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Economy of Guinea vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guinea has a GDP of $25B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 118/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guinea has $12.2B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Guinea vs Zambia GDP by year

Guinea
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guinea Zambia
2024 $25,008,678,293 $25,303,185,342
2023 $22,407,615,556 $27,577,956,471
2022 $19,910,452,542 $29,163,782,140
2021 $17,069,115,738 $22,096,416,932
2020 $14,088,693,743 $18,137,764,931
2019 $13,442,861,496 $23,308,667,781
2018 $11,857,030,367 $26,311,507,274
2017 $10,324,668,271 $25,873,601,261
2016 $8,595,955,222 $20,958,412,538
2015 $8,794,201,743 $21,251,216,799
2014 $8,778,473,373 $27,141,023,558
2013 $8,376,613,539 $28,037,239,463
2012 $7,638,044,557 $25,503,060,420
2011 $6,785,137,203 $23,459,515,276
2010 $6,853,467,146 $20,265,559,484
2009 $6,716,905,340 $15,328,342,304
2008 $6,964,179,983 $17,910,858,638
2007 $6,281,918,226 $14,056,957,976
2006 $4,220,019,845 $12,756,858,899
2005 $4,282,468,637 $8,331,870,169
2004 $5,300,767,961 $6,221,110,219
2003 $5,025,167,975 $4,901,869,764
2002 $4,301,608,753 $4,193,850,445
2001 $4,125,527,603 $4,094,441,301
2000 $4,367,458,867 $3,600,632,111
1999 $5,046,806,783 $3,404,284,891
1998 $5,232,118,046 $3,537,741,942
1997 $5,516,916,163 $4,303,288,480
1996 $5,641,243,100 $3,597,220,962
1995 $5,385,704,166 $3,806,983,413
1994 $4,932,800,407 $3,656,806,166
1993 $4,781,166,117 $3,273,505,344
1992 $4,789,220,417 $3,182,810,841
1991 $4,396,178,694 $3,376,806,697
1990 $3,888,320,666 $3,288,381,797
1989 $3,546,079,263 $3,994,673,161
1988 $3,476,480,303 $3,728,878,149
1987 $2,976,714,019 $2,265,250,972
1986 $2,909,130,355 $1,664,413,508
1985 $22,787,644,566 $2,252,454,500
1984 $18,421,497,251 $2,719,518,933
1983 $15,129,893,722 $3,321,048,451
1982 $11,926,032,493 $3,871,117,093
1981 $9,646,440,667 $4,008,126,497
1980 $9,746,524,915 $3,884,530,854
1979 $8,877,094,497 $3,353,445,378
1978 $8,087,305,999 $2,811,032,473
1977 $6,914,381,291 $2,515,296,940
1976 $6,762,781,871 $2,742,859,263
1975 $6,102,769,605 $2,442,672,141
1974 $5,691,417,541 $2,910,981,262
1973 $5,152,080,388 $2,434,255,237
1972 $4,203,069,035 $1,872,416,680
1971 $3,594,302,908 $1,653,259,341
1970 $3,220,224,608 $1,788,779,285
1969 - $1,926,399,230
1968 - $1,573,739,371
1967 - $1,340,639,464
1966 - $1,238,999,505
1965 - $1,061,199,576
1964 - $822,639,671
1963 - $704,339,719
1962 - $679,279,729
1961 - $682,359,727
1960 - $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Guinea vs Zambia by year

Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guinea Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,695 $4,565 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $1,555 $4,334 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $1,417 $4,062 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $1,245 $3,739 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $1,054 $3,332 $952 $3,157
2019 $1,031 $3,106 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $933 $2,844 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $834 $2,687 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $712 $2,255 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $747 $1,930 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $765 $1,873 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $748 $1,842 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $699 $1,790 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $637 $1,705 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $659 $1,622 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $662 $1,567 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $704 $1,614 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $650 $1,558 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $447 $1,453 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $463 $1,422 $711 $2,213
2004 $585 $1,366 $549 $2,068
2003 $566 $1,328 $446 $1,942
2002 $496 $1,315 $394 $1,837
2001 $483 $1,251 $397 $1,785
2000 $518 $1,196 $359 $1,709
1999 $611 $1,163 $350 $1,654
1998 $647 $1,130 $373 $1,601
1997 $696 $1,099 $466 $1,631
1996 $726 $1,048 $400 $1,585
1995 $713 $1,014 $433 $1,501
1994 $672 $976 $426 $1,464
1993 $671 $947 $391 $1,607
1992 $693 $908 $389 $1,505
1991 $656 $887 $423 $1,534
1990 $604 $871 $422 $1,522
1989 $570 - $526 -
1988 $574 - $504 -
1987 $505 - $315 -
1986 $506 - $238.2 -
1985 $4,062 - $332 -
1984 $3,362 - $413 -
1983 $2,823 - $520 -
1982 $2,273 - $627 -
1981 $1,876 - $670 -
1980 $1,931 - $669 -
1979 $1,790 - $595 -
1978 $1,658 - $514 -
1977 $1,440 - $474 -
1976 $1,431 - $533 -
1975 $1,311 - $490 -
1974 $1,243 - $601 -
1973 $1,143 - $518 -
1972 $948 - $410 -
1971 $825 - $372 -
1970 $753 - $414 -
1969 - - $459 -
1968 - - $387 -
1967 - - $341 -
1966 - - $325 -
1965 - - $287.4 -
1964 - - $230 -
1963 - - $203.2 -
1962 - - $202.3 -
1961 - - $209.7 -
1960 - - $221.6 -

