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Economy of Venezuela vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Venezuela has a GDP of $120B compared to $41.5B for Zimbabwe, ranking 65/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Venezuela has $197B in government debt (164.3% of GDP), compared to $30.3B (73% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Venezuela vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Venezuela
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Venezuela Zimbabwe
2024 $119,802,963,258 $41,539,411,516
2023 $102,376,526,556 $35,871,779,681
2022 $89,013,255,585 $40,757,561,709
2021 $56,614,976,855 $41,287,673,690
2020 $42,838,020,721 $31,980,334,561
2019 $73,014,084,091 $33,357,695,635
2018 $102,021,093,965 $34,141,666,667
2017 $115,883,275,163 $51,035,657,371
2016 $112,915,034,262 $20,559,250,000
2015 $125,449,241,571 $19,973,250,000
2014 $214,689,614,733 $19,505,500,000
2013 $258,930,655,486 $19,100,750,000
2012 $372,592,062,768 $17,123,500,000
2011 $316,482,190,800 $14,109,000,000
2010 $393,192,354,511 $12,047,750,000
2009 $329,787,628,928 $9,670,750,000
2008 $315,953,388,511 $4,418,000,000
2007 $230,364,012,576 $5,294,750,000
2006 $183,477,522,124 $5,446,750,000
2005 $145,513,489,652 $5,758,250,000
2004 $112,451,400,425 $5,808,500,000
2003 $83,620,628,582 $5,730,500,000
2002 $92,893,587,734 $6,345,250,000
2001 $122,911,036,747 $6,780,750,000
2000 $117,146,466,003 $6,693,250,000
1999 $97,972,842,462 $6,861,500,000
1998 $91,336,763,255 $6,405,250,000
1997 $85,837,678,560 $8,534,000,000
1996 $70,543,211,119 $8,557,500,000
1995 $77,389,487,770 $7,115,000,000
1994 $58,418,666,667 $6,894,250,000
1993 $60,037,460,783 $6,567,250,000
1992 $60,416,519,620 $6,755,000,000
1991 $53,453,444,787 $8,646,000,000
1990 $48,606,952,195 $8,788,301,546
1989 $43,536,709,104 $8,290,553,535
1988 $60,226,413,793 $7,818,774,177
1987 $48,029,034,483 $6,744,657,033
1986 $60,516,123,711 $6,220,698,247
1985 $61,965,466,667 $5,640,137,575
1984 $59,867,743,468 $6,355,369,172
1983 $67,556,279,070 $7,768,031,182
1982 $67,736,744,186 $8,544,060,905
1981 $66,327,441,860 $8,015,464,252
1980 $59,116,511,628 $6,682,278,300
1979 $48,310,930,233 $5,180,102,910
1978 $39,316,279,070 $4,353,822,343
1977 $36,210,697,674 $4,366,610,469
1976 $31,419,534,884 $4,320,576,877
1975 $27,464,651,163 $4,373,532,601
1974 $26,100,930,233 $3,984,194,614
1973 $17,035,581,395 $3,311,043,292
1972 $13,977,727,273 $2,679,096,597
1971 $12,986,590,909 $2,179,828,710
1970 $11,561,111,111 $1,885,168,339
1969 $10,285,111,111 $1,748,891,294
1968 $10,034,444,444 $1,480,355,355
1967 $9,250,000,000 $1,397,715,282
1966 $8,781,333,333 $1,282,403,936
1965 $8,427,777,778 $1,312,105,394
1964 $8,192,413,793 $1,217,759,447
1963 $9,608,717,288 $1,160,103,724
1962 $8,814,309,884 $1,118,172,226
1961 $8,067,267,031 $1,097,206,526
1960 $7,663,938,303 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Venezuela vs Zimbabwe by year

Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Venezuela Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,218 - $2,497 $5,928
2023 $3,617 - $2,195 $5,791
2022 $3,155 - $2,536 $5,396
2021 $2,005 - $2,614 $4,827
2020 $1,506 - $2,060 $4,179
2019 $2,523 - $2,184 $4,166
2018 $3,423 - $2,271 $3,993
2017 $3,791 - $3,445 $10,756
2016 $3,670 - $1,408 $4,275
2015 $4,103 - $1,387 $4,046
2014 $7,096 - $1,373 $3,903
2013 $8,656 - $1,363 $3,784
2012 $12,607 - $1,239 $3,472
2011 $10,844 $21,241 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $13,646 $20,236 $902 $2,661
2009 $11,597 $20,562 $736 $2,233
2008 $11,262 $21,402 $341 $1,987
2007 $8,332 $20,236 $414 $2,396
2006 $6,739 $18,399 $431 $2,454
2005 $5,432 $16,511 $461 $2,496
2004 $4,269 $14,757 $470 $2,591
2003 $3,230 $12,359 $468 $2,708
2002 $3,652 $13,375 $525 $3,238
2001 $4,920 $14,714 $566 $3,533
2000 $4,776 $14,174 $563 $3,429
1999 $4,071 $13,623 $582 $3,491
1998 $3,870 $14,568 $552 $3,527
1997 $3,711 $14,655 $751 $3,457
1996 $3,113 $13,824 $767 $3,372
1995 $3,487 $13,890 $648 $3,051
1994 $2,689 $13,370 $634 $3,012
1993 $2,825 $13,702 $605 $2,703
1992 $2,907 $13,652 $631 $2,651
1991 $2,633 $12,880 $831 $2,930
1990 $2,452 $11,628 $867 $2,757
1989 $2,250 - $840 -
1988 $3,191 - $816 -
1987 $2,611 - $726 -
1986 $3,376 - $693 -
1985 $3,549 - $649 -
1984 $3,520 - $757 -
1983 $4,079 - $959 -
1982 $4,202 - $1,096 -
1981 $4,228 - $1,069 -
1980 $3,874 - $949 -
1979 $3,257 - $779 -
1978 $2,727 - $665 -
1977 $2,585 - $677 -
1976 $2,309 - $687 -
1975 $2,078 - $717 -
1974 $2,034 - $674 -
1973 $1,367 - $579 -
1972 $1,155 - $483 -
1971 $1,106 - $406 -
1970 $1,015 - $361 -
1969 $932 - $346 -
1968 $938 - $302 -
1967 $893 - $294.4 -
1966 $876 - $278.7 -
1965 $869 - $294.3 -
1964 $874 - $281.9 -
1963 $1,060 - $277.1 -
1962 $1,007 - $275.7 -
1961 $954 - $279.2 -
1960 $939 - $276.6 -

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

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

Venezuela's GDP per capita is $4,218, ranking 128/197, compared to $2,497 in Zimbabwe, ranking 148/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Venezuela Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$120B
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank
65/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP growth
5.3%
2023-2024
1.74%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,218
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank
128/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,241
2011
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
93/197
2011
154/197
2024
Government debt
$197B
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
164.3%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,931
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank
69/185
2024
121/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,792
2026
$2,897
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.98B
2002
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires
1
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.2%
2006
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2006
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.6%
2024
12.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
49%
2023-2024
736%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
58.4%
2025
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
7.53%
2020
12.1%
2024
Population
28661242
17361868

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Venezuela
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Venezuela Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 17.6% 164.3% 12.9% 73%
2023 13.1% 138.5% 15.5% 76.1%
2022 15.1% 164.4% 14.4% 66.8%
2021 13.1% 254.2% 12.8% 39.9%
2020 11.2% 337% 9.27% 56.8%
2019 21% 206% 9.36% 53.9%
2018 37.9% 175.3% 13.9% 33%
2017 21.8% 133.6% 19.8% 49%
2016 19.7% 138.4% 16.6% 35.1%
2015 22.9% 129.8% 14.7% 34.1%
2014 31.6% 84.9% 14.1% 29.2%
2013 36.5% 85.4% 14.7% 26.4%
2012 38% 58.4% 14.6% 27.2%
2011 39.4% 52.5% 16.2% 30%
2010 31.1% 37.7% 12.8% 33.2%
2009 33.3% 27.6% 7.93% 39.7%
2008 34.9% 20.3% 2.54% 41.3%
2007 35.9% 26.4% 3.43% 30.2%
2006 39.3% 25.7% 5.72% 26.7%
2005 33.5% 34.9% 10.5% 22.4%
2004 31.9% 41.8% - -
2003 32.2% 56% - -
2002 31% 48.2% - -
2001 31.9% 30.7% - -
2000 28.3% 27.7% - -
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2024, Venezuela's government spending was $21.1B, accounting for 17.6% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $5.37B, or 12.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 164.3% in Venezuela and 73% in Zimbabwe, ranking 5/185 and 50/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Venezuela

