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Economy of Switzerland vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Switzerland has a GDP of $937B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 20/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Switzerland has $351B in government debt (37.5% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Switzerland vs Zambia GDP by year

Switzerland
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Switzerland Zambia
2024 $936,564,198,049 $25,303,185,342
2023 $894,424,821,645 $27,577,956,471
2022 $828,508,926,958 $29,163,782,140
2021 $815,309,330,987 $22,096,416,932
2020 $741,999,406,006 $18,137,764,931
2019 $721,369,112,727 $23,308,667,781
2018 $725,568,717,468 $26,311,507,274
2017 $695,200,833,086 $25,873,601,261
2016 $687,895,460,903 $20,958,412,538
2015 $694,118,186,380 $21,251,216,799
2014 $726,537,808,338 $27,141,023,558
2013 $706,234,937,371 $28,037,239,463
2012 $686,420,221,558 $25,503,060,420
2011 $715,888,126,682 $23,459,515,276
2010 $598,851,028,907 $20,265,559,484
2009 $554,212,916,092 $15,328,342,304
2008 $567,267,767,519 $17,910,858,638
2007 $490,740,715,595 $14,056,957,976
2006 $441,634,672,197 $12,756,858,899
2005 $418,284,865,885 $8,331,870,169
2004 $403,912,891,033 $6,221,110,219
2003 $362,075,086,508 $4,901,869,764
2002 $309,301,422,430 $4,193,850,445
2001 $286,582,672,434 $4,094,441,301
2000 $279,216,033,870 $3,600,632,111
1999 $297,873,643,323 $3,404,284,891
1998 $303,459,014,347 $3,537,741,942
1997 $294,788,198,856 $4,303,288,480
1996 $340,103,959,547 $3,597,220,962
1995 $352,835,806,342 $3,806,983,413
1994 $301,375,055,202 $3,656,806,166
1993 $272,237,527,071 $3,273,505,344
1992 $279,921,425,828 $3,182,810,841
1991 $268,901,693,863 $3,376,806,697
1990 $265,763,573,999 $3,288,381,797
1989 $208,105,846,934 $3,994,673,161
1988 $215,540,625,299 $3,728,878,149
1987 $199,236,370,038 $2,265,250,972
1986 $159,089,921,063 $1,664,413,508
1985 $110,980,314,192 $2,252,454,500
1984 $109,455,312,168 $2,719,518,933
1983 $114,634,358,535 $3,321,048,451
1982 $115,043,365,512 $3,871,117,093
1981 $112,244,805,519 $4,008,126,497
1980 $122,557,843,886 $3,884,530,854
1979 $114,970,094,425 $3,353,445,378
1978 $102,280,472,036 $2,811,032,473
1977 $73,135,771,167 $2,515,296,940
1976 $68,476,524,644 $2,742,859,263
1975 $65,466,081,819 $2,442,672,141
1974 $57,103,011,446 $2,910,981,262
1973 $49,550,006,320 $2,434,255,237
1972 $36,844,318,854 $1,872,416,680
1971 $30,040,171,751 $1,653,259,341
1970 $24,998,066,773 $1,788,779,285
1969 $22,442,043,274 $1,926,399,230
1968 $20,712,102,794 $1,573,739,371
1967 $19,397,044,714 $1,340,639,464
1966 $18,019,402,374 $1,238,999,505
1965 $16,780,226,225 $1,061,199,576
1964 $15,833,133,858 $822,639,671
1963 $14,283,872,299 $704,339,719
1962 $12,989,649,694 $679,279,729
1961 $11,713,348,834 $682,359,727
1960 $10,412,232,621 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Switzerland vs Zambia by year

Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Switzerland Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $103,998 $96,498 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $100,624 $95,142 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $94,395 $94,421 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $93,665 $81,001 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $85,898 $72,998 $952 $3,157
2019 $84,122 $73,732 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $85,217 $70,689 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $82,254 $68,194 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $82,153 $67,351 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $83,806 $65,265 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $88,725 $63,417 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $87,304 $61,656 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $85,836 $59,441 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $90,477 $57,494 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $76,531 $54,426 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $71,568 $52,999 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $74,175 $53,809 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $64,989 $50,928 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $59,011 $46,266 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $56,243 $41,525 $711 $2,213
2004 $54,659 $40,171 $549 $2,068
2003 $49,336 $38,732 $446 $1,942
2002 $42,459 $38,705 $394 $1,837
2001 $39,639 $37,819 $397 $1,785
2000 $38,865 $36,703 $359 $1,709
1999 $41,696 $34,743 $350 $1,654
1998 $42,681 $33,860 $373 $1,601
1997 $41,584 $32,736 $466 $1,631
1996 $48,093 $31,509 $400 $1,585
1995 $50,114 $30,842 $433 $1,501
1994 $43,092 $30,265 $426 $1,464
1993 $39,237 $29,495 $391 $1,607
1992 $40,714 $29,113 $389 $1,505
1991 $39,544 $28,792 $423 $1,534
1990 $39,575 $28,461 $422 $1,522
1989 $31,309 - $526 -
1988 $32,690 - $504 -
1987 $30,441 - $315 -
1986 $24,460 - $238.2 -
1985 $17,152 - $332 -
1984 $16,991 - $413 -
1983 $17,859 - $520 -
1982 $18,000 - $627 -
1981 $17,665 - $670 -
1980 $19,394 - $669 -
1979 $18,266 - $595 -
1978 $16,282 - $514 -
1977 $11,644 - $474 -
1976 $10,865 - $533 -
1975 $10,328 - $490 -
1974 $9,005 - $601 -
1973 $7,856 - $518 -
1972 $5,885 - $410 -
1971 $4,835 - $372 -
1970 $4,044 - $414 -
1969 $3,657 - $459 -
1968 $3,413 - $387 -
1967 $3,237 - $341 -
1966 $3,045 - $325 -
1965 $2,865 - $287.4 -
1964 $2,735 - $230 -
1963 $2,508 - $203.2 -
1962 $2,330 - $202.3 -
1961 $2,155 - $209.7 -
1960 $1,954 - $221.6 -

