Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Zambia
Zambia: Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows was 1,238 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Zambia, 1990–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
In 2024, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Zambia stood at 1,238.
The figure is up 1,340.6% on the previous year and down 16.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Zambia peaked at 2,100 in 2013 and was at its lowest, -65.12, in 2022.
Zambia ranks 100th of 222 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 202.78 | — |
| 1991 | 34.34 | -83.1% |
| 1992 | 45 | +31.0% |
| 1993 | 314.4 | +598.7% |
| 1994 | 40 | -87.3% |
| 1995 | 107 | +167.5% |
| 1996 | 127.1 | +18.8% |
| 1997 | 217 | +70.7% |
| 1998 | 238 | +9.7% |
| 1999 | 85.96 | -63.9% |
| 2000 | 121.7 | +41.6% |
| 2001 | 145 | +19.1% |
| 2002 | 298.36 | +105.8% |
| 2003 | 346.62 | +16.2% |
| 2004 | 364 | +5.0% |
| 2005 | 356.94 | -1.9% |
| 2006 | 615.79 | +72.5% |
| 2007 | 1,324 | +115.0% |
| 2008 | 938.62 | -29.1% |
| 2009 | 694.8 | -26.0% |
| 2010 | 1,729 | +148.9% |
| 2011 | 1,108 | -35.9% |
| 2012 | 1,732 | +56.2% |
| 2013 | 2,100 | +21.3% |
| 2014 | 1,489 | -29.1% |
| 2015 | 1,305 | -12.3% |
| 2016 | 662.91 | -49.2% |
| 2017 | 1,108 | +67.1% |
| 2018 | 408.44 | -63.1% |
| 2019 | 859.82 | +110.5% |
| 2020 | 245.21 | -71.5% |
| 2021 | 394.22 | +60.8% |
| 2022 | -65.12 | -116.5% |
| 2023 | 85.91 | -231.9% |
| 2024 | 1,238 | +1340.6% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 1,238 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 936.46, 1.3× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 1,238 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 596.7, 2.1× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Zambia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +1340.6% | 85.91 | 1,238 |
| 1993 | +598.7% | 45 | 314.4 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 141.16 | 34.34 | 314.4 | 10 |
| 2000s | 520.57 | 121.7 | 1,324 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,250 | 408.44 | 2,100 | 10 |
| 2020s | 379.56 | -65.12 | 1,238 | 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)
- 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 foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Zambia?
- Foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows in Zambia was 1,238 in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 2,100 in 2013.
- What is the lowest foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was -65.12 in 2022.
- How does Zambia rank for foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows?
- Zambia ranks 100th out of 222 countries with data for 2024.
- Is foreign direct investment (fdi) inflows rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows (millions of United States dollars). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 35 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).