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News release

Zambians dissatisfied with their economy and the country’s overall direction, Afrobarometer survey shows

31 Oct 2024 Zambia
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News release
Key findings
  • Two-thirds (66%) of Zambians say the country is heading in the wrong direction, a 20- percentage-point increase from 2022 (Figure 1).
  • Nearly three-quarters (73%) say their country’s economic condition is “fairly bad” or “very bad,” while two-thirds (66%) feel the same about their personal living conditions (Figure 2).
  • Compared to 2020, fewer Zambians went without enough food, medical care, and a cash income during the past year (Figure 3).
  • The increasing cost of living tops the list of important problems that Zambians want the government to address, followed by water supply, health, infrastructure/roads, farming/agriculture, food shortage/famine, and electricity (Figure 4).

A majority of Zambians are dissatisfied with their country’s economic condition and overall  direction, the latest Afrobarometer survey reveals. 

According to the survey, most Zambians also describe their personal living conditions as bad. 

While fewer people report lacking some basic necessities than in 2020, concerns about  essential items such as food and cooking fuel persist, and the rising cost of living is a top  priority for government action, along with water supply, health, and infrastructure.