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Economy of Philippines vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Philippines has a GDP of $462B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 35/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Philippines has $261B in government debt (56.6% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Philippines vs Zambia GDP by year

Philippines
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Philippines Zambia
2024 $461,617,509,782 $25,303,185,342
2023 $437,055,627,244 $27,577,956,471
2022 $404,353,369,605 $29,163,782,140
2021 $394,087,359,848 $22,096,416,932
2020 $361,751,145,452 $18,137,764,931
2019 $376,823,402,239 $23,308,667,781
2018 $346,841,896,587 $26,311,507,274
2017 $328,480,736,803 $25,873,601,261
2016 $318,627,003,017 $20,958,412,538
2015 $306,445,871,242 $21,251,216,799
2014 $297,483,555,338 $27,141,023,558
2013 $283,902,828,589 $28,037,239,463
2012 $261,920,540,963 $25,503,060,420
2011 $234,216,730,291 $23,459,515,276
2010 $208,368,893,151 $20,265,559,484
2009 $175,974,755,881 $15,328,342,304
2008 $181,624,626,327 $17,910,858,638
2007 $155,980,408,673 $14,056,957,976
2006 $127,652,926,368 $12,756,858,899
2005 $107,419,977,318 $8,331,870,169
2004 $95,001,999,685 $6,221,110,219
2003 $87,039,092,974 $4,901,869,764
2002 $84,307,345,888 $4,193,850,445
2001 $78,921,234,458 $4,094,441,301
2000 $83,669,788,377 $3,600,632,111
1999 $85,640,171,045 $3,404,284,891
1998 $74,492,416,330 $3,537,741,942
1997 $94,106,317,565 $4,303,288,480
1996 $94,648,084,429 $3,597,220,962
1995 $84,644,328,727 $3,806,983,413
1994 $73,159,336,915 $3,656,806,166
1993 $62,036,529,147 $3,273,505,344
1992 $60,422,328,242 $3,182,810,841
1991 $51,784,144,943 $3,376,806,697
1990 $50,508,286,642 $3,288,381,797
1989 $48,513,773,721 $3,994,673,161
1988 $43,152,128,959 $3,728,878,149
1987 $37,791,488,666 $2,265,250,972
1986 $33,987,207,295 $1,664,413,508
1985 $34,961,486,348 $2,252,454,500
1984 $35,730,185,634 $2,719,518,933
1983 $37,759,179,895 $3,321,048,451
1982 $42,206,011,275 $3,871,117,093
1981 $40,499,388,869 $4,008,126,497
1980 $36,848,080,899 $3,884,530,854
1979 $31,218,296,292 $3,353,445,378
1978 $25,762,224,563 $2,811,032,473
1977 $22,283,109,803 $2,515,296,940
1976 $19,381,055,197 $2,742,859,263
1975 $16,875,240,684 $2,442,672,141
1974 $15,607,882,555 $2,910,981,262
1973 $11,412,449,735 $2,434,255,237
1972 $9,067,815,521 $1,872,416,680
1971 $8,375,075,630 $1,653,259,341
1970 $7,559,115,517 $1,788,779,285
1969 $9,571,800,653 $1,926,399,230
1968 $8,632,749,269 $1,573,739,371
1967 $7,724,873,935 $1,340,639,464
1966 $7,189,017,888 $1,238,999,505
1965 $6,517,349,772 $1,061,199,576
1964 $5,953,756,195 $822,639,671
1963 $5,505,023,238 $704,339,719
1962 $4,954,593,072 $679,279,729
1961 $8,171,194,425 $682,359,727
1960 $7,515,894,111 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Philippines vs Zambia by year

