| Economy - overview: | Despite progress in privatization and budgetary reform, Zambia's economic growth remains somewhat below the 6% to 7% needed to reduce poverty significantly. Privatization of government-owned copper mines relieved the government from covering mammoth losses generated by the industry and greatly improved the chances for copper mining to return to profitability and spur economic growth. Copper output has increased steadily since 2004, due to higher copper prices and the opening of new mines. The maize harvest was again good in 2005, helping boost GDP and agricultural exports. Cooperation continues with international bodies on programs to reduce poverty, including a new lending arrangement with the IMF in the second quarter, 2004. A tighter monetary policy will help cut inflation, but Zambia still has a serious problem with high public debt. |
| GDP - per capita | $900 (2005 est.) |
| GDP - real growth rate (%) | 5.8% (2005 est.) |
| Agriculture - products | corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca); cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides; coffee |
| GDP - composition by sector (%) | agriculture: 21.7%, industry: 29.5%, services: 48.8% (2005 est.) |
| Industries | copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture |
| Economic aid - recipient | $640.6 million (2002) |
| Debt - external | $5.866 billion (2005 est.) |
| Population below poverty line (%) | 86% (1993) |
| Labor force - by occupation (%) | agriculture 85%, industry 6%, services 9% |
Environment, Land use / Resources, Economy, Population / Demographics, Infrastructure, Health -- CIA World Factbook, 2005
