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Economy of Saudi Arabia vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.28T compared to $51.2B for Zimbabwe, ranking 19/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $405B in government debt (31.7% of GDP), compared to $22.4B (43.8% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Saudi Arabia vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia Zimbabwe
2025 $1,276,942,933,333 $51,215,643,906
2024 $1,254,140,800,000 $41,521,975,830
2023 $1,218,584,800,000 $35,871,781,303
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 $40,757,585,309
2021 $982,661,066,667 $41,287,852,524
2020 $767,951,200,000 $31,979,753,645
2019 $888,890,133,333 $33,360,632,553
2018 $886,564,800,000 $34,141,666,667
2017 $741,266,133,333 $51,035,657,371
2016 $689,279,466,667 $20,559,250,000
2015 $693,414,400,000 $19,973,250,000
2014 $787,153,066,667 $19,505,500,000
2013 $769,755,733,333 $19,100,750,000
2012 $751,921,333,333 $17,123,500,000
2011 $680,660,800,000 $14,109,000,000
2010 $528,207,466,667 $12,047,750,000
2009 $429,097,866,667 $9,670,750,000
2008 $519,796,800,000 $4,418,000,000
2007 $415,964,509,673 $5,294,750,000
2006 $376,900,133,511 $5,446,750,000
2005 $328,459,608,764 $5,758,250,000
2004 $258,742,133,333 $5,808,500,000
2003 $215,807,733,333 $5,730,500,000
2002 $189,605,866,667 $6,345,250,000
2001 $184,137,600,000 $6,780,750,000
2000 $189,514,933,333 $6,693,250,000
1999 $161,717,066,667 $6,861,500,000
1998 $146,775,466,667 $6,405,250,000
1997 $165,963,684,913 $8,534,000,000
1996 $158,662,483,311 $8,557,500,000
1995 $143,343,124,166 $7,115,000,000
1994 $135,174,899,866 $6,894,250,000
1993 $132,967,957,276 $6,567,250,000
1992 $137,087,850,467 $6,755,000,000
1991 $132,223,230,975 $8,646,000,000
1990 $117,630,173,565 $8,788,301,546
1989 $95,344,459,279 $8,290,553,535
1988 $88,256,074,766 $7,818,774,177
1987 $85,695,861,148 $6,744,657,033
1986 $86,961,922,765 $6,220,698,247
1985 $103,897,846,494 $5,640,137,575
1984 $119,624,858,116 $6,355,369,172
1983 $129,171,635,311 $7,768,031,182
1982 $153,240,313,858 $8,544,060,905
1981 $184,291,360,139 $8,015,464,252
1980 $164,539,660,725 $6,682,278,300
1979 $111,858,444,786 $5,180,102,910
1978 $80,266,516,687 $4,353,822,343
1977 $74,188,986,586 $4,366,610,469
1976 $64,005,665,722 $4,320,576,877
1975 $46,773,208,643 $4,373,532,601
1974 $45,412,957,746 $3,984,194,614
1973 $14,947,435,499 $3,311,043,292
1972 $9,664,267,087 $2,679,096,597
1971 $7,184,806,909 $2,179,828,710
1970 $5,377,333,333 $1,885,168,339
1969 $4,485,777,644 $1,748,891,294
1968 $4,187,777,711 $1,480,355,355
1967 $3,257,022,223 $1,397,715,282
1966 $2,920,555,557 $1,282,403,936
1965 $2,647,955,558 $1,312,105,394
1964 $2,371,808,713 $1,217,759,447
1963 $2,207,393,172 $1,160,103,724
1962 $2,130,606,532 $1,118,172,226
1961 $1,920,811,284 $1,097,206,526
1960 $1,748,124,064 $1,053,528,036

