Zambia’s Youth Dividend: Promise or Pressure
- Konstanza Haefner
- Sep 18
- 4 min read
Around 65% of Zambia’s population is under the age of 25[1], with 41% being between the ages of 0 to 14[2]. This demographic dividend, driven by a large, youthful, and rapidly expanding population, places the country at a critical crossroads, offering an unprecedented opportunity for transformative economic growth. However, this potential is not automatic, it is an outcome, contingent on strategic policy, investment, and governance.
In order to delve deeper into this topic, it is necessary to define a few key terms. Firstly, a youth bulge refers to the significant proportion of a country’s population under the age of 25[3]. The second term of note is demographic dividends, which describe the growth in an economy that comes as a result of the age structure of a country’s population changing[4]. Finally, a dependency ratio compares the number of dependents to the total working-age population of a country[5]. These all paint a picture that helps to understand how Zambia developed such a young population.
With a median age of just 17.9, Zambia’s population presents a remarkable opportunity to harness a demographic dividend. As more young people transition into formal employment, particularly within agriculture, industry, and services, these vital sectors stand to gain significantly in productivity. This expansion of the workforce also contributes to a more stable and predictable tax base, empowering the government to invest more effectively in public infrastructure, education, healthcare, and long-term development across the country.
Moreover, a youthful population contributes to the growth of the domestic market. Rising numbers of young consumers drive demand for goods, services, and housing, which in turn stimulates local enterprise and attracts investment. This demographic shift supports long-term, sustainable economic development.
In addition to expanding domestic markets, Zambia’s youthful population contributes significantly to innovation and adaptability. Young people are frequently at the forefront of entrepreneurship, readily embrace emerging technologies, and are open to rethinking traditional approaches. Their ability to challenge the status quo and offer fresh perspectives presents a valuable opportunity to revitalise key industries and drive economic transformation.
The advantages of a young population extend beyond national borders. As many Western nations face the challenges of ageing demographics, Zambia’s growing base of young, skilled individuals positions the country as a potential hub for talent and intellectual capital on the global stage. The benefits are clear. A rising labour force not only strengthens the tax base but also fuels demand for goods, services, and housing. This creates a vibrant domestic market characterised by energy, creativity, and long-term economic potential.
While Zambia’s youthful population presents immense potential, realising its full benefits requires deliberate and sustained investment. If not properly harnessed, this demographic advantage could pose significant challenges. The most pressing concern is the scale of labour market entry, by 2030, an estimated 375,000 young people will join the workforce annually. Without adequate access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, this momentum risks being undermined by rising unemployment and underemployment, which can lead to widespread frustration and disengagement.
Urban centres such as Lusaka and Ndola are already experiencing the pressures of rapid migration, placing considerable strain on infrastructure and contributing to the growth of informal settlements. These conditions intensify challenges related to water access, sanitation, and transportation, and highlight the urgent need for coordinated urban planning and service delivery.
The growing demand on public services, particularly in education and healthcare, requires strategic expansion to maintain quality and accessibility. If unmet, these pressures could erode social cohesion and increase vulnerability to instability.
However, with proactive policies, targeted investments, and inclusive planning, Zambia can transform these challenges into opportunities. By equipping its youth with the tools to thrive, the country can build a resilient, innovative, and inclusive economy that benefits all citizens.
Global comparisons between ageing and youthful populations offer Zambia both a cautionary tale and a roadmap. Ageing societies like Japan and Germany face shrinking workforces, rising pension costs, and economic stagnation, yet they became wealthy before ageing, enabling strong social safety nets. Zambia, still developing, must manage its demographic transition without that cushion. More relevant are the East Asian Tigers; South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore; which turned youth bulges into engines of growth through targeted investment in education, export-driven industrialisation, and sound governance. In contrast, some regional peers have seen youth surges lead to unemployment and instability due to inadequate education and job creation. The lesson for Zambia is that a demographic dividend is not an automatic guarantee of prosperity but a time-limited opportunity that must be seized through deliberate, strategic policy.
Zambia stands at a pivotal demographic crossroads. With 65% of its population under 25, the country holds a powerful yet time-sensitive opportunity to convert its youth bulge into a demographic dividend. Achieving this requires deliberate, cross-sectoral policies that transform youthful energy into economic productivity.
Education is central to this transformation. The Government’s introduction of free education from primary to secondary level has expanded access. The next step is to improve quality and invest in secondary, technical, and tertiary education, particularly in STEM and vocational training, to align skills with market demands in sectors like agribusiness, construction, and technology.
Economic policy must focus on job creation, by diversifying beyond mining into value-added industries to further strengthen resilience. These efforts must be supported by robust health systems, especially in adolescent and reproductive care, to ensure a healthy, productive workforce and manage fertility sustainably.
Good governance and inclusive politics are essential. Young people must be integrated into national decision-making to foster stability and shared progress. The path Zambia takes today will determine whether its youthful potential leads to a future of innovation and prosperity or one marked by disillusionment and instability. Investing in Zambia’s youth is not an expense but a generational imperative, an open window through which the nation must step boldly, while time still favours decisive action.
[2]https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.0014.TO.ZS?end=2024&locations=ZM&start=1960&view=chart
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