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Economy of Venezuela vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Venezuela has a GDP of $120B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 65/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Venezuela has $197B in government debt (164.3% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Venezuela vs Zambia GDP by year

Venezuela
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Venezuela Zambia
2024 $119,802,963,258 $25,303,185,342
2023 $102,376,526,556 $27,577,956,471
2022 $89,013,255,585 $29,163,782,140
2021 $56,614,976,855 $22,096,416,932
2020 $42,838,020,721 $18,137,764,931
2019 $73,014,084,091 $23,308,667,781
2018 $102,021,093,965 $26,311,507,274
2017 $115,883,275,163 $25,873,601,261
2016 $112,915,034,262 $20,958,412,538
2015 $125,449,241,571 $21,251,216,799
2014 $214,689,614,733 $27,141,023,558
2013 $258,930,655,486 $28,037,239,463
2012 $372,592,062,768 $25,503,060,420
2011 $316,482,190,800 $23,459,515,276
2010 $393,192,354,511 $20,265,559,484
2009 $329,787,628,928 $15,328,342,304
2008 $315,953,388,511 $17,910,858,638
2007 $230,364,012,576 $14,056,957,976
2006 $183,477,522,124 $12,756,858,899
2005 $145,513,489,652 $8,331,870,169
2004 $112,451,400,425 $6,221,110,219
2003 $83,620,628,582 $4,901,869,764
2002 $92,893,587,734 $4,193,850,445
2001 $122,911,036,747 $4,094,441,301
2000 $117,146,466,003 $3,600,632,111
1999 $97,972,842,462 $3,404,284,891
1998 $91,336,763,255 $3,537,741,942
1997 $85,837,678,560 $4,303,288,480
1996 $70,543,211,119 $3,597,220,962
1995 $77,389,487,770 $3,806,983,413
1994 $58,418,666,667 $3,656,806,166
1993 $60,037,460,783 $3,273,505,344
1992 $60,416,519,620 $3,182,810,841
1991 $53,453,444,787 $3,376,806,697
1990 $48,606,952,195 $3,288,381,797
1989 $43,536,709,104 $3,994,673,161
1988 $60,226,413,793 $3,728,878,149
1987 $48,029,034,483 $2,265,250,972
1986 $60,516,123,711 $1,664,413,508
1985 $61,965,466,667 $2,252,454,500
1984 $59,867,743,468 $2,719,518,933
1983 $67,556,279,070 $3,321,048,451
1982 $67,736,744,186 $3,871,117,093
1981 $66,327,441,860 $4,008,126,497
1980 $59,116,511,628 $3,884,530,854
1979 $48,310,930,233 $3,353,445,378
1978 $39,316,279,070 $2,811,032,473
1977 $36,210,697,674 $2,515,296,940
1976 $31,419,534,884 $2,742,859,263
1975 $27,464,651,163 $2,442,672,141
1974 $26,100,930,233 $2,910,981,262
1973 $17,035,581,395 $2,434,255,237
1972 $13,977,727,273 $1,872,416,680
1971 $12,986,590,909 $1,653,259,341
1970 $11,561,111,111 $1,788,779,285
1969 $10,285,111,111 $1,926,399,230
1968 $10,034,444,444 $1,573,739,371
1967 $9,250,000,000 $1,340,639,464
1966 $8,781,333,333 $1,238,999,505
1965 $8,427,777,778 $1,061,199,576
1964 $8,192,413,793 $822,639,671
1963 $9,608,717,288 $704,339,719
1962 $8,814,309,884 $679,279,729
1961 $8,067,267,031 $682,359,727
1960 $7,663,938,303 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Venezuela vs Zambia by year

Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Venezuela Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,218 - $1,187 $4,215
2023 $3,617 - $1,331 $4,077
2022 $3,155 - $1,447 $3,841
2021 $2,005 - $1,127 $3,503
2020 $1,506 - $952 $3,157
2019 $2,523 - $1,259 $3,361
2018 $3,423 - $1,464 $3,442
2017 $3,791 - $1,483 $3,392
2016 $3,670 - $1,239 $3,313
2015 $4,103 - $1,296 $3,337
2014 $7,096 - $1,707 $3,441
2013 $8,656 - $1,821 $3,477
2012 $12,607 - $1,710 $3,324
2011 $10,844 $21,241 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $13,646 $20,236 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $11,597 $20,562 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $11,262 $21,402 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $8,332 $20,236 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $6,739 $18,399 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $5,432 $16,511 $711 $2,213
2004 $4,269 $14,757 $549 $2,068
2003 $3,230 $12,359 $446 $1,942
2002 $3,652 $13,375 $394 $1,837
2001 $4,920 $14,714 $397 $1,785
2000 $4,776 $14,174 $359 $1,709
1999 $4,071 $13,623 $350 $1,654
1998 $3,870 $14,568 $373 $1,601
1997 $3,711 $14,655 $466 $1,631
1996 $3,113 $13,824 $400 $1,585
1995 $3,487 $13,890 $433 $1,501
1994 $2,689 $13,370 $426 $1,464
1993 $2,825 $13,702 $391 $1,607
1992 $2,907 $13,652 $389 $1,505
1991 $2,633 $12,880 $423 $1,534
1990 $2,452 $11,628 $422 $1,522
1989 $2,250 - $526 -
1988 $3,191 - $504 -
1987 $2,611 - $315 -
1986 $3,376 - $238.2 -
1985 $3,549 - $332 -
1984 $3,520 - $413 -
1983 $4,079 - $520 -
1982 $4,202 - $627 -
1981 $4,228 - $670 -
1980 $3,874 - $669 -
1979 $3,257 - $595 -
1978 $2,727 - $514 -
1977 $2,585 - $474 -
1976 $2,309 - $533 -
1975 $2,078 - $490 -
1974 $2,034 - $601 -
1973 $1,367 - $518 -
1972 $1,155 - $410 -
1971 $1,106 - $372 -
1970 $1,015 - $414 -
1969 $932 - $459 -
1968 $938 - $387 -
1967 $893 - $341 -
1966 $876 - $325 -
1965 $869 - $287.4 -
1964 $874 - $230 -
1963 $1,060 - $203.2 -
1962 $1,007 - $202.3 -
1961 $954 - $209.7 -
1960 $939 - $221.6 -

