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Rwanda vs Zambia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Rwanda has a population of 14.3M (ranked 77/197), compared with 21.3M in Zambia (ranked 63/197). Rwanda's land area is 9,525 sq mi versus 287,024 sq mi for Zambia (ranked 146th vs. 37th).

By GDP, Rwanda ranks 144/197 ($14.3B) and Zambia ranks 116/197 ($25.3B). By GDP per capita, Rwanda ranks 178/197 ($1,000), while Zambia ranks 169/197 ($1,187).

Main facts and rankings

Rwanda Zambia
Population
14975051
22697916
Population rank 77/197 62/197
GDP
$14.3B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank 144/197 116/197
GDP per capita
$1,000
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank 178/197 169/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,711
2024
$4,215
2024
Government debt
$9.58B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.2%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$672
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank 157/185 134/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,194
2026
$1,349
2026
Land area 9,525 sq mi 287,024 sq mi
Population density
1,563 ppl/mi²
2026
78.5 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
3.7
2023
4.1
2023
Median age
20.8 years
2024
18.8 years
2024
Life expectancy
68.5 years
2026
66.9 years
2026

Rwanda and Zambia: Comparison Charts

Rwanda and Zambia economies compared

GDP
Rwanda

Zambia
1x
Year GDP
Rwanda Zambia
2024 $14,251,642,235 $25,303,185,342
2023 $14,331,722,703 $27,577,956,471
2022 $13,316,161,002 $29,163,782,140
2021 $11,078,787,090 $22,096,416,932
2020 $10,174,386,857 $18,137,764,931
2019 $10,349,300,277 $23,308,667,781
2018 $9,637,904,521 $26,311,507,274
2017 $9,252,833,891 $25,873,601,261
2016 $8,695,272,058 $20,958,412,538
2015 $8,543,760,200 $21,251,216,799
2014 $8,238,966,124 $27,141,023,558
2013 $7,819,964,030 $28,037,239,463
2012 $7,654,761,050 $25,503,060,420
2011 $6,884,913,658 $23,459,515,276
2010 $6,124,756,654 $20,265,559,484
2009 $5,674,476,969 $15,328,342,304
2008 $5,179,854,065 $17,910,858,638
2007 $4,070,507,895 $14,056,957,976
2006 $3,319,784,539 $12,756,858,899
2005 $2,933,819,766 $8,331,870,169
2004 $2,376,496,067 $6,221,110,219
2003 $2,138,237,279 $4,901,869,764
2002 $1,966,003,468 $4,193,850,445
2001 $1,966,600,715 $4,094,441,301
2000 $2,068,836,754 $3,600,632,111
1999 $2,157,108,263 $3,404,284,891
1998 $1,989,343,546 $3,537,741,942
1997 $1,851,558,197 $4,303,288,480
1996 $1,382,334,879 $3,597,220,962
1995 $1,293,535,193 $3,806,983,413
1994 $753,636,370 $3,656,806,166
1993 $1,971,525,712 $3,273,505,344
1992 $2,029,026,962 $3,182,810,841
1991 $1,911,600,237 $3,376,806,697
1990 $2,550,185,679 $3,288,381,797
1989 $2,405,022,593 $3,994,673,161
1988 $2,395,492,687 $3,728,878,149
1987 $2,157,432,668 $2,265,250,972
1986 $1,944,710,684 $1,664,413,508
1985 $1,715,626,331 $2,252,454,500
1984 $1,587,413,084 $2,719,518,933
1983 $1,479,687,587 $3,321,048,451
1982 $1,407,243,139 $3,871,117,093
1981 $1,407,062,527 $4,008,126,497
1980 $1,254,765,642 $3,884,530,854
1979 $1,109,346,131 $3,353,445,378
1978 $905,709,076 $2,811,032,473
1977 $746,650,613 $2,515,296,940
1976 $637,753,853 $2,742,859,263
1975 $571,863,500 $2,442,672,141
1974 $308,458,423 $2,910,981,262
1973 $290,746,157 $2,434,255,237
1972 $246,457,838 $1,872,416,680
1971 $222,952,504 $1,653,259,341
1970 $219,900,006 $1,788,779,285
1969 $188,700,037 $1,926,399,230
1968 $172,200,018 $1,573,739,371
1967 $159,560,018 $1,340,639,464
1966 $124,525,703 $1,238,999,505
1965 $148,799,980 $1,061,199,576
1964 $129,999,994 $822,639,671
1963 $128,000,000 $704,339,719
1962 $125,000,008 $679,279,729
1961 $122,000,016 $682,359,727
1960 $119,000,024 $698,739,721

