Zambia
Declining copper prices and prolonged drought have seriously damaged Zambia's economy, and three-quarters of its ten million people live on less than 60 pence per day.
On gaining independence from Britain in 1964, Zambia became a one-party state – a situation that lasted for 27 years until President Kenneth Kaunda agreed to multi-party elections.
At independence, Zambia was a major copper producer, but declining copper prices and prolonged drought seriously damaged Zambia's economy during the 1980s and 1990s.
The HIV epidemic has become a dominant health and development problem in Zambia. The HIV prevalence rate among adults is estimated at 21.5%, though recent figures show an encouraging decline in the prevalence among young adults.
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