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Economy of Tanzania vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Tanzania has a GDP of $78.8B compared to $41.5B for Zimbabwe, ranking 82/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Tanzania has $39.3B in government debt (49.9% of GDP), compared to $30.3B (73% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Tanzania vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Tanzania
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Tanzania Zimbabwe
2024 $78,844,405,385 $41,539,411,516
2023 $79,030,935,627 $35,871,779,681
2022 $75,749,121,843 $40,757,561,709
2021 $70,655,628,148 $41,287,673,690
2020 $66,068,737,786 $31,980,334,561
2019 $61,026,731,926 $33,357,695,635
2018 $57,003,712,892 $34,141,666,667
2017 $53,274,884,533 $51,035,657,371
2016 $49,774,409,374 $20,559,250,000
2015 $47,413,919,817 $19,973,250,000
2014 $49,986,726,461 $19,505,500,000
2013 $45,648,857,242 $19,100,750,000
2012 $39,650,394,363 $17,123,500,000
2011 $34,657,140,096 $14,109,000,000
2010 $32,012,892,919 $12,047,750,000
2009 $29,400,573,554 $9,670,750,000
2008 $27,947,821,398 $4,418,000,000
2007 $21,860,434,823 $5,294,750,000
2006 $18,619,859,795 $5,446,750,000
2005 $18,395,383,647 $5,758,250,000
2004 $16,673,062,473 $5,808,500,000
2003 $15,211,487,709 $5,730,500,000
2002 $14,129,651,896 $6,345,250,000
2001 $13,563,990,022 $6,780,750,000
2000 $13,371,767,082 $6,693,250,000
1999 $12,704,334,196 $6,861,500,000
1998 $12,172,790,056 $6,405,250,000
1997 $11,158,197,942 $8,534,000,000
1996 $9,433,528,150 $8,557,500,000
1995 $7,631,431,840 $7,115,000,000
1994 $6,550,480,484 $6,894,250,000
1993 $6,182,872,708 $6,567,250,000
1992 $6,681,997,469 $6,755,000,000
1991 $7,197,768,159 $8,646,000,000
1990 $6,184,384,225 $8,788,301,546
1989 $6,418,799,007 $8,290,553,535
1988 $7,406,614,407 $7,818,774,177
1987 $7,824,193,222 $6,744,657,033
1986 $10,840,864,521 $6,220,698,247
1985 $15,328,295,175 $5,640,137,575
1984 $12,906,635,133 $6,355,369,172
1983 $14,049,883,809 $7,768,031,182
1982 $13,927,383,240 $8,544,060,905
1981 $13,161,540,378 $8,015,464,252
1980 $11,409,228,087 $6,682,278,300
1979 $9,804,637,491 $5,180,102,910
1978 $9,261,675,710 $4,353,822,343
1977 $7,732,598,995 $4,366,610,469
1976 $6,472,511,988 $4,320,576,877
1975 $5,729,917,840 $4,373,532,601
1974 $4,977,337,978 $3,984,194,614
1973 $4,144,104,535 $3,311,043,292
1972 $3,472,787,266 $2,679,096,597
1971 $3,050,673,517 $2,179,828,710
1970 $2,851,419,386 $1,885,168,339
1969 $5,142,066,811 $1,748,891,294
1968 $4,895,251,824 $1,480,355,355
1967 $4,565,132,048 $1,397,715,282
1966 $4,377,998,825 $1,282,403,936
1965 $3,817,226,546 $1,312,105,394
1964 $3,748,840,925 $1,217,759,447
1963 $3,456,579,293 $1,160,103,724
1962 $3,101,589,993 $1,118,172,226
1961 $2,826,179,031 $1,097,206,526
1960 $2,651,729,807 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Tanzania vs Zimbabwe by year

Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Tanzania Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,150 $4,221 $2,497 $5,928
2023 $1,186 $4,019 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $1,171 $3,800 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $1,125 $3,493 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $1,084 $3,291 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $1,031 $2,982 $2,184 $4,166
2018 $992 $2,728 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $957 $2,472 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $925 $2,435 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $911 $2,317 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $993 $2,221 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $935 $2,176 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $837 $2,083 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $753 $2,211 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $715 $2,069 $902 $2,661
2009 $674 $1,972 $736 $2,233
2008 $657 $1,908 $341 $1,987
2007 $528 $1,820 $414 $2,396
2006 $462 $1,707 $431 $2,454
2005 $469 $1,598 $461 $2,496
2004 $438 $1,482 $470 $2,591
2003 $410 $1,379 $468 $2,708
2002 $391 $1,302 $525 $3,238
2001 $385 $1,229 $566 $3,533
2000 $390 $1,164 $563 $3,429
1999 $382 $1,120 $582 $3,491
1998 $375 $1,082 $552 $3,527
1997 $353 $1,059 $751 $3,457
1996 $305 $1,026 $767 $3,372
1995 $251.2 $981 $648 $3,051
1994 $222.5 $958 $634 $3,012
1993 $218.2 $959 $605 $2,703
1992 $243.4 $955 $631 $2,651
1991 $268.8 $952 $831 $2,930
1990 $236.9 $925 $867 $2,757
1989 $252.3 - $840 -
1988 $299 - $816 -
1987 $326 - $726 -
1986 $466 - $693 -
1985 $681 - $649 -
1984 $593 - $757 -
1983 $667 - $959 -
1982 $683 - $1,096 -
1981 $665 - $1,069 -
1980 $595 - $949 -
1979 $527 - $779 -
1978 $515 - $665 -
1977 $446 - $677 -
1976 $387 - $687 -
1975 $355 - $717 -
1974 $320 - $674 -
1973 $276.1 - $579 -
1972 $239.8 - $483 -
1971 $218.4 - $406 -
1970 $211.3 - $361 -
1969 $394 - $346 -
1968 $388 - $302 -
1967 $374 - $294.4 -
1966 $370 - $278.7 -
1965 $333 - $294.3 -
1964 $337 - $281.9 -
1963 $320 - $277.1 -
1962 $295.7 - $275.7 -
1961 $277.4 - $279.2 -
1960 $267.8 - $276.6 -

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

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

Tanzania's GDP per capita is $1,150, ranking 170/197, compared to $2,497 in Zimbabwe, ranking 148/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Tanzania Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$78.8B
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank
82/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP growth
5.53%
2023-2024
1.74%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,150
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank
170/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,221
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
165/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$39.3B
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.9%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$573
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank
160/185
2024
121/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,309
2026
$2,897
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.32B
2024
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires
1
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2018
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2018
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.1%
2024
12.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.06%
2023-2024
736%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2024
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.43%
2024
12.1%
2024
Population
73145892
17361868

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Tanzania
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Tanzania Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.1% 49.9% 12.9% 73%
2023 19% 47.8% 15.5% 76.1%
2022 19.1% 44.9% 14.4% 66.8%
2021 18.4% 43.4% 12.8% 39.9%
2020 17.4% 41.3% 9.27% 56.8%
2019 17.3% 40.4% 9.36% 53.9%
2018 17.3% 42% 13.9% 33%
2017 16.4% 40.1% 19.8% 49%
2016 16.9% 39.8% 16.6% 35.1%
2015 17.2% 39.5% 14.7% 34.1%
2014 17.3% 36.4% 14.1% 29.2%
2013 18.8% 32.7% 14.7% 26.4%
2012 19.6% 30% 14.6% 27.2%
2011 19% 28.4% 16.2% 30%
2010 19.8% 27.6% 12.8% 33.2%
2009 19.6% 23.9% 7.93% 39.7%
2008 18.1% 21.6% 2.54% 41.3%
2007 17.8% 23.8% 3.43% 30.2%
2006 17.6% 17.4% 5.72% 26.7%
2005 18.3% 25.4% 10.5% 22.4%
2004 17% 44.5% - -
2003 15.4% 44.4% - -
2002 13.6% 47.4% - -
2001 12.4% 50.8% - -
2000 12.3% 55.4% - -
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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Tanzania's government spending was $15.1B, accounting for 19.1% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $5.37B, or 12.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 49.9% in Tanzania and 73% in Zimbabwe, ranking 109/185 and 50/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Tanzania

