🇿🇲Zambia Political Stability: 27.3/100

Zambia is a landlocked country in southern Africa, characterized by high plateaus, hills, and mountains, with a tropical climate. It covers an area of 752,614 km², making it the 39th largest country in the world. The country is primarily drained by the Zambezi and Congo river basins, with the Zambezi forming its southern border with Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

As of the 2022 census, Zambia has a population of approximately 19.6 million people, with a significant urban population concentrated along major transport corridors. The main ethnic groups include Bemba, Nyanja, and Tonga, with English as the official language and Nyanja and Bemba being widely spoken locally.

World Bank governance: rule of law 24th percentile, corruption control 25th percentile, political stability 40th percentile.

Zambia's strongest governance dimension is Political Stability at 40/100, placing it in the lower half globally. This reflects a relatively low likelihood of politically motivated violence or instability.

The weakest dimension is Government Effectiveness at 15/100. Limited government effectiveness can mean inconsistent public services and gaps in policy implementation.

A notable 26-point gap between Political Stability and Government Effectiveness reveals uneven governance. Some institutions function well while others lag significantly. Travelers should be aware that the quality of government services and protections may vary depending on the context.

Weak governance indicators for Zambia mean travelers should exercise heightened caution. Government services may be limited or unreliable, corruption can affect interactions with officials, and legal protections may not function as expected. Thorough preparation and situational awareness are essential.

The U.S. State Department currently rates Zambia as Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.