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Economy of Namibia vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Namibia has a GDP of $15.1B compared to $51.2B for Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $10.6B in government debt (70.2% of GDP), compared to $22.4B (43.8% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Namibia vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Namibia
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Zimbabwe
2025 $15,080,340,654 $51,215,643,906
2024 $13,641,190,683 $41,521,975,830
2023 $12,522,012,874 $35,871,781,303
2022 $12,569,449,123 $40,757,585,309
2021 $12,402,486,184 $41,287,852,524
2020 $10,583,748,542 $31,979,753,645
2019 $12,541,928,303 $33,360,632,553
2018 $13,682,019,076 $34,141,666,667
2017 $12,895,153,371 $51,035,657,371
2016 $10,722,018,732 $20,559,250,000
2015 $11,335,161,084 $19,973,250,000
2014 $12,435,430,970 $19,505,500,000
2013 $12,043,307,277 $19,100,750,000
2012 $13,042,053,592 $17,123,500,000
2011 $12,523,359,441 $14,109,000,000
2010 $11,431,412,421 $12,047,750,000
2009 $8,938,847,189 $9,670,750,000
2008 $8,607,431,497 $4,418,000,000
2007 $8,839,536,476 $5,294,750,000
2006 $8,001,779,551 $5,446,750,000
2005 $7,248,374,838 $5,758,250,000
2004 $6,609,205,995 $5,808,500,000
2003 $4,926,439,384 $5,730,500,000
2002 $3,349,169,826 $6,345,250,000
2001 $3,557,341,215 $6,780,750,000
2000 $3,922,232,165 $6,693,250,000
1999 $3,868,551,730 $6,861,500,000
1998 $3,873,109,866 $6,405,250,000
1997 $4,154,989,950 $8,534,000,000
1996 $3,989,163,197 $8,557,500,000
1995 $3,978,514,206 $7,115,000,000
1994 $3,666,503,530 $6,894,250,000
1993 $3,251,188,833 $6,567,250,000
1992 $3,429,521,699 $6,755,000,000
1991 $2,996,869,281 $8,646,000,000
1990 $2,789,921,854 $8,788,301,546
1989 $2,535,135,798 $8,290,553,535
1988 $2,495,094,746 $7,818,774,177
1987 $2,300,068,217 $6,744,657,033
1986 $1,809,048,527 $6,220,698,247
1985 $1,608,237,350 $5,640,137,575
1984 $1,951,260,038 $6,355,369,172
1983 $2,297,400,688 $7,768,031,182
1982 $2,118,710,248 $8,544,060,905
1981 $2,249,908,578 $8,015,464,252
1980 $2,421,990,338 $6,682,278,300
1979 - $5,180,102,910
1978 - $4,353,822,343
1977 - $4,366,610,469
1976 - $4,320,576,877
1975 - $4,373,532,601
1974 - $3,984,194,614
1973 - $3,311,043,292
1972 - $2,679,096,597
1971 - $2,179,828,710
1970 - $1,885,168,339
1969 - $1,748,891,294
1968 - $1,480,355,355
1967 - $1,397,715,282
1966 - $1,282,403,936
1965 - $1,312,105,394
1964 - $1,217,759,447
1963 - $1,160,103,724
1962 - $1,118,172,226
1961 - $1,097,206,526
1960 - $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Zimbabwe by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,876 - $3,021 -
2024 $4,502 $11,687 $2,496 $5,928
2023 $4,226 $11,251 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $2,185 $4,166
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $902 $2,661
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $736 $2,233
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $341 $1,987
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $414 $2,396
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $431 $2,454
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $461 $2,496
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $470 $2,591
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $468 $2,708
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $525 $3,238
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $566 $3,533
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $563 $3,429
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $582 $3,491
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $552 $3,527
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $751 $3,457
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $767 $3,372
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $648 $3,051
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $634 $3,012
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $605 $2,703
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $631 $2,651
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $831 $2,930
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $867 $2,757
1989 $1,967 - $840 -
1988 $2,063 - $816 -
1987 $1,969 - $726 -
1986 $1,599 - $693 -
1985 $1,466 - $649 -
1984 $1,830 - $757 -
1983 $2,214 - $959 -
1982 $2,097 - $1,096 -
1981 $2,267 - $1,069 -
1980 $2,468 - $949 -
1979 - - $779 -
1978 - - $665 -
1977 - - $677 -
1976 - - $687 -
1975 - - $717 -
1974 - - $674 -
1973 - - $579 -
1972 - - $483 -
1971 - - $406 -
1970 - - $361 -
1969 - - $346 -
1968 - - $302 -
1967 - - $294.4 -
1966 - - $278.7 -
1965 - - $294.3 -
1964 - - $281.9 -
1963 - - $277.1 -
1962 - - $275.7 -
1961 - - $279.2 -
1960 - - $276.6 -

