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Economy of United States vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The United States has a GDP of $30.8T compared to $28.9B for Zambia, ranking 1/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

The United States has $38.1T in government debt (123.9% of GDP), compared to $24.8B (86% of GDP) in Zambia.

United States vs Zambia GDP by year

United States
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
United States Zambia
2025 $30,769,700,000,000 $28,879,806,220
2024 $29,298,013,000,000 $25,303,185,342
2023 $27,811,517,000,000 $27,577,956,471
2022 $26,054,614,000,000 $29,163,782,140
2021 $23,725,645,000,000 $22,096,416,932
2020 $21,375,281,000,000 $18,137,764,931
2019 $21,539,982,000,000 $23,308,667,781
2018 $20,656,516,000,000 $26,311,507,274
2017 $19,612,102,000,000 $25,873,601,261
2016 $18,804,913,000,000 $20,958,412,538
2015 $18,295,019,000,000 $21,251,216,799
2014 $17,608,138,000,000 $27,141,023,558
2013 $16,880,683,000,000 $28,037,239,463
2012 $16,253,970,000,000 $25,503,060,420
2011 $15,599,732,000,000 $23,459,515,276
2010 $15,048,971,000,000 $20,265,559,484
2009 $14,478,067,000,000 $15,328,342,304
2008 $14,769,862,000,000 $17,910,858,638
2007 $14,474,228,000,000 $14,056,957,976
2006 $13,815,583,000,000 $12,756,858,899
2005 $13,039,197,000,000 $8,331,870,169
2004 $12,217,196,000,000 $6,221,110,219
2003 $11,456,450,000,000 $4,901,869,764
2002 $10,929,108,000,000 $4,193,850,445
2001 $10,581,929,000,000 $4,094,441,301
2000 $10,250,952,000,000 $3,600,632,111
1999 $9,631,172,000,000 $3,404,284,891
1998 $9,062,817,000,000 $3,537,741,942
1997 $8,577,552,000,000 $4,303,288,480
1996 $8,073,122,000,000 $3,597,220,962
1995 $7,639,749,000,000 $3,806,983,413
1994 $7,287,236,000,000 $3,656,806,166
1993 $6,858,559,000,000 $3,273,505,344
1992 $6,520,327,000,000 $3,182,810,841
1991 $6,158,129,000,000 $3,376,806,697
1990 $5,963,144,000,000 $3,288,381,797
1989 $5,641,580,000,000 $3,994,673,161
1988 $5,236,438,000,000 $3,728,878,149
1987 $4,855,215,000,000 $2,265,250,972
1986 $4,579,631,000,000 $1,664,413,508
1985 $4,338,979,000,000 $2,252,454,500
1984 $4,037,613,000,000 $2,719,518,933
1983 $3,634,038,000,000 $3,321,048,451
1982 $3,343,789,000,000 $3,871,117,093
1981 $3,207,041,000,000 $4,008,126,497
1980 $2,857,307,000,000 $3,884,530,854
1979 $2,627,333,000,000 $3,353,445,378
1978 $2,351,599,000,000 $2,811,032,473
1977 $2,081,826,000,000 $2,515,296,940
1976 $1,873,412,000,000 $2,742,859,263
1975 $1,684,904,000,000 $2,442,672,141
1974 $1,545,243,000,000 $2,910,981,262
1973 $1,425,376,000,000 $2,434,255,237
1972 $1,279,110,000,000 $1,872,416,680
1971 $1,164,850,000,000 $1,653,259,341
1970 $1,073,303,000,000 $1,788,779,285
1969 $1,017,438,172,414 $1,926,399,230
1968 $940,225,000,000 $1,573,739,371
1967 $859,620,034,483 $1,340,639,464
1966 $813,032,758,621 $1,238,999,505
1965 $741,904,862,069 $1,061,199,576
1964 $684,144,620,690 $822,639,671
1963 $637,058,551,724 $704,339,719
1962 $603,639,413,793 $679,279,729
1961 $561,940,310,345 $682,359,727
1960 $541,988,586,207 $698,739,721

