Fertilizer application rates over the long-run in Zambia
Zambia: Fertilizer application rates over the long-run was 46.2 kilograms per hectare in 2014. ▲ Rising
Fertilizer application rates over the long-run in Zambia, 2002–2014
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization and Federico (2017) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in kilograms per hectare.
Analysis
In 2014, fertilizer application rates over the long-run in Zambia stood at 46.2 kilograms per hectare. That is the highest value across all 13 years on record.
The figure is up 9.2% on the previous year and up 54.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, fertilizer application rates over the long-run in Zambia peaked at 46.2 kilograms per hectare in 2014 and was at its lowest, 25.68 kilograms per hectare, in 2006.
Zambia ranks 106th of 161 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 13 years of available data.
Fertilizer application rates over the long-run in Zambia, year by year
| Year | kilograms per hectare | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 26.07 kilograms per hectare | — |
| 2003 | 26.17 kilograms per hectare | +0.4% |
| 2004 | 29.9 kilograms per hectare | +14.3% |
| 2005 | 27.98 kilograms per hectare | -6.4% |
| 2006 | 25.68 kilograms per hectare | -8.2% |
| 2007 | 32.33 kilograms per hectare | +25.9% |
| 2008 | 38.66 kilograms per hectare | +19.6% |
| 2009 | 25.78 kilograms per hectare | -33.3% |
| 2010 | 29.17 kilograms per hectare | +13.2% |
| 2011 | 46.15 kilograms per hectare | +58.2% |
| 2012 | 33.92 kilograms per hectare | -26.5% |
| 2013 | 42.3 kilograms per hectare | +24.7% |
| 2014 | 46.2 kilograms per hectare | +9.2% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 46.2 kilograms per hectare is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 29.58 kilograms per hectare, 1.6× the median. (34 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 46.2 kilograms per hectare is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 11.2 kilograms per hectare, 4.1× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 29.07 kilograms per hectare | 25.68 kilograms per hectare | 38.66 kilograms per hectare | 8 |
| 2010s | 39.55 kilograms per hectare | 29.17 kilograms per hectare | 46.2 kilograms per hectare | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More agriculture & rural data for Zambia
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 65.37 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0411 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 54.11 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate 1.97 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0.0004 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.5408 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 4.1% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 4.1% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 0.4% (2024)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 0.7% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is fertilizer application rates over the long-run in Zambia?
- Fertilizer application rates over the long-run in Zambia was 46.2 kilograms per hectare in 2014, according to Food and Agriculture Organization and Federico (2017) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest fertilizer application rates over the long-run recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 46.2 kilograms per hectare in 2014.
- What is the lowest fertilizer application rates over the long-run recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 25.68 kilograms per hectare in 2006.
- How does Zambia rank for fertilizer application rates over the long-run?
- Zambia ranks 106th out of 161 countries with data for 2014.
- Is fertilizer application rates over the long-run rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 54.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization and Federico (2017) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Fertilizer application rates over the long-run. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Average fertilizer application rates for select countries over the long-run, measured in kilograms of nutrient per hectare of arable land.