidence 18, UNI 9, UC 9, CE 7, FLNKS 6, Oceanic Awakening 3, PT 1, LKS 1 (Anti-Independence 28, Pro-Independence 26); composition - NA
representation in French Senate - NA
representation in French National Assembly - NA
French Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2

French National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CE 2Territorial Congress - percent of vote by party - N/A; seats by party -Future With Confidence 18, UNI 9, UC 9, CE 7, FLNKS 6, Oceanic Awakening 3, PT 1, LKS 1 (Anti-Independence 28, Pro-Independence 26); composition - NA
representation in French Senate - NA
representation in French National Assembly - NA
Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal in Noumea or Cour d'Appel; organized into civil, commercial, social, and pre-trial investigation chambers; court bench normally includes the court president and 2 counselors); Administrative Court (number of judges NA); note - final appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are referred to the Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation (in Paris); final appeals beyond the Administrative Court are referred to the Administrative Court of Appeal (in Paris)

judge selection and term of office: judge appointment and tenure based on France's judicial system

subordinate courts: Courts of First Instance include: civil, juvenile, commercial, labor, police, criminal, assizes, and also a pre-trial investigation chamber; Joint Commerce Tribunal; administrative courts
Political parties and leaders: Build Our Rainbow Nation
Caledonia Together or CE [Philippe GERMAIN]
Caledonian Union or UC [Daniel GOA]
Future Together (l'Avenir Ensemble) [Harold MARTIN]
Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS (alliance includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM) [Victor TUTUGORO]
Labor Party (Parti Travailliste) or PT [Louis Kotra UREGEI]
National Union for Independence (Union Nationale pour l'Independance) or UNI
Party of Kanak Liberation (Parti de Liberation Kanak) or PALIKA [Paul NEAOUTYINE]
Socialist Kanak Liberation or LKS [Nidoish NAISSELINE]
The Republicans (formerly The Rally or UMP) [interim leader Thierry SANTA]
Union for Caledonia in France
International organization participation: ITUC (NGOs), PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (overseas territory of France)
Flag description: New Caledonia has two official flags; alongside the flag of France, the Kanak (indigenous Melanesian) flag has equal status; the latter consists of three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a large yellow disk - diameter two-thirds the height of the flag - shifted slightly to the hoist side is edged in black and displays a black fleche faitiere symbol, a native rooftop adornment
National symbol(s): fleche faitiere (native rooftop adornment), kagu bird; national colors: gray, red
National anthem: name: "Soyons unis, devenons freres" (Let Us Be United, Let Us Become Brothers)

lyrics/music: Chorale Melodia (a local choir)

note: adopted 2008; contains a mixture of lyrics in both French and Nengone (an indigenous language); as a self-governing territory of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural); note - excerpted from the France entry

selected World Heritage Site locales: Lagoons of New Caledonia

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: New Caledonia has 11% of the world's nickel reserves, representing the second largest reserves on the planet. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more than 15% of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy.   With the gradual increase in the production of two new nickel plants in 2015, average production of metallurgical goods stood at a record level of 94 thousand tons. However, the sector is exposed to the high volatility of nickel prices, which have been in decline since 2016. In 2017, one of the three major mining firms on the island, Vale, put its operations up for sale, triggering concerns of layoffs ahead of the 2018 independence referendum.New Caledonia has 11% of the world's nickel reserves, representing the second largest reserves on the planet. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more than 15% of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. With the gradual increase in the production of two new nickel plants in 2015, average production of metallurgical goods stood at a record level of 94 thousand tons. However, the sector is exposed to the high volatility of nickel prices, which have been in decline since 2016. In 2017, one of the three major mining firms on the island, Vale, put its operations up for sale, triggering concerns of layoffs ahead of the 2018 independence referendum.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $11.11 billion (2017 est.)

$10.89 billion (2016 est.)

$10.77 billion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2015 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2% (2017 est.)

1.1% (2016 est.)

3.2% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $31,100 (2015 est.)

$32,100 (2014 est.)

$29,800 (2012 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $9.77 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (2017 est.)

