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Economy of Bolivia vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bolivia has a GDP of $64.8B compared to $28.9B for Zambia, ranking 88/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bolivia has $54.9B in government debt (84.8% of GDP), compared to $24.8B (86% of GDP) in Zambia.

Bolivia vs Zambia GDP by year

Bolivia
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bolivia Zambia
2025 $64,768,947,525 $28,879,806,220
2024 $54,881,327,453 $25,303,185,342
2023 $52,340,206,946 $27,577,956,471
2022 $50,959,081,954 $29,163,782,140
2021 $47,877,892,402 $22,096,416,932
2020 $42,313,784,081 $18,137,764,931
2019 $49,056,643,589 $23,308,667,781
2018 $48,414,038,842 $26,311,507,274
2017 $45,927,439,595 $25,873,601,261
2016 $33,941,126,194 $20,958,412,538
2015 $33,000,198,249 $21,251,216,799
2014 $32,996,188,017 $27,141,023,558
2013 $30,659,338,886 $28,037,239,463
2012 $27,084,497,482 $25,503,060,420
2011 $23,963,164,697 $23,459,515,276
2010 $19,649,723,722 $20,265,559,484
2009 $17,339,992,194 $15,328,342,304
2008 $16,674,276,286 $17,910,858,638
2007 $13,120,108,008 $14,056,957,976
2006 $11,451,844,902 $12,756,858,899
2005 $9,549,122,905 $8,331,870,169
2004 $8,773,451,752 $6,221,110,219
2003 $8,082,399,640 $4,901,869,764
2002 $7,905,485,146 $4,193,850,445
2001 $8,141,516,928 $4,094,441,301
2000 $8,397,855,485 $3,600,632,111
1999 $8,285,064,435 $3,404,284,891
1998 $8,497,494,652 $3,537,741,942
1997 $7,925,736,821 $4,303,288,480
1996 $7,396,949,126 $3,597,220,962
1995 $6,715,161,732 $3,806,983,413
1994 $5,981,222,859 $3,656,806,166
1993 $5,734,699,489 $3,273,505,344
1992 $5,643,868,749 $3,182,810,841
1991 $5,343,262,457 $3,376,806,697
1990 $4,867,582,598 $3,288,381,797
1989 $4,715,973,437 $3,994,673,161
1988 $4,597,612,362 $3,728,878,149
1987 $4,347,956,338 $2,265,250,972
1986 $3,959,382,833 $1,664,413,508
1985 $5,377,276,555 $2,252,454,500
1984 $6,169,483,225 $2,719,518,933
1983 $5,422,656,823 $3,321,048,451
1982 $5,594,126,369 $3,871,117,093
1981 $5,891,598,695 $4,008,126,497
1980 $4,537,479,608 $3,884,530,854
1979 $4,421,336,383 $3,353,445,378
1978 $3,758,220,890 $2,811,032,473
1977 $3,227,436,282 $2,515,296,940
1976 $2,731,984,008 $2,742,859,263
1975 $2,404,697,651 $2,442,672,141
1974 $2,100,249,875 $2,910,981,262
1973 $1,262,968,516 $2,434,255,237
1972 $1,257,615,645 $1,872,416,680
1971 $1,095,622,896 $1,653,259,341
1970 $1,017,003,367 $1,788,779,285
1969 $929,629,630 $1,926,399,230
1968 $857,912,458 $1,573,739,371
1967 $755,808,081 $1,340,639,464
1966 $669,191,919 $1,238,999,505
1965 $604,377,104 $1,061,199,576
1964 $544,023,569 $822,639,671
1963 $482,828,283 $704,339,719
1962 $448,400,673 $679,279,729
1961 $410,101,010 $682,359,727
1960 $377,020,202 $698,739,721

