Zambezi River Basin

The Growing Population and Shrinking Resource Base

The population of the Zambezi River Basin grew from 31.7 million in 1998 to 38.4 million in 2005, before reaching 40 million in 2008. It is projected that by 2025 the population will reach 51 million (Chenje 2000; SADC and ZRA 2007; SARDC and HBS 2010). Although sparsely populated, average population densities in the basin show a consistent shrinkage in per capita land availability, which is projected to decline to 2.56 hectares/person in 2025 from as much as 4.16 hectares/person in 1998. Population distribution is uneven in the basin, with large areas uninhabited and reserved for wildlife. In 1998, the average population density in the basin was 24 people per sq km, and this increased to 28.75 people per sq km in 2005 before reaching 30.26 people per sq km in 2008 (Chenje 2000; SARDC and HBS 2010). There are disparities in population densities between countries in the basin, with Malawi being the most densely populated country. In 2008 Malawi’s population density was 125.3 people per sq km. Tanzania had 45 people per sq km, Zimbabwe had 31.9, and

© SARDC

Population growth places pressure on facilities, including rural housing.

Zambia had 16.8 (UN Statistics Division 2011). In 1998 Malawi had an average of 105 people per sq km; Tanzania had 36; Zimbabwe had 28.5; and Zambia had 13 (Chenje 2000).

Population density Population density increasing, per capita land area shrinking in Zambezi River Basin

= one person

1994

Available land per capita

4.16 Hectares

3.48 Hectares

2.56 Hectares

2008

1 kilometre

2025

1 kilometre

Source: SADC and ZRA 2007. Rapid Assessment Report: IntegratedWater Resources Management Strategy for the Zambezi River Basin. SADCWater Division. Gaborone

Figure 2.1

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