External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Zambia
Zambia: External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP was 7.4% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Zambia, 1994–2024
Source: National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
In 2024, external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Zambia stood at 7.4%.
The figure is up 115.3% on the previous year and up 412.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Zambia peaked at 18.2% in 2021 and was at its lowest, -14.4%, in 2001.
That places Zambia 28th out of 191 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | -0.7% | — |
| 1995 | -3.4% | +356.7% |
| 1996 | -6.9% | +100.4% |
| 1997 | -3.5% | -48.6% |
| 1998 | -7.0% | +98.7% |
| 1999 | -9.7% | +38.2% |
| 2000 | -12.5% | +29.4% |
| 2001 | -14.4% | +15.2% |
| 2002 | -10.6% | -26.3% |
| 2003 | -10.9% | +2.8% |
| 2004 | -3.7% | -65.9% |
| 2005 | -1.0% | -73.8% |
| 2006 | 7.3% | -848.7% |
| 2007 | 1.4% | -80.7% |
| 2008 | -1.6% | -214.5% |
| 2009 | 2.4% | -247.3% |
| 2010 | 6.2% | +158.4% |
| 2011 | 8.1% | +32.5% |
| 2012 | 4.8% | -41.1% |
| 2013 | 0.5% | -89.4% |
| 2014 | 1.5% | +185.0% |
| 2015 | -5.6% | -485.1% |
| 2016 | -3.3% | -40.8% |
| 2017 | -1.6% | -51.7% |
| 2018 | 1.0% | -164.2% |
| 2019 | 0.5% | -53.1% |
| 2020 | 14.2% | +2858.0% |
| 2021 | 18.2% | +28.0% |
| 2022 | 11.1% | -39.1% |
| 2023 | 3.5% | -68.9% |
| 2024 | 7.4% | +115.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | -5.2% | -9.7% | -0.7% | 6 |
| 2000s | -4.4% | -14.4% | 7.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.2% | -5.6% | 8.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 10.9% | 3.5% | 18.2% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 25 Peru 8.1% compare
- 26 Aruba 7.8% compare
- 27 South Sudan 7.8% compare
- 29 Azerbaijan 6.2% compare
- 30 Costa Rica 6.2% compare
- 31 Viet Nam 6.2% compare
More economy & growth data for Zambia
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 2.31 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 4.92 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 310.54 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0123 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 14.57 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 2.36 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 268.02 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0932 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 110.69 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 28.89 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Zambia?
- External balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Zambia was 7.4% in 2024, according to National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 18.2% in 2021.
- What is the lowest external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was -14.4% in 2001.
- How does Zambia rank for external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp?
- Zambia ranks 28th out of 191 countries with data for 2024.
- Is external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 412.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Exports of goods and services minus imports of goods and services divided by gross domestic product, expressed as a percentage.