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Zimbabwe economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

Zimbabwe ranked 102/197 by economy size with a GDP of $41.5B and 148/197 by GDP per capita at $2,497. Zimbabwe has $30.3B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 73%.

In 2024, Zimbabwe made up 0.04% of the world's economy, compared to 0.08% in 1960.

Zimbabwe GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Real growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2024 $41,539,411,516 1.74%
2023 $35,871,779,681 5.35%
2022 $40,757,561,709 6.14%
2021 $41,287,673,690 8.47%
2020 $31,980,334,561 -7.82%
2019 $33,357,695,635 -6.33%
2018 $34,141,666,667 5.01%
2017 $51,035,657,371 4.73%
2016 $20,559,250,000 0.76%
2015 $19,973,250,000 1.78%
2014 $19,505,500,000 2.38%
2013 $19,100,750,000 1.99%
2012 $17,123,500,000 16.7%
2011 $14,109,000,000 14.2%
2010 $12,047,750,000 19.7%
2009 $9,670,750,000 13.3%
2008 $4,418,000,000 -17.7%
2007 $5,294,750,000 -3.65%
2006 $5,446,750,000 -3.46%
2005 $5,758,250,000 -5.71%
2004 $5,808,500,000 -5.81%
2003 $5,730,500,000 -17%
2002 $6,345,250,000 -8.89%
2001 $6,780,750,000 1.44%
2000 $6,693,250,000 -3.06%
1999 $6,861,500,000 -0.82%
1998 $6,405,250,000 2.89%
1997 $8,534,000,000 2.68%
1996 $8,557,500,000 10.4%
1995 $7,115,000,000 0.16%
1994 $6,894,250,000 9.24%
1993 $6,567,250,000 1.05%
1992 $6,755,000,000 -9.02%
1991 $8,646,000,000 5.53%
1990 $8,788,301,546 6.99%
1989 $8,290,553,535 5.2%
1988 $7,818,774,177 7.55%
1987 $6,744,657,033 1.15%
1986 $6,220,698,247 2.1%
1985 $5,640,137,575 6.94%
1984 $6,355,369,172 -1.91%
1983 $7,768,031,182 1.59%
1982 $8,544,060,905 2.63%
1981 $8,015,464,252 12.5%
1980 $6,682,278,300 14.4%
1979 $5,180,102,910 3.3%
1978 $4,353,822,343 -2.71%
1977 $4,366,610,469 -6.86%
1976 $4,320,576,877 0.46%
1975 $4,373,532,601 -1.93%
1974 $3,984,194,614 6.63%
1973 $3,311,043,292 2.6%
1972 $2,679,096,597 8.33%
1971 $2,179,828,710 8.92%
1970 $1,885,168,339 22.6%
1969 $1,748,891,294 12.4%
1968 $1,480,355,355 1.97%
1967 $1,397,715,282 8.37%
1966 $1,282,403,936 1.52%
1965 $1,312,105,394 4.91%
1964 $1,217,759,447 -1.11%
1963 $1,160,103,724 6.24%
1962 $1,118,172,226 1.43%
1961 $1,097,206,526 6.32%
1960 $1,053,528,036 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/zimbabwe | CC BY

Zimbabwe GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,497 $5,928
2023 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $2,184 $4,166
2018 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $902 $2,661
2009 $736 $2,233
2008 $341 $1,987
2007 $414 $2,396
2006 $431 $2,454
2005 $461 $2,496
2004 $470 $2,591
2003 $468 $2,708
2002 $525 $3,238
2001 $566 $3,533
2000 $563 $3,429
1999 $582 $3,491
1998 $552 $3,527
1997 $751 $3,457
1996 $767 $3,372
1995 $648 $3,051
1994 $634 $3,012
1993 $605 $2,703
1992 $631 $2,651
1991 $831 $2,930
1990 $867 $2,757
1989 $840 -
1988 $816 -
1987 $726 -
1986 $693 -
1985 $649 -
1984 $757 -
1983 $959 -
1982 $1,096 -
1981 $1,069 -
1980 $949 -
1979 $779 -
1978 $665 -
1977 $677 -
1976 $687 -
1975 $717 -
1974 $674 -
1973 $579 -
1972 $483 -
1971 $406 -
1970 $361 -
1969 $346 -
1968 $302 -
1967 $294.4 -
1966 $278.7 -
1965 $294.3 -
1964 $281.9 -
1963 $277.1 -
1962 $275.7 -
1961 $279.2 -
1960 $276.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/zimbabwe | CC BY

Zimbabwe has a GDP per capita of $2,497, ranking 148/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $5,928, ranking 154/197, and a median annual after tax income of $2,897, ranking 145/197.

Zimbabwe GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 101 138 141
2023 101 148 149
2022 98 143 150
2021 91 138 150
2020 100 146 152
2019 100 146 152
2018 97 143 150
2017 85 129 111
2016 112 157 148
2015 110 155 149
2014 115 160 149
2013 113 160 146
2012 120 160 146
2011 127 170 153
2010 127 169 160
2009 131 173 163
2008 156 193 169
2007 143 185 160
2006 138 181 154
2005 135 175 149
2004 126 164 146
2003 120 161 142
2002 108 154 132
2001 104 148 123
2000 106 148 123
1999 102 144 120
1998 104 148 115
1997 92 136 113
1996 91 133 111
1995 95 138 113
1994 89 131 112
1993 90 133 114
1992 91 132 115
1991 82 123 112
1990 81 120 114
1989 74 105 -
1988 76 107 -
1987 78 111 -
1986 74 107 -
1985 76 108 -
1984 72 99 -
1983 68 91 -
1982 65 88 -
1981 68 88 -
1980 71 91 -
1979 72 88 -
1978 70 92 -
1977 67 86 -
1976 65 78 -
1975 62 76 -
1974 62 75 -
1973 61 70 -
1972 60 69 -
1971 64 70 -
1970 65 73 -
1969 62 60 -
1968 63 65 -
1967 61 62 -
1966 60 65 -
1965 60 57 -
1964 60 56 -
1963 59 58 -
1962 58 54 -
1961 56 50 -
1960 56 46 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/zimbabwe | CC BY

Compared with 2000, in 2024 Zimbabwe is ranked 101st out of 182 by GDP (up from 106th), 138th by GDP per capita (up from 148th), and 141st by GDP per capita PPP (down from 123rd).

Economic indicators

Zimbabwe Rank
Gross domestic product
$41.5B
2024
102/197
GDP growth
1.74%
2023-2024
139/194
GDP per capita
$2,497
2024
148/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,928
2024
154/197
Government debt
$30.3B
2024
88/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73%
2024
50/185
Government debt per person
$1,824
2024
121/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,897
2026
145/197
Listed domestic companies
69
1999
61/103
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.46B
1999
89/100
Number of billionaires
1
2025
74/78
Billionaire frequency
1 in 7,947,600
2025
64/78
Income share by richest 10%
40.5%
2019
8/169
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2019
146/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.9%
2024
189/195
Consumer prices inflation
736%
2023-2024
1/195
Central bank interest rate
35%
2024
3/106
Unemployment rate
12.1%
2024
25/196
Population
17361868
74/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2024 12.9% 73% -1.06%
2023 15.5% 76.1% -3.9%
2022 14.4% 66.8% -3.3%
2021 12.8% 39.9% -2.24%
2020 9.27% 56.8% -0.34%
2019 9.36% 53.9% -1.72%
2018 13.9% 33% -3.81%
2017 19.8% 49% -7.37%
2016 16.6% 35.1% -4.63%
2015 14.7% 34.1% -1.45%
2014 14.1% 29.2% -0.71%
2013 14.7% 26.4% -0.69%
2012 14.6% 27.2% -0.13%
2011 16.2% 30% -1.72%
2010 12.8% 33.2% -0.11%
2009 7.93% 39.7% -1.39%
2008 2.54% 41.3% -1.2%
2007 3.43% 30.2% -1.67%
2006 5.72% 26.7% -1.4%
2005 10.5% 22.4% -3.46%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2005–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/zimbabwe | CC BY

This chart shows Zimbabwe's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Zimbabwe recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 2.11% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $5.37B (12.9% of GDP), with a deficit of 1.06%.

The national debt reached $30.3B, ranking 88th out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 73%, ranking 50th.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2024 736%
2023 667%
2022 193.4%
2021 98.5%
2020 557%
2019 255.3%
2018 10.6%
2017 0.9%
2016 -1.6%
2015 -2.4%
2014 -0.2%
2013 1.6%
2012 3.7%
2011 3.5%
2010 3%
2009 6.2%
2008 157%
2007 -72.7%
2006 33%
2005 -31.5%
2004 113.6%
2003 -8.6%
2002 -34.4%
2001 -37.2%
2000 4.5%
1999 -13.4%
1998 -28%
1997 -1%
1996 6%
1995 15.2%
1994 -2.8%
1993 0.4%
1992 -3%
1991 -13.1%
1990 1.3%
1989 -3.8%
1988 -1.1%
1987 12.8%
1986 10.7%
1985 -16%
1984 -1.9%
1983 -8.5%
1982 0.6%
1981 5.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1981–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/zimbabwe | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Zimbabwe has had an average annual inflation rate of 131%. In 2024, inflation was 736%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

Zimbabwe Rank
Current account balance
$501M
2024
62/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.21%
2024
66/190
Goods imports
$9.06B
2024
113/189
Goods exports
$7.79B
2024
108/189
Service imports
$1.66B
2024
129/189
Service exports
$457M
2024
152/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.4%
2024
153/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18%
2024
152/193

Zimbabwe top 10 trading partners

Zimbabwe's biggest trading partner accounting for 35.4% of all exports and imports is South Africa, with a trade balance between the two of -$1.72B: Zimbabwe exports $2.05B worth of goods and services to South Africa and imports $3.77B.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Zimbabwe.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 South Africa $5.82B 35.4% $2.05B $3.77B Metals Machinery & equipment
2 UAE $3.03B 18.4% $2.72B $306M Precious metals & jewellery Machinery & equipment
3 China $2.64B 16.1% $1.28B $1.35B Processed food, beverages & tobacco Machinery & equipment
4 Bahamas $732M 4.45% $0 $732M Animal & marine products Raw materials & minerals
5 Mozambique $657M 4% $253M $404M Raw materials & minerals Raw materials & minerals
6 Zambia $460M 2.8% $145M $315M Processed food, beverages & tobacco Raw materials & minerals
7 Singapore $339M 2.06% $4.4M $334M Animal & marine products Raw materials & minerals
8 Bahrain $275M 1.67% $0 $275M Animal & marine products Raw materials & minerals
9 India $236M 1.44% $46.9M $190M Processed food, beverages & tobacco Chemicals & pharma
10 Mauritius $205M 1.25% $258K $205M Chemicals & pharma Raw materials & minerals

Top 10 exports

Zimbabwe Rank
Precious metals & jewellery $2.86B 40/190
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.52B 65/192
Raw materials & minerals $1.42B 102/193
Metals $1.35B 69/192
Transport & tourism services $346M 140/188
Raw agricultural goods $90.9M 120/193
Machinery & equipment $59.1M 136/193
Business & finance services $49.3M 139/188
IT & IP services $48.1M 125/183
Textiles & consumer goods $45.7M 130/193

Top 10 imports

Zimbabwe Rank
Raw materials & minerals $2.77B 101/193
Machinery & equipment $2.63B 115/193
Raw agricultural goods $1.09B 82/193
Chemicals & pharma $1.01B 111/193
Transport & tourism services $761M 135/188
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $653M 124/193
Metals $623M 113/193
Textiles & consumer goods $361M 133/193
Business & finance services $202M 140/188
Wood & paper products $182M 126/193

Economic freedom indices

Zimbabwe Rank
Economic freedom 35.2 190/197
Property rights 19.4 161/182
Government integrity 20.7 158/182
Judicial effectiveness 16.8 153/182
Tax burden 73.6 127/182
Government spending 93.9 9/180
Fiscal health 52.4 129/181
Business freedom 42 152/182
Labor freedom 33.3 177/182
Monetary freedom 0 180/180
Trade freedom 50.4 169/181
Investment freedom 10 174/181
Financial freedom 10 179/181

Economic freedom by year

1x
Year Index
Economic freedom Judicial effectiveness Tax burden Government spending Fiscal health
2026 35.2 16.8 73.6 93.9 52.4
2025 35.1 15.8 73.6 87.6 44.4
2024 38.2 16 74.6 92.1 78.5
2023 39 20 65.8 92.6 89.9
2022 33.1 16.3 66.1 87.2 79.8
2021 39.5 32 63.4 89.4 58.8
2020 43.1 28.3 62.3 88 36.2
2019 40.4 24.8 62.3 74.5 23.7
2018 44 33 61.1 72 59.1
2017 44 26.1 61.1 75.2 90.6
2016 38.2 - 60.8 73.6 -
2015 37.6 - 66.6 74.2 -
2014 35.5 - 63.3 64 -
2013 28.6 - 71.8 66.4 -
2012 26.3 - 65.2 38.7 -
2011 22.1 - 70.3 0 -
2010 21.4 - 58.4 0 -
2009 22.7 - 44.1 4.6 -
2008 29.5 - 57.8 24.1 -
2007 32 - 68.8 49.6 -
2006 33.5 - 67.6 82.7 -
2005 35.2 - 66.1 74.4 -
2004 34.4 - 67.5 63.5 -
2003 36.7 - 68.1 63.5 -
2002 36.7 - 64.8 52 -
2001 38.8 - 47.8 61.1 -
2000 48.7 - 65.8 58.9 -
1999 47.2 - 65.4 64.3 -
1998 44.6 - 65.4 55.3 -
1997 48 - 64.7 67.1 -
1996 46.7 - 58.4 63.7 -
1995 48.5 - 50.1 65.3 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/zimbabwe | CC BY

Zimbabwe is ranked 170/174 for economic freedom with a score of 35.2, compared to 159/162 and a score of 33.5 in 2006.

Other economic metrics

Zimbabwe Rank
Services, % of GDP
50.6%
2024
130/191
Industry, % of GDP
35%
2024
34/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.69%
2024
80/193
GNI, Atlas method
$39.9B
2024
100/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,870
2024
151/191
Total reserves including gold
$485M
2024
157/177
Net foreign direct investment
-$465M
2024
100/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$465M
2024
118/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$131M
2024
83/193
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.44%
2024
71/121
Poverty at national poverty lines
38.3%
2019
40/176
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
8.85%
2024
171/178

Compare Zimbabwe vs other countries

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/zimbabwe | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2005–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.