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Economy of United States vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The United States has a GDP of $28.8T compared to $41.5B for Zimbabwe, ranking 1/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

The United States has $35.2T in government debt (122.3% of GDP), compared to $30.3B (73% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

United States vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

United States
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
United States Zimbabwe
2024 $28,750,956,130,731 $41,539,411,516
2023 $27,292,170,793,214 $35,871,779,681
2022 $25,604,848,907,611 $40,757,561,709
2021 $23,315,080,560,000 $41,287,673,690
2020 $21,060,473,613,000 $31,980,334,561
2019 $21,380,976,119,000 $33,357,695,635
2018 $20,533,057,312,000 $34,141,666,667
2017 $19,477,336,549,000 $51,035,657,371
2016 $18,695,110,842,000 $20,559,250,000
2015 $18,206,020,741,000 $19,973,250,000
2014 $17,550,680,174,000 $19,505,500,000
2013 $16,843,190,993,000 $19,100,750,000
2012 $16,253,972,230,000 $17,123,500,000
2011 $15,599,728,123,000 $14,109,000,000
2010 $15,048,964,444,000 $12,047,750,000
2009 $14,478,064,934,000 $9,670,750,000
2008 $14,769,857,911,000 $4,418,000,000
2007 $14,474,226,905,000 $5,294,750,000
2006 $13,815,586,948,000 $5,446,750,000
2005 $13,039,199,193,000 $5,758,250,000
2004 $12,217,193,198,000 $5,808,500,000
2003 $11,456,442,041,000 $5,730,500,000
2002 $10,929,112,955,000 $6,345,250,000
2001 $10,581,929,774,000 $6,780,750,000
2000 $10,250,947,997,000 $6,693,250,000
1999 $9,631,174,489,000 $6,861,500,000
1998 $9,062,818,202,000 $6,405,250,000
1997 $8,577,554,457,000 $8,534,000,000
1996 $8,073,122,000,000 $8,557,500,000
1995 $7,639,749,000,000 $7,115,000,000
1994 $7,287,236,000,000 $6,894,250,000
1993 $6,858,559,000,000 $6,567,250,000
1992 $6,520,327,000,000 $6,755,000,000
1991 $6,158,129,000,000 $8,646,000,000
1990 $5,963,144,000,000 $8,788,301,546
1989 $5,641,580,000,000 $8,290,553,535
1988 $5,236,438,000,000 $7,818,774,177
1987 $4,855,215,000,000 $6,744,657,033
1986 $4,579,631,000,000 $6,220,698,247
1985 $4,338,979,000,000 $5,640,137,575
1984 $4,037,613,000,000 $6,355,369,172
1983 $3,634,038,000,000 $7,768,031,182
1982 $3,343,789,000,000 $8,544,060,905
1981 $3,207,041,000,000 $8,015,464,252
1980 $2,857,307,000,000 $6,682,278,300
1979 $2,627,333,000,000 $5,180,102,910
1978 $2,351,599,000,000 $4,353,822,343
1977 $2,081,826,000,000 $4,366,610,469
1976 $1,873,412,000,000 $4,320,576,877
1975 $1,684,904,000,000 $4,373,532,601
1974 $1,545,243,000,000 $3,984,194,614
1973 $1,425,376,000,000 $3,311,043,292
1972 $1,279,110,000,000 $2,679,096,597
1971 $1,164,850,000,000 $2,179,828,710
1970 $1,073,303,000,000 $1,885,168,339
1969 $1,017,438,172,414 $1,748,891,294
1968 $940,225,000,000 $1,480,355,355
1967 $859,620,034,483 $1,397,715,282
1966 $813,032,758,621 $1,282,403,936
1965 $741,904,862,069 $1,312,105,394
1964 $684,144,620,690 $1,217,759,447
1963 $637,058,551,724 $1,160,103,724
1962 $603,639,413,793 $1,118,172,226
1961 $561,940,310,345 $1,097,206,526
1960 $541,988,586,207 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in United States vs Zimbabwe by year