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

GeoRank.org/economy/united-states/zambia | CC BY

GDP per capita in United States vs Zambia by year

United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
United States Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $90,027 - $1,318 -
2024 $86,143 $85,810 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $83,041 $82,305 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $78,178 $77,861 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $71,486 $71,307 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $64,475 $64,402 $952 $3,157
2019 $65,605 $65,228 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $63,201 $62,876 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $60,322 $60,048 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $58,207 $57,977 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $57,040 $56,849 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $55,304 $55,153 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $53,410 $53,297 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $51,784 $51,708 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $50,066 $50,025 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $48,651 $48,643 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $47,195 $47,195 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $48,570 $48,570 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $48,050 $48,050 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $46,302 $46,302 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $44,123 $44,123 $711 $2,213
2004 $41,725 $41,725 $549 $2,068
2003 $39,490 $39,490 $446 $1,942
2002 $37,998 $37,998 $394 $1,837
2001 $37,134 $37,134 $397 $1,785
2000 $36,330 $36,330 $359 $1,709
1999 $34,484 $34,515 $350 $1,654
1998 $32,823 $32,854 $373 $1,601
1997 $31,430 $31,459 $466 $1,631
1996 $29,937 $29,968 $400 $1,585
1995 $28,661 $28,691 $433 $1,501
1994 $27,662 $27,695 $426 $1,464
1993 $26,353 $26,387 $391 $1,607
1992 $25,381 $25,419 $389 $1,505
1991 $24,293 $24,342 $423 $1,534
1990 $23,840 $23,889 $422 $1,522
1989 $22,857 - $526 -
1988 $21,417 - $504 -
1987 $20,039 - $315 -
1986 $19,071 - $238.2 -
1985 $18,237 - $332 -
1984 $17,121 - $413 -
1983 $15,544 - $520 -
1982 $14,434 - $627 -
1981 $13,976 - $670 -
1980 $12,613 - $669 -
1979 $11,674 - $595 -
1978 $10,565 - $514 -
1977 $9,453 - $474 -
1976 $8,592 - $533 -
1975 $7,801 - $490 -
1974 $7,226 - $601 -
1973 $6,726 - $518 -
1972 $6,094 - $410 -
1971 $5,609 - $372 -
1970 $5,234 - $414 -
1969 $5,020 - $459 -
1968 $4,685 - $387 -
1967 $4,326 - $341 -
1966 $4,136 - $325 -
1965 $3,818 - $287.4 -
1964 $3,565 - $230 -
1963 $3,366 - $203.2 -
1962 $3,236 - $202.3 -
1961 $3,059 - $209.7 -
1960 $3,000 - $221.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/united-states/zambia | CC BY

The United States' GDP per capita is $90,027, ranking 10/197, compared to $1,318 in Zambia, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the United States ranks 12th at $85,810, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

United States Zambia
Gross domestic product
$30.8T
2025
$28.9B
2025
GDP rank
1/197
2025
116/197
2025
GDP growth
2.16%
2024-2025
3.76%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$90,027
2025
$1,318
2025
GDP per capita rank
10/197
2025
170/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$85,810
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
12/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$38.1T
2025
$24.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
123.9%
2025
86%
2025
Government debt per person
$111,531
2025
$1,133
2025
Government debt per person rank
2/185
2025
140/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$54,600
2026
$1,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$68.9T
2025
$14.9B
2025
Number of millionaires
23,627,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
989
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.7%
2024
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.7%
2024
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37.7%
2025
29.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.95%
2023-2024
13.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.75%
2025
13.3%
2026
Unemployment rate
4.28%
2025
5.67%
2024
Population
344434632
22844606