0.6% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.4% (2017 est.)

industry: 26.4% (2017 est.)

services: 72.1% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 64.3% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 24% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 38.4% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 18.7% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -45.5% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: coconuts, vegetables, maize, fruit, beef, pork, potatoes, bananas, eggs, yams
Industries: nickel mining and smelting
Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 119,500 (2016 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.7%

industry: 22.4%

services: 74.9% (2010)
Unemployment rate: 14.7% (2014)

14% (2009)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 38.4%

male: 37.1%

female: 40% (2014 est.)
Population below poverty line: 17% (2008)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 1.995 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures: 1.993 billion (2015 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 0% (of GDP) (2015 est.)
Public debt: 6.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

6.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 20.4% (of GDP) (2015 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$1.469 billion (2014 est.)

-$1.861 billion (2013 est.)
Exports: $2.207 billion (2014 est.)
Exports - partners: China 59%, South Korea 14%, Japan 11% (2019)
Exports - commodities: iron alloys, nickel, cobalt, carbonates, essential oils (2019)
Imports: $2.715 billion (2015 est.)

$4.4 billion (2014 est.)
Imports - partners: France 43%, Australia 12%, Singapore 12%, China 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, aircraft, coal, cars, packaged medicines (2019)
Debt - external: $112 million (31 December 2013 est.)

$79 million (31 December 1998 est.)
Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar -

110.2 (2017 est.)

107.84 (2016 est.)

107.84 (2015 est.)

89.85 (2013 est.)

90.56 (2012 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 1.071 million kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 2,940,707,000 kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 64.293 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 91.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 7.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 1.151 million metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 1.151 million metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 2 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 19,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 19,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 5.886 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 2.879 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 3.007 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 0 Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 46,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 260,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 91 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: New Caledonia’s telecom sector is dominated by OPT-NC, which holds a monopoly and provides fixed and mobile voice services, mobile internet, fixed broadband access, and wholesale services for other ISPs; the country is well serviced by extensive 3G and LTE networks, and is considered to have one of the highest smartphone adoption rates in the Pacific region. By 2025, smart phone penetration is expected to reach 71%; while DSL is still the dominant fixed broadband technology, OPT-NC is also deploying a nationwide FttP network; in April 2022, OPT-NC stated that it had connected 28,000 fiber customers to its network; the South Pacific region has become a hub for submarine cable system developments in recent years, with further networks scheduled to come online later in 2021 and into 2022; these new cables are expected to increase competition in the region with regards to international capacity; in 2020, the government owned telco OPT-NC commissioned Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) to build the Gondwana-2 cable system to provide additional network capacity and complement the Gondwana-1 cable. (2022)

domestic: fixed-line nearly 29 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership 96 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 687; landing points for the Gondwana-1 and Picot-1 providing connectivity via submarine cables around New Caledonia and to Australia; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: the publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which operates in France's overseas departments and territories, broadcasts over the RFO Nouvelle-Calédonie TV and radio stations; a small number of privately owned radio stations also broadcast
Internet country code: .nc
Internet users: total: 222,466 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 82% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 55,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) (registered in France)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 15 (registered in France)
Airports: total: 25 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 12

over 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 10

under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 13

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 8 (2021)
Heliports: 8 (2021)
Roadways: total: 5,622 km (2006)
Merchant marine: total: 24

by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 1, other 18 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Noumea

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces; France bases land, air, and naval forces on New Caledonia (Forces Armées de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, FANC)
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: New Caledonia-France-Vanuatu: Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and VanuatuNew Caledonia-France-Vanuatu: Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and Vanuatu


Topic: Photos of Zambia

Topic: Introduction
Background: Multiple waves of Bantu-speaking groups moved into and through what is now Zambia over the past thousand years. In the 1880s, the British began securing mineral and other economic concessions from various local leaders and the territory that is now Zambia eventually came under the control of the former British South Africa Company and was incorporated as the protectorate of Northern Rhodesia in 1911. Administrative control was taken over by the UK in 1924. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration.