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

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

Switzerland's GDP per capita is $103,998, ranking 5/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Switzerland Zambia
Gross domestic product
$937B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
20/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
1.3%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$103,998
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
5/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$96,498
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
8/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$351B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
37.5%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$39,021
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
15/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$85,867
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.97T
2024
$7.77B
2024
Number of millionaires
1,119,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
42
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.6%
2022
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.06%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0%
2025
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.34%
2024
5.86%
2023
Population
9107866
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Switzerland
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Switzerland Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.9% 37.5% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 32.1% 38.7% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 31.6% 37.2% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 34.4% 41% 30.5% 111%
2020 37% 43.2% 34% 140%
2019 32% 39.6% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 31.7% 39.8% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 32.4% 41.8% 25% 66.6%
2016 32.4% 40.9% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 32.5% 42.2% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 32.2% 42.1% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 32.5% 41.9% 24% 25.9%
2012 31.7% 42.6% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 31.4% 41.9% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 31.4% 41.5% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 31.8% 43.1% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 30% 44.8% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 29.4% 44.8% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 30.5% 48.5% 19.7% 25%
2005 32.4% 54.9% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 33.1% 57.8% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 33.2% 56.9% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 34.1% 57.7% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 31.6% 51.1% 28% 210.2%
2000 32.2% 52.2% 21.4% 261%
1999 33.2% 52.7% - -
1998 32.7% 55.9% - -
1997 32.9% 53.7% - -
1996 33% 51.3% - -
1995 32.4% 50% - -
1994 32.5% 47.1% - -
1993 32.5% 44.4% - -
1992 31.3% 39.5% - -
1991 29.5% 35.1% - -
1990 27.6% 33.3% - -
1989 30% 32.5% - -
1988 30.3% 35% - -
1987 29.8% 36.5% - -
1986 29.8% 37.6% - -
1985 30.1% 39.1% - -
1984 30.4% 39.8% - -
1983 31.2% 40.2% - -
1982 30.5% 40% - -
1981 29.4% 40.8% - -
1980 29.9% 43.9% - -
1979 30.5% 44.6% - -
1978 30.4% 46.6% - -
1977 31% 46.9% - -
1976 31.6% 46.7% - -
1975 29.3% 42.3% - -
1974 27.5% 38.4% - -
1973 26.5% 37% - -
1972 25.7% 38% - -
1971 25.4% 38.7% - -
1970 25.8% 38.9% - -
1969 9.45% 7.08% - -
1968 8.87% 6.99% - -
1967 8.68% 7.26% - -
1966 8.95% 7.62% - -
1965 8.33% 8.28% - -
1964 8.85% 9.43% - -
1963 8.2% 10.8% - -
1962 8.1% 12% - -
1961 7.97% 14% - -
1960 7.11% 16.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Switzerland's government spending was $299B, accounting for 31.9% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 37.5% in Switzerland and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 141/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Switzerland

