Survey claims 66% of Zambians describe country as ‘heading in wrong direction’

A new Afro Barometer Survey, conducted by the Institute of Economic and Social Research (INESOR) of the University of Zambia (UNZA) has established that Zambians were dissatisfied with the economy and the country’s overall direction under the current administration.

Edward Chibwili, National Investigator at INESOR announced the Afro Barometer Survey findings at a media briefing in Lusaka on Thursday, held at the Golden Peacock Hotel.

The Afro Barometer team in Zambia, led by INESOR of the University of Zambia, interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,200 adult citizens of Zambia between July, 8 and July, 28, 2024.

The Survey also established that Zambians described their personal living conditions as bad with only 37 percent expecting the situation to improve over the next 12 months, while 41 predicted that it would get worse.

It revealed that fewer people reported lack of some basic necessities than in 2020, as food and cooking fuel prices had continued to persist.

“Two thirds or 66 percent of Zambians say the country is heading in the wrong direction, a 20 percentage point increase from 2022,” Chibwili said.

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He also said that the survey established that compared to 2020, fewer Zambians went without food, medical care, and a cash income during the past year.

He noted that the increasing cost of living topped the list of important problems that Zambians wanted the government to address followed by water, health and infrastructure.

Additionally, farming/agriculture, food shortage/famine, and electricity, the survey noted, should top government’s priority.

“Nearly three quarters or 73 percent say their country’s economic conditions is “fairly bad” or “very bad” while two thirds or 66 percent feel the same about their personal living conditions” he said.

Chibwili pointed out that previous surveys were conducted in Zambia in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2022.

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