The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices, economic mismanagement, and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule and propelled the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) into power. The subsequent vote in 1996, however, saw increasing harassment of opposition parties and abuse of state media and other resources. The election in 2001 was marked by administrative problems, with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. MWANAWASA was reelected in 2006 in an election that was deemed free and fair. Upon his death in August 2008, he was succeeded by his vice president, Rupiah BANDA, who won a special presidential byelection later that year. The MMD and BANDA lost to the Patriotic Front (PF) and Michael SATA in the 2011 general elections. SATA, however, presided over a period of haphazard economic management and attempted to silence opposition to PF policies. SATA died in October 2014 and was succeeded by his vice president, Guy SCOTT, who served as interim president until January 2015, when Edgar LUNGU won the presidential byelection and completed SATA's term. LUNGU then won a full term in August 2016 presidential elections. Hakainde HICHILEMA was elected president in August 2021.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Southern Africa, east of Angola, south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 752,618 sq km

land: 743,398 sq km

water: 9,220 sq km
Area - comparative: almost five times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Texas
Land boundaries: total: 6,043.15 km

border countries (8): Angola 1,065 km; Botswana 0.15 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,332 km; Malawi 847 km; Mozambique 439 km; Namibia 244 km; Tanzania 353 km; Zimbabwe 763 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)
Terrain: mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains
Elevation: highest point: Mafinga Central 2,330 m

lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m

mean elevation: 1,138 m
Natural resources: copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower
Land use: agricultural land: 31.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 4.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 26.9% (2018 est.)

forest: 66.3% (2018 est.)

other: 2% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,560 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Burundi) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Mweru (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 4,350 sq km; Lake Bangweulu - 4,000-15,000 sq km seasonal variation
Major rivers (by length in km): Congo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouthCongo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Major aquifers: Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin
Population distribution: one of the highest levels of urbanization in Africa; high density in the central area, particularly around the cities of Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, and Mufulira as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards: periodic drought; tropical storms (November to April)
Geography - note: landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe; Lake Kariba on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border forms the world's largest reservoir by volume (180 cu km; 43 cu mi)
Map description: Zambia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.Zambia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 19,642,123 (2022 est.)

note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Nationality: noun: Zambian(s)

adjective: Zambian
Ethnic groups: Bemba 21%, Tonga 13.6%, Chewa 7.4%, Lozi 5.7%, Nsenga 5.3%, Tumbuka 4.4%, Ngoni 4%, Lala 3.1%, Kaonde 2.9%, Namwanga 2.8%, Lunda (north Western) 2.6%, Mambwe 2.5%, Luvale 2.2%, Lamba 2.1%, Ushi 1.9%, Lenje 1.6%, Bisa 1.6%, Mbunda 1.2%, other 13.8%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.)
Languages: Bemba 33.4%, Nyanja 14.7%, Tonga 11.4%, Lozi 5.5%, Chewa 4.5%, Nsenga 2.9%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda (North Western) 1.9%, Kaonde 1.8%, Lala 1.8%, Lamba 1.8%, English (official) 1.7%, Luvale 1.5%, Mambwe 1.3%, Namwanga 1.2%, Lenje 1.1%, Bisa 1%, other 9.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2010 est.)

