Adoption of communication technologies in Zambia
Zambia: Adoption of communication technologies was 73,688 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Adoption of communication technologies in Zambia, 1960–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 73,688 for adoption of communication technologies in 2024.
That represents a change of down 9.3% on the previous year and down 35.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adoption of communication technologies in Zambia peaked at 118,388 in 2010 and was at its lowest, 15,000, in 1960.
That places Zambia 140th out of 212 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Adoption of communication technologies in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 15,000 | — |
| 1961 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 15,000 | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 17,100 | +14.0% |
| 1966 | 17,100 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 17,100 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 17,100 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 17,100 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 23,200 | +35.7% |
| 1971 | 23,200 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 23,200 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 23,200 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 23,200 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 28,400 | +22.4% |
| 1976 | 28,200 | -0.7% |
| 1977 | 29,500 | +4.6% |
| 1978 | 30,000 | +1.7% |
| 1979 | 30,698 | +2.3% |
| 1980 | 32,659 | +6.4% |
| 1981 | 34,927 | +6.9% |
| 1982 | 36,330 | +4.0% |
| 1983 | 37,493 | +3.2% |
| 1984 | 41,819 | +11.5% |
| 1985 | 43,772 | +4.7% |
| 1986 | 47,164 | +7.7% |
| 1987 | 50,919 | +8.0% |
| 1988 | 58,492 | +14.9% |
| 1989 | 65,750 | +12.4% |
| 1990 | 65,057 | -1.1% |
| 1991 | 68,935 | +6.0% |
| 1992 | 75,880 | +10.1% |
| 1993 | 77,966 | +2.7% |
| 1994 | 79,786 | +2.3% |
| 1995 | 76,769 | -3.8% |
| 1996 | 77,935 | +1.5% |
| 1997 | 77,377 | -0.7% |
| 1998 | 77,700 | +0.4% |
| 1999 | 83,084 | +6.9% |
| 2000 | 83,326 | +0.3% |
| 2001 | 85,662 | +2.8% |
| 2002 | 87,674 | +2.3% |
| 2003 | 88,426 | +0.9% |
| 2004 | 91,719 | +3.7% |
| 2005 | 94,665 | +3.2% |
| 2006 | 93,427 | -1.3% |
| 2007 | 91,789 | -1.8% |
| 2008 | 90,600 | -1.3% |
| 2009 | 90,341 | -0.3% |
| 2010 | 118,388 | +31.0% |
| 2011 | 85,727 | -27.6% |
| 2012 | 82,542 | -3.7% |
| 2013 | 115,762 | +40.2% |
| 2014 | 114,420 | -1.2% |
| 2015 | 116,165 | +1.5% |
| 2016 | 101,407 | -12.7% |
| 2017 | 101,444 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 100,444 | -1.0% |
| 2019 | 96,719 | -3.7% |
| 2020 | 71,844 | -25.7% |
| 2021 | 65,913 | -8.3% |
| 2022 | 96,284 | +46.1% |
| 2023 | 81,264 | -15.6% |
| 2024 | 73,688 | -9.3% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 73,688 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 102,714, 72% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 73,688 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 56,011, 1.3× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Adoption of communication technologies in Zambia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +46.1% | 65,913 | 96,284 |
| 2013 | +40.2% | 82,542 | 115,762 |
| 1970 | +35.7% | 17,100 | 23,200 |
| 2010 | +31.0% | 90,341 | 118,388 |
| 2011 | -27.6% | 118,388 | 85,727 |
| 2020 | -25.7% | 96,719 | 71,844 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 16,050 | 15,000 | 17,100 | 10 |
| 1970s | 26,280 | 23,200 | 30,698 | 10 |
| 1980s | 44,932 | 32,659 | 65,750 | 10 |
| 1990s | 76,049 | 65,057 | 83,084 | 10 |
| 2000s | 89,763 | 83,326 | 94,665 | 10 |
| 2010s | 103,302 | 82,542 | 118,388 | 10 |
| 2020s | 77,799 | 65,913 | 96,284 | 5 |
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 adoption of communication technologies in Zambia?
- Adoption of communication technologies in Zambia was 73,688 in 2024, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 118,388 in 2010.
- What is the lowest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 15,000 in 1960.
- How does Zambia rank for adoption of communication technologies?
- Zambia ranks 140th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is adoption of communication technologies rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 35.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Adoption of communication technologies. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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