Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year in Zambia
Zambia: Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year was 36.6% in 2020. ▲ Rising
Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year in Zambia, 2000–2020
Source: World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of adults who drank alcohol in last year in Zambia is 36.6%, measured in 2020.
That represents a change of down 1.0% on the previous year and up 2.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of adults who drank alcohol in last year in Zambia peaked at 37.3% in 2018 and was at its lowest, 34.1%, in 2007.
That places Zambia 108th out of 187 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 21 years of available data.
Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 34.9% | — |
| 2001 | 34.9% | -0.1% |
| 2002 | 34.5% | -1.2% |
| 2003 | 34.5% | +0.2% |
| 2004 | 34.7% | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 34.3% | -1.2% |
| 2006 | 35.3% | +2.8% |
| 2007 | 34.1% | -3.4% |
| 2008 | 34.5% | +1.3% |
| 2009 | 35.2% | +2.1% |
| 2010 | 35.7% | +1.4% |
| 2011 | 35.5% | -0.7% |
| 2012 | 35.8% | +0.9% |
| 2013 | 36.3% | +1.4% |
| 2014 | 36.9% | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 36.7% | -0.5% |
| 2016 | 36.7% | +0.2% |
| 2017 | 37.1% | +1.0% |
| 2018 | 37.3% | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 37.0% | -0.7% |
| 2020 | 36.6% | -1.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 34.7% | 34.1% | 35.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 36.5% | 35.5% | 37.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 36.6% | 36.6% | 36.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More reference data data for Zambia
- Spring temperature anomalies -0.0386 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies -0.018 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.3261 °C (2026)
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 19.51 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 19.51 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 19.51 (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.5273 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies -0.2981 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 483.32 2010 = 100 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of adults who drank alcohol in last year in Zambia?
- Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year in Zambia was 36.6% in 2020, according to World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of adults who drank alcohol in last year recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 37.3% in 2018.
- What is the lowest share of adults who drank alcohol in last year recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 34.1% in 2007.
- How does Zambia rank for share of adults who drank alcohol in last year?
- Zambia ranks 108th out of 187 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of adults who drank alcohol in last year rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of adults who drank alcohol in last year. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Adults are defined as those aged 15 years and older. Shown is the share of adults who have drunk any alcohol in the preceding 12 months.