The 2000 Zambian census was conducted in Zambia in 2000 by DRS under approval of the Government of Zambia, which recorded demographic data from 13 million people and 4 million households. Planning for the project commenced in 1998. In October 2000 the census started, with more than 30,000 workers across Zambia completing the 17 million double-sided A4 forms. The census was completed in May 2001. The scanning was undertaken in collaboration with the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) and published by the Central Statistical Office. The census was noted by the Milton Keynes & North Bucks Chamber of Commerce and the DRS received a special commendation for its census work in Africa.
According to the census, Zambia had a total population of 9,885,591 with 4,946,298 (50.04%) males and 4,939,293 (49.46%) females and the sex ratio was 999 for every 1,000 males. The total literacy of the population above the age of five stood at 55.3 per cent. Urban population constituted 34.67 per cent and the remaining 65.33 per cent resided in rural areas. The density of population was 13.1 persons per km2 and the decadal growth of population was 2.50 per cent. There were 22 major languages spoken in Zambia of which 30.1 per cent of the population spoke Bemba, making it the largest spoken language. Out of the seven broad ethnic groups, Bemba was the most prevalent tribal group (33.6%), followed by Eastern Province group (18.2%). The total labour force was 3,165,151 with a total of 55 per cent of the population being inactive in rural areas and 45 per cent in urban areas. Unemployment increased in the country by 29.9 per cent in 2000. Agriculture was the major occupation with 71.5 per cent involved in it.
The people affected by HIV or AIDS constituted 15 per cent of the population, amounting to one million, of which 60 per cent estimated were women. Only 49 per cent of the total population had access to safe water, while only 15 per cent had access to proper toilets. As per the mortality indicators in 2000, the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) stood at 110 deaths per 1,000 children born. The life expectancy at the time of birth increased from 47 in 1990 to 50 in 2000.
Background
The first complete census of Africans in Zambia was carried out in Zambia during May 1963, when the country was a British colony, while the enumeration of non-African people was performed during 1961. Before the 2000 census enumeration, there were three census enumeration exercises carried out in independent Zambia during 1969, 1980 and 1990.
Administration
Zambian 2000 census was carried out from 16 October to 15 November 2000 by 30,000 persons deputed by the Census Statistical Office of Zambia. There were two forms: Form A, which had basic details of full name, sex, membership status and was expected to be answered by senior member of each household; Form B had details about individual members of the family. When the respondent was a minor, proxy members having knowledge about the family were enquired. The details in form B were not sufficiently captured on account of lack of knowledge of the proxy members about the family enquired. All buildings that were complete, incomplete, abandoned, habitable or inhabitable were accounted by the enumerators.
Reports
Zambia had a total population of 9,885,591 including 4,946,298 males and 4,939,293. Among the provinces, Copperbelt Province had the largest population followed by Lusaka, Eastern, Northern and Southern provinces. The interdecadal growth was 3.1 per cent compared to 2.5 per cent during the census of 1990 and 1980. The total literacy of the population above the age of five stood at 55.3 per cent. Urban population constituted 34.67 per cent and the remaining 65.33 per cent resided in rural areas. The density of population was 13.1 persons per km2 and the decadal growth of population was 2.50 per cent. The average annual population had a decrease of 19.4 per cent during the decade of 1990–2000. The highest number of females were found at Copperbelt Province, while the lowest was North-Western. Western Province had the highest sex ratio of 1,058 for every 1,000 males while Lusaka had the lowest of 971. The literacy rate was highest in Copperbelt and lowest in Eastern Province. Eastern Province had the largest number of individuals residing in rural areas, while Lusaka had the highest number residing in urban areas. The density of population was highest in Lusaka district with 63.5 persons living per km2.