Reported cases of measles in Zambia
Zambia: Reported cases of measles was 299 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Reported cases of measles in Zambia, 1974–2024
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2024, reported cases of measles in Zambia stood at 299.
The figure is down 94.7% on the previous year and up 3,222.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, reported cases of measles in Zambia peaked at 184,210 in 1981 and was at its lowest, 8, in 2016.
That places Zambia 66th out of 210 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Reported cases of measles in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 113,643 | — |
| 1975 | 91,461 | -19.5% |
| 1976 | 128,135 | +40.1% |
| 1977 | 112,021 | -12.6% |
| 1978 | 98,516 | -12.1% |
| 1979 | 95,069 | -3.5% |
| 1980 | 98,659 | +3.8% |
| 1981 | 184,210 | +86.7% |
| 1982 | 73,499 | -60.1% |
| 1983 | 51,140 | -30.4% |
| 1984 | 36,881 | -27.9% |
| 1985 | 51,000 | +38.3% |
| 1986 | 23,866 | -53.2% |
| 1987 | 14,793 | -38.0% |
| 1988 | 12,487 | -15.6% |
| 1989 | 5,747 | -54.0% |
| 1990 | 6,748 | +17.4% |
| 1991 | 2,822 | -58.2% |
| 1992 | 11,006 | +290.0% |
| 1993 | 11,829 | +7.5% |
| 1994 | 14,255 | +20.5% |
| 1995 | 8,533 | -40.1% |
| 1996 | 9,459 | +10.9% |
| 1997 | 7,140 | -24.5% |
| 1999 | 23,518 | +229.4% |
| 2000 | 30,930 | +31.5% |
| 2001 | 16,997 | -45.0% |
| 2002 | 25,036 | +47.3% |
| 2003 | 881 | -96.5% |
| 2004 | 35 | -96.0% |
| 2005 | 45 | +28.6% |
| 2006 | 459 | +920.0% |
| 2007 | 535 | +16.6% |
| 2008 | 140 | -73.8% |
| 2009 | 26 | -81.4% |
| 2010 | 15,754 | +60492.3% |
| 2011 | 13,234 | -16.0% |
| 2012 | 896 | -93.2% |
| 2013 | 35 | -96.1% |
| 2014 | 9 | -74.3% |
| 2015 | 9 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 8 | -11.1% |
| 2017 | 13 | +62.5% |
| 2018 | 11 | -15.4% |
| 2019 | 15 | +36.4% |
| 2020 | 237 | +1480.0% |
| 2021 | 55 | -76.8% |
| 2022 | 1,755 | +3090.9% |
| 2023 | 5,653 | +222.1% |
| 2024 | 299 | -94.7% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 299 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 91, 3.3× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 299 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 551, 54% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Reported cases of measles in Zambia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | +60492.3% | 26 | 15,754 |
| 2022 | +3090.9% | 55 | 1,755 |
| 2020 | +1480.0% | 15 | 237 |
| 2006 | +920.0% | 45 | 459 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 106,474 | 91,461 | 128,135 | 6 |
| 1980s | 55,228 | 5,747 | 184,210 | 10 |
| 1990s | 10,590 | 2,822 | 23,518 | 9 |
| 2000s | 7,508 | 26 | 30,930 | 10 |
| 2010s | 2,998 | 8 | 15,754 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,600 | 55 | 5,653 | 5 |
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 reported cases of measles in Zambia?
- Reported cases of measles in Zambia was 299 in 2024, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest reported cases of measles recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 184,210 in 1981.
- What is the lowest reported cases of measles recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 8 in 2016.
- How does Zambia rank for reported cases of measles?
- Zambia ranks 66th out of 210 countries with data for 2024.
- Is reported cases of measles rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3,222.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Reported cases of measles. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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