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Economy of China vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

China has a GDP of $19.5T compared to $28.9B for Zambia, ranking 2/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $19.3T in government debt (99.2% of GDP), compared to $24.8B (86% of GDP) in Zambia.

China vs Zambia GDP by year

China
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Zambia
2025 $19,498,039,388,043 $28,879,806,220
2024 $18,729,668,435,848 $25,303,185,342
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $27,577,956,471
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $29,163,782,140
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $22,096,416,932
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $18,137,764,931
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $23,308,667,781
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $26,311,507,274
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $25,873,601,261
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $20,958,412,538
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $21,251,216,799
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $27,141,023,558
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $28,037,239,463
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $25,503,060,420
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $23,459,515,276
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $20,265,559,484
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $15,328,342,304
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $17,910,858,638
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $14,056,957,976
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $12,756,858,899
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $8,331,870,169
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $6,221,110,219
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $4,901,869,764
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $4,193,850,445
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $4,094,441,301
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $3,600,632,111
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $3,404,284,891
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $3,537,741,942
1997 $967,753,570,435 $4,303,288,480
1996 $868,523,936,530 $3,597,220,962
1995 $738,190,896,228 $3,806,983,413
1994 $566,929,539,493 $3,656,806,166
1993 $446,557,291,212 $3,273,505,344
1992 $428,502,354,788 $3,182,810,841
1991 $384,510,452,962 $3,376,806,697
1990 $361,560,229,446 $3,288,381,797
1989 $348,380,566,802 $3,994,673,161
1988 $312,888,888,889 $3,728,878,149
1987 $273,455,156,951 $2,265,250,972
1986 $301,310,144,928 $1,664,413,508
1985 $310,064,625,850 $2,252,454,500
1984 $260,442,857,143 $2,719,518,933
1983 $231,130,268,199 $3,321,048,451
1982 $205,480,916,031 $3,871,117,093
1981 $196,218,253,968 $4,008,126,497
1980 $191,487,500,000 $3,884,530,854
1979 $178,573,913,043 $3,353,445,378
1978 $149,788,617,886 $2,811,032,473
1977 $175,226,595,860 $2,515,296,940
1976 $154,196,810,059 $2,742,859,263
1975 $163,687,619,736 $2,442,672,141
1974 $144,418,433,058 $2,910,981,262
1973 $138,764,340,892 $2,434,255,237
1972 $113,871,930,714 $1,872,416,680
1971 $99,959,013,880 $1,653,259,341
1970 $92,752,930,873 $1,788,779,285
1969 $79,847,786,729 $1,926,399,230
1968 $70,980,323,819 $1,573,739,371
1967 $73,011,350,596 $1,340,639,464
1966 $76,854,053,259 $1,238,999,505
1965 $70,565,994,356 $1,061,199,576
1964 $59,821,862,703 $822,639,671
1963 $50,812,227,919 $704,339,719
1962 $47,310,737,754 $679,279,729
1961 $50,162,299,350 $682,359,727
1960 $59,846,235,025 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in China vs Zambia by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,862 - $1,318 -
2024 $13,293 $27,105 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $952 $3,157
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $711 $2,213
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $549 $2,068
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $446 $1,942
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $394 $1,837
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $397 $1,785
2000 $969 $2,964 $359 $1,709
1999 $881 $2,690 $350 $1,654
1998 $835 $2,483 $373 $1,601
1997 $787 $2,297 $466 $1,631
1996 $713 $2,088 $400 $1,585
1995 $613 $1,884 $433 $1,501
1994 $476 $1,680 $426 $1,464
1993 $379 $1,471 $391 $1,607
1992 $368 $1,276 $389 $1,505
1991 $334 $1,105 $423 $1,534
1990 $319 $991 $422 $1,522
1989 $311 - $526 -
1988 $284 - $504 -
1987 $252.3 - $315 -
1986 $282.4 - $238.2 -
1985 $295 - $332 -
1984 $251.2 - $413 -
1983 $225.9 - $520 -
1982 $203.7 - $627 -
1981 $197.4 - $670 -
1980 $195.1 - $669 -
1979 $184.3 - $595 -
1978 $156.7 - $514 -
1977 $185.7 - $474 -
1976 $165.7 - $533 -
1975 $178.6 - $490 -
1974 $160.4 - $601 -
1973 $157.3 - $518 -
1972 $132.1 - $410 -
1971 $118.8 - $372 -
1970 $113.3 - $414 -
1969 $100.3 - $459 -
1968 $91.6 - $387 -
1967 $96.8 - $341 -
1966 $104.5 - $325 -
1965 $98.7 - $287.4 -
1964 $85.7 - $230 -
1963 $74.5 - $203.2 -
1962 $71.1 - $202.3 -
1961 $76 - $209.7 -
1960 $89.7 - $221.6 -

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

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,862, ranking 77/197, compared to $1,318 in Zambia, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

China Zambia
Gross domestic product
$19.5T
2025
$28.9B
2025
GDP rank
2/197
2025
116/197
2025
GDP growth
4.96%
2024-2025
3.76%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,862
2025
$1,318
2025
GDP per capita rank
77/197
2025
170/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$19.3T
2025
$24.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
99.2%
2025
86%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,756
2025
$1,133
2025
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2025
140/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,414
2026
$1,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15.5T
2025
$14.9B
2025
Number of millionaires
5,305,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
539
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2025
29.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0%
2024-2025
13.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3%
2025
13.3%
2026
Unemployment rate
4.57%
2022
5.67%
2024
Population
1403335670
22844606

