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Economy of Gabon vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has a GDP of $20.9B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 127/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $15.2B in government debt (72.7% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Gabon vs Zambia GDP by year

Gabon
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Zambia
2024 $20,895,684,426 $25,303,185,342
2023 $19,388,372,071 $27,577,956,471
2022 $20,440,655,695 $29,163,782,140
2021 $19,444,935,097 $22,096,416,932
2020 $15,342,236,164 $18,137,764,931
2019 $16,874,405,465 $23,308,667,781
2018 $16,867,326,402 $26,311,507,274
2017 $14,929,487,485 $25,873,601,261
2016 $14,023,890,265 $20,958,412,538
2015 $14,383,107,763 $21,251,216,799
2014 $18,203,966,896 $27,141,023,558
2013 $17,595,744,798 $28,037,239,463
2012 $17,170,464,016 $25,503,060,420
2011 $18,210,307,744 $23,459,515,276
2010 $14,372,593,020 $20,265,559,484
2009 $12,113,699,068 $15,328,342,304
2008 $15,571,348,344 $17,910,858,638
2007 $12,455,409,587 $14,056,957,976
2006 $10,327,598,306 $12,756,858,899
2005 $9,582,783,991 $8,331,870,169
2004 $7,770,219,008 $6,221,110,219
2003 $6,511,903,365 $4,901,869,764
2002 $5,335,451,100 $4,193,850,445
2001 $5,023,265,413 $4,094,441,301
2000 $5,080,483,629 $3,600,632,111
1999 $4,662,992,036 $3,404,284,891
1998 $4,483,417,310 $3,537,741,942
1997 $5,326,817,115 $4,303,288,480
1996 $5,694,040,003 $3,597,220,962
1995 $4,958,845,648 $3,806,983,413
1994 $4,190,819,344 $3,656,806,166
1993 $4,378,645,081 $3,273,505,344
1992 $5,592,390,827 $3,182,810,841
1991 $5,402,919,785 $3,376,806,697
1990 $5,952,293,765 $3,288,381,797
1989 $4,186,411,464 $3,994,673,161
1988 $3,834,503,376 $3,728,878,149
1987 $3,281,797,043 $2,265,250,972
1986 $3,403,638,189 $1,664,413,508
1985 $3,339,914,757 $2,252,454,500
1984 $3,561,451,561 $2,719,518,933
1983 $3,391,275,732 $3,321,048,451
1982 $3,618,007,841 $3,871,117,093
1981 $3,862,269,121 $4,008,126,497
1980 $4,279,637,942 $3,884,530,854
1979 $3,030,251,120 $3,353,445,378
1978 $2,389,479,272 $2,811,032,473
1977 $2,809,349,069 $2,515,296,940
1976 $3,009,409,974 $2,742,859,263
1975 $2,157,592,940 $2,442,672,141
1974 $1,544,216,002 $2,910,981,262
1973 $722,780,701 $2,434,255,237
1972 $430,508,359 $1,872,416,680
1971 $381,687,073 $1,653,259,341
1970 $323,802,476 $1,788,779,285
1969 $318,124,701 $1,926,399,230
1968 $294,468,564 $1,573,739,371
1967 $271,543,680 $1,340,639,464
1966 $245,849,781 $1,238,999,505
1965 $226,474,286 $1,061,199,576
1964 $215,679,855 $822,639,671
1963 $154,480,244 $704,339,719
1962 $182,796,536 $679,279,729
1961 $167,637,907 $682,359,727
1960 $141,468,978 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Zambia by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $952 $3,157
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $711 $2,213
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $549 $2,068
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $446 $1,942
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $394 $1,837
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $397 $1,785
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $359 $1,709
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $350 $1,654
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $373 $1,601
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $466 $1,631
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $400 $1,585
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $433 $1,501
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $426 $1,464
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $391 $1,607
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $389 $1,505
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $423 $1,534
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $422 $1,522
1989 $4,374 - $526 -
1988 $4,119 - $504 -
1987 $3,624 - $315 -
1986 $3,865 - $238.2 -
1985 $3,898 - $332 -
1984 $4,273 - $413 -
1983 $4,182 - $520 -
1982 $4,584 - $627 -
1981 $5,026 - $670 -
1980 $5,718 - $669 -
1979 $4,155 - $595 -
1978 $3,360 - $514 -
1977 $4,048 - $474 -
1976 $4,441 - $533 -
1975 $3,258 - $490 -
1974 $2,384 - $601 -
1973 $1,140 - $518 -
1972 $693 - $410 -
1971 $627 - $372 -
1970 $543 - $414 -
1969 $545 - $459 -
1968 $515 - $387 -
1967 $482 - $341 -
1966 $443 - $325 -
1965 $415 - $287.4 -
1964 $400 - $230 -
1963 $290.7 - $203.2 -
1962 $348 - $202.3 -
1961 $323 - $209.7 -
1960 $276.1 - $221.6 -