Spending and national debt comparison by year

United States
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
United States Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 37.7% 123.9% 29.7% 86%
2024 37.7% 122.3% 26.5% 125.2%
2023 37.5% 120% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 36.8% 119.1% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 43.2% 125% 30.5% 111%
2020 44.7% 132.6% 34% 140%
2019 35.8% 108.8% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 35.3% 107.7% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 35.2% 106.4% 25% 66.6%
2016 35.3% 107.4% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 35% 105.4% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 35.3% 104.9% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 35.8% 105% 24% 25.9%
2012 37.2% 103.7% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 38.8% 100% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 39.8% 95.7% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 41.4% 87.1% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 37.1% 73.8% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 34.6% 64.9% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 33.7% 64.5% 19.7% 25%
2005 33.9% 65.8% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 33.7% 66.4% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 34% 59% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 33.7% 55.9% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 32.8% 53.5% 28% 210.2%
2000 31.7% 54.5% 21.4% 261%
1999 32.2% 60.5% - -
1998 32.8% 64.2% - -
1997 33.7% 67.4% - -
1996 34.7% 69.9% - -
1995 35.5% 70.7% - -
1994 35.5% 71.1% - -
1993 36.4% 71.9% - -
1992 36.7% 70.3% - -
1991 35.7% 67.9% - -
1990 34.5% 63.1% - -
1989 33.7% 61.6% - -
1988 33.7% 61.3% - -
1987 34.3% 60.6% - -
1986 34.8% 58.9% - -
1985 34.5% 55.4% - -
1984 34.3% 50.6% - -
1983 35.7% 48.9% - -
1982 35.8% 45.9% - -
1981 33.9% 41.1% - -
1980 33.7% 41.9% - -
1979 32% 41.2% - -
1978 32.6% 42.5% - -
1977 33.4% 43.6% - -
1976 34.2% 44.8% - -
1975 35.2% 44.6% - -
1974 32.9% 41.4% - -
1973 31.9% 42.6% - -
1972 32.8% 45.4% - -
1971 32.3% 47% - -
1970 31.5% 46.4% - -
1969 29.3% 45.9% - -
1968 29.1% 48.5% - -
1967 28.3% 50.4% - -
1966 26.3% 50.6% - -
1965 25.4% 53.7% - -
1964 25.6% 56.7% - -
1963 26% 58.8% - -
1962 26% 60.2% - -
1961 25.9% 62.3% - -
1960 24.9% 61.7% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/united-states/zambia | CC BY

In 2025, the United States' government spending was $11.6T, accounting for 37.7% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $8.58B, or 29.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 123.9% in the United States and 86% in Zambia, ranking 12/185 and 35/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
United States

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
United States Zambia
2025 -6.82% -3.83%
2024 -7.86% -3.46%
2023 -7.89% -5.48%
2022 -3.72% -7.82%
2021 -11.5% -8.13%
2020 -14.1% -13.8%
2019 -5.81% -9.41%
2018 -5.33% -8.31%
2017 -4.79% -7.5%
2016 -4.36% -5.69%
2015 -3.53% -8.88%
2014 -4.03% -5.43%
2013 -4.56% -6.4%
2012 -8.11% -3.16%
2011 -9.72% -1.78%
2010 -11% -2.43%
2009 -13.2% -2.06%
2008 -6.61% -0.67%
2007 -2.91% -1.04%
2006 -2.04% 16.9%
2005 -3.07% -2.37%
2004 -4.24% -2.51%
2003 -4.77% -5.31%
2002 -3.82% -4.5%
2001 -0.54% -5.89%
2000 3.62% 1.16%
1999 2.71% -
1998 2.18% -
1997 0.88% -
1996 -0.46% -
1995 -1.7% -
1994 -2.05% -
1993 -3.35% -
1992 -3.98% -
1991 -2.72% -
1990 -1.64% -
1989 -0.8% -
1988 -1.06% -
1987 -1.53% -
1986 -2.81% -
1985 -2.63% -
1984 -2.97% -
1983 -4.26% -
1982 -3.78% -
1981 -1.58% -
1980 -2.17% -
1979 -0.79% -
1978 -1.7% -
1977 -2.57% -
1976 -3.63% -
1975 -5.4% -
1974 -1.27% -
1973 -0.86% -
1972 -1.86% -
1971 -2.63% -
1970 -1.21% -
1969 2.11% -
1968 1.23% -
1967 0.47% -
1966 2.07% -
1965 2.38% -
1964 2.18% -
1963 2.87% -
1962 2.32% -
1961 2.28% -
1960 3.2% -
1959 -9.06% -
1958 -8.68% -
1957 -6.72% -
1956 -6.02% -
1955 -7.4% -
1954 -5.55% -
1953 -5.76% -
1952 -5.41% -
1951 -6.93% -
1950 -8.22% -
1949 -7.94% -
1948 -4.16% -
1947 -3.99% -
1946 -6.45% -
1945 -14.1% -
1944 -13.4% -
1943 -19.3% -
1942 -16.3% -
1941 -10.2% -
1940 -9.73% -
1939 -11.9% -
1938 -10.4% -
1937 -9.22% -
1936 -12.1% -
1935 -13.3% -
1934 -14.9% -
1933 -14.3% -
1932 -12.7% -
1931 -9.76% -
1930 -5.46% -
1929 -4.58% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/united-states/zambia | CC BY

