The country's development is being undermined by the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, rising food prices, poverty and weak governance.

Over 60% of Zambia's population live on less than $1 a day. An over-dependence on the copper mining sector has left the country vulnerable and many jobs are being lost as a result of sharp falls in copper prices on the world market. Compounding these problems is the high HIV prevalence rate, which has created 1.1 million AIDS orphans.