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

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,876, ranking 125/197, compared to $3,021 in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Namibia Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$15.1B
2025
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank
146/197
2025
95/197
2025
GDP growth
1.73%
2024-2025
8.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,876
2025
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.2%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,425
2025
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank
97/185
2025
134/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,433
2026
$2,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.4%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
81.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
12.1%
2024
Population
3185686
17443108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 39.4% 70.2% 15.5% 43.8%
2024 39.6% 69.8% 13.7% 70.4%
2023 37% 67.9% 21.1% 76.1%
2022 36.6% 70.1% 12.1% 66.8%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 12.4% 39.9%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 8.4% 56.8%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 7.7% 53.9%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 14.6% 33%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 21.1% 49%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 17% 35.1%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 14.9% 34.1%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 14.2% 29.2%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 15.2% 26.4%
2012 35% 24.6% 14.8% 27.2%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 16.5% 30%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 13.1% 33.2%
2009 32% 15.9% 8.02% 39.7%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 2.57% 41.3%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 3.46% 30.2%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 5.79% 26.7%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 10.6% 22.4%
2004 28.4% 29.2% - -
2003 31.1% 27.1% - -
2002 29.8% 22.2% - -
2001 30.7% 24.4% - -
2000 30.1% 20.9% - -
1999 31.8% 21.8% - -
1998 31.3% 19.6% - -
1997 30.9% 17.7% - -
1996 30.4% 18.7% - -
1995 29.6% 18% - -
1994 28.7% 16.4% - -
1993 32.4% 17.2% - -
1992 32.8% 14.1% - -
1991 33% 11.8% - -
1990 30.2% 12.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Namibia's government spending was $5.94B, accounting for 39.4% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $7.92B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.2% in Namibia and 43.8% in Zimbabwe, ranking 57/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Zimbabwe
2025 -6.46% 0.08%
2024 -3.84% -0.76%
2023 -3.14% -9.45%
2022 -6.33% -1%
2021 -8.68% -1.83%
2020 -8.07% 0.53%
2019 -5.49% -0.06%
2018 -5.09% -4.55%
2017 -4.99% -8.68%
2016 -9.3% -4.99%
2015 -8.3% -1.61%
2014 -6.44% -0.87%
2013 -4.69% -1.21%
2012 -3.1% -0.35%
2011 -7.09% -1.98%
2010 -4.98% -0.4%
2009 -0.4% -1.48%
2008 3.48% -1.22%
2007 6.01% -1.71%
2006 3.41% -1.46%
2005 -0.31% -3.58%
2004 -2.67% -
2003 -4.47% -
2002 -1.38% -
2001 -2.01% -
2000 -0.79% -
1999 -1.88% -
1998 -2.76% -
1997 -2.38% -
1996 -3.7% -
1995 -1.74% -
1994 -0.57% -
1993 -2.73% -
1992 -2.55% -
1991 -1.59% -
1990 1.08% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $974M, equivalent to 6.46% of GDP. This compares to Zimbabwe's surplus of $41.9M, or 0.08% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Zimbabwe
2025 3.5% 81.4%
2024 4.2% 736%
2023 5.9% 667%
2022 6.1% 193.4%
2021 3.6% 98.5%
2020 2.2% 557%
2019 3.7% 255.3%
2018 4.3% 10.6%
2017 6.1% 0.9%
2016 6.7% -1.6%
2015 3.4% -2.4%
2014 5.3% -0.2%
2013 5.6% 1.6%
2012 6.7% 3.7%
2011 5% 3.5%
2010 4.9% 3%
2009 9.5% 6.2%
2008 9.1% -
2007 6.5% -
2006 5% -
2005 2.3% -
2004 4.1% -
2003 7.2% -
2002 12.7% -
2001 10.2% -
2000 10.2% -
1999 9.4% -
1998 6.6% -
1997 9.7% -

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

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

Over the past 17 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.1%, compared with 153.8% in Zimbabwe. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Namibia and 81.4% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $17.8M
Raw materials & minerals $15.6M
Machinery & equipment $10.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.04M
Chemicals & pharma $656K
Metals $310K
Wood & paper products $87K
Weapons & explosives $50K
Miscellaneous $46K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $11.6M
Chemicals & pharma $723K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $498K
Machinery & equipment $391K
Raw agricultural goods $171K
Textiles & consumer goods $52K
Precious metals & jewellery $37K
Metals $16K
Miscellaneous $10K

Balance of trade

Namibia Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$1.83B
2024
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.4%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
63.9%
2025
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.7%
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.

Namibia Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 60.2 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 190/197
Property rights 63.1 19.4
Government integrity 51.5 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 16.8
Tax burden 66.4 73.6
Government spending 57.1 93.9
Fiscal health 60.5 52.4
Business freedom 58 42
Labor freedom 62.7 33.3
Monetary freedom 76.1 0
Trade freedom 69.8 50.4
Investment freedom 50 10
Financial freedom 40 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Zimbabwe
2026 60.2 35.2
2025 58.7 35.1
2024 57.5 38.2
2023 57.7 39
2022 59.2 33.1
2021 62.6 39.5
2020 60.9 43.1
2019 58.7 40.4
2018 58.5 44
2017 62.5 44
2016 61.9 38.2
2015 59.6 37.6
2014 59.4 35.5
2013 60.3 28.6
2012 61.9 26.3
2011 62.7 22.1
2010 62.2 21.4
2009 62.4 22.7
2008 61.4 29.5
2007 63.5 32
2006 60.7 33.5
2005 61.4 35.2
2004 62.4 34.4
2003 67.3 36.7
2002 65.1 36.7
2001 64.8 38.8
2000 66.7 48.7
1999 66.1 47.2
1998 66.1 44.6
1997 61.6 48
1996 - 46.7
1995 - 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, 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

Namibia Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
55%
2025
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2025
37.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.99%
2025
9.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,260
2025
$6,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.1B
2025
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
119/177
2025
159/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.89B
2024
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.93B
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.4M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
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/namibia/zimbabwe | CC BY

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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. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, 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.