note: Zambia is said to have over 70 languages, although many of these may be considered dialects; all of Zambia's major languages are members of the Bantu family; Chewa and Nyanja are mutually intelligible dialects
Religions: Protestant 75.3%, Roman Catholic 20.2%, other 2.7% (includes Muslim Buddhist, Hindu, and Baha'i), none 1.8% (2010 est.)
Demographic profile: Zambia’s poor, youthful population consists primarily of Bantu-speaking people representing nearly 70 different ethnicities. Zambia’s high fertility rate continues to drive rapid population growth, averaging almost 3 percent annually between 2000 and 2010. The country’s total fertility rate has fallen by less than 1.5 children per woman during the last 30 years and still averages among the world’s highest, almost 6 children per woman, largely because of the country’s lack of access to family planning services, education for girls, and employment for women. Zambia also exhibits wide fertility disparities based on rural or urban location, education, and income. Poor, uneducated women from rural areas are more likely to marry young, to give birth early, and to have more children, viewing children as a sign of prestige and recognizing that not all of their children will live to adulthood. HIV/AIDS is prevalent in Zambia and contributes to its low life expectancy.Zambian emigration is low compared to many other African countries and is comprised predominantly of the well-educated. The small amount of brain drain, however, has a major impact in Zambia because of its limited human capital and lack of educational infrastructure for developing skilled professionals in key fields. For example, Zambia has few schools for training doctors, nurses, and other health care workers. Its spending on education is low compared to other Sub-Saharan countries.Zambia’s poor, youthful population consists primarily of Bantu-speaking people representing nearly 70 different ethnicities. Zambia’s high fertility rate continues to drive rapid population growth, averaging almost 3 percent annually between 2000 and 2010. The country’s total fertility rate has fallen by less than 1.5 children per woman during the last 30 years and still averages among the world’s highest, almost 6 children per woman, largely because of the country’s lack of access to family planning services, education for girls, and employment for women. Zambia also exhibits wide fertility disparities based on rural or urban location, education, and income. Poor, uneducated women from rural areas are more likely to marry young, to give birth early, and to have more children, viewing children as a sign of prestige and recognizing that not all of their children will live to adulthood. HIV/AIDS is prevalent in Zambia and contributes to its low life expectancy.Zambian emigration is low compared to many other African countries and is comprised predominantly of the well-educated. The small amount of brain drain, however, has a major impact in Zambia because of its limited human capital and lack of educational infrastructure for developing skilled professionals in key fields. For example, Zambia has few schools for training doctors, nurses, and other health care workers. Its spending on education is low compared to other Sub-Saharan countries.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45.74% (male 4,005,134/female 3,964,969)

15-24 years: 20.03% (male 1,744,843/female 1,746,561)

25-54 years: 28.96% (male 2,539,697/female 2,506,724)

55-64 years: 3.01% (male 242,993/female 280,804)

65 years and over: 2.27% (2020 est.) (male 173,582/female 221,316)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 85.7

youth dependency ratio: 81.7

elderly dependency ratio: 4

potential support ratio: 25.3 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 16.9 years

male: 16.7 years

female: 17 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.9% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 34.86 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 6.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: one of the highest levels of urbanization in Africa; high density in the central area, particularly around the cities of Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, and Mufulira as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization: urban population: 45.8% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 4.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 3.042 million LUSAKA (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.2 years (2018 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 20-49
Maternal mortality ratio: 213 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 37.11 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 40.57 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 33.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.26 years

male: 64.52 years

female: 68.06 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.56 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 49.6% (2018)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 90.2% of population

rural: 56.6% of population

total: 71.6% of population

unimproved: urban: 9.8% of population

rural: 43.4% of population

total: 28.4% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 5.3% (2019)
Physicians density: 1.17 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 2 beds/1,000 population
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 76.3% of population

rural: 31.9% of population

total: 51.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 23.7% of population

rural: 68.1% of population

total: 48.3% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 11.1% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.5 million (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 24,000 (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

animal contact diseases: rabies
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 8.1% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 14.4% (2020 est.)

male: 25.1% (2020 est.)

female: 3.7% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 11.8% (2018/19)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 5.2%

women married by age 18: 29%

men married by age 18: 2.8% (2018 est.)
Education expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2019)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write English

total population: 86.7%

male: 90.6%

female: 83.1% (2018)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 30.1%

male: 32.1%

female: 27.6% (2019 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds; loss of biodiversity; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 24.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 5.14 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 14.1 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)
Land use: agricultural land: 31.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 4.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 26.9% (2018 est.)

forest: 66.3% (2018 est.)