United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
United States Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $84,534 $85,810 $2,497 $5,928
2023 $81,490 $82,305 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $76,829 $77,861 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $70,249 $71,307 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $63,526 $64,402 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $65,120 $65,228 $2,184 $4,166
2018 $62,823 $62,876 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $59,908 $60,048 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $57,867 $57,977 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $56,763 $56,849 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $55,124 $55,153 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $53,291 $53,297 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $51,784 $51,708 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $50,066 $50,025 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $48,651 $48,643 $902 $2,661
2009 $47,195 $47,195 $736 $2,233
2008 $48,570 $48,570 $341 $1,987
2007 $48,050 $48,050 $414 $2,396
2006 $46,302 $46,302 $431 $2,454
2005 $44,123 $44,123 $461 $2,496
2004 $41,725 $41,725 $470 $2,591
2003 $39,490 $39,490 $468 $2,708
2002 $37,998 $37,998 $525 $3,238
2001 $37,134 $37,134 $566 $3,533
2000 $36,330 $36,330 $563 $3,429
1999 $34,484 $34,515 $582 $3,491
1998 $32,823 $32,854 $552 $3,527
1997 $31,430 $31,459 $751 $3,457
1996 $29,937 $29,968 $767 $3,372
1995 $28,661 $28,691 $648 $3,051
1994 $27,662 $27,695 $634 $3,012
1993 $26,353 $26,387 $605 $2,703
1992 $25,381 $25,419 $631 $2,651
1991 $24,293 $24,342 $831 $2,930
1990 $23,840 $23,889 $867 $2,757
1989 $22,857 - $840 -
1988 $21,417 - $816 -
1987 $20,039 - $726 -
1986 $19,071 - $693 -
1985 $18,237 - $649 -
1984 $17,121 - $757 -
1983 $15,544 - $959 -
1982 $14,434 - $1,096 -
1981 $13,976 - $1,069 -
1980 $12,613 - $949 -
1979 $11,674 - $779 -
1978 $10,565 - $665 -
1977 $9,453 - $677 -
1976 $8,592 - $687 -
1975 $7,801 - $717 -
1974 $7,226 - $674 -
1973 $6,726 - $579 -
1972 $6,094 - $483 -
1971 $5,609 - $406 -
1970 $5,234 - $361 -
1969 $5,020 - $346 -
1968 $4,685 - $302 -
1967 $4,326 - $294.4 -
1966 $4,136 - $278.7 -
1965 $3,818 - $294.3 -
1964 $3,565 - $281.9 -
1963 $3,366 - $277.1 -
1962 $3,236 - $275.7 -
1961 $3,059 - $279.2 -
1960 $3,000 - $276.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

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

The United States' GDP per capita is $84,534, ranking 10/197, compared to $2,497 in Zimbabwe, ranking 148/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the United States ranks 12th at $85,810, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

United States Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$28.8T
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank
1/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP growth
2.79%
2023-2024
1.74%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$84,534
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank
10/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$85,810
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
12/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$35.2T
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
122.3%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$103,404
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank
2/185
2024
121/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$53,202
2026
$2,897
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$62.2T
2024
$2.46B
1999
Number of millionaires
23,831,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
902
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.4%
2023
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2023
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37.9%
2024
12.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.95%
2023-2024
736%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.75%
2025
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.02%
2024
12.1%
2024
Population
344023146
17361868

Spending and national debt comparison by year

United States
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
United States Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 37.9% 122.3% 12.9% 73%
2023 37.7% 119.8% 15.5% 76.1%
2022 36.8% 119.1% 14.4% 66.8%
2021 43.2% 125% 12.8% 39.9%
2020 44.7% 132.5% 9.27% 56.8%
2019 35.8% 108.8% 9.36% 53.9%
2018 35.3% 107.6% 13.9% 33%
2017 35.2% 106.4% 19.8% 49%
2016 35.3% 107.4% 16.6% 35.1%
2015 35% 105.4% 14.7% 34.1%
2014 35.3% 104.9% 14.1% 29.2%
2013 35.8% 105% 14.7% 26.4%
2012 37.2% 103.7% 14.6% 27.2%
2011 38.8% 100% 16.2% 30%
2010 39.8% 95.6% 12.8% 33.2%
2009 41.4% 87.1% 7.93% 39.7%
2008 37.1% 73.8% 2.54% 41.3%
2007 34.6% 64.9% 3.43% 30.2%
2006 33.7% 64.5% 5.72% 26.7%
2005 33.9% 65.8% 10.5% 22.4%
2004 33.7% 66.4% - -
2003 34% 59% - -
2002 33.7% 55.9% - -
2001 32.8% 53.5% - -
2000 31.7% 54.5% - -
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 (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the United States' government spending was $10.9T, accounting for 37.9% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $5.37B, or 12.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 122.3% in the United States and 73% in Zimbabwe, ranking 12/185 and 50/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
United States

