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Economy of China vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

China has a GDP of $19.5T compared to $51.2B for Zimbabwe, ranking 2/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $19.3T in government debt (99.2% of GDP), compared to $22.4B (43.8% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

China vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

China
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Zimbabwe
2025 $19,498,039,388,043 $51,215,643,906
2024 $18,729,668,435,848 $41,521,975,830
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $35,871,781,303
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $40,757,585,309
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $41,287,852,524
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $31,979,753,645
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $33,360,632,553
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $34,141,666,667
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $51,035,657,371
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $20,559,250,000
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $19,973,250,000
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $19,505,500,000
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $19,100,750,000
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $17,123,500,000
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $14,109,000,000
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $12,047,750,000
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $9,670,750,000
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $4,418,000,000
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $5,294,750,000
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $5,446,750,000
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $5,758,250,000
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $5,808,500,000
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $5,730,500,000
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $6,345,250,000
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $6,780,750,000
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $6,693,250,000
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $6,861,500,000
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $6,405,250,000
1997 $967,753,570,435 $8,534,000,000
1996 $868,523,936,530 $8,557,500,000
1995 $738,190,896,228 $7,115,000,000
1994 $566,929,539,493 $6,894,250,000
1993 $446,557,291,212 $6,567,250,000
1992 $428,502,354,788 $6,755,000,000
1991 $384,510,452,962 $8,646,000,000
1990 $361,560,229,446 $8,788,301,546
1989 $348,380,566,802 $8,290,553,535
1988 $312,888,888,889 $7,818,774,177
1987 $273,455,156,951 $6,744,657,033
1986 $301,310,144,928 $6,220,698,247
1985 $310,064,625,850 $5,640,137,575
1984 $260,442,857,143 $6,355,369,172
1983 $231,130,268,199 $7,768,031,182
1982 $205,480,916,031 $8,544,060,905
1981 $196,218,253,968 $8,015,464,252
1980 $191,487,500,000 $6,682,278,300
1979 $178,573,913,043 $5,180,102,910
1978 $149,788,617,886 $4,353,822,343
1977 $175,226,595,860 $4,366,610,469
1976 $154,196,810,059 $4,320,576,877
1975 $163,687,619,736 $4,373,532,601
1974 $144,418,433,058 $3,984,194,614
1973 $138,764,340,892 $3,311,043,292
1972 $113,871,930,714 $2,679,096,597
1971 $99,959,013,880 $2,179,828,710
1970 $92,752,930,873 $1,885,168,339
1969 $79,847,786,729 $1,748,891,294
1968 $70,980,323,819 $1,480,355,355
1967 $73,011,350,596 $1,397,715,282
1966 $76,854,053,259 $1,282,403,936
1965 $70,565,994,356 $1,312,105,394
1964 $59,821,862,703 $1,217,759,447
1963 $50,812,227,919 $1,160,103,724
1962 $47,310,737,754 $1,118,172,226
1961 $50,162,299,350 $1,097,206,526
1960 $59,846,235,025 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in China vs Zimbabwe by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,862 - $3,021 -
2024 $13,293 $27,105 $2,496 $5,928
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $2,185 $4,166
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $902 $2,661
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $736 $2,233
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $341 $1,987
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $414 $2,396
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $431 $2,454
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $461 $2,496
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $470 $2,591
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $468 $2,708
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $525 $3,238
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $566 $3,533
2000 $969 $2,964 $563 $3,429
1999 $881 $2,690 $582 $3,491
1998 $835 $2,483 $552 $3,527
1997 $787 $2,297 $751 $3,457
1996 $713 $2,088 $767 $3,372
1995 $613 $1,884 $648 $3,051
1994 $476 $1,680 $634 $3,012
1993 $379 $1,471 $605 $2,703
1992 $368 $1,276 $631 $2,651
1991 $334 $1,105 $831 $2,930
1990 $319 $991 $867 $2,757
1989 $311 - $840 -
1988 $284 - $816 -
1987 $252.3 - $726 -
1986 $282.4 - $693 -
1985 $295 - $649 -
1984 $251.2 - $757 -
1983 $225.9 - $959 -
1982 $203.7 - $1,096 -
1981 $197.4 - $1,069 -
1980 $195.1 - $949 -
1979 $184.3 - $779 -
1978 $156.7 - $665 -
1977 $185.7 - $677 -
1976 $165.7 - $687 -
1975 $178.6 - $717 -
1974 $160.4 - $674 -
1973 $157.3 - $579 -
1972 $132.1 - $483 -
1971 $118.8 - $406 -
1970 $113.3 - $361 -
1969 $100.3 - $346 -
1968 $91.6 - $302 -
1967 $96.8 - $294.4 -
1966 $104.5 - $278.7 -
1965 $98.7 - $294.3 -
1964 $85.7 - $281.9 -
1963 $74.5 - $277.1 -
1962 $71.1 - $275.7 -
1961 $76 - $279.2 -
1960 $89.7 - $276.6 -

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

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,862, ranking 77/197, compared to $3,021 in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

China Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$19.5T
2025
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank
2/197
2025
95/197
2025
GDP growth
4.96%
2024-2025
8.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,862
2025
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank
77/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$19.3T
2025
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
99.2%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,756
2025
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2025
134/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,414
2026
$2,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15.5T
2025
$2.46B
1999
Number of millionaires
5,305,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
539
2026
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0%
2024-2025
81.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3%
2025
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.57%
2022
12.1%
2024
Population
1403335670
17443108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.9% 99.2% 15.5% 43.8%
2024 32.9% 90.4% 13.7% 70.4%
2023 32.7% 84.1% 21.1% 76.1%
2022 32.6% 77.3% 12.1% 66.8%
2021 31.9% 72.1% 12.4% 39.9%
2020 34.8% 70.1% 8.4% 56.8%
2019 33.6% 59.8% 7.7% 53.9%
2018 32.6% 55.9% 14.6% 33%
2017 32% 53.9% 21.1% 49%
2016 31.7% 50% 17% 35.1%
2015 31% 40.8% 14.9% 34.1%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 14.2% 29.2%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 15.2% 26.4%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 14.8% 27.2%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 16.5% 30%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 13.1% 33.2%
2009 25.2% 34% 8.02% 39.7%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 2.57% 41.3%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 3.46% 30.2%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 5.79% 26.7%
2005 18% 25.9% 10.6% 22.4%
2004 17.6% 26% - -
2003 18% 26.4% - -
2002 18.2% 25.6% - -
2001 17.2% 24.3% - -
2000 16.1% 22.7% - -
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2025, China's government spending was $6.41T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $7.92B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 99.2% in China and 43.8% in Zimbabwe, ranking 26/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Zimbabwe
2025 -7.87% 0.08%
2024 -7.11% -0.76%
2023 -6.71% -9.45%
2022 -7.32% -1%
2021 -5.9% -1.83%
2020 -9.56% 0.53%
2019 -6% -0.06%
2018 -4.2% -4.55%
2017 -3.34% -8.68%
2016 -3.33% -4.99%
2015 -2.5% -1.61%
2014 -0.67% -0.87%
2013 -0.82% -1.21%
2012 -0.3% -0.35%
2011 -0.1% -1.98%
2010 -0.36% -0.4%
2009 -1.72% -1.48%
2008 -0.02% -1.22%
2007 0.06% -1.71%
2006 -1.13% -1.46%
2005 -1.38% -3.58%
2004 -1.49% -
2003 -2.36% -
2002 -2.84% -
2001 -2.56% -
2000 -2.81% -
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/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's surplus of $41.9M, or 0.08% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 3.35% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Zimbabwe
2025 0% 81.4%
2024 0.2% 736%
2023 0.2% 667%
2022 2% 193.4%
2021 0.9% 98.5%
2020 2.5% 557%
2019 2.9% 255.3%
2018 2.1% 10.6%
2017 1.6% 0.9%
2016 2% -1.6%
2015 1.4% -2.4%
2014 2% -0.2%
2013 2.6% 1.6%
2012 2.6% 3.7%
2011 5.4% 3.5%
2010 3.3% 3%
2009 -0.7% 6.2%
2008 5.8% -
2007 4.8% -
2006 1.5% -
2005 1.8% -
2004 3.9% -
2003 1.2% -
2002 -0.8% -
2001 0.7% -
2000 0.4% -
1999 -1.4% -
1998 -0.8% -
1997 2.8% -

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

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

Over the past 17 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 153.8% in Zimbabwe. In 2025, inflation was 0% in China and 81.4% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.15B
Metals $204M
Chemicals & pharma $163M
Textiles & consumer goods $140M
Raw materials & minerals $138M
Wood & paper products $11.4M
Miscellaneous $6.96M
Raw agricultural goods $6.76M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.88M
Weapons & explosives $4.34M
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $562M
Raw materials & minerals $553M
Metals $243M
Raw agricultural goods $1.24M
Machinery & equipment $829K
Textiles & consumer goods $30K
Wood & paper products $11K
Chemicals & pharma $10K
Animal & marine products $7K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K

Balance of trade

China Zimbabwe
Current account balance
$735B
2025
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2025
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.77%
2025
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$2.69T
2025
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$3.75T
2025
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$623B
2025
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$385B
2025
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2025
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
18.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 48.3 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 190/197
Property rights 40.9 19.4
Government integrity 42.3 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 16.8
Tax burden 69.3 73.6
Government spending 67.8 93.9
Fiscal health 4.4 52.4
Business freedom 68.7 42
Labor freedom 57.9 33.3
Monetary freedom 76.1 0
Trade freedom 73.4 50.4
Investment freedom 20 10
Financial freedom 20 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Zimbabwe
2026 48.3 35.2
2025 49 35.1
2024 48.5 38.2
2023 48.3 39
2022 48 33.1
2021 58.4 39.5
2020 59.5 43.1
2019 58.4 40.4
2018 57.8 44
2017 57.4 44
2016 52 38.2
2015 52.7 37.6
2014 52.5 35.5
2013 51.9 28.6
2012 51.2 26.3
2011 52 22.1
2010 51 21.4
2009 53.2 22.7
2008 53.1 29.5
2007 52 32
2006 53.6 33.5
2005 53.7 35.2
2004 52.5 34.4
2003 52.6 36.7
2002 52.8 36.7
2001 52.6 38.8
2000 56.4 48.7
1999 54.8 47.2
1998 53.1 44.6
1997 51.7 48
1996 51.3 46.7
1995 52 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
57.7%
2025
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
37.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.66%
2025
9.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20T
2025
$45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$29,160
2025
$6,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.75T
2025
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2025
159/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2025
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$192B
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
8.85%
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (2024–2025, 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.