Highest Unemployment in Zambia

Top 94 cities ranked by highest unemployment

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 Unemployment — Zambia

1 Mbala 05 5.9%

2 Mungwi 05 5.9%

3 Mumbwa 02 5.9%

4 Mufumbwe 06 5.9%

5 Mufulira 08 5.9%

6 Mpulungu 05 5.9%

7 Mporokoso 05 5.9%

8 Mpongwe 08 5.9%

9 Mpika 10 5.9%

10 Monze 07 5.9%

11 Mongu 01 5.9%

12 Mkushi 02 5.9%

13 Mununga 04 5.9%

14 Mazabuka 07 5.9%

15 Mapalo 08 5.9%

16 Manyinga 06 5.9%

17 Manyama 06 5.9%

18 Mansa 04 5.9%

19 Madido 09 5.9%

20 Maamba 07 5.9%

21 Luwingu 05 5.9%

22 Lusaka West 09 5.9%

23 Lusaka 09 5.9%

24 Lundazi 03 5.9%

25 Nyimba 03 5.9%

26 Zambezi 06 5.9%

27 Solwezi 06 5.9%

28 Sinda 03 5.9%

29 Sinazongwe 07 5.9%

30 Siavonga 07 5.9%

31 Sesheke 01 5.9%

32 Serenje 02 5.9%

33 Senanga 01 5.9%

34 Samfya 04 5.9%

35 Petauke 03 5.9%

36 Palabana 09 5.9%

37 Lukulu 01 5.9%

38 Ntandabale 09 5.9%

39 Ndola 08 5.9%

40 Nchelenge 04 5.9%

41 Namwala 07 5.9%

42 Nampundwe 02 5.9%

43 Namalombwe 09 5.9%

44 Nakonde 10 5.9%

45 Nakambala 07 5.9%

46 Mwinilunga 06 5.9%

47 Mwansabombwe 04 5.9%

48 Chinsali 10 5.9%

49 Kabompo 06 5.9%

50 Itezhi-Tezhi 07 5.9%

51 Isoka 10 5.9%

52 Ibenga 08 5.9%

53 Chunga 09 5.9%

54 Chongwe 09 5.9%

55 Choma 07 5.9%

56 Chisasa 06 5.9%

57 Chisankane 09 5.9%

58 Chirundu 07 5.9%

59 Chipata 03 5.9%

60 Kabwe 02 5.9%

61 Chinkuli 09 5.9%

62 Chingola 08 5.9%

63 Chilubi 05 5.9%

64 Chilongolo 09 5.9%

65 Chililabombwe 08 5.9%

66 Chilanga Township 09 5.9%

67 Chiengi 04 5.9%

68 Chavuma 06 5.9%

69 Chambishi 08 5.9%

70 Chama 10 5.9%

71 Chalimbana 09 5.9%

72 Kasempa 06 5.9%

73 Lubwe 04 5.9%

74 Lubombo 07 5.9%

75 Luanshya 08 5.9%

76 Luangwa 09 5.9%

77 Livingstone 07 5.9%

78 Limulunga 01 5.9%

79 Kitwe 08 5.9%

80 Kazungula 07 5.9%

81 Kawambwa 04 5.9%

82 Katete 03 5.9%

83 Kataba 08 5.9%

84 Chadiza 03 5.9%

85 Kasama 05 5.9%

86 Kaputa 05 5.9%

87 Kapiri Mposhi 02 5.9%

88 Kaoma 01 5.9%

89 Kansanshi 06 5.9%

90 Kalulushi 08 5.9%

91 Kalomo 07 5.9%

92 Kalengwa 06 5.9%

93 Kalabo 01 5.9%

94 Kafue 09 5.9%

Cities with the highest unemployment rates in Zambia face significant economic challenges. Mbala has an unemployment rate of 5.9%. These communities often struggle with limited job opportunities, industry decline, or seasonal employment patterns.

High unemployment can have cascading effects on a community, including reduced consumer spending, lower tax revenues, and increased demand for social services. Understanding the causes — whether structural, cyclical, or seasonal — is important for developing effective solutions.

Many cities with high unemployment are actively working to diversify their economies, attract new industries, and invest in workforce development programs to help residents gain skills for in-demand occupations.

Did You Know?

1. In Mbala, about 1 in 17 workers is looking for a job.
2. Seasonal economies (tourism, agriculture) can cause unemployment rates to fluctuate dramatically throughout the year.
3. Many high-unemployment cities have seen improvement through targeted economic development and workforce training programs.

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