Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Zambia
Zambia: Exclusive breastfeeding rate was 69.9% in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Zambia, 1992–2018
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of children under 6 months.
Analysis
In 2018, exclusive breastfeeding rate in Zambia stood at 69.9%.
The figure is up 16.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, exclusive breastfeeding rate in Zambia peaked at 72.0% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 10.2%, in 1992.
That places Zambia 4th out of 72 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top 10%.
Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % of children under 6 months | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 10.2% | — |
| 1997 | 18.8% | +84.3% |
| 1999 | 18.5% | -1.4% |
| 2002 | 39.7% | +114.2% |
| 2007 | 59.9% | +50.8% |
| 2014 | 72.0% | +20.3% |
| 2018 | 69.9% | -2.9% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 69.9% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 46.7%, 1.5× the median. (32 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 69.9% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 53.6%, 1.3× the median. (35 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 15.8% | 10.2% | 18.8% | 3 |
| 2000s | 49.8% | 39.7% | 59.9% | 2 |
| 2010s | 71.0% | 69.9% | 72.0% | 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)
- 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 exclusive breastfeeding rate in Zambia?
- Exclusive breastfeeding rate in Zambia was 69.9% in 2018, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 72.0% in 2014.
- What is the lowest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.2% in 1992.
- How does Zambia rank for exclusive breastfeeding rate?
- Zambia ranks 4th out of 72 countries with data for 2018.
- Is exclusive breastfeeding rate rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Exclusive breastfeeding rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 7 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The share of infants less than six months old who were fed only with breast milk in the past 24 hours. WHO and UNICEF recommend that children be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water.