Skip to content

Economy of Tanzania vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Tanzania has a GDP of $90.1B compared to $28.9B for Zambia, ranking 83/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Tanzania has $44.8B in government debt (49.7% of GDP), compared to $24.8B (86% of GDP) in Zambia.

Tanzania vs Zambia GDP by year

Tanzania
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Tanzania Zambia
2025 $90,143,496,090 $28,879,806,220
2024 $79,235,713,445 $25,303,185,342
2023 $79,030,935,638 $27,577,956,471
2022 $75,749,121,847 $29,163,782,140
2021 $70,655,628,148 $22,096,416,932
2020 $66,068,737,786 $18,137,764,931
2019 $61,026,731,926 $23,308,667,781
2018 $57,003,712,892 $26,311,507,274
2017 $53,274,884,533 $25,873,601,261
2016 $49,774,409,374 $20,958,412,538
2015 $47,413,919,817 $21,251,216,799
2014 $49,986,726,461 $27,141,023,558
2013 $45,648,857,242 $28,037,239,463
2012 $39,650,394,363 $25,503,060,420
2011 $34,657,140,096 $23,459,515,276
2010 $32,012,892,919 $20,265,559,484
2009 $29,400,573,554 $15,328,342,304
2008 $27,947,821,398 $17,910,858,638
2007 $21,860,434,823 $14,056,957,976
2006 $18,619,859,795 $12,756,858,899
2005 $18,395,383,647 $8,331,870,169
2004 $16,673,062,473 $6,221,110,219
2003 $15,211,487,709 $4,901,869,764
2002 $14,129,651,896 $4,193,850,445
2001 $13,563,990,022 $4,094,441,301
2000 $13,371,767,082 $3,600,632,111
1999 $12,704,334,196 $3,404,284,891
1998 $12,172,790,056 $3,537,741,942
1997 $11,158,197,942 $4,303,288,480
1996 $9,433,528,150 $3,597,220,962
1995 $7,631,431,840 $3,806,983,413
1994 $6,550,480,484 $3,656,806,166
1993 $6,182,872,708 $3,273,505,344
1992 $6,681,997,469 $3,182,810,841
1991 $7,197,768,159 $3,376,806,697
1990 $6,184,384,225 $3,288,381,797
1989 $6,418,799,007 $3,994,673,161
1988 $7,406,614,407 $3,728,878,149
1987 $7,824,193,222 $2,265,250,972
1986 $10,840,864,521 $1,664,413,508
1985 $15,328,295,175 $2,252,454,500
1984 $12,906,635,133 $2,719,518,933
1983 $14,049,883,809 $3,321,048,451
1982 $13,927,383,240 $3,871,117,093
1981 $13,161,540,378 $4,008,126,497
1980 $11,409,228,087 $3,884,530,854
1979 $9,804,637,491 $3,353,445,378
1978 $9,261,675,710 $2,811,032,473
1977 $7,732,598,995 $2,515,296,940
1976 $6,472,511,988 $2,742,859,263
1975 $5,729,917,840 $2,442,672,141
1974 $4,977,337,978 $2,910,981,262
1973 $4,144,104,535 $2,434,255,237
1972 $3,472,787,266 $1,872,416,680
1971 $3,050,673,517 $1,653,259,341
1970 $2,851,419,386 $1,788,779,285
1969 $5,142,066,811 $1,926,399,230
1968 $4,895,251,824 $1,573,739,371
1967 $4,565,132,048 $1,340,639,464
1966 $4,377,998,825 $1,238,999,505
1965 $3,817,226,546 $1,061,199,576
1964 $3,748,840,925 $822,639,671
1963 $3,456,579,293 $704,339,719
1962 $3,101,589,993 $679,279,729
1961 $2,826,179,031 $682,359,727
1960 $2,651,729,807 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Tanzania vs Zambia by year

Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Tanzania Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,278 - $1,318 -
2024 $1,156 $4,221 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $1,186 $4,019 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $1,171 $3,800 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $1,125 $3,493 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $1,084 $3,291 $952 $3,157
2019 $1,031 $2,982 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $992 $2,728 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $957 $2,472 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $925 $2,435 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $911 $2,317 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $993 $2,221 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $935 $2,176 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $837 $2,083 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $753 $2,211 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $715 $2,069 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $674 $1,972 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $657 $1,908 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $528 $1,820 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $462 $1,707 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $469 $1,598 $711 $2,213
2004 $438 $1,482 $549 $2,068
2003 $410 $1,379 $446 $1,942
2002 $391 $1,302 $394 $1,837
2001 $385 $1,229 $397 $1,785
2000 $390 $1,164 $359 $1,709
1999 $382 $1,120 $350 $1,654
1998 $375 $1,082 $373 $1,601
1997 $353 $1,059 $466 $1,631
1996 $305 $1,026 $400 $1,585
1995 $251.2 $981 $433 $1,501
1994 $222.5 $958 $426 $1,464
1993 $218.2 $959 $391 $1,607
1992 $243.4 $955 $389 $1,505
1991 $268.8 $952 $423 $1,534
1990 $236.9 $925 $422 $1,522
1989 $252.3 - $526 -
1988 $299 - $504 -
1987 $326 - $315 -
1986 $466 - $238.2 -
1985 $681 - $332 -
1984 $593 - $413 -
1983 $667 - $520 -
1982 $683 - $627 -
1981 $665 - $670 -
1980 $595 - $669 -
1979 $527 - $595 -
1978 $515 - $514 -
1977 $446 - $474 -
1976 $387 - $533 -
1975 $355 - $490 -
1974 $320 - $601 -
1973 $276.1 - $518 -
1972 $239.8 - $410 -
1971 $218.4 - $372 -
1970 $211.3 - $414 -
1969 $394 - $459 -
1968 $388 - $387 -
1967 $374 - $341 -
1966 $370 - $325 -
1965 $333 - $287.4 -
1964 $337 - $230 -
1963 $320 - $203.2 -
1962 $295.7 - $202.3 -
1961 $277.4 - $209.7 -
1960 $267.8 - $221.6 -

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

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

Tanzania's GDP per capita is $1,278, ranking 171/197, compared to $1,318 in Zambia, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Tanzania Zambia
Gross domestic product
$90.1B
2025
$28.9B
2025
GDP rank
83/197
2025
116/197
2025
GDP growth
5.85%
2024-2025
3.76%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,278
2025
$1,318
2025
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2025
170/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,221
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
165/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$44.8B
2025
$24.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.7%
2025
86%
2025
Government debt per person
$635
2025
$1,133
2025
Government debt per person rank
159/185
2025
140/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,203
2026
$1,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$9.78B
2025
$14.9B
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2018
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2018
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.9%
2025
29.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.33%
2024-2025
13.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
13.3%
2026
Unemployment rate
2.43%
2024
5.67%
2024
Population
73639263
22844606

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Tanzania
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Tanzania Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 19.9% 49.7% 29.7% 86%
2024 19.1% 49.9% 26.5% 125.2%
2023 19% 47.8% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 19.1% 44.9% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 18.4% 43.4% 30.5% 111%
2020 17.4% 41.3% 34% 140%
2019 17.3% 40.4% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 17.3% 42% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 16.4% 40.1% 25% 66.6%
2016 16.9% 39.8% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 17.2% 39.5% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 17.3% 36.4% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 18.8% 32.7% 24% 25.9%
2012 19.6% 30% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 19% 28.4% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 19.8% 27.6% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 19.6% 23.9% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 18.1% 21.6% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 17.8% 23.8% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 17.6% 17.4% 19.7% 25%
2005 18.3% 25.4% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 17% 44.5% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 15.4% 44.4% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 13.6% 47.4% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 12.4% 50.8% 28% 210.2%
2000 12.3% 55.4% 21.4% 261%
1999 12.8% 62.9% - -
1998 11.4% 62.2% - -
1997 12.8% 73.4% - -
1996 13.4% 89.6% - -
1995 15.6% 111.1% - -
1994 16.8% 126% - -
1993 16.4% 129.2% - -
1992 17.6% 117.6% - -
1991 14.2% 106.5% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Tanzania's government spending was $18B, accounting for 19.9% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $8.58B, or 29.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 49.7% in Tanzania and 86% in Zambia, ranking 105/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Tanzania

