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Economy of Rwanda vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Rwanda has a GDP of $16.4B compared to $28.9B for Zambia, ranking 142/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Rwanda has $10.6B in government debt (64.6% of GDP), compared to $24.8B (86% of GDP) in Zambia.

Rwanda vs Zambia GDP by year

Rwanda
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Rwanda Zambia
2025 $16,372,132,990 $28,879,806,220
2024 $15,111,064,182 $25,303,185,342
2023 $14,806,501,437 $27,577,956,471
2022 $13,747,404,814 $29,163,782,140
2021 $11,252,894,910 $22,096,416,932
2020 $10,487,146,253 $18,137,764,931
2019 $10,519,272,170 $23,308,667,781
2018 $9,650,161,136 $26,311,507,274
2017 $9,164,345,443 $25,873,601,261
2016 $8,596,812,241 $20,958,412,538
2015 $8,447,064,079 $21,251,216,799
2014 $8,129,984,484 $27,141,023,558
2013 $7,714,276,920 $28,037,239,463
2012 $7,556,673,276 $25,503,060,420
2011 $6,802,676,034 $23,459,515,276
2010 $6,052,276,078 $20,265,559,484
2009 $5,603,399,015 $15,328,342,304
2008 $5,120,655,375 $17,910,858,638
2007 $4,017,977,507 $14,056,957,976
2006 $3,274,207,945 $12,756,858,899
2005 $2,933,819,766 $8,331,870,169
2004 $2,376,496,067 $6,221,110,219
2003 $2,138,237,279 $4,901,869,764
2002 $1,966,003,468 $4,193,850,445
2001 $1,966,600,715 $4,094,441,301
2000 $2,068,836,754 $3,600,632,111
1999 $2,157,108,263 $3,404,284,891
1998 $1,989,343,546 $3,537,741,942
1997 $1,851,558,197 $4,303,288,480
1996 $1,382,334,879 $3,597,220,962
1995 $1,293,535,193 $3,806,983,413
1994 $753,636,370 $3,656,806,166
1993 $1,971,525,712 $3,273,505,344
1992 $2,029,026,962 $3,182,810,841
1991 $1,911,600,237 $3,376,806,697
1990 $2,550,185,679 $3,288,381,797
1989 $2,405,022,593 $3,994,673,161
1988 $2,395,492,687 $3,728,878,149
1987 $2,157,432,668 $2,265,250,972
1986 $1,944,710,684 $1,664,413,508
1985 $1,715,626,331 $2,252,454,500
1984 $1,587,413,084 $2,719,518,933
1983 $1,479,687,587 $3,321,048,451
1982 $1,407,243,139 $3,871,117,093
1981 $1,407,062,527 $4,008,126,497
1980 $1,254,765,642 $3,884,530,854
1979 $1,109,346,131 $3,353,445,378
1978 $905,709,076 $2,811,032,473
1977 $746,650,613 $2,515,296,940
1976 $637,753,853 $2,742,859,263
1975 $571,863,500 $2,442,672,141
1974 $308,458,423 $2,910,981,262
1973 $290,746,157 $2,434,255,237
1972 $246,457,838 $1,872,416,680
1971 $222,952,504 $1,653,259,341
1970 $219,900,006 $1,788,779,285
1969 $188,700,037 $1,926,399,230
1968 $172,200,018 $1,573,739,371
1967 $159,560,018 $1,340,639,464
1966 $124,525,703 $1,238,999,505
1965 $148,799,980 $1,061,199,576
1964 $129,999,994 $822,639,671
1963 $128,000,000 $704,339,719
1962 $125,000,008 $679,279,729
1961 $122,000,016 $682,359,727
1960 $119,000,024 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Rwanda vs Zambia by year

Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Rwanda Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,124 - $1,318 -
2024 $1,060 $3,711 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $1,061 $3,399 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $1,007 $3,099 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $843 $2,733 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $803 $2,285 $952 $3,157
2019 $823 $2,336 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $773 $2,125 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $751 $1,968 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $721 $1,866 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $726 $1,781 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $715 $1,678 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $695 $1,512 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $698 $1,455 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $643 $1,413 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $587 $1,314 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $557 $1,241 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $522 $1,191 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $421 $1,079 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $352 $1,002 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $324 $914 $711 $2,213
2004 $269.5 $832 $549 $2,068
2003 $249 $775 $446 $1,942
2002 $234 $760 $394 $1,837
2001 $237.3 $670 $397 $1,785
2000 $251.9 $609 $359 $1,709
1999 $264.7 $554 $350 $1,654
1998 $246.2 $528 $373 $1,601
1997 $238.7 $500 $466 $1,631
1996 $206 $499 $400 $1,585
1995 $228 $514 $433 $1,501
1994 $111 $311 $426 $1,464
1993 $247 $521 $391 $1,607
1992 $264.1 $575 $389 $1,505
1991 $254 $542 $423 $1,534
1990 $346 $549 $422 $1,522
1989 $335 - $526 -
1988 $344 - $504 -
1987 $320 - $315 -
1986 $297.7 - $238.2 -
1985 $271.6 - $332 -
1984 $259.9 - $413 -
1983 $250.6 - $520 -
1982 $246.4 - $627 -
1981 $254.6 - $670 -
1980 $234.4 - $669 -
1979 $213.8 - $595 -
1978 $179.9 - $514 -
1977 $152.7 - $474 -
1976 $134.4 - $533 -
1975 $124.1 - $490 -
1974 $68.9 - $601 -
1973 $66.9 - $518 -
1972 $58.4 - $410 -
1971 $54.4 - $372 -
1970 $55.2 - $414 -
1969 $48.9 - $459 -
1968 $46 - $387 -
1967 $44 - $341 -
1966 $35.4 - $325 -
1965 $43.5 - $287.4 -
1964 $39 - $230 -
1963 $39.3 - $203.2 -
1962 $39.2 - $202.3 -
1961 $39.3 - $209.7 -
1960 $39.4 - $221.6 -

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

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

Rwanda's GDP per capita is $1,124, ranking 178/197, compared to $1,318 in Zambia, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Rwanda Zambia
Gross domestic product
$16.4B
2025
$28.9B
2025
GDP rank
142/197
2025
116/197
2025
GDP growth
9.38%
2024-2025
3.76%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,124
2025
$1,318
2025
GDP per capita rank
178/197
2025
170/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,711
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
168/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$24.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.6%
2025
86%
2025
Government debt per person
$726
2025
$1,133
2025
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2025
140/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,614
2026
$1,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.2B
2025
$14.9B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2023
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.1%
2025
29.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
5.91%
2024-2025
13.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
13.3%
2026
Unemployment rate
5.36%
2025
5.67%
2024
Population
15062056
22844606

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Rwanda
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Rwanda Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 24.1% 64.6% 29.7% 86%
2024 27.1% 63.4% 26.5% 125.2%
2023 26.2% 61.4% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 28.7% 59% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 31% 66.2% 30.5% 111%
2020 32.5% 66.7% 34% 140%
2019 27.7% 52.8% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 26.3% 49.2% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 25.3% 46.1% 25% 66.6%
2016 25.4% 41.5% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 26.9% 33.5% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 27.8% 29.5% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 26.5% 27% 24% 25.9%
2012 24.9% 19.3% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 25% 18.9% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 24.1% 19% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 22.6% 18.7% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 22.7% 18.5% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 22.7% 22.4% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 20.9% 22.8% 19.7% 25%
2005 20.2% 59.8% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 18.1% 82.1% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 18.8% 80.7% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 20.7% 93.4% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 19.3% 85.2% 28% 210.2%
2000 18.5% 87.2% 21.4% 261%
1999 22.7% 79.5% - -
1998 16.6% 71.1% - -
1997 17.2% 73.3% - -
1996 19.8% 84.6% - -
1995 18.3% 102.2% - -
1994 13.5% - - -
1993 20.6% - - -
1992 21.8% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Rwanda's government spending was $3.95B, accounting for 24.1% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $8.58B, or 29.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.6% in Rwanda and 86% in Zambia, ranking 68/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Rwanda

