Average hourly earnings of employees in Zambia
Zambia: Average hourly earnings of employees was 3.3 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2024. ▼ Falling
Latest (2024)
3.3 international-$ in 2021 prices
Change on year
up 20.7%
World rank
55th
of 64 countries
All-time high
7.54 international-$ in 2021 prices
in 2017
All-time low
2.74 international-$ in 2021 prices
in 2023
Years of data
8
2017–2024
Average hourly earnings of employees in Zambia, 2017–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in international-$ in 2021 prices.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 3.3 international-$ in 2021 prices for average hourly earnings of employees in 2024.
That represents a change of up 20.7% on the previous year and down 56.2% over ten years.
Zambia ranks 55th of 64 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Average hourly earnings of employees in Zambia, year by year
| Year | international-$ in 2021 prices | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 7.54 international-$ in 2021 prices | — |
| 2018 | 3.89 international-$ in 2021 prices | -48.4% |
| 2019 | 3.69 international-$ in 2021 prices | -4.9% |
| 2020 | 3.39 international-$ in 2021 prices | -8.2% |
| 2021 | 3.05 international-$ in 2021 prices | -10.1% |
| 2022 | 3.25 international-$ in 2021 prices | +6.6% |
| 2023 | 2.74 international-$ in 2021 prices | -15.8% |
| 2024 | 3.3 international-$ in 2021 prices | +20.7% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 3.3 international-$ in 2021 prices is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 4.52 international-$ in 2021 prices, 73% of the median. (14 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 3.3 international-$ in 2021 prices is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 3.48 international-$ in 2021 prices, 95% of the median. (10 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5.04 international-$ in 2021 prices | 3.69 international-$ in 2021 prices | 7.54 international-$ in 2021 prices | 3 |
| 2020s | 3.15 international-$ in 2021 prices | 2.74 international-$ in 2021 prices | 3.39 international-$ in 2021 prices | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 52 Ghana 3.66 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 53 Cambodia 3.6 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 54 Armenia 3.56 international-$ in 2021 prices
- 56 Indonesia 3.17 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
- 57 Jamaica 3.04 international-$ in 2021 prices
- 58 Mali 2.99 international-$ in 2021 prices compare
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)
- Political opposition, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Elected parliament and government, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average hourly earnings of employees in Zambia?
- Average hourly earnings of employees in Zambia was 3.3 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2024, according to International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest average hourly earnings of employees recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 7.54 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2017.
- What is the lowest average hourly earnings of employees recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.74 international-$ in 2021 prices in 2023.
- How does Zambia rank for average hourly earnings of employees?
- Zambia ranks 55th out of 64 countries with data for 2024.
- Is average hourly earnings of employees rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 56.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Average hourly earnings of employees. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Gross remuneration for time worked or work done, vacation, and other types of paid leave.