Philippines
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Philippines Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,985 $11,794 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $3,804 $10,986 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $3,548 $10,131 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $3,484 $8,858 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $3,228 $8,238 $952 $3,157
2019 $3,401 $8,924 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $3,169 $8,358 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $3,038 $7,774 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $2,985 $7,383 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $2,910 $6,894 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $2,867 $6,689 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $2,781 $6,373 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $2,615 $6,094 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $2,384 $5,705 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $2,163 $5,489 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $1,864 $5,157 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $1,959 $5,144 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $1,713 $4,923 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $1,426 $4,579 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $1,220 $4,289 $711 $2,213
2004 $1,100 $4,037 $549 $2,068
2003 $1,027 $3,761 $446 $1,942
2002 $1,015 $3,580 $394 $1,837
2001 $970 $3,469 $397 $1,785
2000 $1,051 $3,366 $359 $1,709
1999 $1,101 $3,229 $350 $1,654
1998 $983 $3,160 $373 $1,601
1997 $1,273 $3,221 $466 $1,631
1996 $1,311 $3,082 $400 $1,585
1995 $1,200 $2,926 $433 $1,501
1994 $1,060 $2,800 $426 $1,464
1993 $919 $2,684 $391 $1,607
1992 $917 $2,629 $389 $1,505
1991 $804 $2,621 $423 $1,534
1990 $804 $2,608 $422 $1,522
1989 $792 - $526 -
1988 $722 - $504 -
1987 $650 - $315 -
1986 $600 - $238.2 -
1985 $633 - $332 -
1984 $665 - $413 -
1983 $723 - $520 -
1982 $833 - $627 -
1981 $821 - $670 -
1980 $767 - $669 -
1979 $667 - $595 -
1978 $565 - $514 -
1977 $502 - $474 -
1976 $449 - $533 -
1975 $401 - $490 -
1974 $379 - $601 -
1973 $283.2 - $518 -
1972 $230.1 - $410 -
1971 $217.4 - $372 -
1970 $200.9 - $414 -
1969 $261.1 - $459 -
1968 $242.2 - $387 -
1967 $223.1 - $341 -
1966 $213.8 - $325 -
1965 $199.8 - $287.4 -
1964 $188.2 - $230 -
1963 $179.5 - $203.2 -
1962 $166.7 - $202.3 -
1961 $283.8 - $209.7 -
1960 $269.5 - $221.6 -

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

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

The Philippines' GDP per capita is $3,985, ranking 130/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Philippines ranks 127th at $11,794, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Philippines Zambia
Gross domestic product
$462B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
35/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
5.69%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,985
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
130/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,794
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
127/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$261B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.6%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,257
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
117/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,407
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$252B
2024
$7.77B
2024
Number of billionaires
15
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.6%
2023
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2023
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.9%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.21%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.75%
2025
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.41%
2023
5.86%
2023
Population
117991570
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Philippines
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Philippines Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.9% 56.6% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 24.7% 56.5% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 25.9% 57.4% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 27.2% 57% 30.5% 111%
2020 25.9% 51.6% 34% 140%
2019 21.7% 37% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 20.9% 37.1% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 19.5% 38.1% 25% 66.6%
2016 19% 37.4% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 17.8% 39.7% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 16.8% 40.3% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 17.3% 43.9% 24% 25.9%
2012 17.7% 45.7% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 17.2% 45.4% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 18.3% 47.6% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 19.2% 49.8% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 17.9% 50% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 18.2% 50.2% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 18.3% 57.2% 19.7% 25%
2005 18.7% 64.7% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 19.4% 71.1% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 20.4% 71.4% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 20.6% 65.2% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 21% 59.5% 28% 210.2%
2000 20.8% 59.2% 21.4% 261%
1999 20.7% 54.2% - -
1998 20.3% 50.8% - -
1997 20.3% 56.9% - -
1996 19.6% 53.1% - -
1995 19.1% 60.8% - -
1994 19.7% 63.6% - -
1993 17.6% 73.9% - -
1992 18.4% 53.9% - -
1991 18% 55.6% - -
1990 18.8% 56.2% - -
1989 15.7% 55.2% - -
1988 15.9% 69% - -
1987 15.7% 79.2% - -
1986 13.5% 77.7% - -
1985 11.3% 53.1% - -
1984 10.1% 45.8% - -
1983 12.2% 43.1% - -
1982 12.8% 32.9% - -
1981 13.7% 27.6% - -
1980 13.4% 24.8% - -
1979 11.9% 22.5% - -
1978 13.3% 23.1% - -
1977 13.3% 19.8% - -
1976 13.8% 16.8% - -
1975 15.1% 13% - -
1974 10.7% 13.4% - -
1973 14% 11.5% - -
1972 13.4% 14.2% - -
1971 11.2% 14.8% - -
1970 10.4% 16.8% - -
1969 11.5% 16.4% - -
1968 11.2% 15.7% - -
1967 10.2% 15.4% - -
1966 9.77% 14.4% - -
1965 9.48% 15% - -
1964 9.66% 14.2% - -
1963 10.4% 14.1% - -
1962 10.8% 15.9% - -
1961 9.6% 16.5% - -
1960 10.1% 16.6% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Philippines' government spending was $115B, accounting for 24.9% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.6% in the Philippines and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 93/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Philippines