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

GeoRank.org/facts/rwanda/zambia | CC BY

Rwanda and Zambia economies compared

GDP per capita
Rwanda

Zambia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Rwanda Zambia
2024 $1,000 $1,187
2023 $1,027 $1,331
2022 $975 $1,447
2021 $830 $1,127
2020 $779 $952
2019 $810 $1,259
2018 $772 $1,464
2017 $758 $1,483
2016 $730 $1,239
2015 $734 $1,296
2014 $725 $1,707
2013 $705 $1,821
2012 $707 $1,710
2011 $651 $1,625
2010 $594 $1,451
2009 $564 $1,136
2008 $528 $1,376
2007 $426 $1,119
2006 $357 $1,052
2005 $324 $711
2004 $269.5 $549
2003 $249 $446
2002 $234 $394
2001 $237.3 $397
2000 $251.9 $359
1999 $264.7 $350
1998 $246.2 $373
1997 $238.7 $466
1996 $206 $400
1995 $228 $433
1994 $111 $426
1993 $247 $391
1992 $264.1 $389
1991 $254 $423
1990 $346 $422
1989 $335 $526
1988 $344 $504
1987 $320 $315
1986 $297.7 $238.2
1985 $271.6 $332
1984 $259.9 $413
1983 $250.6 $520
1982 $246.4 $627
1981 $254.6 $670
1980 $234.4 $669
1979 $213.8 $595
1978 $179.9 $514
1977 $152.7 $474
1976 $134.4 $533
1975 $124.1 $490
1974 $68.9 $601
1973 $66.9 $518
1972 $58.4 $410
1971 $54.4 $372
1970 $55.2 $414
1969 $48.9 $459
1968 $46 $387
1967 $44 $341
1966 $35.4 $325
1965 $43.5 $287.4
1964 $39 $230
1963 $39.3 $203.2
1962 $39.2 $202.3
1961 $39.3 $209.7
1960 $39.4 $221.6

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

GeoRank.org/facts/rwanda/zambia | CC BY

Rwanda vs. Zambia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Rwanda

Zambia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Rwanda Zambia
2026 68.5 66.9
2025 68.2 66.7
2024 68 66.5
2023 67.8 66.3
2022 67.5 65.3
2021 66.8 62.4
2020 67 63.4
2019 66.7 62.9
2018 66.4 62.1
2017 66.1 61.6
2016 65.7 61.1
2015 65.4 60.7
2014 65.1 60.1
2013 64.7 59.4
2012 64.2 58.7
2011 63.5 57.8
2010 62.8 56.9
2009 61.8 55.9
2008 60.6 54.8
2007 59.5 53.7
2006 58.3 52.7
2005 57 51.6
2004 55.5 50.5
2003 53.5 49.6
2002 51.3 48.5
2001 49.5 47.4
2000 47.8 46.6
1999 45.7 45.9
1998 43.1 45.7
1997 42 45.7
1996 42.5 45.8
1995 41.5 46.1
1994 12.2 46.3
1993 42.9 46.7
1992 44.4 47
1991 46.2 47.4
1990 47.8 48.2
1989 49.5 48.9
1988 50.9 49.7
1987 51.5 50.4
1986 51.7 51.1
1985 51.7 52
1984 51.4 52.9
1983 50.9 53.7
1982 50.2 54.4
1981 49.2 55
1980 48.1 55.5
1979 47.1 56
1978 46.2 56.3
1977 45.6 56.3
1976 45.3 56.1
1975 45.3 55.7
1974 45.6 55.4
1973 45.9 54.9
1972 46.3 54.4
1971 46.8 53.9
1970 47.1 53.4
1969 47.4 53
1968 47.7 52.7
1967 48 52.5
1966 48.1 52.3
1965 48.2 52.1
1964 48.1 51.2
1963 44 51.6
1962 47.8 51.3
1961 47.5 51
1960 47 50.6
1959 46.5 50.3
1958 46.1 49.9
1957 45.6 49.5
1956 45.2 49.1
1955 44.8 48.8
1954 44.4 48.4
1953 44.1 48
1952 43.8 47.6
1951 43.5 47.2
1950 43.2 46.8

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/rwanda/zambia | CC BY

Rwanda and Zambia population clocks and comparison

Population
Rwanda

Zambia
1x
Year Population
Rwanda Zambia
2024 14,256,567 21,314,956
2023 13,954,471 20,723,965
2022 13,651,030 20,152,938
2021 13,355,260 19,603,607
2020 13,065,837 19,059,395
2019 12,776,103 18,513,839
2018 12,487,996 17,973,569
2017 12,202,060 17,441,320
2016 11,919,183 16,914,423
2015 11,640,022 16,399,089
2014 11,364,757 15,895,315
2013 11,093,340 15,398,997
2012 10,829,901 14,913,629
2011 10,573,733 14,437,796
2010 10,317,553 13,965,594
2009 10,060,432 13,490,389
2008 9,804,269 13,021,324
2007 9,549,933 12,565,085
2006 9,299,246 12,129,553
2005 9,054,528 11,718,819
2004 8,816,844 11,338,198
2003 8,586,875 10,983,595
2002 8,400,180 10,647,949
2001 8,287,094 10,325,185
2000 8,213,931 10,017,631
1999 8,147,912 9,740,005
1998 8,081,681 9,482,408
1997 7,755,238 9,237,063
1996 6,708,764 9,004,053
1995 5,674,118 8,785,763
1994 6,792,352 8,576,269
1993 7,981,132 8,373,921
1992 7,683,266 8,176,680
1991 7,526,966 7,981,650
1990 7,375,307 7,786,169
1989 7,184,706 7,589,216
1988 6,968,071 7,391,440
1987 6,749,493 7,191,282
1986 6,531,881 6,986,471
1985 6,317,228 6,780,953
1984 6,107,627 6,580,490
1983 5,905,311 6,381,038
1982 5,711,549 6,178,637
1981 5,527,230 5,983,289
1980 5,353,259 5,802,833
1979 5,189,541 5,631,728
1978 5,035,171 5,465,374
1977 4,888,240 5,302,480
1976 4,745,954 5,143,842
1975 4,607,728 4,990,086
1974 4,474,228 4,842,746
1973 4,345,047 4,702,693
1972 4,220,335 4,569,309
1971 4,100,044 4,442,525
1970 3,980,669 4,321,718
1969 3,861,271 4,197,116
1968 3,744,010 4,065,593
1967 3,629,577 3,936,343
1966 3,521,626 3,812,003
1965 3,423,210 3,692,086
1964 3,334,834 3,577,017
1963 3,258,890 3,465,907
1962 3,186,025 3,358,099
1961 3,106,779 3,254,086
1960 3,022,294 3,153,729

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

GeoRank.org/facts/rwanda/zambia | CC BY

Fertility rates in Rwanda and Zambia

Fertility rate
Rwanda

Zambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Rwanda Zambia
2023 3.7 4.1
2022 3.78 4.18
2021 3.84 4.25
2020 3.91 4.32
2019 3.99 4.42
2018 4.05 4.49
2017 4.08 4.57
2016 4.11 4.67
2015 4.11 4.78
2014 4.12 4.89
2013 4.14 5.01
2012 4.2 5.14
2011 4.33 5.26
2010 4.52 5.36
2009 4.71 5.45
2008 4.92 5.53
2007 5.14 5.61
2006 5.34 5.68
2005 5.5 5.7
2004 5.64 5.7
2003 5.74 5.71
2002 5.82 5.77
2001 5.89 5.85
2000 5.97 5.92
1999 6.06 6
1998 6.17 6.07
1997 6.24 6.12
1996 6.29 6.18
1995 6.35 6.23
1994 6.42 6.26
1993 6.48 6.3
1992 6.54 6.35
1991 6.62 6.46
1990 6.8 6.57
1989 7.03 6.64
1988 7.23 6.7
1987 7.43 6.8
1986 7.61 6.87
1985 7.79 6.93
1984 7.91 6.97
1983 8 7.01
1982 8.06 7.04
1981 8.1 7.07
1980 8.12 7.14
1979 8.13 7.22
1978 8.16 7.29
1977 8.14 7.35
1976 8.12 7.39
1975 8.1 7.42
1974 8.1 7.36
1973 8.09 7.34
1972 8.09 7.3
1971 8.09 7.26
1970 8.15 7.22
1969 8.18 7.18
1968 8.19 7.18
1967 8.21 7.15
1966 8.23 7.14
1965 8.25 7.12
1964 8.27 7.09
1963 8.27 7.06
1962 8.27 7.01
1961 8.28 6.98
1960 8.28 6.95

