ZamStats Launches The 2022 National Analytical Census Report
The Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats) launched the 2022 National Analytical Census Report on 1st July, 2025 at the Mulungushi International Conference Center (MICC). This was after the series of successful post-census activities including the release of the Preliminary Census Report and the Revised Population Summary Report. This comprehensive report revealed in-depth insights and findings from the 2022 Census, shedding light on key demographic, social and economic trends that will guide planning and policy for years to come.
During the launch, the Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning Ms. Pamela Kauseni (P&A) graced the event with the key note speech on behalf of the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr. Situmbeko Musoktwane. Ms. Kauseni indicated that the report builds on the earlier Preliminary report and revised population summary, but goes far deeper in offering rich analysis of the country’s demographic, social, and economic realities. it tells us not just how many we are, but who we are as a people and how we live. “This data is not just statistics. It is the foundation of our development. It informs how we deliver schools, hospitals, roads, and services. It helps us track our progress on the eighth national development plan, vision 2030, and global commitments such as the sustainable development goals”, the Acting Permanent Secretary emphasized. Ms Kauseni added that with this report, Zambia is now equipped to make smarter, fairer, and more targeted decisions. The report gives evidence needed to ensure no one is left behind as we plan for national progress. She further highlighted that the 2022 census was the most technologically advanced census Zambia has ever conducted as it was fully digitalized for the first time. She revealed that Enumerators used tablets, satellite-based mapping, and GPS tracking to ensure accuracy, efficiency and full national coverage. She commended the professionalism and commitment from the ZamStats in ensuring that census was a success. She highlighted that the team managed more than 40,000 enumerators and 6,000 supervisors across the country, from headquarters to the most remote villages. “Their capacity, strengthened by reforms under the statistics act of 2018, shows how far the Agency has come from to be a modern institution it is today,” She added. The Chairperson for ZamStats Board, Mr Oliver Chinganya reiterated that the ground-breaking census was made possible by the successful transformation of the ZamStats into a forward-looking, technically capable institution. “The Statistics Act No. 13 of 2018 laid the legal foundation for this transformation, reconstituting the former Central Statistical Office into a semi-autonomous Agency with a broader, more strategic mandate,” stated the Board Chairperson. Mr Chinganya further added that with the establishment of a Board of Directors and enhanced institutional independence, ZamStats gained the agility to coordinate the National Statistical System more effectively and all former Central Statistics Office (CSO) staff were integrated into the new structure, preserving institutional knowledge while fostering a renewed culture of innovation, accountability, and service excellence.
The Acting Statistician General Mrs. Sheila S. Mudenda highlighted that the Analytical report presents a compelling narrative grounded in evidence. “The report covers over 15 thematic areas, including population growth, age structure, fertility, education, labour, disability, mortality, and agricultural households, all presented with disaggregated data at the provincial level. Additionally, we include descriptive tables and reports that provide granular data down to provincial, district, constituency, and ward levels,” the Acting Statistician General revealed. She added that the census revealed a striking trend in that Zambia continues to have a very young population, with a median age of just 18.3 years. “While this presents opportunities, particularly in harnessing the potential of our youth, it also requires sustained investments in education, health, employment, and housing,” Mrs. Mudenda said. In closing the Acting Statistician General expressed sincere appreciation to all partners, including UNFPA, UNICEF, DFID, the US Government through the US Census Bureau, the World Bank, and UNECA, as well as contributions from the private sector. She added that the partner’s steadfast technical and financial support throughout the process has been invaluable. “Your collaboration helps us maintain international standards while effectively adapting our tools to the Zambian context”, She added.