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

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,230, ranking 93/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Gabon Zambia
Gross domestic product
$20.9B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
127/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,230
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
93/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.7%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,985
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
75/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,368
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.77B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.17%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
20.4%
2010
5.86%
2023
Population
2663339
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.8% 72.7% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 30.5% 111%
2020 19.8% 83% 34% 140%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 25% 66.6%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 24% 25.9%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 22.6% 26% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 19.7% 25%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 27.8% 81% 28% 210.2%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 21.4% 261%
1999 25.5% 73.1% - -
1998 45.5% 87.6% - -
1997 29.7% 57% - -
1996 22.2% 64.5% - -
1995 25.1% 73.4% - -
1994 23.9% 71.3% - -
1993 26.9% 90.1% - -
1992 26.5% 87.9% - -
1991 25.1% 89.3% - -
1990 22.6% 90% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Gabon's government spending was $5.18B, accounting for 24.8% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.7% in Gabon and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 51/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Zambia
2024 -3.84% -3.32%
2023 1.79% -5.48%
2022 -0.89% -7.82%
2021 -1.93% -8.13%
2020 -2.19% -13.8%
2019 2.13% -9.41%
2018 -0.21% -8.31%
2017 -1.7% -7.5%
2016 -4.71% -5.69%
2015 -1.12% -8.88%
2014 5.98% -5.43%
2013 -3.07% -6.4%
2012 6.2% -3.16%
2011 1.41% -1.78%
2010 2.7% -2.43%
2009 6.77% -2.06%
2008 11% -0.67%
2007 8.06% -1.04%
2006 8.67% 16.9%
2005 7.98% -2.37%
2004 6.99% -2.51%
2003 7.75% -5.31%
2002 3.72% -4.5%
2001 4.07% -5.89%
2000 11.1% 1.16%
1999 1.11% -
1998 -13.1% -
1997 1.41% -
1996 2.12% -
1995 2.64% -
1994 -1.53% -
1993 -5.35% -
1992 -4.9% -
1991 -2.03% -
1990 -3.83% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Gabon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $802M, equivalent to 3.84% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 9 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 3.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Zambia
2024 1.17% 15%
2023 3.63% 10.9%
2022 4.23% 11%
2021 1.09% 22%
2020 1.35% 15.7%
2019 2.46% 9.2%
2018 4.75% 7.5%
2017 2.65% 6.6%
2016 2.11% 17.9%
2015 -0.34% 10.1%
2014 4.69% 7.8%
2013 0.51% 7%
2012 2.65% 6.6%
2011 1.26% 8.7%
2010 1.46% 8.5%
2009 1.89% 13.4%
2008 5.26% 12.4%
2007 5.03% 10.7%
2006 -1.41% 9%
2005 3.71% 18.3%
2004 0.41% 18%
2003 2.24% 21.4%
2002 0.04% 22.2%
2001 2.14% 21.4%
2000 0.5% 24.1%
1999 -1.94% 23.9%
1998 1.45% 22.7%
1997 3.97% 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/gabon/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 1.17% in Gabon and 15% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $16K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $568K
Textiles & consumer goods $46K
Miscellaneous $10K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Metals $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Gabon Zambia
Current account balance
$141M
2015
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
66/190
2015
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$277M
2015
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.5%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.6%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Gabon Zambia
Economic freedom 56.6 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 152/197
Property rights 30 43.9
Government integrity 22.6 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 45
Tax burden 76.5 74.3
Government spending 85.5 78.1
Fiscal health 87.9 30.9
Business freedom 63.6 53.4
Labor freedom 55.4 48.8
Monetary freedom 80.9 66.6
Trade freedom 57.4 62.8
Investment freedom 60 40
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Zambia
2026 56.6 51.9
2025 56.3 50.9
2024 56.9 48.4
2023 56.1 47.8
2022 55.8 48.7
2021 58.1 50.4
2020 56.7 53.5
2019 56.3 53.6
2018 58 54.3
2017 58.6 55.8
2016 59 58.8
2015 58.3 58.7
2014 57.8 60.4
2013 57.8 58.7
2012 56.4 58.3
2011 56.7 59.7
2010 55.4 58
2009 55 56.6
2008 54.2 56.2
2007 54.8 56.2
2006 56.1 56.8
2005 54.8 55
2004 57.1 54.9
2003 58.7 55.3
2002 58 59.6
2001 55 59.5
2000 58.2 62.8
1999 60.5 64.2
1998 59.2 62.7
1997 58.8 62.1
1996 55.7 59.6
1995 57.5 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, 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

Gabon Zambia
Services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
52.9%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.56%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.8B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,400
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.45B
2023
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2023
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.67%
2024
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
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/gabon/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 (1990–2024, 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 (2020–2023, 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.