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/zimbabwe | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs Zimbabwe by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $34,537 - $3,021 -
2024 $35,528 $71,375 $2,496 $5,928
2023 $36,157 $71,565 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $38,510 $71,968 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $31,921 $62,690 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $24,339 $47,518 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $29,567 $59,560 $2,185 $4,166
2018 $29,360 $59,378 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $902 $2,661
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $736 $2,233
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $341 $1,987
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $414 $2,396
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $431 $2,454
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $461 $2,496
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $470 $2,591
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $468 $2,708
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $525 $3,238
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $566 $3,533
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $563 $3,429
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $582 $3,491
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $552 $3,527
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $751 $3,457
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $767 $3,372
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $648 $3,051
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $634 $3,012
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $605 $2,703
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $631 $2,651
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $831 $2,930
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $867 $2,757
1989 $9,414 - $840 -
1988 $9,165 - $816 -
1987 $9,386 - $726 -
1986 $10,078 - $693 -
1985 $12,745 - $649 -
1984 $15,541 - $757 -
1983 $17,810 - $959 -
1982 $22,454 - $1,096 -
1981 $28,703 - $1,069 -
1980 $27,206 - $949 -
1979 $19,612 - $779 -
1978 $14,914 - $665 -
1977 $14,595 - $677 -
1976 $13,313 - $687 -
1975 $10,266 - $717 -
1974 $10,503 - $674 -
1973 $3,640 - $579 -
1972 $2,474 - $483 -
1971 $1,929 - $406 -
1970 $1,509 - $361 -
1969 $1,313 - $346 -
1968 $1,276 - $302 -
1967 $1,032 - $294.4 -
1966 $961 - $278.7 -
1965 $904 - $294.3 -
1964 $840 - $281.9 -
1963 $812 - $277.1 -
1962 $813 - $275.7 -
1961 $760 - $279.2 -
1960 $718 - $276.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/zimbabwe | CC BY

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $34,537, ranking 36/197, compared to $3,021 in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$1.28T
2025
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank
19/197
2025
95/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
8.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$34,537
2025
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$405B
2025
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
31.7%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$10,956
2025
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank
57/185
2025
134/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,010
2026
$2,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.36T
2025
$2.46B
1999
Number of millionaires
348,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
15
2026
1
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.08%
2024-2025
81.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.24%
2025
12.1%
2024
Population
37955120
17443108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29% 31.7% 15.5% 43.8%
2024 29.2% 25.9% 13.7% 70.4%
2023 28.3% 23% 21.1% 76.1%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 12.1% 66.8%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 12.4% 39.9%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 8.4% 56.8%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 7.7% 53.9%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 14.6% 33%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 21.1% 49%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 17% 35.1%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 14.9% 34.1%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 14.2% 29.2%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 15.2% 26.4%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 14.8% 27.2%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 16.5% 30%
2010 33% 8.43% 13.1% 33.2%
2009 37.1% 14% 8.02% 39.7%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 2.57% 41.3%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 3.46% 30.2%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 5.79% 26.7%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 10.6% 22.4%
2004 31.1% 62.9% - -
2003 33.1% 81.6% - -
2002 35.9% 96.4% - -
2001 36.9% 93.1% - -
2000 33.1% 86.7% - -
1999 30.3% 103% - -
1998 34.5% 101.5% - -
1997 35.6% 76.7% - -
1996 33.3% 75.2% - -
1995 32.4% 74.2% - -
1994 33.8% 67.9% - -
1993 37.7% 58.6% - -
1992 41.2% 47.8% - -
1991 34.9% 39.4% - -
1990 39.3% - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2025, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $370B, accounting for 29% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $7.92B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 31.7% in Saudi Arabia and 43.8% in Zimbabwe, ranking 151/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Zimbabwe
2025 -5.77% 0.08%
2024 -2.46% -0.76%
2023 -1.77% -9.45%
2022 2.24% -1%
2021 -1.99% -1.83%
2020 -10.2% 0.53%
2019 -3.96% -0.06%
2018 -5.21% -4.55%
2017 -8.57% -8.68%
2016 -13.2% -4.99%
2015 -14.9% -1.61%
2014 -3.4% -0.87%
2013 5.47% -1.21%
2012 11.7% -0.35%
2011 11.4% -1.98%
2010 4.39% -0.4%
2009 -5.38% -1.48%
2008 29.8% -1.22%
2007 11.8% -1.71%
2006 20.8% -1.46%
2005 18% -3.58%
2004 9.72% -
2003 1.2% -
2002 -5.91% -
2001 -3.91% -
2000 3.18% -
1999 -5.99% -
1998 -8.88% -
1997 -2.51% -
1996 -3.25% -
1995 -5.12% -
1994 -8.31% -
1993 -9.33% -
1992 -8.12% -
1991 -3.28% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2025, Saudi Arabia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $73.7B, equivalent to 5.77% of GDP. This compares to Zimbabwe's surplus of $41.9M, or 0.08% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual surplus equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia Zimbabwe
2025 2.08% 81.4%
2024 1.69% 736%
2023 2.33% 667%
2022 2.47% 193.4%
2021 3.06% 98.5%
2020 3.37% 557%
2019 -1.19% 255.3%
2018 2.47% 10.6%
2017 -0.83% 0.9%
2016 2.05% -1.6%
2015 1.22% -2.4%
2014 2.24% -0.2%
2013 3.51% 1.6%
2012 2.87% 3.7%
2011 5.83% 3.5%
2010 5.34% 3%
2009 5.06% 6.2%
2008 9.87% -
2007 4.17% -
2006 2.21% -
2005 0.48% -
2004 0.52% -
2003 0.61% -
2002 0.25% -
2001 -1.12% -
2000 -1.12% -
1999 -1.33% -
1998 -0.37% -
1997 0.06% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2009–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/zimbabwe | CC BY

