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Economy of Egypt vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Egypt has a GDP of $389B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 41/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Egypt has $354B in government debt (90.9% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Egypt vs Zambia GDP by year

Egypt
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Egypt Zambia
2024 $389,059,911,004 $25,303,185,342
2023 $395,926,075,163 $27,577,956,471
2022 $476,747,720,365 $29,163,782,140
2021 $424,671,765,456 $22,096,416,932
2020 $383,817,841,547 $18,137,764,931
2019 $318,678,815,490 $23,308,667,781
2018 $262,588,632,527 $26,311,507,274
2017 $248,362,771,739 $25,873,601,261
2016 $332,441,717,791 $20,958,412,538
2015 $329,366,576,819 $21,251,216,799
2014 $305,595,408,895 $27,141,023,558
2013 $288,434,108,527 $28,037,239,463
2012 $279,116,666,667 $25,503,060,420
2011 $235,989,672,978 $23,459,515,276
2010 $218,983,666,062 $20,265,559,484
2009 $189,147,005,445 $15,328,342,304
2008 $162,818,181,818 $17,910,858,638
2007 $130,437,828,371 $14,056,957,976
2006 $107,426,086,957 $12,756,858,899
2005 $89,660,339,660 $8,331,870,169
2004 $78,782,467,532 $6,221,110,219
2003 $80,288,461,538 $4,901,869,764
2002 $85,146,067,416 $4,193,850,445
2001 $96,684,636,119 $4,094,441,301
2000 $99,838,543,960 $3,600,632,111
1999 $90,710,704,807 $3,404,284,891
1998 $84,828,807,556 $3,537,741,942
1997 $78,436,578,171 $4,303,288,480
1996 $67,629,716,981 $3,597,220,962
1995 $60,159,245,060 $3,806,983,413
1994 $51,897,983,393 $3,656,806,166
1993 $46,578,631,453 $3,273,505,344
1992 $41,855,986,519 $3,182,810,841
1991 $37,387,836,491 $3,376,806,697
1990 $42,978,914,311 $3,288,381,797
1989 $39,756,299,050 $3,994,673,161
1988 $34,980,124,929 $3,728,878,149
1987 $40,455,616,654 $2,265,250,972
1986 $41,253,507,951 $1,664,413,508
1985 $39,053,502,251 $2,252,454,500
1984 $33,971,188,992 $2,719,518,933
1983 $30,966,239,814 $3,321,048,451
1982 $27,655,172,414 $3,871,117,093
1981 $22,136,081,081 $4,008,126,497
1980 $21,669,908,176 $3,884,530,854
1979 $18,020,571,429 $3,353,445,378
1978 $14,811,704,063 $2,811,032,473
1977 $14,400,806,876 $2,515,296,940
1976 $13,315,988,083 $2,742,859,263
1975 $11,632,178,869 $2,442,672,141
1974 $9,228,963,225 $2,910,981,262
1973 $10,098,534,613 $2,434,255,237
1972 $9,299,638,056 $1,872,416,680
1971 $8,609,283,346 $1,653,259,341
1970 $8,042,200,452 $1,788,779,285
1969 $6,524,455,206 $1,926,399,230
1968 $5,932,242,991 $1,573,739,371
1967 $5,605,484,299 $1,340,639,464
1966 $5,278,005,612 $1,238,999,505
1965 $4,948,667,540 $1,061,199,576
1964 $4,709,245,762 $822,639,671
1963 $4,187,146,232 $704,339,719
1962 $4,035,462,027 $679,279,729
1961 $4,494,575,611 $682,359,727
1960 $4,206,270,352 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Egypt vs Zambia by year

