The annual inflation rate in Zambia edged up to 6.3% in October 2026 from 6.1% in September, its lowest level since February 2018. Non-food inflation accelerated to 7.4% from 6.6% in the previous month, amid higher international oil prices, a weaker kwacha, and the reinstatement of excise duty on fuel from October. VAT on petroleum products is set to be reinstated on December 1, 2026. Meanwhile, food inflation eased to 5.7% from 5.8% in September. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.7%, compared with a 0.4% increase in the previous month. source: Central Statistical Office of Zambia

Inflation Rate in Zambia increased to 6.30 percent in October from 6.10 percent in September of 2026. Inflation Rate in Zambia averaged 11.04 percent from 2005 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 24.60 percent in June of 2021 and a record low of 6.00 percent in December of 2011. This page provides the latest reported value for - Zambia Inflation Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Zambia Inflation Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on November of 2026.

Inflation Rate in Zambia increased to 6.30 percent in October from 6.10 percent in September of 2026. Inflation Rate in Zambia is expected to be 6.80 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Zambia Inflation Rate is projected to trend around 6.20 percent in 2027 and 5.60 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-24 08:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Sep 6.1% 6.2% 6.2%
2026-10-29 08:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Oct 6.3% 6.1% 6.3%
2026-11-26 08:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Nov 6.3% 6.5%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
CPI Clothing 442.05 439.47 points Oct 2026
CPI Education 315.39 315.12 points Oct 2026
CPI Food 634.10 632.00 points Oct 2026
CPI Health 399.96 398.14 points Oct 2026
CPI Housing Utilities 579.82 576.92 points Oct 2026
CPI Recreation and Culture 421.08 418.30 points Oct 2026
CPI Restaurants and Hotels 384.91 382.11 points Oct 2026
CPI Transportation 703.88 671.86 points Oct 2026
Inflation Rate YoY 6.30 6.10 percent Oct 2026
Inflation Rate MoM 0.70 0.40 percent Oct 2026


Zambia Inflation Rate
In Zambia, the four main components of the consumer price index are: Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (54% of the total weight); Housing & Utilities (11%); Furnishings, Household Equipment & Routine Maintenance of the House (8%); and Clothing & Footwear (8%). Others include: Transport (6%); Miscellaneous Goods & Services (5%); Education (3%). Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Recreation and Culture, Communications, Health and Restaurants & Hotels account for the remaining 5% of total weight.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
6.30 6.10 24.60 6.00 2005 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
Zambia Inflation Rate Rises to 6.3% in October
The annual inflation rate in Zambia edged up to 6.3% in October 2026 from 6.1% in September, its lowest level since February 2018. Non-food inflation accelerated to 7.4% from 6.6% in the previous month, amid higher international oil prices, a weaker kwacha, and the reinstatement of excise duty on fuel from October. VAT on petroleum products is set to be reinstated on December 1, 2026. Meanwhile, food inflation eased to 5.7% from 5.8% in September. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.7%, compared with a 0.4% increase in the previous month.
2026-10-29
Zambia Inflation Rate Slows Further to 6.1%
The annual inflation rate in Zambia eased to 6.1% in September 2026, the lowest level since February 2018, down from 6.2% in August. Food inflation slowed to 5.8% in September, compared with 6% a month earlier, while non-food price growth remained steady at 6.6%. A resilient currency and temporary tax measures have helped contain inflation in Zambia, with the fuel-tax suspension and zero-rated VAT set to expire on September 30. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 0.4%, the most in five months, after a 0.2% increase in the month before.
2026-09-24
Zambia Inflation Rate Eases to Fresh 2018-Low
The annual inflation rate in Zambia softened to 6.2% in August 2026, a new low since February 2018, down from 6.5% previously. The headline is now closer to the lower bound of the central bank’s 6% to 8% target range, helped by the resilience of the kwacha. The pace of food-price growth slowed to 6.0% in August, from 6.4% in July, while non-food inflation registered only a marginal decline, easing to 6.6% from 6.7%. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 0.2% in August, the same pace as in the prior month. Zambians handed Hakainde Hichilema a second five-year mandate on 18 August, with the president securing 61.4% of the vote. Inflation fell from around 23% to 6.5% during his first term, its lowest level in almost a decade, while debt restructuring helped strengthen investor confidence.
2026-08-27