MigrantoImmigrants in Zambia
221.1K foreigners live in Zambia — 1% of the country's population
Immigrants in Zambia by country
The 3 largest groups make up 59% of all immigrants
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| DR Congo | 67171 |
| Angola | 41665 |
| Zimbabwe | 22297 |
| Malawi | 17796 |
| Republic of Congo | 13869 |
| Rwanda | 12201 |
| Burundi | 9305 |
| Tanzania | 8773 |
| India | 7569 |
| South Africa | 5022 |
| Mozambique | 2125 |
| United Kingdom | 2100 |
| China | 1645 |
| USA | 1550 |
| Botswana | 1498 |
| Namibia | 1026 |
| Kenya | 875 |
| Nigeria | 829 |
| Uganda | 741 |
| Germany | 452 |
| Australia | 428 |
| Cameroon | 396 |
| Mali | 354 |
| Canada | 326 |
| Ghana | 284 |
| Egypt | 265 |
| Senegal | 232 |
| Japan | 163 |
| France | 111 |
By region of origin
94% of immigrants come from Africa
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Key facts
Immigrants in Zambia in numbers
The immigrant population has grown 33% since 2020
The number of foreigners living in Zambia rose from 166.7K to 221.1K in four years.
Congolese are the largest group by a wide margin
30% of all immigrants were born in DR Congo, while the next group accounts for just 19%.
Immigrants come from a wider range of countries than in 1990
The largest group's share fell from 46% to 30%.
The map of origins has changed since 1990
4 countries have entered the top 20 origins since 1990: Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi. Republic of Congo climbed from outside the top 20 to #5.
Immigrant population in Zambia over time
Foreigners living in Zambia, by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 270330 |
| 1995 | 232462 |
| 2000 | 337977 |
| 2005 | 228139 |
| 2010 | 131183 |
| 2015 | 116565 |
| 2020 | 166734 |
| 2024 | 221068 |
Largest groups over time
The 5 largest groups in Zambia, by year
| Year | Congolese | Angolans | Zimbabweans | Malawians | Congolese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 27297 | 123807 | 34829 | 17073 | 116 |
| 1995 | 31525 | 141001 | 23707 | 12382 | 456 |
| 2000 | 58237 | 238248 | 9056 | 6937 | 4330 |
| 2005 | 73742 | 98687 | 12444 | 9665 | 5632 |
| 2010 | 20933 | 37306 | 17226 | 13467 | 8481 |
| 2015 | 26440 | 27864 | 13175 | 10363 | 7471 |
| 2020 | 50661 | 31424 | 16816 | 13422 | 10460 |
| 2024 | 67171 | 41665 | 22297 | 17796 | 13869 |
Fastest-changing groups
How each group's numbers have changed since the selected year
Share of each diaspora living in Zambia
Of each group's emigrants worldwide, the share who live in Zambia
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many foreigners live in Zambia?
Around 221.1K immigrants live in Zambia — the world's #107 largest immigrant population.
What percentage of the population of Zambia are immigrants?
Immigrants make up around 1% of the population of Zambia — that's 221.1K out of a total population of 21.3M.
Where do most immigrants in Zambia come from?
Most immigrants in Zambia come from DR Congo, Angola and Zimbabwe — these three countries account for about 59% of all immigrants.
How many Congolese live in Zambia?
Around 67.2K Congolese live in Zambia — about 30% of all immigrants, the largest group.
Is the immigrant population in Zambia growing?
Yes — over the past decade, the number of immigrants in Zambia has grown from 116.6K to 221.1K, about 90%.
Where does the data on immigrants in Zambia come from?
The source is International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division). It counts people born abroad who now live in Zambia. Their children born in Zambia are not included.
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Living in Zambia
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