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Tanzania Zambia
2025 -3.04% -3.83%
2024 -3.03% -3.46%
2023 -3.67% -5.48%
2022 -3.92% -7.82%
2021 -3.55% -8.13%
2020 -2.56% -13.8%
2019 -2.06% -9.41%
2018 -2.01% -8.31%
2017 -1.14% -7.5%
2016 -2.08% -5.69%
2015 -3.17% -8.88%
2014 -2.91% -5.43%
2013 -3.76% -6.4%
2012 -4% -3.16%
2011 -3.51% -1.78%
2010 -4.74% -2.43%
2009 -4.46% -2.06%
2008 -1.92% -0.67%
2007 -1.44% -1.04%
2006 -3.38% 16.9%
2005 -3.28% -2.37%
2004 -2.43% -2.51%
2003 -1.77% -5.31%
2002 -0.73% -4.5%
2001 -0.41% -5.89%
2000 -0.73% 1.16%
1999 -1.14% -
1998 0.13% -
1997 -0.03% -
1996 1.57% -
1995 -2.12% -
1994 -3.74% -
1993 -2.02% -
1992 -4.96% -
1991 0.6% -

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

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

In 2025, Tanzania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.74B, equivalent to 3.04% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $1.11B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Tanzania recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Tanzania posted an annual deficit equal to 2.68% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.14% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Tanzania

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Tanzania Zambia
2025 3.33% 13.9%
2024 3.06% 15%
2023 3.8% 10.9%
2022 4.35% 11%
2021 3.69% 22%
2020 3.29% 15.7%
2019 3.46% 9.2%
2018 3.49% 7.5%
2017 5.32% 6.6%
2016 5.17% 17.9%
2015 5.59% 10.1%
2014 6.13% 7.8%
2013 7.87% 7%
2012 16% 6.6%
2011 12.7% 8.7%
2010 6.2% 8.5%
2009 12.1% 13.4%
2008 10.3% 12.4%
2007 7.03% 10.7%
2006 7.25% 9%
2005 5.03% 18.3%
2004 4.74% 18%
2003 5.3% 21.4%
2002 5.32% 22.2%
2001 5.15% 21.4%
2000 5.92% 24.1%
1999 7.89% 23.9%
1998 12.8% 22.7%
1997 16.1% 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/tanzania/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Tanzania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.84%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2025, inflation was 3.33% in Tanzania and 13.9% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Tanzania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $41.9M
Machinery & equipment $39.2M
Raw materials & minerals $35.7M
Chemicals & pharma $15.1M
Wood & paper products $11.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.03M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.3M
Metals $4.2M
Miscellaneous $2.67M
Weapons & explosives $71K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $162M
Raw agricultural goods $46.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $33.7M
Metals $31M
Machinery & equipment $8.37M
Textiles & consumer goods $7.7M
Weapons & explosives $2.59M
Chemicals & pharma $918K
Animal & marine products $504K
Wood & paper products $427K

Balance of trade

Tanzania Zambia
Current account balance
-$2.38B
2024
-$1.12B
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2024
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3%
2024
-4.41%
2024
Goods imports
$14.2B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$9.12B
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$2.8B
2024
$1.99B
2024
Service exports
$6.85B
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2025
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19%
2025
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Tanzania Zambia
Economic freedom 59 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 106/197 152/197
Property rights 45.2 43.9
Government integrity 40.9 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 29.6 45
Tax burden 80.4 74.3
Government spending 89.1 78.1
Fiscal health 75 30.9
Business freedom 48.1 53.4
Labor freedom 62.3 48.8
Monetary freedom 73.4 66.6
Trade freedom 58.8 62.8
Investment freedom 55 40
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Tanzania
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Tanzania Zambia
2026 59 51.9
2025 59.3 50.9
2024 59.1 48.4
2023 60 47.8
2022 59.5 48.7
2021 61.3 50.4
2020 61.7 53.5
2019 60.2 53.6
2018 59.9 54.3
2017 58.6 55.8
2016 58.5 58.8
2015 57.5 58.7
2014 57.8 60.4
2013 57.9 58.7
2012 57 58.3
2011 57 59.7
2010 58.3 58
2009 58.3 56.6
2008 56.5 56.2
2007 56.8 56.2
2006 58.5 56.8
2005 56.3 55
2004 60.1 54.9
2003 56.9 55.3
2002 58.3 59.6
2001 54.9 59.5
2000 56 62.8
1999 60 64.2
1998 59.6 62.7
1997 59.3 62.1
1996 57.5 59.6
1995 57.3 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Tanzania is 59, ranking 106/197, 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

Tanzania Zambia
Services, % of GDP
28.8%
2025
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.8%
2025
35.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
4.11%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$87B
2025
$26.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,370
2025
$3,990
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.05B
2018
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
106/177
2018
111/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.72B
2024
-$2.05B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.72B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.56%
2024
17.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
26.4%
2018
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.7%
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/tanzania/zambia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.