Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Zambia
Zambia: Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods was 47.5% in 2018. ▲ Rising
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Zambia, 1992–2018
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Zambia is 47.5%, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 6 years on record.
That represents a change of up 45.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Zambia peaked at 47.5% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 8.9%, in 1992.
That places Zambia 55th out of 113 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 8.9% | — |
| 1996 | 14.4% | +61.8% |
| 2002 | 25.3% | +75.7% |
| 2007 | 32.7% | +29.2% |
| 2014 | 44.8% | +37.0% |
| 2018 | 47.5% | +6.0% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 47.5% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 45.1%, 1.1× the median. (37 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 47.5% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 25.3%, 1.9× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 11.7% | 8.9% | 14.4% | 2 |
| 2000s | 29.0% | 25.3% | 32.7% | 2 |
| 2010s | 46.1% | 44.8% | 47.5% | 2 |
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 contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Zambia?
- Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Zambia was 47.5% in 2018, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 47.5% in 2018.
- What is the lowest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.9% in 1992.
- How does Zambia rank for contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods?
- Zambia ranks 55th out of 113 countries with data for 2018.
- Is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 45.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of women using contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union. This is compared between modern methods and any method (modern or traditional).