The country is a republic; its capital is Lusaka. It produces much of the world's copper. Zambian output increased in 2003, because of higher world prices, and is expected to rise again in 2004.
There are about 10,462,436 people in Zambia. It was once one of Africa's richest nations, but it has now become one of the poorest. The 2003 estimate of adults living with HIV/AIDS is 16.5% in the cities, and probably higher in rural regions. There were 1.8 million people living with HIV/AIDS in 2003, 170,000 deaths from AIDS, and over 650,000 AIDS orphans in the country. A UNICEF Doctor, Dr. Stella Goings, estimates tht by 2010, there could be as many as two MILLION AIDS Orphans. UNAIDS paints an even bleaker picture. They say that Zambia is one of the most heavily orphaned countries, and is likely to retain this position. The proportion of orphaned children may rise in the next decade to 38% of the total population.
The American Federation of Teachers, working with teachers in Zambia to help them learn how to teach about AIDS, says that AIDS claims the lives of half of all newly trained teachers each year.
AIDS is expected to cut the total population of Zambia within a few years. Experts say it could take up to 50 years for populations to begin to recover.
The problem is made worse because most of those who die of AIDS are young people in their prime, thus increasing the terrible effect of the disease. There is presently a critical shortage of teachers, health care workers, civil servants and experienced military officers.
The United Nations recently did a survey in Zambia. In 2002,18% of rural households experienced at least one death, and the average age of death was 25.5 years. In over half of the deaths, the individual was ill for more than three months. The loss of those able to work on the land made a severe impact on rural households, they are unable to cultivate as much land as before.