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Rwanda Zambia
2025 -4.49% -3.83%
2024 -6.19% -3.46%
2023 -4.88% -5.48%
2022 -5.56% -7.82%
2021 -6.89% -8.13%
2020 -9.26% -13.8%
2019 -5% -9.41%
2018 -2.57% -8.31%
2017 -2.54% -7.5%
2016 -2.3% -5.69%
2015 -2.71% -8.88%
2014 -3.97% -5.43%
2013 -1.29% -6.4%
2012 -2.41% -3.16%
2011 -0.87% -1.78%
2010 -0.65% -2.43%
2009 0.26% -2.06%
2008 0.84% -0.67%
2007 -1.58% -1.04%
2006 -0.03% 16.9%
2005 1.14% -2.37%
2004 2.31% -2.51%
2003 -1.25% -5.31%
2002 -2.06% -4.5%
2001 -1.83% -5.89%
2000 -0.22% 1.16%
1999 -4.48% -
1998 -2.63% -
1997 -2.25% -
1996 -5.08% -
1995 -2.07% -
1994 -9.68% -
1993 -6.7% -
1992 -7.31% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Rwanda's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $736M, equivalent to 4.49% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $1.11B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Rwanda recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Rwanda posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.14% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Rwanda

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Rwanda Zambia
2025 5.91% 13.9%
2024 1.77% 15%
2023 19.8% 10.9%
2022 17.7% 11%
2021 -0.39% 22%
2020 9.85% 15.7%
2019 3.35% 9.2%
2018 -0.31% 7.5%
2017 8.28% 6.6%
2016 7.17% 17.9%
2015 2.53% 10.1%
2014 2.35% 7.8%
2013 5.92% 7%
2012 10.3% 6.6%
2011 3.08% 8.7%
2010 -0.25% 8.5%
2009 12.9% 13.4%
2008 15.4% 12.4%
2007 9.08% 10.7%
2006 8.88% 9%
2005 9.01% 18.3%
2004 12.3% 18%
2003 7.45% 21.4%
2002 1.99% 22.2%
2001 3.34% 21.4%
2000 3.9% 24.1%
1999 -2.41% 23.9%
1998 6.21% 22.7%
1997 12% 21.4%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Rwanda has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.8%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2025, inflation was 5.91% in Rwanda and 13.9% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Rwanda
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.63M
Machinery & equipment $1.83M
Metals $1.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $849K
Raw agricultural goods $650K
Textiles & consumer goods $231K
Chemicals & pharma $194K
Miscellaneous $97K
Wood & paper products $23K
Animal & marine products $17K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $42.6M
Metals $10.6M
Machinery & equipment $1.86M
Animal & marine products $820K
Chemicals & pharma $791K
Raw agricultural goods $506K
Weapons & explosives $348K
Textiles & consumer goods $168K
Raw materials & minerals $77K
Wood & paper products $38K

Balance of trade

Rwanda Zambia
Current account balance
-$1.81B
2024
-$1.12B
2024
Current account balance ranking
136/190
2024
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-12%
2024
-4.41%
2024
Goods imports
$5.55B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$3.2B
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$991M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Service exports
$1.08B
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2025
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Rwanda Zambia
Economic freedom 56.5 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 121/197 152/197
Property rights 60.3 43.9
Government integrity 53.9 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 27.5 45
Tax burden 80.6 74.3
Government spending 75.7 78.1
Fiscal health 37.5 30.9
Business freedom 60.1 53.4
Labor freedom 49.1 48.8
Monetary freedom 72.3 66.6
Trade freedom 61.8 62.8
Investment freedom 60 40
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Rwanda
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Rwanda Zambia
2026 56.5 51.9
2025 54.8 50.9
2024 51.6 48.4
2023 52.2 47.8
2022 57.1 48.7
2021 68.3 50.4
2020 70.9 53.5
2019 71.1 53.6
2018 69.1 54.3
2017 67.6 55.8
2016 63.1 58.8
2015 64.8 58.7
2014 64.7 60.4
2013 64.1 58.7
2012 64.9 58.3
2011 62.7 59.7
2010 59.1 58
2009 54.2 56.6
2008 54.2 56.2
2007 52.4 56.2
2006 52.8 56.8
2005 51.7 55
2004 53.3 54.9
2003 47.8 55.3
2002 50.4 59.6
2001 45.4 59.5
2000 42.3 62.8
1999 39.8 64.2
1998 39.1 62.7
1997 38.3 62.1
1996 - 59.6
1995 - 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Rwanda is 56.5, ranking 121/197, 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

Rwanda Zambia
Services, % of GDP
52.3%
2025
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
22%
2025
35.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.3%
2025
4.11%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2025
$26.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,070
2025
$3,990
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.96B
2025
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
128/177
2025
111/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$560M
2024
-$2.05B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$573M
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.2M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.91%
2024
17.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2023
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
34.1%
2025
23.8%
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/rwanda/zambia | 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 (1992–2025, 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 (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.