Share of the population with anemia in higher risk groups in Zambia
Zambia: Share of the population with anemia in higher risk groups was 27.1% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Share of the population with anemia in higher risk groups in Zambia, 2000–2023
Source: Global Health Observatory / World Health Statistics - World Health Organization (WHO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of the population with anemia in higher risk groups in Zambia is 27.1%, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 1.5% on the previous year and up 3.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population with anemia in higher risk groups in Zambia peaked at 36.2% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 26.1%, in 2017.
Zambia ranks 86th of 192 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 24 years of available data.
Share of the population with anemia in higher risk groups in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 36.2% | — |
| 2001 | 35.0% | -3.3% |
| 2002 | 33.9% | -3.1% |
| 2003 | 32.9% | -2.9% |
| 2004 | 31.9% | -3.0% |
| 2005 | 31.0% | -2.8% |
| 2006 | 30.1% | -2.9% |
| 2007 | 29.3% | -2.7% |
| 2008 | 28.5% | -2.7% |
| 2009 | 27.8% | -2.5% |
| 2010 | 27.3% | -1.8% |
| 2011 | 26.8% | -1.8% |
| 2012 | 26.5% | -1.1% |
| 2013 | 26.3% | -0.8% |
| 2014 | 26.3% | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 26.2% | -0.4% |
| 2016 | 26.2% | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 26.1% | -0.4% |
| 2018 | 26.2% | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 26.2% | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 26.2% | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 26.4% | +0.8% |
| 2022 | 26.7% | +1.1% |
| 2023 | 27.1% | +1.5% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 27.1% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 33.5%, 81% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 27.1% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 39.4%, 69% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 31.7% | 27.8% | 36.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 26.4% | 26.1% | 27.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 26.6% | 26.2% | 27.1% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More reference data data for Zambia
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Global number of reported disasters by size, gaps filled 0 events (2025)
- Annual precipitation, annual growth rate 40.84 % change on previous year (2025)
- Free country, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, gaps filled 4 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Consumer price index 483.32 2010 = 100 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population with anemia in higher risk groups in Zambia?
- Share of the population with anemia in higher risk groups in Zambia was 27.1% in 2023, according to Global Health Observatory / World Health Statistics - World Health Organization (WHO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population with anemia in higher risk groups recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 36.2% in 2000.
- What is the lowest share of the population with anemia in higher risk groups recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 26.1% in 2017.
- How does Zambia rank for share of the population with anemia in higher risk groups?
- Zambia ranks 86th out of 192 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of the population with anemia in higher risk groups rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from Global Health Observatory / World Health Statistics - World Health Organization (WHO), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population with anemia in higher risk groups. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Anemia is a condition that develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin.