Skip to content

Economy of Australia vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Australia has a GDP of $1.76T compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 14/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $891B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Australia vs Zambia GDP by year

Australia
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Zambia
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 $25,303,185,342
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $27,577,956,471
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $29,163,782,140
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $22,096,416,932
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $18,137,764,931
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $23,308,667,781
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $26,311,507,274
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $25,873,601,261
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $20,958,412,538
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $21,251,216,799
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $27,141,023,558
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $28,037,239,463
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $25,503,060,420
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $23,459,515,276
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $20,265,559,484
2009 $931,761,689,771 $15,328,342,304
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $17,910,858,638
2007 $856,603,595,823 $14,056,957,976
2006 $749,708,370,333 $12,756,858,899
2005 $696,811,489,613 $8,331,870,169
2004 $615,643,050,221 $6,221,110,219
2003 $468,517,181,130 $4,901,869,764
2002 $396,436,967,263 $4,193,850,445
2001 $380,360,222,861 $4,094,441,301
2000 $416,901,962,163 $3,600,632,111
1999 $390,347,787,943 $3,404,284,891
1998 $400,361,527,505 $3,537,741,942
1997 $436,321,902,767 $4,303,288,480
1996 $401,962,517,479 $3,597,220,962
1995 $368,725,126,225 $3,806,983,413
1994 $323,269,456,935 $3,656,806,166
1993 $312,568,858,910 $3,273,505,344
1992 $325,982,966,981 $3,182,810,841
1991 $326,416,407,861 $3,376,806,697
1990 $311,840,666,465 $3,288,381,797
1989 $300,264,309,002 $3,994,673,161
1988 $236,461,079,970 $3,728,878,149
1987 $189,726,707,253 $2,265,250,972
1986 $182,707,050,923 $1,664,413,508
1985 $180,861,108,959 $2,252,454,500
1984 $193,749,932,078 $2,719,518,933
1983 $177,523,719,680 $3,321,048,451
1982 $194,323,071,831 $3,871,117,093
1981 $177,151,979,566 $4,008,126,497
1980 $150,200,557,103 $3,884,530,854
1979 $135,093,718,051 $3,353,445,378
1978 $118,660,813,780 $2,811,032,473
1977 $110,504,702,914 $2,515,296,940
1976 $105,209,354,856 $2,742,859,263
1975 $97,440,939,506 $2,442,672,141
1974 $89,086,219,602 $2,910,981,262
1973 $63,923,126,201 $2,434,255,237
1972 $52,117,990,654 $1,872,416,680
1971 $45,283,847,245 $1,653,259,341
1970 $41,395,206,623 $1,788,779,285
1969 $36,738,245,878 $1,926,399,230
1968 $32,763,365,242 $1,573,739,371
1967 $30,487,524,878 $1,340,639,464
1966 $27,349,284,376 $1,238,999,505
1965 $26,014,244,162 $1,061,199,576
1964 $23,835,843,814 $822,639,671
1963 $21,573,443,452 $704,339,719
1962 $19,953,923,193 $679,279,729
1961 $19,713,123,154 $682,359,727
1960 $18,635,682,982 $698,739,721

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/zambia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Australia vs Zambia by year

Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $64,604 $72,111 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $952 $3,157
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $711 $2,213
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $549 $2,068
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $446 $1,942
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $394 $1,837
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $397 $1,785
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $359 $1,709
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $350 $1,654
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $373 $1,601
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $466 $1,631
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $400 $1,585
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $433 $1,501
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $426 $1,464
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $391 $1,607
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $389 $1,505
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $423 $1,534
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $422 $1,522
1989 $17,858 - $526 -
1988 $14,303 - $504 -
1987 $11,666 - $315 -
1986 $11,406 - $238.2 -
1985 $11,455 - $332 -
1984 $12,436 - $413 -
1983 $11,532 - $520 -
1982 $12,798 - $627 -
1981 $11,871 - $670 -
1980 $10,223 - $669 -
1979 $9,308 - $595 -
1978 $8,264 - $514 -
1977 $7,786 - $474 -
1976 $7,497 - $533 -
1975 $7,014 - $490 -
1974 $6,492 - $601 -
1973 $4,778 - $518 -
1972 $3,955 - $410 -
1971 $3,500 - $372 -
1970 $3,310 - $414 -
1969 $2,996 - $459 -
1968 $2,728 - $387 -
1967 $2,584 - $341 -
1966 $2,347 - $325 -
1965 $2,284 - $287.4 -
1964 $2,134 - $230 -
1963 $1,970 - $203.2 -
1962 $1,858 - $202.3 -
1961 $1,880 - $209.7 -
1960 $1,813 - $221.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/zambia | CC BY

Australia's GDP per capita is $64,604, ranking 14/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Australia Zambia
Gross domestic product
$1.76T
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
14/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
1.37%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$64,604
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$891B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$32,764
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,463
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.74T
2024
$7.77B
2024
Number of millionaires
1,904,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
47
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2020
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2020
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.16%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.6%
2025
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2024
5.86%
2023
Population
27799169
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38.9% 50.7% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 37.6% 49.6% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 37.6% 50.2% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 41.8% 55.5% 30.5% 111%
2020 44.4% 57.1% 34% 140%
2019 38.9% 46.7% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 36.9% 41.8% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 36.8% 41.2% 25% 66.6%
2016 37.3% 40.6% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 37.3% 37.7% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 36.7% 34% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 36.4% 30.5% 24% 25.9%
2012 36.5% 27.5% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 36.3% 24% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 37% 20.3% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 37.8% 16.6% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 35.1% 11.7% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 34.3% 9.67% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 34.5% 9.94% 19.7% 25%
2005 34.6% 10.9% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 34.9% 15% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 35.6% 17.1% 28% 210.2%
2000 35.2% 19.5% 21.4% 261%
1999 36.2% 22.5% - -
1998 34.6% 23.7% - -
1997 32.8% 25.9% - -
1996 33.5% 29.3% - -
1995 33.7% 31.1% - -
1994 33.7% 31.7% - -
1993 34.1% 30.7% - -
1992 34.1% 27.6% - -
1991 33.1% 21.6% - -
1990 30.5% 16.4% - -
1989 34.5% 17% - -
1988 34.6% 20.5% - -
1987 36% 25.2% - -
1986 38.4% 25.5% - -
1985 38.7% 24% - -
1984 38.4% 22.3% - -
1983 37% 21% - -
1982 36.7% 16.8% - -
1981 33.4% 19.1% - -
1980 33.2% 21.2% - -
1979 32.5% 22.8% - -
1978 33.2% 24.7% - -
1977 34.1% 23.6% - -
1976 33.3% 22.9% - -
1975 33% 23.6% - -
1974 30.9% 22.3% - -
1973 26.6% 27.3% - -
1972 27% 30.7% - -
1971 26.1% 32.2% - -
1970 25.3% 34.9% - -
1969 24.7% 36.7% - -
1968 25.3% 39.4% - -
1967 26.4% 40.5% - -
1966 25.6% 42.4% - -
1965 25.8% 43.7% - -
1964 23.5% 44.9% - -
1963 23% 47.5% - -
1962 22.7% 50.2% - -
1961 23.3% 49.3% - -
1960 21.8% 48.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/zambia | CC BY

In 2024, Australia's government spending was $684B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in Australia and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 104/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Zambia
2024 -2.25% -3.32%
2023 -1.27% -5.48%
2022 -2.21% -7.82%
2021 -6.37% -8.13%
2020 -8.73% -13.8%
2019 -4.41% -9.41%
2018 -1.26% -8.31%
2017 -1.72% -7.5%
2016 -2.42% -5.69%
2015 -2.79% -8.88%
2014 -2.92% -5.43%
2013 -2.81% -6.4%
2012 -3.51% -3.16%
2011 -4.53% -1.78%
2010 -5.12% -2.43%
2009 -4.56% -2.06%
2008 -1.1% -0.67%
2007 1.47% -1.04%
2006 1.77% 16.9%
2005 1.71% -2.37%
2004 1.32% -2.51%
2003 1.05% -5.31%
2002 0.19% -4.5%
2001 -0.03% -5.89%
2000 1.25% 1.16%
1999 0.67% -
1998 -0.25% -
1997 -0.49% -
1996 -1.46% -
1995 -2.6% -
1994 -3.79% -
1993 -4.73% -
1992 -4.74% -
1991 -2.79% -
1990 -0.23% -
1989 -1.29% -
1988 -0.77% -
1987 -1.66% -
1986 -3.5% -
1985 -5.24% -
1984 -5.48% -
1983 -5.66% -
1982 -5.19% -
1981 -3.25% -
1980 -2.87% -
1979 -2.32% -
1978 -4.19% -
1977 -4.39% -
1976 -3.44% -
1975 -3.47% -
1974 -2.46% -
1973 0.16% -
1972 -0.97% -
1971 -0.23% -
1970 -0.23% -
1969 0.53% -
1968 -0.7% -
1967 -1.65% -
1966 -1.77% -
1965 -1.46% -
1964 0.19% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 -0.38% -
1961 -0.78% -
1960 0.47% -
1959 0.06% -
1958 -0.25% -
1957 -0.33% -
1956 1% -
1955 0.08% -
1954 -0.27% -
1953 -0.86% -
1952 -0.44% -
1951 1.85% -
1950 4.29% -
1949 0.72% -
1948 2% -
1947 -0.45% -
1946 -4.09% -
1945 -8.87% -
1944 -11.8% -
1943 -12.4% -
1942 -5.17% -
1941 -2.14% -
1940 0.51% -
1939 0.77% -
1938 0.24% -
1937 0.28% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 0.24% -
1934 0.28% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.02% -
1931 -0.8% -
1930 -1% -
1929 -0.53% -
1928 -0.69% -
1927 -0.5% -
1926 -0.31% -
1925 -0.26% -
1924 -0.5% -
1923 -0.33% -
1922 -0.94% -
1921 -2% -
1920 -2.43% -
1919 -4.8% -
1918 -4.36% -
1917 -4.99% -
1916 -3.47% -
1915 -1.11% -
1914 -0.29% -
1913 0% -
1912 0.12% -
1911 0.39% -
1910 0.39% -
1909 0.37% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.41% -
1906 0.23% -
1905 0.11% -
1904 -0.13% -
1903 -0.02% -
1902 0.16% -
1901 1.46% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/zambia | CC BY

