Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Zambia
Zambia: Central government revenues as a share of GDP was 23.4% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Zambia, 1990–2024
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 23.4% for central government revenues as a share of gdp in 2024. That is the highest value across all 34 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 13.0% on the previous year and up 32.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government revenues as a share of gdp in Zambia peaked at 23.4% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 13.2%, in 2009.
That places Zambia 91st out of 157 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 34 years of available data.
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 20.4% | — |
| 1991 | 19.0% | -6.8% |
| 1992 | 19.9% | +4.8% |
| 1993 | 18.0% | -9.9% |
| 1994 | 19.1% | +6.5% |
| 1995 | 18.3% | -4.6% |
| 1996 | 17.1% | -6.1% |
| 1997 | 16.7% | -2.5% |
| 1998 | 16.7% | -0.3% |
| 1999 | 17.6% | +5.6% |
| 2001 | 17.5% | -0.8% |
| 2002 | 15.7% | -9.9% |
| 2003 | 15.3% | -2.5% |
| 2004 | 15.7% | +2.5% |
| 2005 | 15.2% | -3.3% |
| 2006 | 14.2% | -6.3% |
| 2007 | 15.2% | +7.0% |
| 2008 | 15.0% | -1.5% |
| 2009 | 13.2% | -12.0% |
| 2010 | 14.4% | +8.8% |
| 2011 | 17.5% | +21.6% |
| 2012 | 16.7% | -4.6% |
| 2013 | 16.2% | -2.6% |
| 2014 | 17.7% | +9.2% |
| 2015 | 18.3% | +3.1% |
| 2016 | 18.1% | -0.9% |
| 2017 | 16.9% | -7.1% |
| 2018 | 19.4% | +15.2% |
| 2019 | 19.6% | +1.0% |
| 2020 | 19.6% | -0.1% |
| 2021 | 22.0% | +12.2% |
| 2022 | 20.5% | -6.6% |
| 2023 | 20.7% | +1.0% |
| 2024 | 23.4% | +13.0% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 23.4% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 19.7%, 1.2× the median. (36 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 23.4% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 15.8%, 1.5× the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 18.3% | 16.7% | 20.4% | 10 |
| 2000s | 15.2% | 13.2% | 17.5% | 9 |
| 2010s | 17.5% | 14.4% | 19.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 21.2% | 19.6% | 23.4% | 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 central government revenues as a share of gdp in Zambia?
- Central government revenues as a share of gdp in Zambia was 23.4% in 2024, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 23.4% in 2024.
- What is the lowest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 13.2% in 2009.
- How does Zambia rank for central government revenues as a share of gdp?
- Zambia ranks 91st out of 157 countries with data for 2024.
- Is central government revenues as a share of gdp rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 32.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Central government revenues as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Taxes, social contributions, and other revenues such as fines, fees, rent, and income from property or sales included. Grants excluded.