Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Zambia instead of Hong Kong, you would:
Health
live 18.9 years less
In Hong Kong, the average life expectancy is 85 years (83 years for men, 88 years for women) as of 2024. In Zambia, that number is 67 years (64 years for men, 69 years for women) as of 2024.
Economy
be 2.1 times more likely to be unemployed
In Hong Kong, 2.8% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Zambia, that number is 5.9% as of 2025.
make 97.7% less money
Hong Kong has a GDP per capita of $56,983 as of 2025, while in Zambia, the GDP per capita is $1,318 as of 2025.
Life
have 6.7 times more children
In Hong Kong, there are approximately 4.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Zambia, there are 32.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.
be 13.6 times more likely to die during infancy
In Hong Kong, approximately 2.5 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Zambia, on the other hand, 34.6 children do as of 2024.
Basic Needs
be 48.9% less likely to have access to electricity
In Hong Kong, approximately 100% of people have electricity access (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2023. In Zambia, that number is 51% of people on average (90% in urban areas, and 18% in rural areas) as of 2023.
be 82.1% less likely to have internet access
In Hong Kong, approximately 95.8% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In Zambia, about 17.1% do as of 2024.
be 26.6% less likely to have access to drinking water
In Hong Kong, approximately 100% of people have access to drinking water as of 2024. In Zambia, 73% of people do as of 2024.
Infrastructure
find 98.0% less home broadband
Hong Kong has 40.3 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. Zambia has 0.8 as of 2024.
use 88.6% less electricity
Hong Kong uses 6,359 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Zambia uses 727 kWh as of 2023.
Environment
emit 88.3% less CO2
Hong Kong emits 4.6 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Zambia emits 0.5 tonnes as of 2024.
Sources: World Bank (2023–2025), The World Factbook (2022). How we calculate this
Compare further: Hong Kong vs. Zambia
Zambia: At a glance
How big is Zambia compared to Hong Kong? See an in-depth size comparison.