In 2024, Australia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.5B, equivalent to 2.25% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 1.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Zambia
2024 3.16% 15%
2023 5.6% 10.9%
2022 6.59% 11%
2021 2.86% 22%
2020 0.85% 15.7%
2019 1.61% 9.2%
2018 1.91% 7.5%
2017 1.95% 6.6%
2016 1.28% 17.9%
2015 1.51% 10.1%
2014 2.49% 7.8%
2013 2.45% 7%
2012 1.76% 6.6%
2011 3.3% 8.7%
2010 2.92% 8.5%
2009 1.77% 13.4%
2008 4.35% 12.4%
2007 2.33% 10.7%
2006 3.56% 9%
2005 2.69% 18.3%
2004 2.34% 18%
2003 2.73% 21.4%
2002 2.98% 22.2%
2001 4.41% 21.4%
2000 4.46% 24.1%
1999 1.48% 23.9%
1998 0.86% 22.7%
1997 0.22% 21.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.66%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 3.16% in Australia and 15% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $19.7M
Machinery & equipment $8.78M
Metals $732K
Raw materials & minerals $564K
Chemicals & pharma $536K
Textiles & consumer goods $279K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $118K
Wood & paper products $61K
Miscellaneous $59K
Precious metals & jewellery $25K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $919K
Miscellaneous $89K
Metals $82K
Textiles & consumer goods $64K
Raw materials & minerals $20K
Precious metals & jewellery $11K
Raw agricultural goods $9K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4K
Wood & paper products $3K
Animal & marine products $2K

Balance of trade

Australia Zambia
Current account balance
-$34.8B
2024
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2024
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.98%
2024
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$297B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$341B
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$109B
2024
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$84.1B
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Australia Zambia
Economic freedom 80.1 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 152/197
Property rights 88.2 43.9
Government integrity 88.1 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 45
Tax burden 61.8 74.3
Government spending 56.6 78.1
Fiscal health 89 30.9
Business freedom 92.3 53.4
Labor freedom 61.5 48.8
Monetary freedom 77.2 66.6
Trade freedom 89.8 62.8
Investment freedom 80 40
Financial freedom 80 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia Zambia
2026 80.1 51.9
2025 79.3 50.9
2024 76.2 48.4
2023 74.8 47.8
2022 77.7 48.7
2021 82.4 50.4
2020 82.6 53.5
2019 80.9 53.6
2018 80.9 54.3
2017 81 55.8
2016 80.3 58.8
2015 81.4 58.7
2014 82 60.4
2013 82.6 58.7
2012 83.1 58.3
2011 82.5 59.7
2010 82.6 58
2009 82.6 56.6
2008 82.2 56.2
2007 81.1 56.2
2006 79.9 56.8
2005 79 55
2004 77.9 54.9
2003 77.4 55.3
2002 77.3 59.6
2001 77.4 59.5
2000 77.1 62.8
1999 76.4 64.2
1998 75.6 62.7
1997 75.5 62.1
1996 74 59.6
1995 74.1 55.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/zambia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, compared to 51.9 for Zambia, ranking 152/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Australia Zambia
Services, % of GDP
66.1%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.04%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.7T
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,600
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$60.4B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
39/177
2024
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39.2B
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.4B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
23.8%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/zambia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.