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Economy of Trinidad and Tobago vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Trinidad and Tobago has a GDP of $25.6B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 115/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Trinidad and Tobago has $16.5B in government debt (64.2% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Trinidad and Tobago vs Zambia GDP by year

Trinidad and Tobago
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Trinidad Zambia
2024 $25,633,544,529 $25,303,185,342
2023 $25,036,993,423 $27,577,956,471
2022 $28,341,164,301 $29,163,782,140
2021 $24,222,963,263 $22,096,416,932
2020 $20,888,515,184 $18,137,764,931
2019 $23,477,745,792 $23,308,667,781
2018 $23,883,058,083 $26,311,507,274
2017 $23,830,750,901 $25,873,601,261
2016 $23,624,322,193 $20,958,412,538
2015 $26,841,141,793 $21,251,216,799
2014 $29,474,180,005 $27,141,023,558
2013 $28,560,537,057 $28,037,239,463
2012 $27,147,349,937 $25,503,060,420
2011 $25,433,007,437 $23,459,515,276
2010 $22,157,920,592 $20,265,559,484
2009 $19,172,165,226 $15,328,342,304
2008 $27,871,587,350 $17,910,858,638
2007 $21,641,620,050 $14,056,957,976
2006 $18,369,361,094 $12,756,858,899
2005 $15,982,389,018 $8,331,870,169
2004 $13,280,291,990 $6,221,110,219
2003 $11,305,459,802 $4,901,869,764
2002 $9,008,298,229 $4,193,850,445
2001 $8,824,849,191 $4,094,441,301
2000 $8,154,342,116 $3,600,632,111
1999 $6,808,982,521 $3,404,284,891
1998 $6,043,686,654 $3,537,741,942
1997 $5,737,771,523 $4,303,288,480
1996 $5,759,570,336 $3,597,220,962
1995 $5,329,217,747 $3,806,983,413
1994 $4,947,181,646 $3,656,806,166
1993 $4,669,491,134 $3,273,505,344
1992 $5,439,552,941 $3,182,810,841
1991 $5,307,905,882 $3,376,806,697
1990 $5,068,000,000 $3,288,381,797
1989 $4,323,058,824 $3,994,673,161
1988 $4,496,910,569 $3,728,878,149
1987 $4,797,777,778 $2,265,250,972
1986 $4,794,444,444 $1,664,413,508
1985 $7,375,918,367 $2,252,454,500
1984 $7,757,083,333 $2,719,518,933
1983 $7,763,750,000 $3,321,048,451
1982 $8,140,416,667 $3,871,117,093
1981 $6,992,083,333 $4,008,126,497
1980 $6,235,833,333 $3,884,530,854
1979 $4,602,416,625 $3,353,445,378
1978 $3,562,333,458 $2,811,032,473
1977 $3,138,666,667 $2,515,296,940
1976 $2,500,424,955 $2,742,859,263
1975 $2,442,669,825 $2,442,672,141
1974 $2,042,001,071 $2,910,981,262
1973 $1,308,785,431 $2,434,255,237
1972 $1,083,391,758 $1,872,416,680
1971 $896,765,215 $1,653,259,341
1970 $821,850,000 $1,788,779,285
1969 $779,200,000 $1,926,399,230
1968 $758,899,950 $1,573,739,371
1967 $761,981,912 $1,340,639,464
1966 $723,739,857 $1,238,999,505
1965 $736,573,159 $1,061,199,576
1964 $711,897,520 $822,639,671
1963 $678,239,329 $704,339,719
1962 $619,322,810 $679,279,729
1961 $584,964,621 $682,359,727
1960 $535,673,252 $698,739,721

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

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/zambia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Trinidad and Tobago vs Zambia by year

Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Trinidad Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $18,733 $36,329 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $18,308 $34,623 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $20,751 $32,979 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $17,713 $30,482 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $15,284 $26,731 $952 $3,157
2019 $17,213 $29,316 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $17,571 $28,673 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $17,566 $28,484 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $17,449 $28,232 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $19,887 $29,825 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $21,908 $32,027 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $21,305 $31,746 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $20,332 $31,883 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $19,151 $31,078 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $16,815 $30,778 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $14,634 $29,602 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $21,299 $30,807 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $16,607 $29,355 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $14,153 $27,393 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $12,346 $23,536 $711 $2,213
2004 $9,871 $20,674 $549 $2,068
2003 $8,445 $18,743 $446 $1,942
2002 $6,763 $16,141 $394 $1,837
2001 $6,657 $14,797 $397 $1,785
2000 $6,179 $13,953 $359 $1,709
1999 $5,179 $12,812 $350 $1,654
1998 $4,613 $11,735 $373 $1,601
1997 $4,394 $10,769 $466 $1,631
1996 $4,427 $9,883 $400 $1,585
1995 $4,115 $9,099 $433 $1,501
1994 $3,840 $8,631 $426 $1,464
1993 $3,647 $8,209 $391 $1,607
1992 $4,277 $8,129 $389 $1,505
1991 $4,205 $7,274 $423 $1,534
1990 $4,047 $6,878 $422 $1,522
1989 $3,482 - $526 -
1988 $3,656 - $504 -
1987 $3,941 - $315 -
1986 $3,985 - $238.2 -
1985 $6,212 - $332 -
1984 $6,613 - $413 -
1983 $6,690 - $520 -
1982 $7,091 - $627 -
1981 $6,160 - $670 -
1980 $5,559 - $669 -
1979 $4,155 - $595 -
1978 $3,258 - $514 -
1977 $2,907 - $474 -
1976 $2,345 - $533 -
1975 $2,319 - $490 -
1974 $1,962 - $601 -
1973 $1,273 - $518 -
1972 $1,067 - $410 -
1971 $894 - $372 -
1970 $829 - $414 -
1969 $795 - $459 -
1968 $783 - $387 -
1967 $797 - $341 -
1966 $768 - $325 -
1965 $793 - $287.4 -
1964 $780 - $230 -
1963 $756 - $203.2 -
1962 $704 - $202.3 -
1961 $678 - $209.7 -
1960 $634 - $221.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/zambia | CC BY

Trinidad and Tobago's GDP per capita is $18,733, ranking 61/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Trinidad Zambia
Gross domestic product
$25.6B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
115/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
2.51%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,733
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
61/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$36,329
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
62/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$16.5B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.2%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$12,028
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
45/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,007
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.89B
2001
$7.77B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
1992
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
1992
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.3%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.53%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2020
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.01%
2024
5.86%
2023
Population
1374840
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Trinidad Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.3% 64.2% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 33.5% 62.2% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 27.2% 51.3% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 30.3% 58.4% 30.5% 111%
2020 36.2% 62.5% 34% 140%
2019 31.2% 46.2% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 30.2% 41.5% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 30.7% 39.8% 25% 66.6%
2016 31.9% 35.4% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 35% 27.1% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 32.8% 23.5% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 31.3% 21.6% 24% 25.9%
2012 29.5% 21.8% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 29.4% 26.4% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 30.4% 16.8% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 37% 20.7% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 26.7% 13.5% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 25.7% 16.2% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 31.6% 16.9% 19.7% 25%
2005 26.7% 19.8% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 22.5% 24.2% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 22.2% 30.2% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 24.4% 37% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 24.8% 36.6% 28% 210.2%
2000 23.1% 38.9% 21.4% 261%
1999 24.1% 42.2% - -
1998 26.9% 42.8% - -
1997 27.2% 46.1% - -
1996 27.6% 47% - -
1995 26.2% 50.1% - -
1994 25.4% 52.6% - -
1993 26.9% 58.8% - -
1992 28.6% 49.2% - -
1991 29.6% 49.5% - -
1990 26.9% 47.7% - -
1989 30.9% 51.9% - -
1988 45.3% 65.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/zambia | CC BY

In 2024, Trinidad and Tobago's government spending was $8.28B, accounting for 32.3% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.2% in Trinidad and Tobago and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 70/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Trinidad and Tobago

