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Economy of Uruguay vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Uruguay has a GDP of $81B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 81/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Uruguay has $55.6B in government debt (68.7% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Uruguay vs Zambia GDP by year

Uruguay
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Uruguay Zambia
2024 $80,961,511,074 $25,303,185,342
2023 $77,991,666,838 $27,577,956,471
2022 $70,594,110,920 $29,163,782,140
2021 $60,739,084,241 $22,096,416,932
2020 $53,559,359,262 $18,137,764,931
2019 $62,222,313,619 $23,308,667,781
2018 $65,344,577,416 $26,311,507,274
2017 $65,005,997,963 $25,873,601,261
2016 $57,480,787,465 $20,958,412,538
2015 $57,680,327,999 $21,251,216,799
2014 $61,496,186,974 $27,141,023,558
2013 $61,337,621,934 $28,037,239,463
2012 $54,232,266,359 $25,503,060,420
2011 $50,342,406,067 $23,459,515,276
2010 $41,950,361,212 $20,265,559,484
2009 $32,708,319,078 $15,328,342,304
2008 $31,119,602,539 $17,910,858,638
2007 $23,797,773,024 $14,056,957,976
2006 $19,741,420,740 $12,756,858,899
2005 $17,362,857,684 $8,331,870,169
2004 $13,686,329,890 $6,221,110,219
2003 $12,045,638,352 $4,901,869,764
2002 $13,606,515,723 $4,193,850,445
2001 $20,898,761,742 $4,094,441,301
2000 $22,823,270,892 $3,600,632,111
1999 $23,983,945,191 $3,404,284,891
1998 $25,385,886,978 $3,537,741,942
1997 $23,969,739,234 $4,303,288,480
1996 $20,515,458,114 $3,597,220,962
1995 $19,297,663,097 $3,806,983,413
1994 $17,474,588,896 $3,656,806,166
1993 $15,002,136,971 $3,273,505,344
1992 $12,878,148,791 $3,182,810,841
1991 $11,206,176,651 $3,376,806,697
1990 $9,298,807,850 $3,288,381,797
1989 $8,438,951,476 $3,994,673,161
1988 $8,213,538,369 $3,728,878,149
1987 $7,367,494,080 $2,265,250,972
1986 $5,880,112,788 $1,664,413,508
1985 $4,732,017,873 $2,252,454,500
1984 $4,850,238,550 $2,719,518,933
1983 $5,102,276,308 $3,321,048,451
1982 $9,178,780,077 $3,871,117,093
1981 $11,048,301,421 $4,008,126,497
1980 $10,163,020,116 $3,884,530,854
1979 $7,181,182,224 $3,353,445,378
1978 $4,910,254,566 $2,811,032,473
1977 $4,114,670,014 $2,515,296,940
1976 $3,667,161,241 $2,742,859,263
1975 $3,538,278,047 $2,442,672,141
1974 $4,090,209,682 $2,910,981,262
1973 $3,964,296,443 $2,434,255,237
1972 $2,189,418,689 $1,872,416,680
1971 $2,807,258,065 $1,653,259,341
1970 $2,137,096,774 $1,788,779,285
1969 $2,004,435,484 $1,926,399,230
1968 $1,593,674,185 $1,573,739,371
1967 $1,597,713,469 $1,340,639,464
1966 $1,809,185,094 $1,238,999,505
1965 $1,890,767,156 $1,061,199,576
1964 $1,975,701,816 $822,639,671
1963 $1,539,681,491 $704,339,719
1962 $1,710,004,407 $679,279,729
1961 $1,547,388,781 $682,359,727
1960 $1,242,289,239 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Uruguay vs Zambia by year

Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Uruguay Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $23,907 $36,418 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $23,019 $34,471 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $20,819 $33,001 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $17,882 $29,432 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $15,758 $25,725 $952 $3,157
2019 $18,316 $25,783 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $19,250 $24,386 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $19,185 $23,607 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $17,010 $22,841 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $17,126 $22,169 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $18,322 $21,868 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $18,335 $20,661 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $16,260 $19,495 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $15,132 $19,135 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $12,641 $17,873 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $9,881 $16,422 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $9,424 $15,694 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $7,222 $14,397 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $6,001 $13,179 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $5,284 $12,296 $711 $2,213
2004 $4,169 $11,103 $549 $2,068
2003 $3,671 $10,303 $446 $1,942
2002 $4,150 $10,030 $394 $1,837
2001 $6,383 $10,719 $397 $1,785
2000 $6,988 $10,929 $359 $1,709
1999 $7,371 $10,938 $350 $1,654
1998 $7,837 $11,002 $373 $1,601
1997 $7,436 $10,461 $466 $1,631
1996 $6,398 $9,524 $400 $1,585
1995 $6,050 $8,906 $433 $1,501
1994 $5,508 $8,897 $426 $1,464
1993 $4,753 $8,162 $391 $1,607
1992 $4,102 $7,808 $389 $1,505
1991 $3,589 $7,112 $423 $1,534
1990 $2,995 $6,683 $422 $1,522
1989 $2,734 - $526 -
1988 $2,677 - $504 -
1987 $2,416 - $315 -
1986 $1,939 - $238.2 -
1985 $1,568 - $332 -
1984 $1,615 - $413 -
1983 $1,707 - $520 -
1982 $3,085 - $627 -
1981 $3,728 - $670 -
1980 $3,443 - $669 -
1979 $2,443 - $595 -
1978 $1,678 - $514 -
1977 $1,414 - $474 -
1976 $1,268 - $533 -
1975 $1,232 - $490 -
1974 $1,433 - $601 -
1973 $1,397 - $518 -
1972 $776 - $410 -
1971 $1,000 - $372 -
1970 $766 - $414 -
1969 $723 - $459 -
1968 $579 - $387 -
1967 $585 - $341 -
1966 $668 - $325 -
1965 $705 - $287.4 -
1964 $745 - $230 -
1963 $587 - $203.2 -
1962 $659 - $202.3 -
1961 $604 - $209.7 -
1960 $491 - $221.6 -

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

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

Uruguay's GDP per capita is $23,907, ranking 52/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Uruguay Zambia
Gross domestic product
$81B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
81/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
3.11%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$23,907
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
52/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$36,418
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
61/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$55.6B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
68.7%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$16,421
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
38/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,433
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$284M
1996
$7.77B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
30%
2024
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2024
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.1%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.85%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
8.25%
2025
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.21%
2024
5.86%
2023
Population
3382789
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Uruguay
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Uruguay Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 31.1% 68.7% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 30.5% 64% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 30% 59.9% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 30.2% 64.1% 30.5% 111%
2020 32.8% 68.2% 34% 140%
2019 30.6% 59.6% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 30.3% 57.9% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 29.7% 55.8% 25% 66.6%
2016 29.7% 56.4% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 28.4% 57.8% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 29.1% 51.1% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 28.8% 50% 24% 25.9%
2012 27.7% 49.8% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 26.3% 41.3% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 27.4% 40.9% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 27.2% 46.2% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 26.3% 46.2% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 26.8% 52.8% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 26.8% 61.1% 19.7% 25%
2005 26.3% 66.2% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 26.6% 73.7% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 27.7% 91.9% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 27.6% 90.1% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 27.8% 39.4% 28% 210.2%
2000 26.6% 30.5% 21.4% 261%
1999 27.2% 24.1% - -
1998 27.3% 19.4% - -
1997 27.6% 18.8% - -
1996 26.5% 18.3% - -
1995 26.2% 18.5% - -
1994 29.5% 19.3% - -
1993 27.7% 20% - -
1992 23.6% 22.2% - -
1991 22.2% 20.4% - -
1990 21.1% 26.2% - -
1989 37% - - -
1988 26% 34.8% - -
1987 24.4% 37.3% - -
1986 25.1% 34.6% - -
1985 24.6% 29% - -
1984 25.6% 39.5% - -
1983 26.5% 21.2% - -
1982 29.5% 13.5% - -
1981 25% 4.32% - -
1980 21.8% 4.59% - -
1979 20.2% 3.98% - -
1978 22.9% 5.64% - -
1977 23.5% 7.26% - -
1976 24.2% 8.67% - -
1975 23% 8.13% - -
1974 23.8% 7.61% - -
1973 22.6% 7% - -
1972 24.6% 9.12% - -
1971 20.1% 9.3% - -
1970 15.1% 6.11% - -
1969 14.6% - - -
1968 14.1% - - -
1967 14.7% - - -
1966 14.1% - - -
1965 15.6% - - -
1964 14.3% - - -
1963 14.6% - - -
1962 16% - - -
1961 13% - - -
1960 9.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Uruguay's government spending was $25.2B, accounting for 31.1% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 68.7% in Uruguay and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 59/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Uruguay