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bolivia vs Zambia by year

Bolivia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bolivia Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,148 - $1,318 -
2024 $4,421 $12,878 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $4,275 $12,892 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $4,219 $12,307 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $4,011 $11,202 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $3,581 $9,581 $952 $3,157
2019 $4,203 $11,005 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $4,207 $10,758 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $4,048 $10,420 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $3,036 $9,242 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $2,996 $8,757 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $3,041 $8,629 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $2,870 $8,069 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $2,576 $7,184 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $2,316 $6,598 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $1,930 $6,245 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $1,731 $6,024 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $1,693 $5,890 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $1,355 $5,537 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $1,203 $5,244 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $1,020 $4,938 $711 $2,213
2004 $953 $4,663 $549 $2,068
2003 $893 $4,433 $446 $1,942
2002 $888 $4,304 $394 $1,837
2001 $930 $4,205 $397 $1,785
2000 $976 $4,113 $359 $1,709
1999 $979 $3,991 $350 $1,654
1998 $1,022 $3,988 $373 $1,601
1997 $970 $3,822 $466 $1,631
1996 $922 $3,645 $400 $1,585
1995 $853 $3,494 $433 $1,501
1994 $774 $3,331 $426 $1,464
1993 $757 $3,177 $391 $1,607
1992 $760 $3,036 $389 $1,505
1991 $734 $2,981 $423 $1,534
1990 $683 $2,797 $422 $1,522
1989 $675 - $526 -
1988 $673 - $504 -
1987 $650 - $315 -
1986 $604 - $238.2 -
1985 $838 - $332 -
1984 $982 - $413 -
1983 $882 - $520 -
1982 $930 - $627 -
1981 $1,001 - $670 -
1980 $788 - $669 -
1979 $785 - $595 -
1978 $683 - $514 -
1977 $600 - $474 -
1976 $520 - $533 -
1975 $468 - $490 -
1974 $418 - $601 -
1973 $257.2 - $518 -
1972 $261.9 - $410 -
1971 $233.4 - $372 -
1970 $221.6 - $414 -
1969 $207.1 - $459 -
1968 $195.5 - $387 -
1967 $176.1 - $341 -
1966 $159.3 - $325 -
1965 $147.1 - $287.4 -
1964 $135.2 - $230 -
1963 $122.6 - $203.2 -
1962 $116.2 - $202.3 -
1961 $108.5 - $209.7 -
1960 $101.8 - $221.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bolivia's GDP per capita is $5,148, ranking 121/197, compared to $1,318 in Zambia, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bolivia ranks 122nd at $12,878, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Bolivia Zambia
Gross domestic product
$64.8B
2025
$28.9B
2025
GDP rank
88/197
2025
116/197
2025
GDP growth
-1.58%
2024-2025
3.76%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,148
2025
$1,318
2025
GDP per capita rank
121/197
2025
170/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,878
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
122/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$54.9B
2025
$24.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
84.8%
2025
86%
2025
Government debt per person
$4,364
2025
$1,133
2025
Government debt per person rank
93/185
2025
140/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,410
2026
$1,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$14.9B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.6%
2024
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2024
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.2%
2025
29.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
19.5%
2024-2025
13.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.26%
2025
13.3%
2026
Unemployment rate
2.73%
2024
5.67%
2024
Population
12837312
22844606

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bolivia
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bolivia Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.2% 84.8% 29.7% 86%
2024 33.5% 83.2% 26.5% 125.2%
2023 33.5% 78.3% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 31.2% 69.2% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 29.4% 68.7% 30.5% 111%
2020 31.9% 67.5% 34% 140%
2019 30.1% 48.9% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 31.4% 44.2% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 31.6% 41.9% 25% 66.6%
2016 32.9% 38.2% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 37% 34% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 34.9% 31.8% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 30.4% 31% 24% 25.9%
2012 31.3% 30.7% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 30.6% 30.5% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 27.5% 32.8% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 28.9% 34.1% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 31.1% 32.4% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 28.9% 35.5% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 26.6% 48.6% 19.7% 25%
2005 29.5% 73.2% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 29% 80.6% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 28.6% 85.5% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 29.6% 77.2% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 28.6% 74.4% 28% 210.2%
2000 26.2% 66.5% 21.4% 261%
1999 26.3% 61.7% - -
1998 26.8% 61.2% - -
1997 25.3% 64.6% - -
1996 23.3% 72.4% - -
1995 23.1% 81.7% - -
1994 23.9% 87.6% - -
1993 24.3% 83.8% - -
1992 22.6% 92.4% - -
1991 21.6% 92.8% - -
1990 20.4% 102.9% - -
1989 24.4% 98% - -
1988 24% 115.9% - -
1987 24.4% 145.3% - -
1986 22.2% 149% - -
1985 21.8% 205.2% - -
1984 29% 166.5% - -
1983 32.1% 157.3% - -
1982 25% 155.4% - -
1981 16.6% 121.7% - -
1980 19.8% 100% - -
1979 18% 92% - -
1978 17.3% 82.5% - -
1977 18.6% 82.4% - -
1976 16.8% 68.9% - -
1975 14.4% 56.2% - -
1974 14.2% 52.7% - -
1973 14.1% 80.9% - -
1972 11.8% 77.7% - -
1971 11.3% 65.7% - -
1970 10% 63.9% - -
1969 12.3% - - -
1968 14.1% - - -
1967 13.1% - - -
1966 12.9% - - -
1965 12.9% - - -
1964 10.8% - - -
1963 10.8% - - -
1962 10.2% - - -
1961 10.7% - - -
1960 10.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bolivia's government spending was $20.8B, accounting for 32.2% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $8.58B, or 29.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 84.8% in Bolivia and 86% in Zambia, ranking 36/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bolivia

