Highest Poverty in Zambia

Top 94 cities ranked by highest poverty

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Zambia

Highest Poverty — Zambia

1 Mbala 05 71.7%

2 Mungwi 05 71.7%

3 Mumbwa 02 71.7%

4 Mufumbwe 06 71.7%

5 Mufulira 08 71.7%

6 Mpulungu 05 71.7%

7 Mporokoso 05 71.7%

8 Mpongwe 08 71.7%

9 Mpika 10 71.7%

10 Monze 07 71.7%

11 Mongu 01 71.7%

12 Mkushi 02 71.7%

13 Mununga 04 71.7%

14 Mazabuka 07 71.7%

15 Mapalo 08 71.7%

16 Manyinga 06 71.7%

17 Manyama 06 71.7%

18 Mansa 04 71.7%

19 Madido 09 71.7%

20 Maamba 07 71.7%

21 Luwingu 05 71.7%

22 Lusaka West 09 71.7%

23 Lusaka 09 71.7%

24 Lundazi 03 71.7%

25 Nyimba 03 71.7%

26 Zambezi 06 71.7%

27 Solwezi 06 71.7%

28 Sinda 03 71.7%

29 Sinazongwe 07 71.7%

30 Siavonga 07 71.7%

31 Sesheke 01 71.7%

32 Serenje 02 71.7%

33 Senanga 01 71.7%

34 Samfya 04 71.7%

35 Petauke 03 71.7%

36 Palabana 09 71.7%

37 Lukulu 01 71.7%

38 Ntandabale 09 71.7%

39 Ndola 08 71.7%

40 Nchelenge 04 71.7%

41 Namwala 07 71.7%

42 Nampundwe 02 71.7%

43 Namalombwe 09 71.7%

44 Nakonde 10 71.7%

45 Nakambala 07 71.7%

46 Mwinilunga 06 71.7%

47 Mwansabombwe 04 71.7%

48 Chinsali 10 71.7%

49 Kabompo 06 71.7%

50 Itezhi-Tezhi 07 71.7%

51 Isoka 10 71.7%

52 Ibenga 08 71.7%

53 Chunga 09 71.7%

54 Chongwe 09 71.7%

55 Choma 07 71.7%

56 Chisasa 06 71.7%

57 Chisankane 09 71.7%

58 Chirundu 07 71.7%

59 Chipata 03 71.7%

60 Kabwe 02 71.7%

61 Chinkuli 09 71.7%

62 Chingola 08 71.7%

63 Chilubi 05 71.7%

64 Chilongolo 09 71.7%

65 Chililabombwe 08 71.7%

66 Chilanga Township 09 71.7%

67 Chiengi 04 71.7%

68 Chavuma 06 71.7%

69 Chambishi 08 71.7%

70 Chama 10 71.7%

71 Chalimbana 09 71.7%

72 Kasempa 06 71.7%

73 Lubwe 04 71.7%

74 Lubombo 07 71.7%

75 Luanshya 08 71.7%

76 Luangwa 09 71.7%

77 Livingstone 07 71.7%

78 Limulunga 01 71.7%

79 Kitwe 08 71.7%

80 Kazungula 07 71.7%

81 Kawambwa 04 71.7%

82 Katete 03 71.7%

83 Kataba 08 71.7%

84 Chadiza 03 71.7%

85 Kasama 05 71.7%

86 Kaputa 05 71.7%

87 Kapiri Mposhi 02 71.7%

88 Kaoma 01 71.7%

89 Kansanshi 06 71.7%

90 Kalulushi 08 71.7%

91 Kalomo 07 71.7%

92 Kalengwa 06 71.7%

93 Kalabo 01 71.7%

94 Kafue 09 71.7%

Cities with the highest poverty rates in Zambia face deep economic challenges affecting a significant portion of their population. Mbala has a poverty rate of 71.7%.

High poverty rates impact communities in multiple ways: reduced access to healthcare and healthy food, lower educational outcomes, higher crime rates, and deteriorating infrastructure. These challenges are interconnected and require comprehensive solutions.

Addressing poverty in these cities requires a multi-pronged approach including economic development, affordable housing, quality education, healthcare access, and workforce training programs targeting underserved populations.

Did You Know?

1. In Mbala, 71.7% of residents — roughly 1 in 1 people — live below the poverty line.
2. Child poverty rates in these cities are often even higher than the overall rate, sometimes exceeding 40%.
3. Poverty is measured by household income relative to family size — the threshold varies from $15,060 for an individual to $31,200 for a family of four.

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