Country profile Zambia 2015

Abstract

Zambia has recorded steady economic growth, surpassing the regional average. Its average growth rate in the last five years (2010-2015) was over 6 per cent, which is above the regional average for the countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), at 4 per cent. Recent economic challenges, however, arising from a decline in the price and production of copper, the country’s main export product, energy shortages and growing inflation are threatening its growth prospects. This impressive growth rate has brought increased public investment in the social sector and the provision of social safety nets for vulnerable sections of society, although inequality and poverty remain high, in particular in the rural areas.