Study shows 87% Zambians prefer democratic rule while 41% think economy is worse than one year ago

A latest survey conducted by Afro Barometer has revealed that majority of Zambians are satisfied with the way the country’s democracy is working and expect Zambia to become more democratic in the coming years.

According to the survey which is titled, Zambia Round 9-Views on Democracy and Economy in Zambia, overwhelming majority Zambians prefer democracy to any other form of government and reject no-democratic alternatives such as a one-party rule and military rule.

Presenting the Survey findings in Lusaka on Friday, University of Zambia Institute of Economic and Social Research Acting Deputy Director Edward Chibwili said half of Zambians say the country has become more democratic over the past five years.

“Most Zambians prefer democracy to any other form of government (87%) and reject non-democratic alternatives such as one-party rule (87%), military rule (91%), and one-man rule (95%), he said.

Chibwili said the survey established that half (51%) of Zambians say the country is going in the right direction, a dramatic improvement compared to 2020.

Meanwhile, Chibwili said on the economic front, the survey established that more than half of Zambians says the economic conditions in the country are bad however two thirds are hopeful that it will get better during the coming years.

“Fewer than half (41%) of Zambians say economic conditions in the country are worse than they were 12months ago. Almost Two (2) thirds (63%) think the economic situation will get better during the coming year,” he said.

Chibwili further said the survey established that large majority Zambians feel free to choose whom to vote for without pressure, join political organizations of their choice and say what is on their mind.

“But almost Six (6) in 10 Zambians (59) say they always or often have to be careful about what they say about politics,” he said.

Contributed by Augustine Sichula

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