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

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

Venezuela's GDP per capita is $4,218, ranking 128/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Venezuela Zambia
Gross domestic product
$120B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
65/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
5.3%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,218
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
128/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,241
2011
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
93/197
2011
166/197
2024
Government debt
$197B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
164.3%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,931
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
69/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,792
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.98B
2002
$7.77B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
33.2%
2006
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2006
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.6%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
49%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
58.4%
2025
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.53%
2020
5.86%
2023
Population
28661242
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Venezuela
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Venezuela Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 17.6% 164.3% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 13.1% 138.5% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 15.1% 164.4% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 13.1% 254.2% 30.5% 111%
2020 11.2% 337% 34% 140%
2019 21% 206% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 37.9% 175.3% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 21.8% 133.6% 25% 66.6%
2016 19.7% 138.4% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 22.9% 129.8% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 31.6% 84.9% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 36.5% 85.4% 24% 25.9%
2012 38% 58.4% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 39.4% 52.5% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 31.1% 37.7% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 33.3% 27.6% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 34.9% 20.3% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 35.9% 26.4% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 39.3% 25.7% 19.7% 25%
2005 33.5% 34.9% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 31.9% 41.8% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 32.2% 56% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 31% 48.2% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 31.9% 30.7% 28% 210.2%
2000 28.3% 27.7% 21.4% 261%
1999 26.1% 29.6% - -
1998 28.8% 30.7% - -
1997 31% 34.8% - -
1996 27.7% 45.9% - -
1995 32.9% 45.9% - -
1994 42.2% 63.9% - -
1993 27.7% 57.7% - -
1992 30.6% 54.8% - -
1991 33.9% 62.2% - -
1990 31.9% 63.3% - -
1989 32.5% 61.8% - -
1988 33.2% 46.3% - -
1987 25.1% 58.3% - -
1986 21.5% 45.9% - -
1985 20.3% 34.1% - -
1984 19.7% 36.4% - -
1983 25.3% 21.4% - -
1982 29% 18.6% - -
1981 29.6% 18.9% - -
1980 22% 16.6% - -
1979 22.3% 19.2% - -
1978 29.2% 16.6% - -
1977 30.6% 12.7% - -
1976 26.6% 9.64% - -
1975 33.8% 8.31% - -
1974 35.3% 7.72% - -
1973 20% 9.78% - -
1972 21.3% 10.6% - -
1971 19.6% 9.64% - -
1970 19.5% 10.6% - -
1969 21% 9.91% - -
1968 19.8% 7.84% - -
1967 19.8% 6.74% - -
1966 19.1% 5.84% - -
1965 18.7% 5.46% - -
1964 17.9% 4.95% - -
1963 18.7% 6.3% - -
1962 17.6% 7.24% - -
1961 11.8% 8.79% - -
1960 23.7% 8.28% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Venezuela's government spending was $21.1B, accounting for 17.6% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 164.3% in Venezuela and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 5/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Venezuela

