Briefing Paper

Employment Status of Zambians: Official Definitions vs Citizen Perceptions

The relationship between unemployment, economic growth and poverty is clear. High levels of unemployment mean that the labour resources are underutilized and growth potential can not be attained. Zambians will not move out of poverty if the growth potential is not achieved. This paper focuses on unemployment in Zambia and starts by clarifying the concepts of unemployment. It then looks at the official status of unemployment and lastly examines the results of the relationship between employment status and demographic characteristics.

1 March 2014