other: 2% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 45.8% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 4.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 4.45% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.04% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

animal contact diseases: rabies
Food insecurity: severe localized food insecurity: due to reduced incomes and localized shortfalls in cereal production - an estimated 1.58 million people are projected to need humanitarian assistance at least up until March 2022, down from 2 million assessed to be food insecure in the corresponding period in 2020/21; the overall large national agricultural output in 2021 helped to reduce the prevalence of food insecurity in early 2022, however, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have constrained households’ economic access to food as well as localized shortfalls in crop production, have limited a larger improvement (2022)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,608,268 tons (2002 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Burundi) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Mweru (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 4,350 sq km; Lake Bangweulu - 4,000-15,000 sq km seasonal variation
Major rivers (by length in km): Congo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouthCongo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Major aquifers: Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 290 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 130 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 1.152 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 104.8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Zambia

conventional short form: Zambia

former: Northern Rhodesia

etymology: name derived from the Zambezi River, which flows through the western part of the country and forms its southern border with neighboring Zimbabwe
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Lusaka; note - a proposal to build a new capital city in Ngabwe was announced in May 2017

geographic coordinates: 15 25 S, 28 17 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: named after a village called Lusaka, located at Manda Hill, near where Zambia's National Assembly building currently stands; the village was named after a headman (chief) Lusakasa
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western
Independence: 24 October 1964 (from the UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 24 October (1964)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 24 August 1991, promulgated 30 August 1991

amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly in two separate readings at least 30 days apart; passage of amendments affecting fundamental rights and freedoms requires approval by at least one half of votes cast in a referendum prior to consideration and voting by the Assembly; amended 1996, 2015, 2016; note - in late 2020, an amendment which would have altered the structure of the constitution was defeated in the National Assembly
Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law and customary law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: only if at least one parent is a citizen of Zambia

citizenship by descent only: yes, if at least one parent was a citizen of Zambia

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years for those with an ancestor who was a citizen of Zambia, otherwise 10 years residency is required
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Hakainde HICHILEMA (since 24 August 2021); Vice President Mutale NALUMANGO (since 24 August 2021); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Hakainde HICHILEMA (since 24 August 2021); Vice President Mutale NALUMANGO (since 24 August 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president from among members of the National Assembly

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 12 August 2021 (next to be held in 2026)

election results:
2021: Hakainde HICHILEMA elected president; percent of the vote -   Hakainde HICHILEMA (UPND) 57.9%, Edgar LUNGU (PF) 37.3%, other 4.8%

2016: Edgar LUNGU re-elected president; percent of vote - Edgar LUNGU (PF) 50.4%, Hakainde HICHILEMA (UPND) 47.6%, other 2%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly (167 seats; 156 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote in 2 rounds if needed, and up to 8 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms); 3 ex-officio members elected by National Assembly membership

elections: last held on 12 August 2021 (next to be held in 2026)

election results: percent of vote by party - UPND 53.9%, PF 38.1%, PNUP 0.6%, independent 7.4%; seats by party - UPND 82, PF 62, PNUP 1, independent 11; composition - men 136, women 20, percent of women 13.5%; 156 seats filled;
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, deputy chief justice, and at least 11 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 11 judges); note - the Constitutional Court began operation in June 2016

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the advice of the 9-member Judicial Service Commission, which is headed by the chief justice, and ratified by the National Assembly; judges normally serve until age 65

subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Industrial Relations Court; subordinate courts (3 levels, based on upper limit of money involved); Small Claims Court; local courts (2 grades, based on upper limit of money involved)
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Development or ADD [Charles MILUPI]
Forum for Democracy and Development or FDD [Edith NAWAKWI]
Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [Felix MUTATI]
National Democratic Congress or NDC [Chishimba KAMBWILI]
Patriotic Front or PF [Edgar LUNGU]
United Party for National Development or UPND [Hakainde HICHILEMA]
Party of National Unity and Progress or PNUP [Highvie HAMUDUDU]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lazarous KAPAMBWE (since 8 April 2020)

chancery: 2200 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 234-4009

FAX: [1] (202) 332-0826

email address and website:
info@zambiaembassy.org

https://www.zambiaembassy.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Martin "Marty" DALE (since 2 November 2021)

