Skip to content

Economy of Ghana vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ghana has a GDP of $114B compared to $28.9B for Zambia, ranking 69/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $55.8B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $24.8B (86% of GDP) in Zambia.

Ghana vs Zambia GDP by year

Ghana
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Zambia
2025 $114,209,905,279 $28,879,806,220
2024 $83,288,585,604 $25,303,185,342
2023 $80,547,146,876 $27,577,956,471
2022 $73,919,003,212 $29,163,782,140
2021 $79,514,204,730 $22,096,416,932
2020 $70,008,243,860 $18,137,764,931
2019 $68,352,629,246 $23,308,667,781
2018 $67,259,353,966 $26,311,507,274
2017 $60,385,409,435 $25,873,601,261
2016 $56,144,179,398 $20,958,412,538
2015 $49,436,806,230 $21,251,216,799
2014 $54,678,533,806 $27,141,023,558
2013 $62,845,721,960 $28,037,239,463
2012 $41,271,701,061 $25,503,060,420
2011 $39,336,668,081 $23,459,515,276
2010 $32,197,655,567 $20,265,559,484
2009 $26,048,720,006 $15,328,342,304
2008 $28,679,383,241 $17,910,858,638
2007 $24,827,339,138 $14,056,957,976
2006 $20,885,037,597 $12,756,858,899
2005 $10,744,568,381 $8,331,870,169
2004 $8,881,417,907 $6,221,110,219
2003 $7,632,723,556 $4,901,869,764
2002 $6,166,197,848 $4,193,850,445
2001 $5,314,872,854 $4,094,441,301
2000 $4,982,850,662 $3,600,632,111
1999 $7,718,109,982 $3,404,284,891
1998 $7,482,069,162 $3,537,741,942
1997 $6,891,443,192 $4,303,288,480
1996 $6,932,991,739 $3,597,220,962
1995 $6,464,382,808 $3,806,983,413
1994 $5,446,383,727 $3,656,806,166
1993 $5,968,922,939 $3,273,505,344
1992 $6,416,103,926 $3,182,810,841
1991 $6,603,185,268 $3,376,806,697
1990 $5,889,106,573 $3,288,381,797
1989 $5,251,858,440 $3,994,673,161
1988 $5,197,765,032 $3,728,878,149
1987 $5,074,829,932 $2,265,250,972
1986 $5,735,677,434 $1,664,413,508
1985 $4,504,306,723 $2,252,454,500
1984 $4,412,279,843 $2,719,518,933
1983 $4,057,275,132 $3,321,048,451
1982 $4,035,994,398 $3,871,117,093
1981 $4,222,441,860 $4,008,126,497
1980 $4,445,228,216 $3,884,530,854
1979 $4,020,227,920 $3,353,445,378
1978 $3,662,478,185 $2,811,032,473
1977 $3,189,428,571 $2,515,296,940
1976 $2,765,254,237 $2,742,859,263
1975 $2,810,106,383 $2,442,672,141
1974 $2,894,409,938 $2,910,981,262
1973 $3,006,766,758 $2,434,255,237
1972 $2,112,293,280 $1,872,416,680
1971 $2,417,108,578 $1,653,259,341
1970 $2,215,028,588 $1,788,779,285
1969 $1,962,050,556 $1,926,399,230
1968 $1,666,909,518 $1,573,739,371
1967 $1,747,187,645 $1,340,639,464
1966 $2,126,300,672 $1,238,999,505
1965 $2,053,462,968 $1,061,199,576
1964 $1,731,296,200 $822,639,671
1963 $1,540,797,589 $704,339,719
1962 $1,382,515,654 $679,279,729
1961 $1,302,674,325 $682,359,727
1960 $1,217,230,095 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Zambia by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,257 - $1,318 -
2024 $2,419 $8,020 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $952 $3,157
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $906 $3,103 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $479 $2,904 $711 $2,213
2004 $406 $2,729 $549 $2,068
2003 $358 $2,584 $446 $1,942
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $394 $1,837
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $397 $1,785
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $359 $1,709
1999 $403 $2,239 $350 $1,654
1998 $400 $2,167 $373 $1,601
1997 $378 $2,097 $466 $1,631
1996 $389 $2,026 $400 $1,585
1995 $372 $1,947 $433 $1,501
1994 $321 $1,875 $426 $1,464
1993 $360 $1,821 $391 $1,607
1992 $396 $1,739 $389 $1,505
1991 $418 $1,678 $423 $1,534
1990 $383 $1,581 $422 $1,522
1989 $350 - $526 -
1988 $355 - $504 -
1987 $355 - $315 -
1986 $411 - $238.2 -
1985 $330 - $332 -
1984 $330 - $413 -
1983 $311 - $520 -
1982 $319 - $627 -
1981 $344 - $670 -
1980 $372 - $669 -
1979 $347 - $595 -
1978 $326 - $514 -
1977 $292.3 - $474 -
1976 $261 - $533 -
1975 $273 - $490 -
1974 $289.4 - $601 -
1973 $310 - $518 -
1972 $223.8 - $410 -
1971 $263.4 - $372 -
1970 $248.2 - $414 -
1969 $225.8 - $459 -
1968 $196.7 - $387 -
1967 $211.2 - $341 -
1966 $263.3 - $325 -
1965 $260.5 - $287.4 -
1964 $225 - $230 -
1963 $205 - $203.2 -
1962 $188.4 - $202.3 -
1961 $181.9 - $209.7 -
1960 $174.9 - $221.6 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $3,257, ranking 139/197, compared to $1,318 in Zambia, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Ghana Zambia
Gross domestic product
$114B
2025
$28.9B
2025
GDP rank
69/197
2025
116/197
2025
GDP growth
5.95%
2024-2025
3.76%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,257
2025
$1,318
2025
GDP per capita rank
139/197
2025
170/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$55.8B
2025
$24.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2025
86%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,590
2025
$1,133
2025
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2025
140/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,135
2026
$1,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$16.4B
2025
$14.9B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2025
29.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.2%
2024-2025
13.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
13.3%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.97%
2024
5.67%
2024
Population
36032857
22844606

