Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Zambia

Zambia: Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods was 47.5% in 2018. ▲ Rising

Latest (2018)
47.5%
World rank
55th
of 113 countries
All-time high
47.5%
in 2018
All-time low
8.9%
in 1992
Years of data
6
1992–2018

Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Zambia, 1992–2018

10203040501992200520181992: 8.9 % of women ages 15-491996: 14.4 % of women ages 15-492002: 25.3 % of women ages 15-492007: 32.7 % of women ages 15-492014: 44.8 % of women ages 15-492018: 47.5 % of women ages 15-49

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.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

  1. 52 Guatemala 48.9% compare
  2. 52 Turkey 48.9% compare
  3. 54 Tunisia 48.4% compare
  4. 56 Panama 46.9% compare
  5. 57 Lebanon 46.8% compare
  6. 58 Sao Tome and Principe 46.0% compare

See the full ranking of 113 places →

More reference data data for Zambia

All data for Zambia →

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

Indicator
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods
Unit
% of women ages 15-49
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
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
113 places, 1,022 data points, 1961–2024
Last refreshed

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).