embassy: Eastern end of Kabulonga Road, Ibex Hill, Lusaka

mailing address: 2310 Lusaka Place, Washington DC 20521-2310

telephone: [260] (0) 211-357-000

FAX: [260]  (0) 211-357-224

email address and website:
ACSLusaka@state.gov

https://zm.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: green field with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag; green stands for the country's natural resources and vegetation, red symbolizes the struggle for freedom, black the people of Zambia, and orange the country's mineral wealth; the eagle represents the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems
National symbol(s): African fish eagle; national colors: green, red, black, orange
National anthem: name: "Lumbanyeni Zambia" (Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free)

lyrics/music: multiple/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA

note: adopted 1964; the melody, from the popular song "God Bless Africa," is the same as that of Tanzania but with different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Zambia had one of the world’s fastest growing economies for the ten years up to 2014, with real GDP growth averaging roughly 6.7% per annum, though growth slowed during the period 2015 to 2017, due to falling copper prices, reduced power generation, and depreciation of the kwacha. Zambia’s lack of economic diversification and dependency on copper as its sole major export makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in the world commodities market and prices turned downward in 2015 due to declining demand from China; Zambia was overtaken by the Democratic Republic of Congo as Africa’s largest copper producer. GDP growth picked up in 2017 as mineral prices rose.   Despite recent strong economic growth and its status as a lower middle-income country, widespread and extreme rural poverty and high unemployment levels remain significant problems, made worse by a high birth rate, a relatively high HIV/AIDS burden, by market-distorting agricultural and energy policies, and growing government debt. Zambia raised $7 billion from international investors by issuing separate sovereign bonds in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Concurrently, it issued over $4 billion in domestic debt and agreed to Chinese-financed infrastructure projects, significantly increasing the country’s public debt burden to more than 60% of GDP. The government has considered refinancing $3 billion worth of Eurobonds and significant Chinese loans to cut debt servicing costs.Zambia had one of the world’s fastest growing economies for the ten years up to 2014, with real GDP growth averaging roughly 6.7% per annum, though growth slowed during the period 2015 to 2017, due to falling copper prices, reduced power generation, and depreciation of the kwacha. Zambia’s lack of economic diversification and dependency on copper as its sole major export makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in the world commodities market and prices turned downward in 2015 due to declining demand from China; Zambia was overtaken by the Democratic Republic of Congo as Africa’s largest copper producer. GDP growth picked up in 2017 as mineral prices rose. Despite recent strong economic growth and its status as a lower middle-income country, widespread and extreme rural poverty and high unemployment levels remain significant problems, made worse by a high birth rate, a relatively high HIV/AIDS burden, by market-distorting agricultural and energy policies, and growing government debt. Zambia raised $7 billion from international investors by issuing separate sovereign bonds in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Concurrently, it issued over $4 billion in domestic debt and agreed to Chinese-financed infrastructure projects, significantly increasing the country’s public debt burden to more than 60% of GDP. The government has considered refinancing $3 billion worth of Eurobonds and significant Chinese loans to cut debt servicing costs.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $60.12 billion (2020 est.)

$61.99 billion (2019 est.)

$61.1 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 3.4% (2017 est.)

3.8% (2016 est.)

2.9% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $3,300 (2020 est.)

$3,500 (2019 est.)

$3,500 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $25.71 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.1% (2019 est.)

7.4% (2018 est.)

6.5% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: RD (2020)

Moody's rating: Ca (2020)

Standard & Poors rating: SD (2020)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 7.5% (2017 est.)

industry: 35.3% (2017 est.)

services: 57% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 52.6% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 21% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 27.1% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 43% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -44.9% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: sugar cane, cassava, maize, milk, vegetables, soybeans, beef, tobacco, wheat, groundnuts
Industries: copper mining and processing, emerald mining, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture
Industrial production growth rate: 4.7% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 6.898 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 54.8%

industry: 9.9%

services: 35.3% (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate: 15% (2008 est.)

50% (2000 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 30.1%

male: 32.1%

female: 27.6% (2019 est.)
Population below poverty line: 54.4% (2015 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 57.1 (2015 est.)

