Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Zambia
Zambia: Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities was 39.9% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Zambia, 2000–2024
Source: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 39.9% for share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is down 2.9% on the previous year and down 23.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Zambia peaked at 69.4% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 39.9%, in 2024.
That places Zambia 25th out of 232 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 25 years of available data.
Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 69.4% | — |
| 2001 | 68.3% | -1.6% |
| 2002 | 67.0% | -1.9% |
| 2003 | 65.7% | -1.9% |
| 2004 | 64.5% | -1.9% |
| 2005 | 63.2% | -2.0% |
| 2006 | 61.9% | -2.0% |
| 2007 | 60.7% | -2.0% |
| 2008 | 59.4% | -2.1% |
| 2009 | 58.2% | -2.1% |
| 2010 | 56.9% | -2.1% |
| 2011 | 55.7% | -2.2% |
| 2012 | 54.4% | -2.2% |
| 2013 | 53.2% | -2.3% |
| 2014 | 52.0% | -2.3% |
| 2015 | 50.8% | -2.4% |
| 2016 | 49.5% | -2.4% |
| 2017 | 48.3% | -2.5% |
| 2018 | 47.1% | -2.5% |
| 2019 | 45.9% | -2.6% |
| 2020 | 44.7% | -2.6% |
| 2021 | 43.5% | -2.7% |
| 2022 | 42.3% | -2.7% |
| 2023 | 41.1% | -2.8% |
| 2024 | 39.9% | -2.9% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 39.9% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 26.4%, 1.5× the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 39.9% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 36.6%, 1.1× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 63.8% | 58.2% | 69.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 51.4% | 45.9% | 56.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 42.3% | 39.9% | 44.7% | 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 share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Zambia?
- Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Zambia was 39.9% in 2024, according to WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population not using improved sanitation facilities recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 69.4% in 2000.
- What is the lowest share of population not using improved sanitation facilities recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 39.9% in 2024.
- How does Zambia rank for share of population not using improved sanitation facilities?
- Zambia ranks 25th out of 232 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of population not using improved sanitation facilities rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 23.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
If no improved sanitation facility is available, people might practice open defecation or use unimproved sanitation facilities.