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17% 48.8% 29.7% 86%
2024 22% 70.3% 26.5% 125.2%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 30.5% 111%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 34% 140%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 20.9% 62% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 17.6% 57% 25% 66.6%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 21% 50.1% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 24% 25.9%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 19% 32.9% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 19.7% 25%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 28% 210.2%
2000 12% 74.5% 21.4% 261%
1999 11.1% 51.7% - -
1998 11.8% 37.6% - -
1997 12% 45.2% - -
1996 12.4% 42.9% - -
1995 13% 47.6% - -
1994 12.7% 50.6% - -
1993 12.1% 34.1% - -
1992 9.2% 21.3% - -
1991 7.09% 17.3% - -
1990 6.59% 17.8% - -
1989 7.24% 23% - -
1988 7.23% 23.5% - -
1987 7.32% 26.8% - -
1986 7.29% 18.2% - -
1985 6.08% 14.4% - -
1984 4.64% 13% - -
1983 3.49% 9.21% - -
1982 4.73% 8.51% - -
1981 5.74% 8.77% - -
1980 7.51% 9.75% - -
1979 9.14% 11.5% - -
1978 6.54% 11.4% - -
1977 10.5% 20.7% - -
1976 12.8% 26% - -
1975 13.2% 21.8% - -
1974 9.52% 21.8% - -
1973 9.35% 25.4% - -
1972 11.4% 29.8% - -
1971 11.7% 29.5% - -
1970 12.2% 31.9% - -
1969 11.2% 31.4% - -
1968 12.3% 34.5% - -
1967 11.5% 33.9% - -
1966 9.12% 29.8% - -
1965 14.2% 30.2% - -
1964 15.8% 30.8% - -
1963 15.3% 30.5% - -
1962 12.5% 11.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ghana's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $8.58B, or 29.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Ghana and 86% in Zambia, ranking 108/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Zambia
2025 -1.35% -3.83%
2024 -6.23% -3.46%
2023 -3.37% -5.48%
2022 -11.8% -7.82%
2021 -12% -8.13%
2020 -17.4% -13.8%
2019 -7.52% -9.41%
2018 -6.79% -8.31%
2017 -3.97% -7.5%
2016 -6.75% -5.69%
2015 -4.01% -8.88%
2014 -7.81% -5.43%
2013 -9.12% -6.4%
2012 -8.36% -3.16%
2011 -5.47% -1.78%
2010 -7.13% -2.43%
2009 -5.05% -2.06%
2008 -5.56% -0.67%
2007 -4.91% -1.04%
2006 -3.11% 16.9%
2005 -1.87% -2.37%
2004 -2.02% -2.51%
2003 -1.99% -5.31%
2002 -2.73% -4.5%
2001 -3.64% -5.89%
2000 -3.98% 1.16%
1999 -5.64% -
1998 -5.27% -
1997 -6.14% -
1996 -5.61% -
1995 -4.52% -
1994 -4.99% -
1993 -5.39% -
1992 -4.5% -
1991 -1.47% -
1990 -1.93% -
1989 -0.81% -
1988 -1.08% -
1987 -0.92% -
1986 -1.26% -
1985 -1.19% -
1984 -0.98% -
1983 -1.13% -
1982 -2.03% -
1981 -3.8% -
1980 -4.73% -
1979 -3.61% -
1978 -1.21% -
1977 -4.68% -
1976 -5.53% -
1975 -4.05% -
1974 -2.06% -
1973 -2.64% -
1972 -2.19% -
1971 0.13% -
1970 -2.35% -
1969 -2.67% -
1968 -2.34% -
1967 -2.32% -
1966 -1.29% -
1965 -3.29% -
1964 -3.72% -
1963 -5.66% -
1962 -5.04% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ghana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.54B, equivalent to 1.35% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $1.11B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.92% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.14% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Zambia
2025 14.2% 13.9%
2024 22.8% 15%
2023 38.1% 10.9%
2022 31.3% 11%
2021 9.97% 22%
2020 9.89% 15.7%
2019 7.14% 9.2%
2018 7.81% 7.5%
2017 12.4% 6.6%
2016 17.5% 17.9%
2015 17.1% 10.1%
2014 15.5% 7.8%
2013 11.7% 7%
2012 11.2% 6.6%
2011 8.73% 8.7%
2010 10.7% 8.5%
2009 19.2% 13.4%
2008 16.5% 12.4%
2007 10.7% 10.7%
2006 11.7% 9%
2005 15.4% 18.3%
2004 18% 18%
2003 29.8% 21.4%
2002 9.36% 22.2%
2001 41.5% 21.4%
2000 40.2% 24.1%
1999 4.87% 23.9%
1998 14.6% 22.7%
1997 27.9% 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/ghana/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2025, inflation was 14.2% in Ghana and 13.9% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $633K
Metals $306K
Chemicals & pharma $54K
Textiles & consumer goods $35K
Raw agricultural goods $11K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $646K
Metals $329K
Animal & marine products $287K
Weapons & explosives $286K
Textiles & consumer goods $249K
Raw agricultural goods $131K
Miscellaneous $19K
Precious metals & jewellery $16K
Chemicals & pharma $9K
Wood & paper products $7K