50.8 (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.5%

highest 10%: 47.4% (2010)
Budget: revenues: 4.473 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 6.357 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -7.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 63.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

60.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 17.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$1.006 billion (2017 est.)

-$934 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $8.55 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$8.26 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$9.98 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Switzerland 29%, China 16%, Namibia 12%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 9%, Singapore 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: copper, gold, gemstones, sulfuric acid, raw sugar, tobacco (2019)
Imports: $5.92 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$8.04 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$10.19 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: South Africa 29%, China 14%, United Arab Emirates 12%, India 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, crude petroleum, delivery trucks, gold, fertilizers (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.082 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.353 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $11.66 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$9.562 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Zambian kwacha (ZMK) per US dollar -

21.065 (2020 est.)

15.3736 (2019 est.)

11.855 (2018 est.)

8.6 (2014 est.)

6.2 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 37% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 76% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 6% (2019)
Electricity: Installed generating capacity: 3.065 million kW (2020 est.)

Consumption: 13,409,685,000 kWh (2019 est.)

Exports: 976 million kWh (2019 est.)

Imports: 198 million kWh (2019 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 1,811,480,000 kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: Fossil fuels: 13% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Solar: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Hydroelectricity: 85.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Biomass and waste: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: Production: 1.116 million metric tons (2020 est.)

Consumption: 1.176 million metric tons (2020 est.)

Exports: 39,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

Imports: 99,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

Proven reserves: 45 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: Total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 25,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)

Crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil and lease condensate imports: 12,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 13,120 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 371 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 10,150 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: Production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 6.798 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

From coal and metallurgical coke: 3.186 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 3.612 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 11.595 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 71,844 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2020 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 17,220,600 (2019)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 96.41 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: service is among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa; regulator promotes competition and is a partner to private sector service providers, offering mobile voice and Internet at some of the lowest prices in the region; investment made in data centers, education centers, and computer assembly training plants; operators invest in 3G and LTE-based services; Chinese company Huawei is helping to upgrade state-owned mobile infrastructure for 5G services; operators focused on improvements to towers (2020)

domestic: fiber optic connections are available between most larger towns and cities with microwave radio relays serving more rural areas; 3G and LTE with FttX in limited urban areas and private Ku or Ka band VSAT terminals in remote locations; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 104 per 100 (2020)

international: country code - 260; multiple providers operate overland fiber optic routes via Zimbabwe/South Africa, Botswana/Namibia and Tanzania provide access to the major undersea cables

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: according to the Independent Broadcast Authority, there are 137 radio stations and 47 television stations in Zambia; out of the 137 radio stations, 133 are private (categorized as either commercial or community radio stations), while 4 are public-owned; state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) operates 2 television channels and 3 radio stations; ZNBC owns 75% shares in GoTV, 40% in MultiChoice, and 40% in TopStar Communications Company, all of which operate in-country (2019)according to the Independent Broadcast Authority, there are 137 radio stations and 47 television stations in Zambia; out of the 137 radio stations, 133 are private (categorized as either commercial or community radio stations), while 4 are public-owned; state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) operates 2 television channels and 3 radio stations; ZNBC owns 75% shares in GoTV, 40% in MultiChoice, and 40% in TopStar Communications Company, all of which operate in-country
Internet country code: .zm
Internet users: total: 3,676,791 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 20% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 82,317 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.5 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 8,904 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 75.08 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9J
Airports: total: 88 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 8

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 80

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 53

under 914 m: 21 (2021)
Pipelines: 771 km oil (2013)
Railways: total: 3,126 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 3,126 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge

note: includes 1,860 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA)
Roadways: total: 67,671 km (2018)

paved: 14,888 km (2018)

unpaved: 52,783 km (2018)
Waterways: 2,250 km (2010) (includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula Rivers)
Merchant marine: total: 2

by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 1 (2021)
Ports and terminals: river port(s): Mpulungu (Zambezi)

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Zambia Defense Force (ZDF): Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, Zambia National Service; Defense Force Medical Service; Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security: Zambia Police (includes a paramilitary battalion) (2022)

note: the Zambia National Service is a support organization that also does public work projects
Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

