Skip to main content
Updated 5 May 2026

NHIMA Calculator

Calculate employee and employer NHIMA health insurance contributions on your gross salary.

K

Enter your salary

Enter your gross monthly salary to calculate NHIMA contributions.

NHIMA Health Insurance in Zambia

NHIMA at a Glance - National Health Insurance Act No. 2 of 2018

Employee Rate
Of gross monthly salary
1%
Employer Rate
Matching contribution
1%
Total Rate
Combined employee + employer
2%
Ceiling
Applies to full gross salary
None

NHIMA vs NAPSA Comparison

Feature NHIMA NAPSA
Purpose Health insurance Pension
Employee rate 1% 5%
Employer rate 1% 5%
Monthly ceiling None K1,861.80
Deducted before PAYE Yes Yes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NHIMA?

NHIMA stands for National Health Insurance Management Authority. It administers Zambia's national health insurance scheme under the National Health Insurance Act No. 2 of 2018. Both employees and employers contribute 1% of gross salary each.

What is the NHIMA contribution rate?

The NHIMA contribution rate is 1% of gross monthly salary for employees and 1% for employers, totalling 2%. There is no ceiling - the rate applies to the full gross salary regardless of how much you earn.

Is there a ceiling on NHIMA contributions?

No. Unlike NAPSA which caps contributions at K1,861.80 per month, NHIMA has no ceiling. The 1% rate applies to your full gross salary, so higher earners pay proportionally more.

Who is required to pay NHIMA?

All employed persons in Zambia are required to contribute to NHIMA. Employers must register with NHIMA and remit both the employee and employer portions. Self-employed persons and informal sector workers can also register voluntarily.

How is NHIMA different from private medical aid?

NHIMA is a mandatory government scheme covering all registered members at accredited facilities. Private medical aid is voluntary and typically offers wider provider networks and additional benefits. You can have both - NHIMA provides a base layer of coverage.

What does NHIMA cover?

NHIMA covers a range of health services at accredited facilities including outpatient consultations, inpatient care, laboratory tests, prescribed medicines, and maternal care. The benefit package is reviewed periodically by NHIMA.

How is the NHIMA contribution calculated? Show me an example.

Example: An employee earns K15,000 gross salary. NHIMA employee contribution = K15,000 x 1% = K150. The employer also pays K150 (1%). Total NHIMA contribution = K300/month. There is no ceiling - the 1% applies to the full gross salary regardless of how high it is.

Get notified when NHIMA rates change.

Free newsletter. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Learn

All posts

Related Tools

Sources

Zamcalc results are estimates only. Figures are based on rates published by official sources. Verify with the relevant authority or a licensed professional before taking any action. Zamcalc is not liable for decisions based on these figures.