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Economy of Russia vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Russia has a GDP of $2.17T compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 11/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Russia has $440B in government debt (20.3% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Russia vs Zambia GDP by year

Russia
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Russia Zambia
2024 $2,173,835,806,672 $25,303,185,342
2023 $2,071,505,725,031 $27,577,956,471
2022 $2,291,612,121,335 $29,163,782,140
2021 $1,829,186,719,575 $22,096,416,932
2020 $1,493,075,894,362 $18,137,764,931
2019 $1,693,115,002,708 $23,308,667,781
2018 $1,657,328,773,461 $26,311,507,274
2017 $1,574,199,360,089 $25,873,601,261
2016 $1,276,786,350,881 $20,958,412,538
2015 $1,363,482,182,198 $21,251,216,799
2014 $2,059,241,589,895 $27,141,023,558
2013 $2,292,470,078,346 $28,037,239,463
2012 $2,208,293,553,878 $25,503,060,420
2011 $2,045,922,753,398 $23,459,515,276
2010 $1,524,916,715,224 $20,265,559,484
2009 $1,222,645,900,056 $15,328,342,304
2008 $1,660,848,058,303 $17,910,858,638
2007 $1,299,703,478,482 $14,056,957,976
2006 $989,932,071,353 $12,756,858,899
2005 $764,015,973,481 $8,331,870,169
2004 $591,016,690,732 $6,221,110,219
2003 $430,347,420,185 $4,901,869,764
2002 $345,470,494,418 $4,193,850,445
2001 $306,602,070,621 $4,094,441,301
2000 $259,710,142,197 $3,600,632,111
1999 $195,907,128,351 $3,404,284,891
1998 $270,955,486,862 $3,537,741,942
1997 $404,928,954,192 $4,303,288,480
1996 $391,724,890,744 $3,597,220,962
1995 $395,537,185,735 $3,806,983,413
1994 $395,077,301,248 $3,656,806,166
1993 $435,083,713,851 $3,273,505,344
1992 $460,290,556,901 $3,182,810,841
1991 $517,962,962,963 $3,376,806,697
1990 $517,014,446,228 $3,288,381,797
1989 $506,631,299,735 $3,994,673,161
1988 $554,828,660,436 $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/russia/zambia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Russia vs Zambia by year

Russia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Russia Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $15,145 $47,405 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $14,403 $44,269 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $15,888 $40,939 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $12,637 $38,638 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $10,280 $31,491 $952 $3,157
2019 $11,640 $30,964 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $11,399 $28,629 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $10,835 $25,778 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $8,804 $24,012 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $9,427 $23,994 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $14,277 $25,688 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $15,941 $26,020 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $15,402 $24,274 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $14,305 $22,790 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $10,675 $20,490 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $8,563 $19,390 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $11,635 $20,164 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $9,101 $16,648 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $6,920 $14,912 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $5,323 $11,822 $711 $2,213
2004 $4,102 $10,227 $549 $2,068
2003 $2,975 $9,255 $446 $1,942
2002 $2,378 $8,037 $394 $1,837
2001 $2,100 $7,361 $397 $1,785
2000 $1,772 $6,825 $359 $1,709
1999 $1,331 $5,914 $350 $1,654
1998 $1,835 $5,465 $373 $1,601
1997 $2,738 $5,700 $466 $1,631
1996 $2,644 $5,518 $400 $1,585
1995 $2,666 $5,613 $433 $1,501
1994 $2,662 $5,734 $426 $1,464
1993 $2,931 $6,420 $391 $1,607
1992 $3,099 $6,862 $389 $1,505
1991 $3,490 $7,858 $423 $1,534
1990 $3,494 $8,028 $422 $1,522
1989 $3,430 - $526 -
1988 $3,778 - $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/russia/zambia | CC BY

Russia's GDP per capita is $15,145, ranking 68/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Russia ranks 50th at $47,405, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Russia Zambia
Gross domestic product
$2.17T
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
11/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
4.34%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$15,145
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
68/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$47,405
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
50/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$440B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
20.3%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$3,067
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
98/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,464
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$650B
2023
$7.77B
2024
Number of millionaires
426,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
140
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2023
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.9%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.4%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
16%
2025
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.43%
2024
5.86%
2023
Population
141906741
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Russia
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Russia Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.9% 20.3% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 35.7% 19.5% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 35.2% 18.5% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 34.9% 16.5% 30.5% 111%
2020 39.2% 19.2% 34% 140%
2019 33.8% 13.7% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 32.6% 13.6% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 34.8% 14.3% 25% 66.6%
2016 36.6% 14.8% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 35.3% 15.3% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 34.9% 15.1% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 34.7% 12.3% 24% 25.9%
2012 34% 11.2% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 33.3% 10.3% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 35.5% 10.1% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 38.6% 9.92% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 32% 7.45% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 31.9% 8.03% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 29% 9.8% 19.7% 25%
2005 29.5% 14.9% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 29.6% 20.8% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 32.6% 28.3% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 33.8% 37.6% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 31.5% 44.4% 28% 210.2%
2000 30.7% 55.9% 21.4% 261%
1999 34.3% 92.4% - -
1998 39.7% 135.2% - -
1997 - 51.5% - -
1996 - 51.9% - -
1995 - 53.7% - -
1994 - 63.5% - -
1993 - 92.4% - -
1992 - 116% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Russia's government spending was $802B, accounting for 36.9% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 20.3% in Russia and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 175/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Russia