In 2025, the United States' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.1T, equivalent to 6.82% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $1.11B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, the United States recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the United States posted an annual deficit equal to 5.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.14% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
United States

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
United States Zambia
2025 - 13.9%
2024 2.95% 15%
2023 4.12% 10.9%
2022 8% 11%
2021 4.7% 22%
2020 1.23% 15.7%
2019 1.81% 9.2%
2018 2.44% 7.5%
2017 2.13% 6.6%
2016 1.26% 17.9%
2015 0.12% 10.1%
2014 1.62% 7.8%
2013 1.46% 7%
2012 2.07% 6.6%
2011 3.16% 8.7%
2010 1.64% 8.5%
2009 -0.36% 13.4%
2008 3.84% 12.4%
2007 2.85% 10.7%
2006 3.23% 9%
2005 3.39% 18.3%
2004 2.68% 18%
2003 2.27% 21.4%
2002 1.59% 22.2%
2001 2.83% 21.4%
2000 3.38% 24.1%
1999 2.19% 23.9%
1998 1.55% 22.7%
1997 2.34% 21.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/united-states/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the United States has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.52%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 2.95% in the United States and 13.9% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $71.9M
Raw materials & minerals $13.2M
Miscellaneous $7.34M
Wood & paper products $4.48M
Chemicals & pharma $4.12M
Precious metals & jewellery $3.82M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.51M
Metals $1.51M
Weapons & explosives $586K
Raw agricultural goods $422K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Metals $25.4M
Raw agricultural goods $18.8M
Wood & paper products $13.6M
Miscellaneous $1.47M
Machinery & equipment $1.34M
Precious metals & jewellery $937K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $491K
Raw materials & minerals $116K
Textiles & consumer goods $84K
Chemicals & pharma $79K

Balance of trade

United States Zambia
Current account balance
-$1.12T
2025
-$1.12B
2024
Current account balance ranking
190/190
2025
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.63%
2025
-4.41%
2024
Goods imports
$3.44T
2025
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$2.2T
2025
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$903B
2025
$1.99B
2024
Service exports
$1.23T
2025
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
14%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

United States Zambia
Economic freedom 72.8 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 27/197 152/197
Property rights 91.6 43.9
Government integrity 77.1 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 76.4 45
Tax burden 75.3 74.3
Government spending 57.9 78.1
Fiscal health 18.5 30.9
Business freedom 88.6 53.4
Labor freedom 76.3 48.8
Monetary freedom 84.2 66.6
Trade freedom 67.6 62.8
Investment freedom 80 40
Financial freedom 80 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

United States
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
United States Zambia
2026 72.8 51.9
2025 70.2 50.9
2024 70.1 48.4
2023 70.6 47.8
2022 72.1 48.7
2021 74.8 50.4
2020 76.6 53.5
2019 76.8 53.6
2018 75.7 54.3
2017 75.1 55.8
2016 75.4 58.8
2015 76.2 58.7
2014 75.5 60.4
2013 76 58.7
2012 76.3 58.3
2011 77.8 59.7
2010 78 58
2009 80.7 56.6
2008 81 56.2
2007 81.2 56.2
2006 81.2 56.8
2005 79.9 55
2004 78.7 54.9
2003 78.2 55.3
2002 78.4 59.6
2001 79.1 59.5
2000 76.4 62.8
1999 75.5 64.2
1998 75.4 62.7
1997 75.6 62.1
1996 76.7 59.6
1995 76.7 55.1

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

GeoRank.org/economy/united-states/zambia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the United States is 72.8, ranking 27/197, 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

United States Zambia
Services, % of GDP
79.7%
2024
57%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
35.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.85%
2024
4.11%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$30.4T
2025
$26.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$89,490
2025
$3,990
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.39T
2025
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
2/177
2025
111/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$21.7B
2025
-$2.05B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$297B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$322B
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
17.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.1%
2020
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
2024
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/united-states/zambia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.