1.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

1.3% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $450 million)

1.4% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $470 million)

1.3% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $420 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: the Zambia Defense Force (ZDF) has approximately 17,000 active troops (15,000 Army; 2,000 Air) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the ZDF's inventory is largely comprised of Chinese, Russian, and Soviet-era armaments; since 2010, China is the leading supplier of arms to Zambia (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (16 with parental consent); no conscription; 12-year enlistment period (7 years active, 5 in the Reserves) (2021)
Military deployments: 925 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (Feb 2022)
Military - note: the Zambian Defense Force (ZDF) traces its roots to the Northern Rhodesia Regiment, which was raised by the British colonial government to fight in World War II; the ZDF was established in 1964 from units of the dissolved Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland armed forces; it participated in a number of regional conflicts during the 1970s and 1980s; Zambia actively supported independence movements such as the Union for the Total Liberation of Angola (UNITA), the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU), the African National Congress of South Africa (ANC), and the South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) (2022)

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Zambia-Angola: because the straight-line segments along the left bank (Zambian side) of the Cuando/Kwando River do not conform with the physical alignment of the unstable shoreline, Zambian residents in some areas have settled illegally on sections of shoreline that fall on the Angolan side of the boundary

Zambia-Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC): boundary commission continues discussions over Congolese-administered triangle of land on the right bank of the Lunkinda River claimed by Zambia near the DRC village of Pweto Zambia-Tanzania: some drug smuggling may take place across the Zambia-Tanzania border; there are no known current territorial issues, as both states have continued to recognize the colonial boundaries last modified in 1937; the boundary in Lake Tanganyika remains undefined.

Zambia-Zimbabwe: in 2004, Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river; in May 2021, Botswana and Zambia agreed in principle to let Zimbabwe be a partner in the bridge project as it enters its lasts phaseZambia-Angola: because the straight-line segments along the left bank (Zambian side) of the Cuando/Kwando River do not conform with the physical alignment of the unstable shoreline, Zambian residents in some areas have settled illegally on sections of shoreline that fall on the Angolan side of the boundary

Zambia-Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC): boundary commission continues discussions over Congolese-administered triangle of land on the right bank of the Lunkinda River claimed by Zambia near the DRC village of PwetoZambia-Tanzania: some drug smuggling may take place across the Zambia-Tanzania border; there are no known current territorial issues, as both states have continued to recognize the colonial boundaries last modified in 1937; the boundary in Lake Tanganyika remains undefined.

Zambia-Zimbabwe: in 2004, Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river; in May 2021, Botswana and Zambia agreed in principle to let Zimbabwe be a partner in the bridge project as it enters its lasts phase
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 65,911 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers), 4,265 (Burundi) (2022)
Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Zambia and Zambians abroad; most trafficking occurs within Zambia’s borders, with traffickers exploiting women and children from rural areas in cities in domestic servitude or forced labor in agriculture, textile production, mining, construction, small businesses, such as bakeries, and forced begging; Jerabo gangs force Zambian children into illegal mining operations, such as loading stolen copper or crushing rocks; truck drivers exploit Zambian boys and girls in sex trafficking in towns along the Zimbabwean and Tanzanian borders, and miners exploit them in Solwezi; Zambian boys are exploited for sex trafficking in Zimbabwe and women and girls in South Africa; traffickers exploit victims from Tanzania and Malawi in the Zambian timber industry

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Zambia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making efforts to do so; efforts included increasing law enforcement training, establishing two fast-track human trafficking courts, conducting awareness campaigns about human trafficking, slightly increasing prosecutions and convictions, and strengthening prison sentences given to traffickers; however; investigations of trafficking crimes and funding to shelters and other victim assistance programs decreased; authorities did not proactively screen for trafficking among vulnerable populations, including foreign nationals and those involved in commercial sex; authorities detained and deported potential trafficking victims involved in smuggling; the national inter-ministerial committee is weak in overseeing national anti-trafficking efforts and trends (2020)
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for southern Africa and possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it an unattractive venue for money launderers; major consumer of cannabis