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.9% 99.2% 29.7% 86%
2024 32.9% 90.4% 26.5% 125.2%
2023 32.7% 84.1% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 32.6% 77.3% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 31.9% 72.1% 30.5% 111%
2020 34.8% 70.1% 34% 140%
2019 33.6% 59.8% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 32.6% 55.9% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 32% 53.9% 25% 66.6%
2016 31.7% 50% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 31% 40.8% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 24% 25.9%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 25.2% 34% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 19.7% 25%
2005 18% 25.9% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 17.6% 26% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 18% 26.4% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 28% 210.2%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 21.4% 261%
1999 14.9% 21.6% - -
1998 12.6% 20.4% - -
1997 11.5% 20.4% - -
1996 11% 21.2% - -
1995 11.1% 21.4% - -
1994 12.4% - - -
1993 13.4% - - -
1992 14.6% - - -
1991 16.5% - - -
1990 18.2% - - -
1989 18.6% - - -
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, China's government spending was $6.41T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $8.58B, or 29.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 99.2% in China and 86% in Zambia, ranking 26/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Zambia
2025 -7.87% -3.83%
2024 -7.11% -3.46%
2023 -6.71% -5.48%
2022 -7.32% -7.82%
2021 -5.9% -8.13%
2020 -9.56% -13.8%
2019 -6% -9.41%
2018 -4.2% -8.31%
2017 -3.34% -7.5%
2016 -3.33% -5.69%
2015 -2.5% -8.88%
2014 -0.67% -5.43%
2013 -0.82% -6.4%
2012 -0.3% -3.16%
2011 -0.1% -1.78%
2010 -0.36% -2.43%
2009 -1.72% -2.06%
2008 -0.02% -0.67%
2007 0.06% -1.04%
2006 -1.13% 16.9%
2005 -1.38% -2.37%
2004 -1.49% -2.51%
2003 -2.36% -5.31%
2002 -2.84% -4.5%
2001 -2.56% -5.89%
2000 -2.81% 1.16%
1999 -2.3% -
1998 -1.08% -
1997 -0.73% -
1996 -0.73% -
1995 -0.94% -
1994 -1.68% -
1993 -0.89% -
1992 -1.22% -
1991 -1.04% -
1990 -0.72% -
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.53T, equivalent to 7.87% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $1.11B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.14% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Zambia
2025 0% 13.9%
2024 0.2% 15%
2023 0.2% 10.9%
2022 2% 11%
2021 0.9% 22%
2020 2.5% 15.7%
2019 2.9% 9.2%
2018 2.1% 7.5%
2017 1.6% 6.6%
2016 2% 17.9%
2015 1.4% 10.1%
2014 2% 7.8%
2013 2.6% 7%
2012 2.6% 6.6%
2011 5.4% 8.7%
2010 3.3% 8.5%
2009 -0.7% 13.4%
2008 5.8% 12.4%
2007 4.8% 10.7%
2006 1.5% 9%
2005 1.8% 18.3%
2004 3.9% 18%
2003 1.2% 21.4%
2002 -0.8% 22.2%
2001 0.7% 21.4%
2000 0.4% 24.1%
1999 -1.4% 23.9%
1998 -0.8% 22.7%
1997 2.8% 21.4%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.76%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2025, inflation was 0% in China and 13.9% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.29B
Metals $207M
Textiles & consumer goods $171M
Chemicals & pharma $104M
Raw materials & minerals $98.8M
Wood & paper products $10.6M
Animal & marine products $9.97M
Miscellaneous $7.53M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.32M
Raw agricultural goods $1.27M
Zambia
Export category Export value
Metals $1.02B
Raw materials & minerals $102M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $24.2M
Chemicals & pharma $14M
Precious metals & jewellery $8M
Wood & paper products $3.36M
Raw agricultural goods $423K
Textiles & consumer goods $289K
Machinery & equipment $279K
Weapons & explosives $56K

Balance of trade

China Zambia
Current account balance
$735B
2025
-$1.12B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2025
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.77%
2025
-4.41%
2024
Goods imports
$2.69T
2025
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$3.75T
2025
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$623B
2025
$1.99B
2024
Service exports
$385B
2025
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2025
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Zambia
Economic freedom 48.3 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 152/197
Property rights 40.9 43.9
Government integrity 42.3 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 45
Tax burden 69.3 74.3
Government spending 67.8 78.1
Fiscal health 4.4 30.9
Business freedom 68.7 53.4
Labor freedom 57.9 48.8
Monetary freedom 76.1 66.6
Trade freedom 73.4 62.8
Investment freedom 20 40
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Zambia
2026 48.3 51.9
2025 49 50.9
2024 48.5 48.4
2023 48.3 47.8
2022 48 48.7
2021 58.4 50.4
2020 59.5 53.5
2019 58.4 53.6
2018 57.8 54.3
2017 57.4 55.8
2016 52 58.8
2015 52.7 58.7
2014 52.5 60.4
2013 51.9 58.7
2012 51.2 58.3
2011 52 59.7
2010 51 58
2009 53.2 56.6
2008 53.1 56.2
2007 52 56.2
2006 53.6 56.8
2005 53.7 55
2004 52.5 54.9
2003 52.6 55.3
2002 52.8 59.6
2001 52.6 59.5
2000 56.4 62.8
1999 54.8 64.2
1998 53.1 62.7
1997 51.7 62.1
1996 51.3 59.6
1995 52 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, 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

China Zambia
Services, % of GDP
57.7%
2025
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
35.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.66%
2025
4.11%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20T
2025
$26.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$29,160
2025
$3,990
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.75T
2025
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2025
111/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2025
-$2.05B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$192B
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
17.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.5%
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/china/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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2025, 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.