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Economy of Poland vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Poland has a GDP of $918B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 21/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Poland has $507B in government debt (55.3% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Poland vs Zambia GDP by year

Poland
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Poland Zambia
2024 $917,767,106,147 $25,303,185,342
2023 $812,451,193,396 $27,577,956,471
2022 $695,607,470,875 $29,163,782,140
2021 $689,170,230,665 $22,096,416,932
2020 $605,914,237,904 $18,137,764,931
2019 $602,683,770,145 $23,308,667,781
2018 $594,616,687,350 $26,311,507,274
2017 $528,356,676,667 $25,873,601,261
2016 $473,259,583,970 $20,958,412,538
2015 $480,054,118,583 $21,251,216,799
2014 $542,134,167,179 $27,141,023,558
2013 $518,179,836,405 $28,037,239,463
2012 $498,148,649,703 $25,503,060,420
2011 $527,848,543,023 $23,459,515,276
2010 $478,111,630,684 $20,265,559,484
2009 $440,891,472,247 $15,328,342,304
2008 $535,612,030,672 $17,910,858,638
2007 $429,715,132,138 $14,056,957,976
2006 $345,897,630,736 $12,756,858,899
2005 $306,999,913,151 $8,331,870,169
2004 $256,268,656,145 $6,221,110,219
2003 $218,561,225,998 $4,901,869,764
2002 $199,694,463,256 $4,193,850,445
2001 $191,823,200,371 $4,094,441,301
2000 $172,953,527,033 $3,600,632,111
1999 $170,704,452,715 $3,404,284,891
1998 $175,282,269,667 $3,537,741,942
1997 $159,893,964,917 $4,303,288,480
1996 $160,813,026,223 $3,597,220,962
1995 $142,838,527,115 $3,806,983,413
1994 $110,803,635,288 $3,656,806,166
1993 $96,043,157,273 $3,273,505,344
1992 $94,337,050,693 $3,182,810,841
1991 $85,500,935,935 $3,376,806,697
1990 $65,977,748,211 $3,288,381,797
1989 - $3,994,673,161
1988 - $3,728,878,149
1987 - $2,265,250,972
1986 - $1,664,413,508
1985 - $2,252,454,500
1984 - $2,719,518,933
1983 - $3,321,048,451
1982 - $3,871,117,093
1981 - $4,008,126,497
1980 - $3,884,530,854
1979 - $3,353,445,378
1978 - $2,811,032,473
1977 - $2,515,296,940
1976 - $2,742,859,263
1975 - $2,442,672,141
1974 - $2,910,981,262
1973 - $2,434,255,237
1972 - $1,872,416,680
1971 - $1,653,259,341
1970 - $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/poland/zambia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Poland vs Zambia by year

Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Poland Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $25,104 $51,263 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $22,145 $48,473 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $18,891 $46,778 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $18,636 $41,060 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $16,151 $37,089 $952 $3,157
2019 $15,875 $35,882 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $15,658 $32,345 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $13,913 $30,170 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $12,464 $28,360 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $12,638 $26,988 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $14,262 $25,460 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $13,622 $24,434 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $13,087 $23,728 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $13,868 $22,809 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $12,568 $20,991 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $11,556 $19,300 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $14,049 $18,372 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $11,273 $16,833 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $9,069 $15,205 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $8,044 $13,936 $711 $2,213
2004 $6,712 $13,413 $549 $2,068
2003 $5,721 $12,329 $446 $1,942
2002 $5,223 $11,841 $394 $1,837
2001 $5,015 $11,175 $397 $1,785
2000 $4,521 $10,721 $359 $1,709
1999 $4,416 $10,081 $350 $1,654
1998 $4,534 $9,521 $373 $1,601
1997 $4,137 $8,967 $466 $1,631
1996 $4,164 $8,310 $400 $1,585
1995 $3,701 $7,715 $433 $1,501
1994 $2,875 $7,040 $426 $1,464
1993 $2,497 $6,560 $391 $1,607
1992 $2,459 $6,193 $389 $1,505
1991 $2,236 $5,925 $423 $1,534
1990 $1,731 $6,185 $422 $1,522
1989 - - $526 -
1988 - - $504 -
1987 - - $315 -
1986 - - $238.2 -
1985 - - $332 -
1984 - - $413 -
1983 - - $520 -
1982 - - $627 -
1981 - - $670 -
1980 - - $669 -
1979 - - $595 -
1978 - - $514 -
1977 - - $474 -
1976 - - $533 -
1975 - - $490 -
1974 - - $601 -
1973 - - $518 -
1972 - - $410 -
1971 - - $372 -
1970 - - $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/poland/zambia | CC BY

