The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says Zambia needs to work hard to ensure that the country’s population growth tallies with the growth of the economy.

UNFPA country representative Duah Owusu- Sarfo says the economy is expected to triple more than the growth of the population as this is key in fighting poverty but that this has not been the case for Zambia which has its annual economic growth standing at about 6 percent per year.

Mr. Owusu- Sarfo noted that the Zambia’s population growth stands at 2.8 percent per annum and that the economic growth should therefore be in the range of about 9 percent per annum.

He added that the country has continued to register a boom in population growth because of improved health care in the country.

Mr. owusu-sarfo was speaking during a press briefing to mark the world population day under the theme the world at seven billion: Zambia at 13 million.

At the same occasion chief planner in the Ministry of Finance and National Planning Mainga Luwabelwa said the government is aware of the fact that the population growth the country has continued to record requires commitment of more resources to sectors such as health and education.

And central Statistical office census manager Richard Banda observed that the country population is most likely to grow from the current 13 million to 26 million in the next 25 years if it maintains the growth of about 2.8 percent per year.
[ QFM ]

7 COMMENTS

Mr. Capitalist - 3 E's steering economic growth July 11, 2011 At 3:41 pm

“He added that the country has continued to register a boom in population growth because of improved health care in the country.” end quote.

Interesting statement from the UN. There is need to raise awareness on the need to slow down population growth. We cannot be having families that are having up to 6 to 9 children they cannot afford to feed. If raising awareness has worked in Bangladesh on the need to have the number of children you can afford, it can work in Zambia.
Kapilipili wambaba July 11, 2011 At 3:52 pm

Let’s multiply and fill the earth….then the end will come!.
Nubian Princess July 11, 2011 At 4:45 pm

UN is quite lame if you ask me!
Mabvuto July 11, 2011 At 4:50 pm

I think this population growth has included the non Zambians who have come to obtain Zambian citizenship illegally. It will be crazy to have 26 million in 25 yrs. Educating the people to have the right number of kids they can afford to look after and educate is the key to reducing explosive population growth. Economic growth at more than 9% should be pursued vigourously.
Copper bullet July 11, 2011 At 7:00 pm

growing an economy at 9% is quite feat. that’s constancy reaching the levels of china who have a billion people……. i highly doubt zambia can achieve that currently expected to be sitting a 6.8%- 7.4% best answer is urbanization as well as educating the youth we also need to factor in inflation
Kamalasha July 12, 2011 At 11:47 am

9% economic growth we will get there sooner or later. We need a large population for the economy to grow. Large population guarantees ready markets. Lets not listent the UN advice on this one. No wonder things are expensive in Z coz of small population. Look at SA, Congo, Uganda, Kenya including Nigeria.
Enka Rasha July 13, 2011 At 9:50 pm

#6 you’re very wrong on this one.Its not the consumers that count the most,its the size of the cake.All the countries you named have a huge underclass with enormous socioeconomic challenges.Look to small countries like Qatar,Denmark,Singapore,UAE,Kuwait and Norway to see their GDP’s and quality of life is better than most.Your prescription will only bring zambia a huge underclass bearing in mind most of our economy is in foreign control.