Figure 4: Trends in Early Childhood Mortality, 1987-2001
Deaths per 1000
250
191
200
197
168
150
1987-1991
107
100
109
97
94
1992-1996
98
1997-2001
81
50
0
Infant Mortality
Child Mortality
Under-five Mortality
Source: CSO, Zambia Demographic Health Survey, 2001-2002
15.
The ability to read and write is regarded an important personal asset
allowing women and men increased opportunities in life. Although English
is the national official language of communication, literacy in Zambia is
established by an individual’s ability to read and write in any of the local
languages. The literacy rate in 2000 for the population over 5 years
remained stagnant at the 1990 level of 55.3 percent. The problem of
illiteracy has been more pronounced with females than males and also in
rural as opposed to urban areas. Regional variations in literacy are
apparent, with Eastern and North-Western Provinces showing the lowest
even in 1990 (see Table 15 and Figure 5).
25