External debt stocks in Zambia
Zambia: External debt stocks was 114.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
External debt stocks in Zambia, 1970–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of GNI.
Analysis
In 2024, external debt stocks in Zambia stood at 114.2%.
The figure is up 3.2% on the previous year and up 214.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external debt stocks in Zambia peaked at 414.9% in 1986 and was at its lowest, 17.8%, in 2008.
That places Zambia 9th out of 122 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
External debt stocks in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % of GNI | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 46.7% | — |
| 1971 | 53.5% | +14.5% |
| 1972 | 52.9% | -1.1% |
| 1973 | 45.9% | -13.3% |
| 1974 | 43.9% | -4.3% |
| 1975 | 74.0% | +68.4% |
| 1976 | 76.0% | +2.6% |
| 1977 | 97.2% | +27.9% |
| 1978 | 97.9% | +0.7% |
| 1979 | 99.2% | +1.3% |
| 1980 | 90.5% | -8.8% |
| 1981 | 92.7% | +2.4% |
| 1982 | 100.8% | +8.7% |
| 1983 | 122.0% | +21.1% |
| 1984 | 153.6% | +25.9% |
| 1985 | 226.0% | +47.1% |
| 1986 | 414.9% | +83.6% |
| 1987 | 337.3% | -18.7% |
| 1988 | 201.7% | -40.2% |
| 1989 | 182.7% | -9.5% |
| 1990 | 229.5% | +25.7% |
| 1991 | 232.5% | +1.3% |
| 1992 | 233.7% | +0.5% |
| 1993 | 214.6% | -8.2% |
| 1994 | 199.1% | -7.2% |
| 1995 | 195.2% | -2.0% |
| 1996 | 208.2% | +6.7% |
| 1997 | 164.3% | -21.1% |
| 1998 | 207.2% | +26.1% |
| 1999 | 183.7% | -11.4% |
| 2000 | 168.7% | -8.1% |
| 2001 | 157.6% | -6.6% |
| 2002 | 165.2% | +4.8% |
| 2003 | 144.6% | -12.5% |
| 2004 | 129.6% | -10.4% |
| 2005 | 69.7% | -46.2% |
| 2006 | 19.4% | -72.2% |
| 2007 | 21.9% | +12.8% |
| 2008 | 17.8% | -18.8% |
| 2009 | 24.4% | +37.3% |
| 2010 | 22.9% | -6.4% |
| 2011 | 23.3% | +2.0% |
| 2012 | 24.7% | +5.8% |
| 2013 | 24.8% | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 36.3% | +46.3% |
| 2015 | 59.1% | +62.8% |
| 2016 | 77.6% | +31.3% |
| 2017 | 96.0% | +23.8% |
| 2018 | 95.0% | -1.0% |
| 2019 | 128.3% | +35.1% |
| 2020 | 167.5% | +30.5% |
| 2021 | 133.6% | -20.3% |
| 2022 | 103.7% | -22.4% |
| 2023 | 110.7% | +6.8% |
| 2024 | 114.2% | +3.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 68.7% | 43.9% | 99.2% | 10 |
| 1980s | 192.2% | 90.5% | 414.9% | 10 |
| 1990s | 206.8% | 164.3% | 233.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 91.9% | 17.8% | 168.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 58.8% | 22.9% | 128.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 125.9% | 103.7% | 167.5% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
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)
- External balance on goods and services (current US$), annual growth 97.55 % change on previous year (2024)
- External balance on goods and services (current LCU), annual growth 155.74 % change on previous year (2024)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current LCU), annual 58.8 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current LCU), per 1.03 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current LCU), per 1,360 current LCU per person (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (constant 2015 US$) 51.13 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (constant 2015 US$) 0.0433 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (constant 2015 US$) 57.08 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external debt stocks in Zambia?
- External debt stocks in Zambia was 114.2% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest external debt stocks recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 414.9% in 1986.
- What is the lowest external debt stocks recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.8% in 2008.
- How does Zambia rank for external debt stocks?
- Zambia ranks 9th out of 122 countries with data for 2024.
- Is external debt stocks rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 214.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of External debt stocks (% of GNI). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Total external debt stocks to gross national income. Total external debt is debt owed to nonresidents repayable in currency, goods, or services. Total external debt is the sum of public, publicly guaranteed, and private nonguaranteed long-term debt, use of IMF credit, and short-term debt. Short-term debt includes all debt having an original maturity of one year or less and interest in arrears on long-term debt. GNI (formerly GNP) is the sum of value added by all resident producers plus any product taxes (less subsidies) not included in the valuation of output plus net receipts of primary income (compensation of employees and property income) from abroad.