Poland's GDP per capita is $25,104, ranking 48/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Poland Zambia
Gross domestic product
$918B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
21/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
3.03%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$25,104
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
48/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$51,263
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
43/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$507B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
55.3%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$13,874
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
41/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,736
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$197B
2024
$7.77B
2024
Number of billionaires
10
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2023
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.3%
2023
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.78%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.81%
2024
5.86%
2023
Population
35806942
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Poland
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Poland Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.4% 55.3% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 46.9% 49.5% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 43.2% 48.8% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 43.6% 53% 30.5% 111%
2020 47.7% 56.6% 34% 140%
2019 41.4% 45.2% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 41% 48.2% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 41.1% 50.4% 25% 66.6%
2016 41.1% 54.1% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 41.5% 51.1% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 42.7% 51.1% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 43.2% 56.9% 24% 25.9%
2012 43.2% 54.5% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 44.1% 54.8% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 46% 53.7% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 44.9% 49.7% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 44% 46.6% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 42.8% 44.4% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 44.3% 47.1% 19.7% 25%
2005 44.1% 46.5% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 43.3% 44.9% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 45.5% 46.4% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 45.1% 41.6% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 44.7% 37.2% 28% 210.2%
2000 43.1% 36.4% 21.4% 261%
1999 42.5% 39.4% - -
1998 44% 38.7% - -
1997 46.1% 42.7% - -
1996 50.7% 43.2% - -
1995 47.5% 48.7% - -
1994 - 64.3% - -
1993 - 83.9% - -
1992 - 81.9% - -
1991 - 76.9% - -
1990 - 89.7% - -
1989 - - - -
1988 - - - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 - - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 35.6% - - -
1978 35.8% - - -
1977 35.6% - - -
1976 34.8% - - -
1975 34.1% - - -
1974 28.6% - - -
1973 24.5% - - -
1972 24.1% - - -
1971 24.1% - - -
1970 25.8% - - -
1969 26.3% - - -
1968 27.3% - - -
1967 29.6% - - -
1966 31.7% - - -
1965 31.8% - - -
1964 33.5% - - -
1963 33.3% - - -
1962 43% - - -
1961 42.8% - - -
1960 39.2% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Poland's government spending was $453B, accounting for 49.4% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 55.3% in Poland and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 95/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Poland

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Poland Zambia
2024 -6.59% -3.32%
2023 -5.27% -5.48%
2022 -3.44% -7.82%
2021 -1.75% -8.13%
2020 -6.85% -13.8%
2019 -0.73% -9.41%
2018 -0.24% -8.31%
2017 -1.49% -7.5%
2016 -2.38% -5.69%
2015 -2.59% -8.88%
2014 -3.66% -5.43%
2013 -4.25% -6.4%
2012 -3.8% -3.16%
2011 -4.97% -1.78%
2010 -7.43% -2.43%
2009 -7.24% -2.06%
2008 -3.6% -0.67%
2007 -1.88% -1.04%
2006 -3.53% 16.9%
2005 -3.93% -2.37%
2004 -4.99% -2.51%
2003 -6.02% -5.31%
2002 -4.8% -4.5%
2001 -4.73% -5.89%
2000 -4% 1.16%
1999 -2.3% -
1998 -4.25% -
1997 -4.61% -
1996 -4.84% -
1995 -4.39% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Poland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $60.4B, equivalent to 6.59% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Poland recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Poland posted an annual deficit equal to 4.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Poland

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Poland Zambia
2024 3.78% 15%
2023 11.5% 10.9%
2022 14.4% 11%
2021 5.06% 22%
2020 3.37% 15.7%
2019 2.23% 9.2%
2018 1.81% 7.5%
2017 2.08% 6.6%
2016 -0.66% 17.9%
2015 -0.87% 10.1%
2014 0.05% 7.8%
2013 0.99% 7%
2012 3.56% 6.6%
2011 4.24% 8.7%
2010 2.58% 8.5%
2009 3.8% 13.4%
2008 4.16% 12.4%
2007 2.46% 10.7%
2006 1.28% 9%
2005 2.18% 18.3%
2004 3.38% 18%
2003 0.68% 21.4%
2002 1.91% 22.2%
2001 5.41% 21.4%
2000 9.9% 24.1%
1999 7.15% 23.9%
1998 11.6% 22.7%
1997 14.9% 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/poland/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Poland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 3.78% in Poland and 15% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Poland
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.17M
Machinery & equipment $1.79M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.04M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $831K
Animal & marine products $650K
Chemicals & pharma $255K
Metals $239K
Precious metals & jewellery $195K
Raw agricultural goods $113K
Miscellaneous $75K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Metals $437K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $394K
Raw materials & minerals $30K
Miscellaneous $10K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K
Animal & marine products $1K

Balance of trade

Poland Zambia
Current account balance
$2.8B
2024
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
40/190
2024
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.3%
2024
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$367B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$361B
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$74.9B
2024
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$118B
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.2%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.2%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Poland Zambia
Economic freedom 68.5 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 46/197 152/197
Property rights 71.8 43.9
Government integrity 60.7 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 62.5 45
Tax burden 72.7 74.3
Government spending 35.1 78.1
Fiscal health 74.8 30.9
Business freedom 77.5 53.4
Labor freedom 53.7 48.8
Monetary freedom 73.8 66.6
Trade freedom 79.4 62.8
Investment freedom 80 40
Financial freedom 80 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Poland
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Poland Zambia
2026 68.5 51.9
2025 67.1 50.9
2024 66 48.4
2023 67.7 47.8
2022 68.7 48.7
2021 69.7 50.4
2020 69.1 53.5
2019 67.8 53.6
2018 68.5 54.3
2017 68.3 55.8
2016 69.3 58.8
2015 68.6 58.7
2014 67 60.4
2013 66 58.7
2012 64.2 58.3
2011 64.1 59.7
2010 63.2 58
2009 60.3 56.6
2008 60.3 56.2
2007 58.1 56.2
2006 59.3 56.8
2005 59.6 55
2004 58.7 54.9
2003 61.8 55.3
2002 65 59.6
2001 61.8 59.5
2000 60 62.8
1999 59.6 64.2
1998 59.2 62.7
1997 56.8 62.1
1996 57.8 59.6
1995 50.7 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Poland is 68.5, ranking 46/197, 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

Poland Zambia
Services, % of GDP
59.1%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.2%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.54%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$789B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$49,540
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$223B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
17/177
2024
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$10.6B
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$20.6B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$10B
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
13.3%
2024
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.8%
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/poland/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 (1995–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.