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Read our comprehensive and informative annual reports
to view our past performances and future plans.
In 2021, Zambia gained eligibility to graduate from least developed country status. The country's population of 17.8 million is growing by 2.8% per annum and urbanizing rapidly. A Human Development Index ranking of 0.584 places Zambia 146th out of 189 countries. The economy continues to be heavily dependent on copper mining and rain-fed agriculture. The informal sector accounts for almost 90% of the labour force. The youth unemployment rate is close to 52%.
In the reporting period, the government has shown political will towards alleviating the lives of underserved populations, women, children and rural areas and communities. The free education policy has made a significant contribution towards the implementation of the National Social Protection Policy. In addition, the increase and decentralisation of the Constituency Development Fund is a pragmatic step towards poverty alleviation, especially in underserved communities. The government has further increased the number of beneficiaries under the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) and increased the amount from ZMW 180 to ZMW 400 per beneficiary.
This report covers the period from January to December 2021, a year in which the effects of the COVID-19 continued to affect all sectors of society. In this same period, the Republic of Zambia underwent significant changes as it was the time the country conducted its tripartite elections to elect the National President, Members of Parliament and Council representatives. This led to change of government from the party of Patriotic Front (PF) to the party of United Party for National Development (UPND), and hence leading to a series of changes in governance structures as ministries were realigned. The change of governance structures has prompted new acquaintances with the ministry officials to strategize the positioning of SOS Children’s Village in Zambia.
This report covers the period from January to December 2020, a year in which the effects of the COVID-19 paused multiple challenges for all sectors of society. The ripple effects of the corona virus found their way into the core programmes. Even though the country remained relatively stable, the major economic indicators showed an increase in the general cost of doing business. The year saw some businesses slow down while others completely closed down. Major economic drivers like the tourism and hospitality industries recorded job losses due to lack of businesses. This presented a very big disadvantage in a country where unemployment rate is already high, at 80%. For SOS Children’s Villages, it meant cancelling youth employability and empowerment programmes. For example, internships, mentorships and job shadowing activities could not be carried out.
By the end of 2018, the population of Zambia was unofficially placed at 17.9 million. Zambia’s population in 2010 was 13,092,666. This was an increase from 9,885, 591 in 2000. The population grew at an average annual rate of 2.8 percent during the 2000-2010 inter-censual period. This average annual rate was higher than 2.4 percent recorded in the inter-censual period 1990-2000. Of the total population in 2010, 60.5 percent were residing in rural areas while 39.5 percent were residing in urban areas. Lusaka Province had the largest population at 2,191,225 followed by Copperbelt Province with 1,972,317, (Central Statistical Office, Zambia, 2012).
GDP growth slowed down to 3.2% in 2015 from 5% in 2014. The growth outturn was significantly lower than the 7% target for the year. Growth was mainly constrained by the electricity supply deficit, weak international copper prices, and high production costs associated with the increase in fuel prices and the sharp depreciation of the Kwacha. Almost all commodity prices trended downwards in 2015. Despite the 5% annual economic growth, the impact on the 45% extremely poor population has been minimal.