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Uruguay Zambia
2024 -3.22% -3.32%
2023 -3.13% -5.48%
2022 -2.52% -7.82%
2021 -2.61% -8.13%
2020 -4.64% -13.8%
2019 -2.71% -9.41%
2018 -1.89% -8.31%
2017 -2.51% -7.5%
2016 -2.68% -5.69%
2015 -1.86% -8.88%
2014 -2.6% -5.43%
2013 -1.72% -6.4%
2012 -2.17% -3.16%
2011 -0.33% -1.78%
2010 -0.39% -2.43%
2009 -1.39% -2.06%
2008 -1.31% -0.67%
2007 -0.16% -1.04%
2006 -0.64% 16.9%
2005 -0.28% -2.37%
2004 -0.87% -2.51%
2003 -2.19% -5.31%
2002 -3.19% -4.5%
2001 -2.85% -5.89%
2000 -2.76% 1.16%
1999 -2.76% -
1998 -0.76% -
1997 -0.97% -
1996 -1.32% -
1995 -1.08% -
1994 -2.37% -
1993 -0.47% -
1992 0.6% -
1991 0.88% -
1990 0.49% -
1989 -13.1% -
1988 -1.47% -
1987 -0.66% -
1986 -0.34% -
1985 -1.88% -
1984 -4.94% -
1983 -3.54% -
1982 -8.22% -
1981 -1.15% -
1980 0.43% -
1979 0.99% -
1978 -0.47% -
1977 -0.69% -
1976 -2.01% -
1975 -4.38% -
1974 -3.74% -
1973 -1.09% -
1972 -2.25% -
1971 -5.86% -
1970 -1.33% -
1969 -2.37% -
1968 -2.93% -
1967 -4.12% -
1966 -2.01% -
1965 -5.14% -
1964 -3.61% -
1963 -4.4% -
1962 -5.02% -
1961 -0.86% -
1960 0.79% -
1959 0.64% -
1958 -1.38% -
1957 -0.72% -
1956 0.04% -
1955 -1.24% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Uruguay's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.6B, equivalent to 3.22% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Uruguay recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Uruguay posted an annual deficit equal to 2.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Uruguay

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Uruguay Zambia
2024 4.85% 15%
2023 5.87% 10.9%
2022 9.1% 11%
2021 7.75% 22%
2020 9.76% 15.7%
2019 7.88% 9.2%
2018 7.61% 7.5%
2017 6.22% 6.6%
2016 9.64% 17.9%
2015 8.67% 10.1%
2014 8.88% 7.8%
2013 8.58% 7%
2012 8.1% 6.6%
2011 8.09% 8.7%
2010 6.7% 8.5%
2009 7.06% 13.4%
2008 7.88% 12.4%
2007 8.11% 10.7%
2006 6.4% 9%
2005 4.7% 18.3%
2004 9.16% 18%
2003 19.4% 21.4%
2002 14% 22.2%
2001 4.36% 21.4%
2000 4.76% 24.1%
1999 5.66% 23.9%
1998 10.8% 22.7%
1997 19.8% 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/uruguay/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Uruguay has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.56%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 4.85% in Uruguay and 15% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Uruguay
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $467K
Animal & marine products $375K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Uruguay Zambia
Current account balance
-$633M
2024
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
111/190
2024
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.78%
2024
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$13B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$16.3B
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$6.22B
2024
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$7.1B
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.7%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Uruguay Zambia
Economic freedom 69.8 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 39/197 152/197
Property rights 87.4 43.9
Government integrity 79 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 80.9 45
Tax burden 73.3 74.3
Government spending 72 78.1
Fiscal health 76.6 30.9
Business freedom 83.8 53.4
Labor freedom 61.7 48.8
Monetary freedom 70.2 66.6
Trade freedom 73.2 62.8
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Uruguay
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Uruguay Zambia
2026 69.8 51.9
2025 70.2 50.9
2024 69.8 48.4
2023 70.2 47.8
2022 70 48.7
2021 69.3 50.4
2020 69.1 53.5
2019 68.6 53.6
2018 69.2 54.3
2017 69.7 55.8
2016 68.8 58.8
2015 68.6 58.7
2014 69.3 60.4
2013 69.7 58.7
2012 69.9 58.3
2011 70 59.7
2010 69.8 58
2009 69.1 56.6
2008 67.9 56.2
2007 68.4 56.2
2006 65.3 56.8
2005 66.9 55
2004 66.7 54.9
2003 69.8 55.3
2002 68.7 59.6
2001 70.7 59.5
2000 69.3 62.8
1999 68.5 64.2
1998 68.6 62.7
1997 67.5 62.1
1996 63.7 59.6
1995 62.5 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Uruguay is 69.8, ranking 39/197, 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

Uruguay Zambia
Services, % of GDP
65.3%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.42%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$73.3B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$34,170
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$17.4B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
66/177
2024
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$2.58B
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.94B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.37B
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.3%
2024
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.6%
2024
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/uruguay/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 (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, 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)

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.