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Russia Zambia
2024 -1.6% -3.32%
2023 -2.22% -5.48%
2022 -1.34% -7.82%
2021 0.78% -8.13%
2020 -3.99% -13.8%
2019 1.93% -9.41%
2018 2.92% -8.31%
2017 -1.47% -7.5%
2016 -3.67% -5.69%
2015 -3.39% -8.88%
2014 -1.07% -5.43%
2013 -1.16% -6.4%
2012 0.38% -3.16%
2011 1.43% -1.78%
2010 -3.19% -2.43%
2009 -5.89% -2.06%
2008 4.55% -0.67%
2007 5.59% -1.04%
2006 7.8% 16.9%
2005 7.6% -2.37%
2004 4.57% -2.51%
2003 1.35% -5.31%
2002 0.67% -4.5%
2001 2.99% -5.89%
2000 3.11% 1.16%
1999 -3.59% -
1998 -7.42% -
1997 - -
1996 - -
1995 - -
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 0.15% -
1939 0.12% -
1938 0.16% -
1937 0.12% -
1936 0.1% -
1935 0.07% -
1934 0.25% -
1933 0.58% -
1932 0.06% -
1931 -1.12% -
1930 -1.62% -
1929 -0.4% -
1928 -0.4% -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -
1912 0.69% -
1911 1.26% -
1910 1.52% -
1909 -0.15% -
1908 -0.83% -
1907 -0.86% -
1906 -3.19% -
1905 -7.72% -
1904 -5.13% -
1903 1.04% -
1902 -1.57% -
1901 0.14% -
1900 -0.36% -
1899 0.66% -
1898 0.03% -
1897 0.34% -
1896 1.3% -
1895 0.7% -
1894 1.43% -
1893 0.63% -
1892 -1.16% -
1891 -0.97% -
1890 0.01% -
1889 1.34% -
1888 0.88% -
1887 0.14% -
1886 -0.84% -
1885 -0.75% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1940, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Russia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $34.9B, equivalent to 1.6% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Russia recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Russia posted an annual surplus equal to 0.67% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Russia

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Russia Zambia
2024 8.4% 15%
2023 5.9% 10.9%
2022 13.7% 11%
2021 6.7% 22%
2020 3.4% 15.7%
2019 4.5% 9.2%
2018 2.9% 7.5%
2017 3.7% 6.6%
2016 7% 17.9%
2015 15.5% 10.1%
2014 7.8% 7.8%
2013 6.8% 7%
2012 5.1% 6.6%
2011 8.4% 8.7%
2010 6.8% 8.5%
2009 11.6% 13.4%
2008 14.1% 12.4%
2007 9% 10.7%
2006 9.7% 9%
2005 12.7% 18.3%
2004 10.9% 18%
2003 13.7% 21.4%
2002 15.8% 22.2%
2001 21.5% 21.4%
2000 20.8% 24.1%
1999 85.7% 23.9%
1998 27.7% 22.7%
1997 14.8% 21.4%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Russia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.4%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 8.4% in Russia and 15% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Russia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $4.72M
Business & finance services $1.52M
Chemicals & pharma $176K
Machinery & equipment $102K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $102K
Wood & paper products $58K
Miscellaneous $24K
Metals $22K
IT & IP services $17K
Transport & tourism services $14K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Metals $2.44M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $458K
Textiles & consumer goods $32K
Machinery & equipment $19K
Precious metals & jewellery $13K
Chemicals & pharma $10K
Raw materials & minerals $7K
Miscellaneous $6K

Balance of trade

Russia Zambia
Current account balance
$63.4B
2024
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
12/190
2024
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.91%
2024
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$302B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$434B
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$81.5B
2024
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$43.1B
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.6%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Russia Zambia
Economic freedom 50.3 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 161/197 152/197
Property rights 18.6 43.9
Government integrity 22.8 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 22.8 45
Tax burden 81.9 74.3
Government spending 61.3 78.1
Fiscal health 94.4 30.9
Business freedom 51.4 53.4
Labor freedom 59.1 48.8
Monetary freedom 61.8 66.6
Trade freedom 69.4 62.8
Investment freedom 30 40
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Russia
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Russia Zambia
2026 50.3 51.9
2025 51.6 50.9
2024 52 48.4
2023 53.8 47.8
2022 56.1 48.7
2021 61.5 50.4
2020 61 53.5
2019 58.9 53.6
2018 58.2 54.3
2017 57.1 55.8
2016 50.6 58.8
2015 52.1 58.7
2014 51.9 60.4
2013 51.1 58.7
2012 50.5 58.3
2011 50.5 59.7
2010 50.3 58
2009 50.8 56.6
2008 49.8 56.2
2007 52.2 56.2
2006 52.4 56.8
2005 51.3 55
2004 52.8 54.9
2003 50.8 55.3
2002 48.7 59.6
2001 49.8 59.5
2000 51.8 62.8
1999 54.5 64.2
1998 52.8 62.7
1997 48.6 62.1
1996 51.6 59.6
1995 51.1 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Russia is 50.3, ranking 161/197, 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

Russia Zambia
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
30.7%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.74%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.24T
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$46,780
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$597B
2023
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
6/177
2023
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.37B
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$9.35B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$170M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.65%
2024
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.1%
2020
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.3%
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/russia/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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.