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/rwanda/zambia | CC BY

Rwanda and Zambia demographics compared

Median age
Rwanda

Zambia
1x
Year Median age, years
Rwanda Zambia
2024 20.8 18.8
2023 20.5 18.6
2022 20.3 18.4
2021 20 18.2
2020 19.9 18
2019 19.8 17.9
2018 19.7 17.7
2017 19.6 17.5
2016 19.4 17.4
2015 19.3 17.2
2014 19.1 17.1
2013 19 17
2012 18.8 16.9
2011 18.7 16.8
2010 18.5 16.7
2009 18.4 16.6
2008 18.3 16.5
2007 18.1 16.4
2006 18 16.3
2005 17.8 16.3
2004 17.6 16.2
2003 17.4 16.1
2002 17.1 16
2001 16.8 15.9
2000 16.3 15.9
1999 15.8 15.8
1998 15.3 15.8
1997 14.8 15.8
1996 14.6 15.8
1995 14.3 15.8
1994 15 15.8
1993 15.7 15.8
1992 15.6 15.8
1991 15.5 15.7
1990 15.5 15.7
1989 15.5 15.7
1988 15.6 15.6
1987 15.6 15.6
1986 15.7 15.5
1985 15.8 15.5
1984 16 15.4
1983 16.1 15.4
1982 16.2 15.3
1981 16.4 15.3
1980 16.5 15.2
1979 16.5 15.3
1978 16.6 15.3
1977 16.6 15.4
1976 16.5 15.4
1975 16.4 15.5
1974 16.3 15.7
1973 16.2 15.8
1972 16 15.9
1971 15.9 16.1
1970 15.7 16.2
1969 15.5 16.4
1968 15.3 16.4
1967 15.1 16.5
1966 14.9 16.5
1965 14.8 16.6
1964 14.7 16.6
1963 14.8 16.7
1962 14.9 16.8
1961 15.1 16.9
1960 15.5 17

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

GeoRank.org/facts/rwanda/zambia | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Rwanda Zambia
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2024
$25.9B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.8%
2024
25.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.69%
2024
4.07%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.25%
2024
1.33%
2024
Armed forces personnel
35,000
2020
16,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-6.57%
2024
-3.32%
2024
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2024
5.86%
2023
Services, % of GDP
47.6%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21%
2024
35.2%
2024
Economic freedom index
56.5
2026
51.9
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2023
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
1.5%
2022
Listed domestic companies
5
2024
20
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.75B
2024
$7.77B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.41B
2024
$4.09B
2024
Personal remittances received
$517M
2024
$334M
2024
International tourist arrivals
1,634,000
2019
502,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
11%
2020
n/a
Banked people share
50%
2017
72.7%
2024

Energy

Rwanda Zambia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
373 kg
2022
801 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$8.31
2022
$4.8
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
2.31 megatons
2024
11.6 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.16 tons
2024
0.54 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2022
18.4%
2022
Renewable energy use share
79.9%
2022
83%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.97%
2022
9.18%
2022
Net energy imports use share
10.6%
2022
9.03%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
68.1 kWh
2022
704 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
61%
2021
92.1%
2021
Hydroelectric share
50.3%
2022
87.7%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
63.9%
2023
51.1%
2023

Society

Rwanda Zambia
% of world population
0.18%
2024
0.26%
2024
Annual migration change
+6,282
2025
+6,562
2025
Urban population
29.9%
2024
45.5%
2024
Male:Female ratio
48.8:51.2
2024
49.5:50.5
2024
Average male height
5.45 ft
2025
5.5 ft
2025
Average female height
5.14 ft
2025
5.16 ft
2025
Quality of life index
32.7
2026
30.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
58
2025
37
2025
Higher education index
17
2026
47
2026
Homicides per 100K people
3.59
2020
5.25
2015
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
29.4
2019
20.5
2019
Visa free countries
72
2025
74
2025
Adult literacy rate
78.8%
2022
82%
2023
English speaking
15%
2023
16%
2023
People using the Internet
34.2%
2023
33%
2023

Health

Rwanda Zambia
Government health expenditure per capita
$52.7
2023
$79.6
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$2.16
2023
$8.18
2023
Life expectancy
68.5 years
2026
66.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
37%
2023
47.9%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.09
2022
0.32
2022
Age at first childbirth
23 years
2025
19.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
229
2023
85
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
40
2023
44.7
2023
Obesity rate
4.99%
2022
11.2%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
2.1%
2024
10.3%
2024
Air quality index
6
2026
30
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
14.3%
2022
14.6%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
2.87 liters
2020
3.62 liters
2020

Territory

Rwanda Zambia
% of world land
0.02%
2026
0.5%
2026
Land area per capita
668 sq mi
2024
13,466 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
7,271 sq mi
2026
92,043 sq mi
2026
Forest area
1,077 sq mi
2026
170,848 sq mi
2026
Roads length
2,920 mi
2021
42,049 mi
2018

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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