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Venezuela Zimbabwe
2024 -3.6% -1.06%
2023 -1.25% -3.9%
2022 -5.29% -3.3%
2021 -5.85% -2.24%
2020 -6.63% -0.34%
2019 -10.9% -1.72%
2018 -31% -3.81%
2017 -13.3% -7.37%
2016 -8.46% -4.63%
2015 -8.06% -1.45%
2014 -9.81% -0.71%
2013 -10.4% -0.69%
2012 -9.86% -0.13%
2011 -8.24% -1.72%
2010 -4.74% -0.11%
2009 -8.69% -1.39%
2008 -3.46% -1.2%
2007 -2.82% -1.67%
2006 -1.6% -1.4%
2005 4.09% -3.46%
2004 2.47% -
2003 0.17% -
2002 -1.48% -
2001 -4.59% -
2000 4.45% -
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/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's deficit of $438M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Venezuela recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Venezuela posted an annual deficit equal to 7.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.11% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Venezuela

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Venezuela Zimbabwe
2024 49% 736%
2023 338% 667%
2022 186.5% 193.4%
2021 1,589% 98.5%
2020 2,355% 557%
2019 19,906% 255.3%
2018 65,374% 10.6%
2017 438% 0.9%
2016 254.9% -1.6%
2015 121.7% -2.4%
2014 62.2% -0.2%
2013 40.6% 1.6%
2012 21.1% 3.7%
2011 26.1% 3.5%
2010 28.2% 3%
2009 26% 6.2%
2008 31.4% 157%
2007 18.7% -72.7%
2006 13.7% 33%
2005 16% -31.5%
2004 21.7% 113.6%
2003 31.1% -8.6%
2002 22.4% -34.4%
2001 12.5% -37.2%
2000 16.2% 4.5%
1999 23.6% -13.4%
1998 35.8% -28%
1997 50% -1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Venezuela has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3,254%, compared with 93.4% in Zimbabwe. In 2024, inflation was 49% in Venezuela and 736% in Zimbabwe.

Balance of trade

Venezuela Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$3.87B
2016
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
161/190
2016
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.43%
2016
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$16.3B
2016
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$27.4B
2016
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$9.47B
2016
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$1.28B
2016
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.22%
2024
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2024
18%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Venezuela Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 27.3 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 194/197 190/197
Property rights 0 19.4
Government integrity 6.9 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 5.1 16.8
Tax burden 73.4 73.6
Government spending 93 93.9
Fiscal health 29.1 52.4
Business freedom 31.1 42
Labor freedom 35.5 33.3
Monetary freedom 0 0
Trade freedom 43.2 50.4
Investment freedom 0 10
Financial freedom 10 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Venezuela
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Venezuela Zimbabwe
2026 27.3 35.2
2025 27.6 35.1
2024 28.1 38.2
2023 25.8 39
2022 24.8 33.1
2021 24.7 39.5
2020 25.2 43.1
2019 25.9 40.4
2018 25.2 44
2017 27 44
2016 33.7 38.2
2015 34.3 37.6
2014 36.3 35.5
2013 36.1 28.6
2012 38.1 26.3
2011 37.6 22.1
2010 37.1 21.4
2009 39.9 22.7
2008 44.7 29.5
2007 47.9 32
2006 44.6 33.5
2005 45.2 35.2
2004 46.7 34.4
2003 54.8 36.7
2002 54.7 36.7
2001 54.6 38.8
2000 57.4 48.7
1999 56.1 47.2
1998 54 44.6
1997 52.8 48
1996 54.5 46.7
1995 59.8 48.5

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

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

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

Venezuela Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
51.7%
2014
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37.2%
2014
35%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.03%
2014
8.69%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$109B
2024
$39.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,800
2011
$5,870
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.79B
2017
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
77/177
2017
157/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27M
2016
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.63B
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.6B
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2015
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
4.9%
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/venezuela/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) | 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.