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
United States Zimbabwe
2024 -8.03% -1.06%
2023 -7.8% -3.9%
2022 -3.72% -3.3%
2021 -11.4% -2.24%
2020 -14.1% -0.34%
2019 -5.81% -1.72%
2018 -5.33% -3.81%
2017 -4.79% -7.37%
2016 -4.36% -4.63%
2015 -3.53% -1.45%
2014 -4.03% -0.71%
2013 -4.56% -0.69%
2012 -8.11% -0.13%
2011 -9.72% -1.72%
2010 -11% -0.11%
2009 -13.2% -1.39%
2008 -6.61% -1.2%
2007 -2.91% -1.67%
2006 -2.04% -1.4%
2005 -3.07% -3.46%
2004 -4.24% -
2003 -4.77% -
2002 -3.82% -
2001 -0.54% -
2000 3.62% -
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the United States' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.31T, equivalent to 8.03% of GDP. This compares to Zimbabwe's deficit of $438M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, the United States recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, the United States posted an annual deficit equal to 6.71% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.11% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
United States

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
United States Zimbabwe
2024 2.95% 736%
2023 4.12% 667%
2022 8% 193.4%
2021 4.7% 98.5%
2020 1.23% 557%
2019 1.81% 255.3%
2018 2.44% 10.6%
2017 2.13% 0.9%
2016 1.26% -1.6%
2015 0.12% -2.4%
2014 1.62% -0.2%
2013 1.46% 1.6%
2012 2.07% 3.7%
2011 3.16% 3.5%
2010 1.64% 3%
2009 -0.36% 6.2%
2008 3.84% 157%
2007 2.85% -72.7%
2006 3.23% 33%
2005 3.39% -31.5%
2004 2.68% 113.6%
2003 2.27% -8.6%
2002 1.59% -34.4%
2001 2.83% -37.2%
2000 3.38% 4.5%
1999 2.19% -13.4%
1998 1.55% -28%
1997 2.34% -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/united-states/zimbabwe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the United States has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.52%, compared with 93.4% in Zimbabwe. In 2024, inflation was 2.95% in the United States and 736% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

United States
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $27.1M
Raw agricultural goods $8.31M
Chemicals & pharma $2.65M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.47M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.18M
Miscellaneous $1.03M
Raw materials & minerals $980K
Metals $910K
Wood & paper products $801K
Animal & marine products $592K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $44.9M
Precious metals & jewellery $2.94M
Raw materials & minerals $937K
Machinery & equipment $183K
Wood & paper products $99K
Textiles & consumer goods $81K
Animal & marine products $76K
Metals $17K
Miscellaneous $14K
Chemicals & pharma $7K

Balance of trade

United States Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$1.19T
2024
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
190/190
2024
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.12%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$3.3T
2024
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$2.08T
2024
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$841B
2024
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$1.15T
2024
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.3%
2024
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.1%
2024
18%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

United States Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 72.8 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 27/197 190/197
Property rights 91.6 19.4
Government integrity 77.1 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 76.4 16.8
Tax burden 75.3 73.6
Government spending 57.9 93.9
Fiscal health 18.5 52.4
Business freedom 88.6 42
Labor freedom 76.3 33.3
Monetary freedom 84.2 0
Trade freedom 67.6 50.4
Investment freedom 80 10
Financial freedom 80 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

United States
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
United States Zimbabwe
2026 72.8 35.2
2025 70.2 35.1
2024 70.1 38.2
2023 70.6 39
2022 72.1 33.1
2021 74.8 39.5
2020 76.6 43.1
2019 76.8 40.4
2018 75.7 44
2017 75.1 44
2016 75.4 38.2
2015 76.2 37.6
2014 75.5 35.5
2013 76 28.6
2012 76.3 26.3
2011 77.8 22.1
2010 78 21.4
2009 80.7 22.7
2008 81 29.5
2007 81.2 32
2006 81.2 33.5
2005 79.9 35.2
2004 78.7 34.4
2003 78.2 36.7
2002 78.4 36.7
2001 79.1 38.8
2000 76.4 48.7
1999 75.5 47.2
1998 75.4 44.6
1997 75.6 48
1996 76.7 46.7
1995 76.7 48.5

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

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

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

United States Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
79.7%
2024
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
35%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.85%
2024
8.69%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$28.4T
2024
$39.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$85,980
2024
$5,870
2024
Total reserves including gold
$910B
2024
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
3/177
2024
157/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$25.1B
2024
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$297B
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$322B
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.1%
2020
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.8%
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/united-states/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. 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.