Early initiation of breastfeeding in Zambia
Zambia: Early initiation of breastfeeding was 68 in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
68
World rank
16th
of 56 countries
All-time high
75.5
in 2018
All-time low
49.44
in 2002
Years of data
6
1996–2024
Early initiation of breastfeeding in Zambia, 1996–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2024, early initiation of breastfeeding in Zambia stood at 68.
The figure is up 3.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, early initiation of breastfeeding in Zambia peaked at 75.5 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 49.44, in 2002.
That places Zambia 16th out of 56 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Early initiation of breastfeeding in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 56.7 | — |
| 2002 | 49.44 | -12.8% |
| 2007 | 55.6 | +12.5% |
| 2013 | 65.67 | +18.1% |
| 2018 | 75.5 | +15.0% |
| 2024 | 68 | -9.9% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 68 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 48.32, 1.4× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 68 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 60.21, 1.1× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 56.7 | 56.7 | 56.7 | 1 |
| 2000s | 52.52 | 49.44 | 55.6 | 2 |
| 2010s | 70.59 | 65.67 | 75.5 | 2 |
| 2020s | 68 | 68 | 68 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More health data for Zambia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.09 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.7971 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 8,894 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.68 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0743 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.69 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0744 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is early initiation of breastfeeding in Zambia?
- Early initiation of breastfeeding in Zambia was 68 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest early initiation of breastfeeding recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 75.5 in 2018.
- What is the lowest early initiation of breastfeeding recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 49.44 in 2002.
- How does Zambia rank for early initiation of breastfeeding?
- Zambia ranks 16th out of 56 countries with data for 2024.
- Is early initiation of breastfeeding rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Early initiation of breastfeeding. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 6 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).