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bolivia Zambia
2025 -11.6% -3.83%
2024 -8.7% -3.46%
2023 -9.46% -5.48%
2022 -6.15% -7.82%
2021 -7.87% -8.13%
2020 -11% -13.8%
2019 -6.04% -9.41%
2018 -6.8% -8.31%
2017 -6.42% -7.5%
2016 -5.95% -5.69%
2015 -5.76% -8.88%
2014 -2.88% -5.43%
2013 0.51% -6.4%
2012 1.49% -3.16%
2011 0.72% -1.78%
2010 1.42% -2.43%
2009 2.29% -2.06%
2008 3.1% -0.67%
2007 -1.37% -1.04%
2006 3.99% 16.9%
2005 -2% -2.37%
2004 -4.97% -2.51%
2003 -7.04% -5.31%
2002 -7.82% -4.5%
2001 -6.11% -5.89%
2000 -3.34% 1.16%
1999 -3.43% -
1998 -4.56% -
1997 -2.94% -
1996 -1.7% -
1995 -1.63% -
1994 -2.68% -
1993 -5.46% -
1992 -3.94% -
1991 -3.76% -
1990 -3.94% -
1989 -5.5% -
1988 -6.5% -
1987 -7.7% -
1986 -2.7% -
1985 -9.8% -
1984 -25.4% -
1983 -19.8% -
1982 -15.9% -
1981 -12.3% -
1980 -15.3% -
1979 -11.2% -
1978 -9.97% -
1977 -11.2% -
1976 -1.15% -
1975 -2.33% -
1974 -1.87% -
1973 -3.72% -
1972 -3.69% -
1971 -3.67% -
1970 -1.92% -
1969 -4.16% -
1968 -5.67% -
1967 -4.29% -
1966 -3.55% -
1965 -4.12% -
1964 -2.68% -
1963 -3.02% -
1962 -2.8% -
1961 -2.81% -
1960 -3.35% -
1959 -4.32% -
1958 -2.95% -
1957 -1.11% -
1956 -0.11% -
1955 0.33% -
1954 0.006% -
1953 -0.48% -
1952 -0.94% -
1951 -0.42% -
1950 -1.17% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bolivia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $7.51B, equivalent to 11.6% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $1.11B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Bolivia recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Bolivia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.14% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.14% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bolivia

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bolivia Zambia
2025 19.5% 13.9%
2024 5.1% 15%
2023 2.58% 10.9%
2022 1.75% 11%
2021 0.74% 22%
2020 0.94% 15.7%
2019 1.84% 9.2%
2018 2.27% 7.5%
2017 2.82% 6.6%
2016 3.62% 17.9%
2015 4.06% 10.1%
2014 5.77% 7.8%
2013 5.74% 7%
2012 4.52% 6.6%
2011 9.88% 8.7%
2010 2.5% 8.5%
2009 3.35% 13.4%
2008 14% 12.4%
2007 8.71% 10.7%
2006 4.28% 9%
2005 5.39% 18.3%
2004 4.44% 18%
2003 3.34% 21.4%
2002 0.93% 22.2%
2001 1.59% 21.4%
2000 4.61% 24.1%
1999 2.16% 23.9%
1998 7.67% 22.7%
1997 4.71% 21.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Bolivia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.79%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2025, inflation was 19.5% in Bolivia and 13.9% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Bolivia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $19K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $5K

Balance of trade

Bolivia Zambia
Current account balance
-$1.22B
2025
-$1.12B
2024
Current account balance ranking
124/190
2025
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.88%
2025
-4.41%
2024
Goods imports
$9.23B
2025
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$9.56B
2025
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$2.25B
2025
$1.99B
2024
Service exports
$1.21B
2025
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.4%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bolivia Zambia
Economic freedom 42.4 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 184/197 152/197
Property rights 20.2 43.9
Government integrity 27.1 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 29.5 45
Tax burden 86.4 74.3
Government spending 56.3 78.1
Fiscal health 0.8 30.9
Business freedom 53.6 53.4
Labor freedom 52.2 48.8
Monetary freedom 67.1 66.6
Trade freedom 60.6 62.8
Investment freedom 15 40
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bolivia
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bolivia Zambia
2026 42.4 51.9
2025 44.1 50.9
2024 43.5 48.4
2023 43.4 47.8
2022 43 48.7
2021 42.7 50.4
2020 42.8 53.5
2019 42.3 53.6
2018 44.1 54.3
2017 47.7 55.8
2016 47.4 58.8
2015 46.8 58.7
2014 48.4 60.4
2013 47.9 58.7
2012 50.2 58.3
2011 50 59.7
2010 49.4 58
2009 53.6 56.6
2008 53.1 56.2
2007 54.2 56.2
2006 57.8 56.8
2005 58.4 55
2004 64.5 54.9
2003 64.3 55.3
2002 65.1 59.6
2001 68 59.5
2000 65 62.8
1999 65.6 64.2
1998 68.8 62.7
1997 65.1 62.1
1996 65.2 59.6
1995 56.8 55.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bolivia is 42.4, ranking 184/197, 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

Bolivia Zambia
Services, % of GDP
53.4%
2024
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
31.3%
2024
35.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.83%
2024
4.11%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$55.6B
2025
$26.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,530
2025
$3,990
2025
Total reserves including gold
$580M
2025
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
155/177
2025
111/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2025
-$2.05B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$358M
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$133M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.41%
2024
17.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2024
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.9%
2024
23.8%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.