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Venezuela Zambia
2024 -3.6% -3.32%
2023 -1.25% -5.48%
2022 -5.29% -7.82%
2021 -5.85% -8.13%
2020 -6.63% -13.8%
2019 -10.9% -9.41%
2018 -31% -8.31%
2017 -13.3% -7.5%
2016 -8.46% -5.69%
2015 -8.06% -8.88%
2014 -9.81% -5.43%
2013 -10.4% -6.4%
2012 -9.86% -3.16%
2011 -8.24% -1.78%
2010 -4.74% -2.43%
2009 -8.69% -2.06%
2008 -3.46% -0.67%
2007 -2.82% -1.04%
2006 -1.6% 16.9%
2005 4.09% -2.37%
2004 2.47% -2.51%
2003 0.17% -5.31%
2002 -1.48% -4.5%
2001 -4.59% -5.89%
2000 4.45% 1.16%
1999 0.74% -
1998 -4.49% -
1997 2.58% -
1996 7.94% -
1995 -5.86% -
1994 -11.2% -
1993 -2.92% -
1992 -6.37% -
1991 -2.28% -
1990 3.84% -
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -9.24% -
1987 -7.47% -
1986 0.82% -
1985 6.97% -
1984 5.33% -
1983 1.24% -
1982 -0.17% -
1981 4.74% -
1980 4.41% -
1979 -3.07% -
1978 -5.44% -
1977 -4.69% -
1976 1.65% -
1975 0.88% -
1974 2.76% -
1973 1.98% -
1972 0.42% -
1971 0.78% -
1970 -1.22% -
1969 -2.17% -
1968 -0.32% -
1967 0.51% -
1966 0.23% -
1965 0.39% -
1964 1.91% -
1963 1.92% -
1962 2.14% -
1961 -1.91% -
1960 -4.08% -
1959 -4.98% -
1958 -4.86% -
1957 6.7% -
1956 0.76% -
1955 0.38% -
1954 1.84% -
1953 0.03% -
1952 -0.5% -
1951 -0.24% -
1950 -0.23% -
1949 0.15% -
1948 1.27% -
1947 0.09% -
1946 -0.9% -
1945 2.9% -
1944 1.85% -
1943 -0.27% -
1942 0.2% -
1941 0.01% -
1940 -1.07% -
1939 -0.78% -
1938 0.68% -
1937 0.73% -
1936 -0.52% -
1935 -2.23% -
1934 1.34% -
1933 1.03% -
1932 0.51% -
1931 1.02% -
1930 -2.03% -
1929 -0.34% -
1928 -0.68% -
1927 1.55% -
1926 0.14% -
1925 0.54% -
1924 0.37% -
1923 1.32% -
1922 1.57% -
1921 -0.97% -
1920 -1.75% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Venezuela's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $4.31B, equivalent to 3.6% of GDP. This compares to Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Venezuela recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Venezuela posted an annual deficit equal to 5.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Venezuela

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Venezuela Zambia
2024 49% 15%
2023 338% 10.9%
2022 186.5% 11%
2021 1,589% 22%
2020 2,355% 15.7%
2019 19,906% 9.2%
2018 65,374% 7.5%
2017 438% 6.6%
2016 254.9% 17.9%
2015 121.7% 10.1%
2014 62.2% 7.8%
2013 40.6% 7%
2012 21.1% 6.6%
2011 26.1% 8.7%
2010 28.2% 8.5%
2009 26% 13.4%
2008 31.4% 12.4%
2007 18.7% 10.7%
2006 13.7% 9%
2005 16% 18.3%
2004 21.7% 18%
2003 31.1% 21.4%
2002 22.4% 22.2%
2001 12.5% 21.4%
2000 16.2% 24.1%
1999 23.6% 23.9%
1998 35.8% 22.7%
1997 50% 21.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Venezuela has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3,254%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 49% in Venezuela and 15% in Zambia.

Balance of trade

Venezuela Zambia
Current account balance
-$3.87B
2016
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
161/190
2016
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.43%
2016
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$16.3B
2016
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$27.4B
2016
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$9.47B
2016
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$1.28B
2016
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.22%
2024
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2024
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Venezuela Zambia
Economic freedom 27.3 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 194/197 152/197
Property rights 0 43.9
Government integrity 6.9 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 5.1 45
Tax burden 73.4 74.3
Government spending 93 78.1
Fiscal health 29.1 30.9
Business freedom 31.1 53.4
Labor freedom 35.5 48.8
Monetary freedom 0 66.6
Trade freedom 43.2 62.8
Investment freedom 0 40
Financial freedom 10 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Venezuela
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Venezuela Zambia
2026 27.3 51.9
2025 27.6 50.9
2024 28.1 48.4
2023 25.8 47.8
2022 24.8 48.7
2021 24.7 50.4
2020 25.2 53.5
2019 25.9 53.6
2018 25.2 54.3
2017 27 55.8
2016 33.7 58.8
2015 34.3 58.7
2014 36.3 60.4
2013 36.1 58.7
2012 38.1 58.3
2011 37.6 59.7
2010 37.1 58
2009 39.9 56.6
2008 44.7 56.2
2007 47.9 56.2
2006 44.6 56.8
2005 45.2 55
2004 46.7 54.9
2003 54.8 55.3
2002 54.7 59.6
2001 54.6 59.5
2000 57.4 62.8
1999 56.1 64.2
1998 54 62.7
1997 52.8 62.1
1996 54.5 59.6
1995 59.8 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Venezuela is 27.3, ranking 194/197, 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

Venezuela Zambia
Services, % of GDP
51.7%
2014
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37.2%
2014
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.03%
2014
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$109B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,800
2011
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.79B
2017
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
77/177
2017
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27M
2016
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.63B
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.6B
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2015
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
4.9%
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/venezuela/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.