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Tanzania Zimbabwe
2024 -3.03% -1.06%
2023 -3.67% -3.9%
2022 -3.92% -3.3%
2021 -3.55% -2.24%
2020 -2.56% -0.34%
2019 -2.06% -1.72%
2018 -2.01% -3.81%
2017 -1.14% -7.37%
2016 -2.08% -4.63%
2015 -3.17% -1.45%
2014 -2.91% -0.71%
2013 -3.76% -0.69%
2012 -4% -0.13%
2011 -3.51% -1.72%
2010 -4.74% -0.11%
2009 -4.46% -1.39%
2008 -1.92% -1.2%
2007 -1.44% -1.67%
2006 -3.38% -1.4%
2005 -3.28% -3.46%
2004 -2.43% -
2003 -1.77% -
2002 -0.73% -
2001 -0.41% -
2000 -0.73% -
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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Tanzania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.39B, equivalent to 3.03% of GDP. This compares to Zimbabwe's deficit of $438M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Tanzania recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Tanzania posted an annual deficit equal to 3.03% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.11% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Tanzania

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Tanzania Zimbabwe
2024 3.06% 736%
2023 3.8% 667%
2022 4.35% 193.4%
2021 3.69% 98.5%
2020 3.29% 557%
2019 3.46% 255.3%
2018 3.49% 10.6%
2017 5.32% 0.9%
2016 5.17% -1.6%
2015 5.59% -2.4%
2014 6.13% -0.2%
2013 7.87% 1.6%
2012 16% 3.7%
2011 12.7% 3.5%
2010 6.2% 3%
2009 12.1% 6.2%
2008 10.3% 157%
2007 7.03% -72.7%
2006 7.25% 33%
2005 5.03% -31.5%
2004 4.74% 113.6%
2003 5.3% -8.6%
2002 5.32% -34.4%
2001 5.15% -37.2%
2000 5.92% 4.5%
1999 7.89% -13.4%
1998 12.8% -28%
1997 16.1% -1%

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/tanzania/zimbabwe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Tanzania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.97%, compared with 93.4% in Zimbabwe. In 2024, inflation was 3.06% in Tanzania and 736% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Tanzania
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $7.62M
Chemicals & pharma $7.04M
Machinery & equipment $3.93M
Raw materials & minerals $2.8M
Raw agricultural goods $399K
Miscellaneous $75K
Animal & marine products $38K
Metals $30K
Wood & paper products $17K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.43M
Chemicals & pharma $847K
Raw agricultural goods $828K
Weapons & explosives $70K
Machinery & equipment $61K
Textiles & consumer goods $46K
Raw materials & minerals $32K
Precious metals & jewellery $15K
Metals $3K
Animal & marine products $2K

Balance of trade

Tanzania Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$2.38B
2024
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
147/190
2024
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.02%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$14.2B
2024
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$9.12B
2024
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$2.8B
2024
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$6.85B
2024
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.8%
2024
18%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Tanzania Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 59 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 106/197 190/197
Property rights 45.2 19.4
Government integrity 40.9 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 29.6 16.8
Tax burden 80.4 73.6
Government spending 89.1 93.9
Fiscal health 75 52.4
Business freedom 48.1 42
Labor freedom 62.3 33.3
Monetary freedom 73.4 0
Trade freedom 58.8 50.4
Investment freedom 55 10
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Tanzania
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Tanzania Zimbabwe
2026 59 35.2
2025 59.3 35.1
2024 59.1 38.2
2023 60 39
2022 59.5 33.1
2021 61.3 39.5
2020 61.7 43.1
2019 60.2 40.4
2018 59.9 44
2017 58.6 44
2016 58.5 38.2
2015 57.5 37.6
2014 57.8 35.5
2013 57.9 28.6
2012 57 26.3
2011 57 22.1
2010 58.3 21.4
2009 58.3 22.7
2008 56.5 29.5
2007 56.8 32
2006 58.5 33.5
2005 56.3 35.2
2004 60.1 34.4
2003 56.9 36.7
2002 58.3 36.7
2001 54.9 38.8
2000 56 48.7
1999 60 47.2
1998 59.6 44.6
1997 59.3 48
1996 57.5 46.7
1995 57.3 48.5

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

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

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

Tanzania Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
29.6%
2024
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
35%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
8.69%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$39.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,130
2024
$5,870
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.05B
2018
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
101/177
2018
157/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.72B
2024
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.72B
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.57%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
26.4%
2018
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
8.85%
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/tanzania/zimbabwe | 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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.