Egypt
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Egypt Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,338 $19,094 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $3,457 $18,525 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $4,233 $17,527 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $3,827 $15,579 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $3,511 $15,232 $952 $3,157
2019 $2,963 $13,364 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $2,485 $12,329 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $2,395 $11,125 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $3,271 $10,666 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $3,307 $10,903 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $3,133 $10,256 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $3,026 $10,511 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $2,996 $10,342 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $2,591 $8,988 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $2,455 $8,838 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $2,162 $8,465 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $1,896 $8,191 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $1,548 $7,641 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $1,299 $7,079 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $1,106 $6,554 $711 $2,213
2004 $991 $6,207 $549 $2,068
2003 $1,031 $5,928 $446 $1,942
2002 $1,117 $5,753 $394 $1,837
2001 $1,295 $5,650 $397 $1,785
2000 $1,366 $5,452 $359 $1,709
1999 $1,268 $5,121 $350 $1,654
1998 $1,213 $4,869 $373 $1,601
1997 $1,146 $4,661 $466 $1,631
1996 $1,009 $4,434 $400 $1,585
1995 $916 $4,235 $433 $1,501
1994 $807 $4,048 $426 $1,464
1993 $740 $3,895 $391 $1,607
1992 $681 $3,784 $389 $1,505
1991 $623 $3,627 $423 $1,534
1990 $736 $3,566 $422 $1,522
1989 $701 - $526 -
1988 $634 - $504 -
1987 $754 - $315 -
1986 $790 - $238.2 -
1985 $770 - $332 -
1984 $690 - $413 -
1983 $648 - $520 -
1982 $596 - $627 -
1981 $490 - $670 -
1980 $493 - $669 -
1979 $421 - $595 -
1978 $355 - $514 -
1977 $353 - $474 -
1976 $335 - $533 -
1975 $299.2 - $490 -
1974 $243.1 - $601 -
1973 $272.2 - $518 -
1972 $256.5 - $410 -
1971 $243 - $372 -
1970 $232.3 - $414 -
1969 $193 - $459 -
1968 $179.8 - $387 -
1967 $174.1 - $341 -
1966 $168.1 - $325 -
1965 $161.6 - $287.4 -
1964 $157.7 - $230 -
1963 $143.9 - $203.2 -
1962 $142.4 - $202.3 -
1961 $162.8 - $209.7 -
1960 $156.4 - $221.6 -

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

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

Egypt's GDP per capita is $3,338, ranking 138/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Egypt ranks 99th at $19,094, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Egypt Zambia
Gross domestic product
$389B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
41/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
2.4%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,338
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
138/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,094
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
99/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$354B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
90.9%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$3,036
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
99/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,948
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$42.6B
2024
$7.77B
2024
Number of billionaires
5
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2021
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
4.2%
2021
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.9%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
28.3%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
21%
2025
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.95%
2024
5.86%
2023
Population
120697176
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Egypt
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Egypt Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.9% 90.9% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 22.7% 95.9% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 24.9% 88.5% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 25.5% 89.9% 30.5% 111%
2020 25.7% 86.2% 34% 140%
2019 26.9% 80.1% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 28.6% 87.9% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 30.6% 97.8% 25% 66.6%
2016 31% 91.6% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 31.3% 83.8% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 33.9% 80.9% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 32.9% 79.8% 24% 25.9%
2012 29.2% 69.9% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 30.5% 72.8% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 31.4% 69.6% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 32.5% 69.5% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 32.7% 66.8% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 31.3% 76.3% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 34.5% 85.9% 19.7% 25%
2005 30.3% 98.3% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 30.1% 96.5% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 30.6% 97.1% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 30.9% 85.8% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 27.9% 79.1% 28% 210.2%
2000 26% 71.7% 21.4% 261%
1999 26.3% 72.4% - -
1998 - 73.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Egypt's government spending was $89.2B, accounting for 22.9% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 90.9% in Egypt and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 31/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Egypt

