Exclusive breastfeeding in Zambia

Zambia: Exclusive breastfeeding was 69.9% in 2018. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2018)
69.9%
World rank
4th
of 72 countries
All-time high
72.0%
in 2014
All-time low
10.2%
in 1992
Years of data
7
1992–2018

Exclusive breastfeeding in Zambia, 1992–2018

204060801992200520181992: 10.2 % of children under 6 months1997: 18.8 % of children under 6 months1999: 18.5 % of children under 6 months2002: 39.7 % of children under 6 months2007: 59.9 % of children under 6 months2014: 72 % of children under 6 months2018: 69.9 % of children under 6 months

Source: State of the World's Children, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). Measured in % of children under 6 months.

Analysis

Zambia recorded 69.9% for exclusive breastfeeding in 2018.

The figure is up 16.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, exclusive breastfeeding in Zambia peaked at 72.0% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 10.2%, in 1992.

That places Zambia 4th out of 72 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top 10%.

Exclusive breastfeeding in Zambia, year by year

Annual values for Exclusive breastfeeding (% of children under 6 months) in Zambia, 1992 to 2018.
Year % of children under 6 months Change
1992 10.2%
1997 18.8% +84.3%
1999 18.5% -1.4%
2002 39.7% +114.2%
2007 59.9% +50.8%
2014 72.0% +20.3%
2018 69.9% -2.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 15.8% 10.2% 18.8% 3
2000s 49.8% 39.7% 59.9% 2
2010s 71.0% 69.9% 72.0% 2

Countries ranked near Zambia

  1. 1 Sri Lanka 80.9% compare
  2. 2 Rwanda 80.9% compare
  3. 3 Burundi 71.9% compare
  4. 5 Uganda 65.5% compare
  5. 6 Peru 65.3% compare
  6. 7 Cambodia 65.2% compare

See the full ranking of 72 places →

More health data for Zambia

All data for Zambia →

Frequently asked questions

What is exclusive breastfeeding in Zambia?
Exclusive breastfeeding in Zambia was 69.9% in 2018, according to State of the World's Children, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).
What is the highest exclusive breastfeeding recorded in Zambia?
The highest recorded value was 72.0% in 2014.
What is the lowest exclusive breastfeeding recorded in Zambia?
The lowest recorded value was 10.2% in 1992.
How does Zambia rank for exclusive breastfeeding?
Zambia ranks 4th out of 72 countries with data for 2018.
Is exclusive breastfeeding rising or falling in Zambia?
Over the last ten years it is up 16.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Zambia data come from?
The figures come from State of the World's Children, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), published as part of Exclusive breastfeeding (% of children under 6 months). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Exclusive breastfeeding in Zambia. Statizoid, drawing on State of the World's Children, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). Retrieved 09 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/exclusive-breastfeeding-percent-of-children-under-6-months/zambia/

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<a href="https://health.statizoid.com/stat/exclusive-breastfeeding-percent-of-children-under-6-months/zambia/">Exclusive breastfeeding in Zambia</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator
Exclusive breastfeeding (% of children under 6 months)
Unit
% of children under 6 months
Source
State of the World's Children, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
72 places, 509 data points, 1986–2020
Last refreshed

Exclusive breastfeeding refers to the percentage of children less than six months old who are fed breast milk alone (no other liquids) in the past 24 hours.