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

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

Guinea's GDP per capita is $1,695, ranking 160/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guinea ranks 161st at $4,565, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Guinea Zambia
Gross domestic product
$25B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
118/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
5.35%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,695
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
160/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,565
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
161/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$12.2B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$828
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
147/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,020
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.77B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
23.1%
2018
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2018
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.7%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.02%
2019
5.86%
2023
Population
15546235
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guinea
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guinea Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 48.8% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 18.3% 40.4% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 15.7% 37.9% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 15.1% 40.6% 30.5% 111%
2020 17.1% 45.3% 34% 140%
2019 14.9% 37.3% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 15.9% 37.5% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 17.3% 39.9% 25% 66.6%
2016 16.1% 40.6% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 21.7% 41.5% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 20.1% 32.1% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 18.6% 30.5% 24% 25.9%
2012 19.6% 26.9% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 16% 53.8% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 20.5% 71.1% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 16.2% 61.3% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 10.1% 58.5% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 8.66% 60.8% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 13.2% 95.2% 19.7% 25%
2005 11% 97.9% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 13% 86.9% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 14.7% 81.6% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 14.4% 82.6% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 14.9% 90.4% 28% 210.2%
2000 12.6% 91.5% 21.4% 261%
1999 11.6% 92.3% - -
1998 10.3% 75.9% - -
1997 12.6% 67.9% - -
1996 12% 67.7% - -
1995 12.7% 66.5% - -
1994 12.6% 71.3% - -
1993 13.3% 68.9% - -
1992 13.8% 62% - -
1991 16.3% 70.9% - -
1990 18.7% 71.6% - -

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

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

In 2024, Guinea's government spending was $5.14B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Guinea and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 111/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guinea

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guinea Zambia
2024 -4.99% -3.32%
2023 -3.86% -5.48%
2022 -1.88% -7.82%
2021 -1.7% -8.13%
2020 -3.08% -13.8%
2019 -0.17% -9.41%
2018 -0.97% -8.31%
2017 -1.98% -7.5%
2016 -0.08% -5.69%
2015 -6.53% -8.88%
2014 -3.01% -5.43%
2013 -3.86% -6.4%
2012 23.7% -3.16%
2011 -0.92% -1.78%
2010 -9.66% -2.43%
2009 -4.87% -2.06%
2008 0.38% -0.67%
2007 1.28% -1.04%
2006 -2.13% 16.9%
2005 -1.06% -2.37%
2004 -3.85% -2.51%
2003 -4.65% -5.31%
2002 -3.37% -4.5%
2001 -3.23% -5.89%
2000 -2.42% 1.16%
1999 -1.3% -
1998 2.46% -
1997 0.07% -
1996 -2.2% -
1995 -1.07% -
1994 -2.59% -
1993 -2.33% -
1992 -0.89% -
1991 -3.25% -
1990 -3.76% -

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

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

In 2024, Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.25B, equivalent to 4.99% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 1.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guinea

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guinea Zambia
2024 4.7% 15%
2023 5.4% 10.9%
2022 10.5% 11%
2021 12.6% 22%
2020 10.6% 15.7%
2019 9.5% 9.2%
2018 9.8% 7.5%
2017 8.9% 6.6%
2016 8.2% 17.9%
2015 8.2% 10.1%
2014 9.7% 7.8%
2013 11.9% 7%
2012 15.2% 6.6%
2011 21.4% 8.7%
2010 15.5% 8.5%
2009 4.7% 13.4%
2008 18.4% 12.4%
2007 22.9% 10.7%
2006 34.7% 9%
2005 31.4% 18.3%
2004 17.5% 18%
2003 11% 21.4%
2002 3% 22.2%
2001 5.4% 21.4%
2000 6.8% 24.1%
1999 4.6% 23.9%
1998 5.1% 22.7%
1997 1.9% 21.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.8%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 4.7% in Guinea and 15% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Guinea
Export category Export value
Zambia
Export category Export value
Metals $93K
Machinery & equipment $25K
Chemicals & pharma $20K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Guinea Zambia
Current account balance
-$392M
2024
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
104/190
2024
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.57%
2024
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$7.08B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$11.6B
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$3.15B
2024
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$71.2M
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Guinea Zambia
Economic freedom 53.1 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 141/197 152/197
Property rights 21.3 43.9
Government integrity 26.7 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 26 45
Tax burden 70.1 74.3
Government spending 90.1 78.1
Fiscal health 74.8 30.9
Business freedom 44.8 53.4
Labor freedom 56.4 48.8
Monetary freedom 75.3 66.6
Trade freedom 61.8 62.8
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guinea
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guinea Zambia
2026 53.1 51.9
2025 54.6 50.9
2024 53.3 48.4
2023 53.2 47.8
2022 54.2 48.7
2021 56.5 50.4
2020 56.5 53.5
2019 55.7 53.6
2018 52.2 54.3
2017 47.6 55.8
2016 53.3 58.8
2015 52.1 58.7
2014 53.5 60.4
2013 51.2 58.7
2012 50.8 58.3
2011 51.7 59.7
2010 51.8 58
2009 51 56.6
2008 52.8 56.2
2007 54.5 56.2
2006 52.8 56.8
2005 57.4 55
2004 56.1 54.9
2003 54.6 55.3
2002 52.9 59.6
2001 58.4 59.5
2000 58.2 62.8
1999 59.4 64.2
1998 61 62.7
1997 52.9 62.1
1996 58.5 59.6
1995 59.4 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guinea is 53.1, ranking 141/197, 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

Guinea Zambia
Services, % of GDP
36.3%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.1%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
31%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.3B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,130
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.89B
2023
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
128/177
2023
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.4B
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.4B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$30K
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47%
2020
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.1%
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/guinea/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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.