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Philippines Zambia
2024 -3.78% -3.32%
2023 -4.38% -5.48%
2022 -5.48% -7.82%
2021 -6.23% -8.13%
2020 -5.55% -13.8%
2019 -1.5% -9.41%
2018 -1.48% -8.31%
2017 -0.75% -7.5%
2016 -0.74% -5.69%
2015 0.14% -8.88%
2014 1.32% -5.43%
2013 0.37% -6.4%
2012 -0.22% -3.16%
2011 -0.38% -1.78%
2010 -2.25% -2.43%
2009 -2.57% -2.06%
2008 0.02% -0.67%
2007 -0.28% -1.04%
2006 -0.05% 16.9%
2005 -1.62% -2.37%
2004 -2.81% -2.51%
2003 -3.49% -5.31%
2002 -3.71% -4.5%
2001 -3.49% -5.89%
2000 -3.27% 1.16%
1999 -2.29% -
1998 -1.31% -
1997 0.37% -
1996 0.54% -
1995 -0.02% -
1994 -0.44% -
1993 0.63% -
1992 -0.43% -
1991 -0.26% -
1990 -1.52% -
1989 -1.64% -
1988 -2.71% -
1987 -1.06% -
1986 -0.55% -
1985 0.71% -
1984 0.64% -
1983 0.1% -
1982 -0.88% -
1981 -1.09% -
1980 0.56% -
1979 1.54% -
1978 0.05% -
1977 -0.42% -
1976 -0.55% -
1975 0.13% -
1974 5.94% -
1973 2.49% -
1972 3.39% -
1971 -0.96% -
1970 -0.31% -
1969 -2.67% -
1968 -2.33% -
1967 -1.35% -
1966 -0.74% -
1965 -1.53% -
1964 -0.99% -
1963 -0.68% -
1962 -0.43% -
1961 -0.29% -
1960 -1.06% -
1959 -0.15% -
1958 -0.21% -
1957 -0.56% -
1956 -0.77% -
1955 -1.3% -
1954 -0.79% -
1953 -0.88% -
1952 0.49% -
1951 1.5% -
1950 -0.19% -
1949 -2.33% -
1948 -0.65% -
1947 0.05% -
1946 -2.54% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Philippines' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $17.5B, equivalent to 3.78% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Philippines recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, the Philippines posted an annual deficit equal to 2.09% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Philippines

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Philippines Zambia
2024 3.21% 15%
2023 5.98% 10.9%
2022 5.82% 11%
2021 3.93% 22%
2020 2.39% 15.7%
2019 2.39% 9.2%
2018 5.31% 7.5%
2017 2.85% 6.6%
2016 1.25% 17.9%
2015 0.67% 10.1%
2014 3.6% 7.8%
2013 2.58% 7%
2012 3.03% 6.6%
2011 4.72% 8.7%
2010 3.79% 8.5%
2009 4.22% 13.4%
2008 8.26% 12.4%
2007 2.9% 10.7%
2006 5.49% 9%
2005 6.52% 18.3%
2004 4.83% 18%
2003 2.29% 21.4%
2002 2.72% 22.2%
2001 5.35% 21.4%
2000 3.98% 24.1%
1999 5.94% 23.9%
1998 9.23% 22.7%
1997 5.59% 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/philippines/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Philippines has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.24%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 3.21% in the Philippines and 15% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Philippines
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $546K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $39K
Textiles & consumer goods $28K
Chemicals & pharma $22K
Metals $2K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Metals $330K
Chemicals & pharma $159K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $117K
Textiles & consumer goods $47K
Miscellaneous $10K
Machinery & equipment $2K

Balance of trade

Philippines Zambia
Current account balance
-$18.3B
2024
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
183/190
2024
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.96%
2024
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$124B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$55.1B
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$37.6B
2024
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$51.6B
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.8%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Philippines Zambia
Economic freedom 62.9 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 85/197 152/197
Property rights 45.8 43.9
Government integrity 35.4 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 41.8 45
Tax burden 78.3 74.3
Government spending 81 78.1
Fiscal health 60.5 30.9
Business freedom 69.2 53.4
Labor freedom 57.8 48.8
Monetary freedom 72.1 66.6
Trade freedom 83 62.8
Investment freedom 70 40
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Philippines
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Philippines Zambia
2026 62.9 51.9
2025 60.6 50.9
2024 59 48.4
2023 59.3 47.8
2022 61.1 48.7
2021 64.1 50.4
2020 64.5 53.5
2019 63.8 53.6
2018 65 54.3
2017 65.6 55.8
2016 63.1 58.8
2015 62.2 58.7
2014 60.1 60.4
2013 58.2 58.7
2012 57.1 58.3
2011 56.2 59.7
2010 56.3 58
2009 56.8 56.6
2008 56 56.2
2007 56 56.2
2006 56.3 56.8
2005 54.7 55
2004 59.1 54.9
2003 61.3 55.3
2002 60.7 59.6
2001 60.9 59.5
2000 62.5 62.8
1999 61.9 64.2
1998 62.8 62.7
1997 62.2 62.1
1996 60.2 59.6
1995 55 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Philippines is 62.9, ranking 85/197, 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

Philippines Zambia
Services, % of GDP
63.2%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.7%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.08%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$518B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,330
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$106B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
27/177
2024
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.57B
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$9.44B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.87B
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.5%
2023
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.7%
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/philippines/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.