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Switzerland Zambia
2024 0.58% -3.32%
2023 0.12% -5.48%
2022 1.19% -7.82%
2021 -0.29% -8.13%
2020 -3.01% -13.8%
2019 1.34% -9.41%
2018 1.29% -8.31%
2017 1.13% -7.5%
2016 0.24% -5.69%
2015 0.55% -8.88%
2014 -0.25% -5.43%
2013 -0.43% -6.4%
2012 0.24% -3.16%
2011 0.68% -1.78%
2010 0.35% -2.43%
2009 0.5% -2.06%
2008 1.93% -0.67%
2007 1.57% -1.04%
2006 0.85% 16.9%
2005 -0.65% -2.37%
2004 -1.39% -2.51%
2003 -1.36% -5.31%
2002 -1.75% -4.5%
2001 0.21% -5.89%
2000 0.28% 1.16%
1999 -1.57% -
1998 -1.31% -
1997 -2.33% -
1996 -2.01% -
1995 -1.86% -
1994 -2.59% -
1993 -3.15% -
1992 -2.96% -
1991 -1.85% -
1990 -0.05% -
1989 0.2% -
1988 0.42% -
1987 0.78% -
1986 0.93% -
1985 -0.25% -
1984 -0.52% -
1983 -1.23% -
1982 -1.21% -
1981 -0.54% -
1980 -1.34% -
1979 -1.79% -
1978 -1.12% -
1977 -1.64% -
1976 -1.89% -
1975 -0.93% -
1974 -1.01% -
1973 -0.93% -
1972 -1.39% -
1971 -1.41% -
1970 -1.44% -
1969 -0.98% -
1968 -0.73% -
1967 -1.07% -
1966 -0.87% -
1965 0.05% -
1964 0.77% -
1963 0.25% -
1962 0.95% -
1961 0.34% -
1960 1.95% -
1959 0.72% -
1958 0.59% -
1957 0.66% -
1956 2.24% -
1955 1.1% -
1954 1.44% -
1953 0.38% -
1952 -1.17% -
1951 -0.36% -
1950 1.49% -
1949 0.04% -
1948 1.37% -
1947 1.27% -
1946 0.52% -
1945 -7.57% -
1944 -9.37% -
1943 -8.55% -
1942 -7.28% -
1941 -8.78% -
1940 -10% -
1939 -5.05% -
1938 -1.53% -
1937 -0.17% -
1936 -0.33% -
1935 -0.23% -
1934 -0.33% -
1933 -0.88% -
1932 -0.3% -
1931 0.03% -
1930 0.07% -
1929 0.22% -
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 -0.12% -
1912 0.03% -
1911 -0.006% -
1910 -0.14% -
1909 -0.78% -
1908 -0.1% -
1907 -0.02% -
1906 0.15% -
1905 0.41% -
1904 0.002% -
1903 0.09% -
1902 0.02% -
1901 -0.14% -
1900 -0.07% -
1899 0.1% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Switzerland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.4B, equivalent to 0.58% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Switzerland recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Switzerland posted an annual surplus equal to 0.16% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Switzerland

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Switzerland Zambia
2024 1.06% 15%
2023 2.14% 10.9%
2022 2.84% 11%
2021 0.58% 22%
2020 -0.73% 15.7%
2019 0.36% 9.2%
2018 0.94% 7.5%
2017 0.53% 6.6%
2016 -0.43% 17.9%
2015 -1.14% 10.1%
2014 -0.01% 7.8%
2013 -0.22% 7%
2012 -0.69% 6.6%
2011 0.23% 8.7%
2010 0.69% 8.5%
2009 -0.48% 13.4%
2008 2.43% 12.4%
2007 0.73% 10.7%
2006 1.06% 9%
2005 1.17% 18.3%
2004 0.8% 18%
2003 0.64% 21.4%
2002 0.64% 22.2%
2001 0.99% 21.4%
2000 1.56% 24.1%
1999 0.81% 23.9%
1998 0.02% 22.7%
1997 0.52% 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/switzerland/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Switzerland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.61%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 1.06% in Switzerland and 15% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Switzerland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $10.1M
Chemicals & pharma $839K
Textiles & consumer goods $109K
Metals $107K
Precious metals & jewellery $47K
Raw materials & minerals $24K
Miscellaneous $5K
Wood & paper products $4K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Weapons & explosives $1K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Metals $4.66B
Raw materials & minerals $72.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $58.2M
Precious metals & jewellery $6.58M
Wood & paper products $1.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.41M
Raw agricultural goods $763K
Miscellaneous $8K
Machinery & equipment $3K

Balance of trade

Switzerland Zambia
Current account balance
$72B
2024
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
10/190
2024
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.69%
2024
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$371B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$502B
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$203B
2024
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$186B
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
61.9%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.2%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Switzerland Zambia
Economic freedom 83.7 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 2/197 152/197
Property rights 94.4 43.9
Government integrity 93.3 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 98.3 45
Tax burden 70.9 74.3
Government spending 69.5 78.1
Fiscal health 97.2 30.9
Business freedom 86.3 53.4
Labor freedom 60 48.8
Monetary freedom 82.3 66.6
Trade freedom 87 62.8
Investment freedom 85 40
Financial freedom 80 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Switzerland
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Switzerland Zambia
2026 83.7 51.9
2025 83.7 50.9
2024 83 48.4
2023 83.8 47.8
2022 84.2 48.7
2021 81.9 50.4
2020 82 53.5
2019 81.9 53.6
2018 81.7 54.3
2017 81.5 55.8
2016 81 58.8
2015 80.5 58.7
2014 81.6 60.4
2013 81 58.7
2012 81.1 58.3
2011 81.9 59.7
2010 81.1 58
2009 79.4 56.6
2008 79.5 56.2
2007 78 56.2
2006 78.9 56.8
2005 79.3 55
2004 79.5 54.9
2003 79 55.3
2002 79.3 59.6
2001 76 59.5
2000 76.8 62.8
1999 79.1 64.2
1998 79 62.7
1997 78.6 62.1
1996 76.8 59.6
1995 - 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Switzerland is 83.7, ranking 2/197, 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

Switzerland Zambia
Services, % of GDP
72%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.63%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$857B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$93,420
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$909B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
4/177
2024
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$59.7B
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$108B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9B
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.8%
2021
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
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/switzerland/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 (1899–1989, 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)

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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.