Zambia’s population hits 15m

ZAMBIA’S total working age population has been estimated at 8.12 million and the labour force at 6.3 million, Minister of Labour and Social Security Fackson Shamenda has said.
Mr Shamenda also said the latest population of Zambia is estimated at 14.98 million and that of these, 49.1 percent are male while females are 50.9 percent.
He said this during the launch and dissemination of the 2014 Labour Force Survey Report at Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Shamenda said Government is promoting formal job creation through strategies such as the revised national youth policy and plan of action, the industrialisation and job creation strategy and national development plans.
He said Government has put in place measures aimed at formalising the informal sector.
Labour force surveys are designed to measure and monitor the key indicators of the labour market and this provides useful information for formulating policies on employment, income support and macro-economic monitoring.
Meanwhile, Central Statistical Office director John Kalumbi said the survey report will strengthen the labour market and help identify the vulnerable groups requiring support.
Speaking at the same event, International Labour Organisation (ILO) country director Alexio Musindo commended Zambia for the continuous improvement in availability of quality labour statistics.
“I would like to emphasise that the production of regular, quality and timely labour force data is one of the key inputs to effective and functional labour market information,” he said.
Mr Musindo called on all stakeholders to take time to study the findings of the survey and develop strategic measures that must be taken to enhance the labour market outcomes for Zambia.
He said ILO will continue to support Zambia to develop further its labour statistics into robust labour market information system.