Zambia

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for Zambia
Published: 2026

Region: Southern Africa
Capital: Lusaka
Currency: Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Density: 25 / km²

WRI Score 2026

57.98

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 136th
In Africa: 7th
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Territorial system · top rate 37%· KPMG / EY
91.0
Territorial system taxes only locally sourced income.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 25 / km²· UN WPP
100.0
Sparsely populated, well below global norms.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $1,523· IMF WEO 2026
1.0
Among the lowest per-capita output levels on this list.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 65 years· WHO / UN
20.8
Among the shortest average lifespans on this list.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 0.05 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
22.7
Minimal recorded inbound tourism.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 12%· ILO / SECO
57.0
Moderate unemployment relative to peers.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 1.2% of GDP· SIPRI
92.7
Modest military expenditure relative to GDP.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
44.4
Below-average safety and judicial quality.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
96.0
Among the highest ideological-neutrality scores on this list.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

Zambia holds 136th of 211 with a WRI Score of 57.98 — holds a position in the lower half of the field. Its strength lies in population density (100) and ideological neutrality (96); GDP per capita remains its clearest structural constraint.