Replacement-level fertility rate in Zambia

Zambia: Replacement-level fertility rate was 2.36 in 2010. ▼ Falling

Latest (2010)
2.36
World rank
29th
of 199 countries
All-time high
3.22
in 1950
All-time low
2.36
in 2010
Years of data
7
1950–2010

Replacement-level fertility rate in Zambia, 1950–2010

01231950198020101950: 3.21960: 31970: 2.81980: 2.71990: 2.92000: 2.72010: 2.4

Source: Gietel-Basten and Scherbov (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for replacement-level fertility rate in Zambia is 2.36, measured in 2010. That is the lowest value across all 7 years on record.

That represents a change of down 11.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, replacement-level fertility rate in Zambia peaked at 3.22 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 2.36, in 2010.

Zambia ranks 29th of 199 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Replacement-level fertility rate in Zambia, year by year

Annual values for Replacement-level fertility rate in Zambia, 1950 to 2010.
Year Value Change
1950 3.22
1960 2.99 -7.1%
1970 2.78 -7.0%
1980 2.74 -1.4%
1990 2.9 +5.8%
2000 2.68 -7.6%
2010 2.36 -11.9%

Zambia compared with similar countries

  • Zambia's 2.36 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 2.24, 1.1× the median. (47 countries reporting)
  • Zambia's 2.36 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.37, 100% of the median. (48 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1950s 3.22 3.22 3.22 1
1960s 2.99 2.99 2.99 1
1970s 2.78 2.78 2.78 1
1980s 2.74 2.74 2.74 1
1990s 2.9 2.9 2.9 1
2000s 2.68 2.68 2.68 1
2010s 2.36 2.36 2.36 1

Countries ranked near Zambia

  1. 29 Mauritania 2.36 compare
  2. 31 Afghanistan 2.35 compare
  3. 32 Pakistan 2.34 compare

See the full ranking of 199 places →

More population data for Zambia

All data for Zambia →

Frequently asked questions

What is replacement-level fertility rate in Zambia?
Replacement-level fertility rate in Zambia was 2.36 in 2010, according to Gietel-Basten and Scherbov (2020) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest replacement-level fertility rate recorded in Zambia?
The highest recorded value was 3.22 in 1950.
What is the lowest replacement-level fertility rate recorded in Zambia?
The lowest recorded value was 2.36 in 2010.
How does Zambia rank for replacement-level fertility rate?
Zambia ranks 29th out of 199 countries with data for 2010.
Is replacement-level fertility rate rising or falling in Zambia?
Over the last ten years it is down 11.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Zambia data come from?
The figures come from Gietel-Basten and Scherbov (2020) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Replacement-level fertility rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Replacement-level fertility rate in Zambia. Statizoid, drawing on Gietel-Basten and Scherbov (2020) – processed by Our World in Data. Retrieved 23 September 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/replacement-fertility-rate/zambia/

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About this data

Indicator
Replacement-level fertility rate
Source
Gietel-Basten and Scherbov (2020) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
199 places, 1,393 data points, 1950–2010
Last refreshed

The replacement-level fertility rate (the total fertility rate needed to keep the population size stable over time, without migration) is commonly stated to be 2.1. But the level can vary based on the sex ratio, child mortality rates, and other factors.