Balance of trade

Ghana Zambia
Current account balance
$9.39B
2025
-$1.12B
2024
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2025
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+8.22%
2025
-4.41%
2024
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$31.2B
2025
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$14.6B
2025
$1.99B
2024
Service exports
$10.1B
2025
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Zambia
Economic freedom 57.3 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 152/197
Property rights 50.2 43.9
Government integrity 45.4 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 45
Tax burden 79.4 74.3
Government spending 84 78.1
Fiscal health 10.1 30.9
Business freedom 64.5 53.4
Labor freedom 54.9 48.8
Monetary freedom 56.7 66.6
Trade freedom 65.2 62.8
Investment freedom 60 40
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Zambia
2026 57.3 51.9
2025 56 50.9
2024 55.8 48.4
2023 58 47.8
2022 59.8 48.7
2021 59.2 50.4
2020 59.4 53.5
2019 57.5 53.6
2018 56 54.3
2017 56.2 55.8
2016 63 58.8
2015 63 58.7
2014 64.2 60.4
2013 61.3 58.7
2012 60.7 58.3
2011 59.4 59.7
2010 60.2 58
2009 58.1 56.6
2008 57 56.2
2007 57.6 56.2
2006 55.6 56.8
2005 56.5 55
2004 59.1 54.9
2003 58.2 55.3
2002 57.2 59.6
2001 58 59.5
2000 58.1 62.8
1999 57.9 64.2
1998 57 62.7
1997 56.7 62.1
1996 57.7 59.6
1995 55.6 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, 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

Ghana Zambia
Services, % of GDP
42.9%
2025
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
35.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.3%
2025
4.11%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.3B
2025
$26.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,080
2025
$3,990
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.47B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
108/177
2024
111/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$2.05B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.5%
2024
17.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.9%
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/ghana/zambia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1962–1989, 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 (2023–2025, 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.