Over the past 17 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.56%, compared with 153.8% in Zimbabwe. In 2025, inflation was 2.08% in Saudi Arabia and 81.4% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $608K
Raw materials & minerals $343K
Machinery & equipment $152K
Wood & paper products $125K
Raw agricultural goods $8K
Miscellaneous $3K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Animal & marine products $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Metals $1.13M
Machinery & equipment $206K
Raw agricultural goods $132K
Wood & paper products $24K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15K
Raw materials & minerals $7K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$32.7B
2025
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
185/190
2025
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2025
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$230B
2025
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$311B
2025
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$129B
2025
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$69.4B
2025
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.2%
2025
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.7%
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.

Saudi Arabia Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 65.4 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 190/197
Property rights 51.4 19.4
Government integrity 52.7 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 16.8
Tax burden 99.2 73.6
Government spending 77 93.9
Fiscal health 97.9 52.4
Business freedom 71.2 42
Labor freedom 41.8 33.3
Monetary freedom 81.2 0
Trade freedom 73.8 50.4
Investment freedom 50 10
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia Zimbabwe
2026 65.4 35.2
2025 64.4 35.1
2024 61.9 38.2
2023 58.3 39
2022 55.5 33.1
2021 66 39.5
2020 62.4 43.1
2019 60.7 40.4
2018 59.6 44
2017 64.4 44
2016 62.1 38.2
2015 62.1 37.6
2014 62.2 35.5
2013 60.6 28.6
2012 62.5 26.3
2011 66.2 22.1
2010 64.1 21.4
2009 64.3 22.7
2008 62.5 29.5
2007 60.9 32
2006 63 33.5
2005 63 35.2
2004 60.4 34.4
2003 63.2 36.7
2002 65.3 36.7
2001 62.2 38.8
2000 66.5 48.7
1999 65.5 47.2
1998 69.3 44.6
1997 68.7 48
1996 68.3 46.7
1995 - 48.5

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/zimbabwe | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, 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

Saudi Arabia Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2025
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
43%
2025
37.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.59%
2025
9.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.33T
2025
$45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,400
2025
$6,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$505B
2025
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
8/177
2025
159/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.6B
2025
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.6%
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/saudi-arabia/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 (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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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.