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Trinidad Zambia
2024 -5.24% -3.32%
2023 -1.24% -5.48%
2022 0.92% -7.82%
2021 -8.1% -8.13%
2020 -12.2% -13.8%
2019 -3.74% -9.41%
2018 -5.89% -8.31%
2017 -10.4% -7.5%
2016 -10.1% -5.69%
2015 -7.56% -8.88%
2014 -4.31% -5.43%
2013 -2.67% -6.4%
2012 -1.26% -3.16%
2011 -0.67% -1.78%
2010 0.13% -2.43%
2009 -5.42% -2.06%
2008 5.39% -0.67%
2007 3.12% -1.04%
2006 1.56% 16.9%
2005 2.36% -2.37%
2004 1.84% -2.51%
2003 1.8% -5.31%
2002 -0.2% -4.5%
2001 0.61% -5.89%
2000 0.17% 1.16%
1999 -0.88% -
1998 -1.8% -
1997 0.11% -
1996 -0.45% -
1995 0.17% -
1994 -0.02% -
1993 0.23% -
1992 -2.74% -
1991 -0.21% -
1990 -1.27% -
1989 -4.46% -
1988 -9.34% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/zambia | CC BY

In 2024, Trinidad and Tobago's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.34B, equivalent to 5.24% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Trinidad and Tobago recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Trinidad and Tobago posted an annual deficit equal to 2.44% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Trinidad and Tobago

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Trinidad Zambia
2024 0.53% 15%
2023 4.63% 10.9%
2022 5.83% 11%
2021 2.06% 22%
2020 0.6% 15.7%
2019 1% 9.2%
2018 1.02% 7.5%
2017 1.88% 6.6%
2016 3.07% 17.9%
2015 4.66% 10.1%
2014 5.68% 7.8%
2013 5.2% 7%
2012 9.26% 6.6%
2011 5.11% 8.7%
2010 10.5% 8.5%
2009 6.98% 13.4%
2008 12% 12.4%
2007 7.89% 10.7%
2006 8.33% 9%
2005 6.87% 18.3%
2004 3.72% 18%
2003 3.81% 21.4%
2002 4.15% 22.2%
2001 5.54% 21.4%
2000 3.56% 24.1%
1999 3.44% 23.9%
1998 5.61% 22.7%
1997 3.63% 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/trinidad-and-tobago/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Trinidad and Tobago has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.88%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 0.53% in Trinidad and Tobago and 15% in Zambia.

Balance of trade

Trinidad Zambia
Current account balance
$645M
2024
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
58/190
2024
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.52%
2024
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$7.54B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$10B
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$2.71B
2024
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$1.26B
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45%
2025
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Trinidad Zambia
Economic freedom 62.4 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 87/197 152/197
Property rights 47.3 43.9
Government integrity 45.5 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 58.8 45
Tax burden 76.1 74.3
Government spending 71.1 78.1
Fiscal health 86.3 30.9
Business freedom 67.1 53.4
Labor freedom 57.2 48.8
Monetary freedom 81 66.6
Trade freedom 68.8 62.8
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Trinidad and Tobago
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Trinidad Zambia
2026 62.4 51.9
2025 63.6 50.9
2024 60.4 48.4
2023 59.5 47.8
2022 58.8 48.7
2021 59 50.4
2020 58.3 53.5
2019 57 53.6
2018 57.7 54.3
2017 61.2 55.8
2016 62.9 58.8
2015 64.1 58.7
2014 62.7 60.4
2013 62.3 58.7
2012 64.4 58.3
2011 66.5 59.7
2010 65.7 58
2009 68 56.6
2008 69.5 56.2
2007 70.6 56.2
2006 70.4 56.8
2005 71.5 55
2004 71.3 54.9
2003 68.8 55.3
2002 70.1 59.6
2001 71.8 59.5
2000 74.5 62.8
1999 72.4 64.2
1998 72 62.7
1997 71.3 62.1
1996 69.2 59.6
1995 - 55.1

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

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/zambia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Trinidad and Tobago is 62.4, ranking 87/197, 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

Trinidad Zambia
Services, % of GDP
59.2%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
34.6%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.78%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$27B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$36,580
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.6B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
94/177
2024
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$980M
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$453M
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$527M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20%
2020
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19%
2023
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/trinidad-and-tobago/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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.