Quick trade facts

Zambia’s dependence on commodity exports is
clearly reflected in the available trade statistics,
which show a drop in exports and imports between
the boom year of 2008 and the global crunch in 2009.
Natural resources:
Copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold,
silver, uranium, hydropower.
Exports:
$4.957 billion (2008 est.), US$4.375-billion (2009
est.)
World ranking as exporter: 106 (between Kenya at
105 and Papua New Guinea at 107)
Commodity exports:
Copper/cobalt 64%, cobalt, electricity; tobacco,
flowers, cotton
Imports:
$4.555 billion (2008 est.), $3.735 billion (2009
est.)
World ranking as importer: 128 (between San
Marino on 127 and Nepal on 129. The West Bank,
on 126, is a bigger importer than Zambia.
Main import categories:
Machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum
products, electricity, fertiliser; foodstuffs, clothing.
Leading exporters to Zambia:
South Africa 52.5%, UAE 8.2%, China 6.9%
(2008).
Border countries:
Angola 1 110 km; Democratic Republic of the
Congo 1 930 km; Malawi 837 km; Mozambique
419 km; Namibia 233 km; Tanzania 338 km;
Zimbabwe 797 km.
Size of the market for South African goods
South African supermarket groups have
established a presence in Zambia, with
Pick ‘n Pay being the newest entrant.
The market is, however, extremely
competitive.
Population:
12 056 923 – world’s 71st most populated
country.
Age breakdown:
0-14 years: 44,8% (male 2 710 947/female 2
685 181)
15-64 years: 52,9% (male 3 199 685/female
3 180 292)
65 years and over: 2,3% (male 113 299/
female 167 519) (2010 est.)
Urbanisation:
Urban population: 35% of total population
(2008)
Rate of urbanisation: 2,3% annual rate of change
(2005-10 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Total population: 38.86 years
Country comparison to the world: 223
Male: 38.77 years
Female: 38.95 years (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
15.2% (2007 est.)
Country world ranking: 7
Literacy:
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
English: 80.6% (2003 est.)
Labour force:
5,4-million (2009 est.)
World ranking: 69
Labour force – by occupation:
Agriculture: 85%
Industry: 6%
Services: 9% (2004)
Unemployment rate:
50% (2000 est.) (between Senegal at 191 and
Namibia on 193. South Africa is ranked 173, and
Zimbabwe 200).
Country comparison to the world: 192
Population below poverty line:
86% (1993)