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Egypt Zambia
2024 -7.12% -3.32%
2023 -5.77% -5.48%
2022 -5.74% -7.82%
2021 -6.96% -8.13%
2020 -7.47% -13.8%
2019 -7.6% -9.41%
2018 -8.97% -8.31%
2017 -9.9% -7.5%
2016 -11.8% -5.69%
2015 -10.4% -8.88%
2014 -10.7% -5.43%
2013 -12.3% -6.4%
2012 -9.47% -3.16%
2011 -9.6% -1.78%
2010 -7.45% -2.43%
2009 -6.2% -2.06%
2008 -6.05% -0.67%
2007 -4.9% -1.04%
2006 -7.35% 16.9%
2005 -6.69% -2.37%
2004 -5.76% -2.51%
2003 -5.73% -5.31%
2002 -6.77% -4.5%
2001 -1.07% -5.89%
2000 1.32% 1.16%
1999 2.14% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Egypt's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $27.7B, equivalent to 7.12% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Egypt recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Egypt posted an annual deficit equal to 7.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Egypt

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Egypt Zambia
2024 28.3% 15%
2023 33.9% 10.9%
2022 13.9% 11%
2021 5.21% 22%
2020 5.04% 15.7%
2019 9.15% 9.2%
2018 14.4% 7.5%
2017 29.5% 6.6%
2016 13.8% 17.9%
2015 10.4% 10.1%
2014 10.1% 7.8%
2013 9.47% 7%
2012 7.11% 6.6%
2011 10.1% 8.7%
2010 11.3% 8.5%
2009 11.8% 13.4%
2008 18.3% 12.4%
2007 9.32% 10.7%
2006 7.64% 9%
2005 4.87% 18.3%
2004 11.3% 18%
2003 4.51% 21.4%
2002 2.74% 22.2%
2001 2.27% 21.4%
2000 2.68% 24.1%
1999 3.08% 23.9%
1998 3.87% 22.7%
1997 4.63% 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/egypt/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Egypt has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.7%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 28.3% in Egypt and 15% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Egypt
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $18.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.92M
Machinery & equipment $2.59M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.58M
Metals $1.34M
Raw materials & minerals $817K
Miscellaneous $288K
Raw agricultural goods $259K
Animal & marine products $237K
Wood & paper products $158K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.84M
Wood & paper products $472K
Metals $256K
Machinery & equipment $124K
Textiles & consumer goods $52K
Miscellaneous $39K

Balance of trade

Egypt Zambia
Current account balance
-$22.3B
2024
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
184/190
2024
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.72%
2024
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$72.9B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$34.8B
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$27.5B
2024
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$29.6B
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Egypt Zambia
Economic freedom 50.3 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 160/197 152/197
Property rights 35.5 43.9
Government integrity 27.1 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 24 45
Tax burden 85.7 74.3
Government spending 83.4 78.1
Fiscal health 21.8 30.9
Business freedom 51.4 53.4
Labor freedom 43.1 48.8
Monetary freedom 56 66.6
Trade freedom 60.2 62.8
Investment freedom 65 40
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Egypt
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Egypt Zambia
2026 50.3 51.9
2025 50.9 50.9
2024 49.7 48.4
2023 49.6 47.8
2022 49.1 48.7
2021 55.7 50.4
2020 54 53.5
2019 52.5 53.6
2018 53.4 54.3
2017 52.6 55.8
2016 56 58.8
2015 55.2 58.7
2014 52.9 60.4
2013 54.8 58.7
2012 57.9 58.3
2011 59.1 59.7
2010 59 58
2009 58 56.6
2008 58.5 56.2
2007 54.4 56.2
2006 53.2 56.8
2005 55.8 55
2004 55.5 54.9
2003 55.3 55.3
2002 54.1 59.6
2001 51.5 59.5
2000 51.7 62.8
1999 58 64.2
1998 55.8 62.7
1997 54.5 62.1
1996 52 59.6
1995 45.7 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Egypt is 50.3, ranking 160/197, 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

Egypt Zambia
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
32.6%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
13.7%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$409B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$18,230
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$44.9B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
44/177
2024
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$46.1B
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$46.6B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$508M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.86%
2024
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.5%
2021
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
13%
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/egypt/zambia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.