Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (International Financial) in Zambia
Zambia: Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (International Financial) was 13.9% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Inflation, consumer prices in Zambia, 1986–2025
Source: International Financial Statistics database, International Monetary Fund (IMF). Measured in annual %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for inflation, consumer prices in Zambia is 13.9%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 7.2% on the previous year and up 37.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, inflation, consumer prices in Zambia peaked at 183.3% in 1993 and was at its lowest, 6.4%, in 2011.
That places Zambia 17th out of 192 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) (International Financial) in Zambia, year by year
| Year | annual % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 55.8% | — |
| 1987 | 47.0% | -15.7% |
| 1988 | 51.0% | +8.4% |
| 1989 | 123.4% | +141.9% |
| 1990 | 107.0% | -13.3% |
| 1991 | 97.6% | -8.8% |
| 1992 | 165.7% | +69.7% |
| 1993 | 183.3% | +10.6% |
| 1994 | 54.6% | -70.2% |
| 1995 | 34.9% | -36.0% |
| 1996 | 43.1% | +23.3% |
| 1997 | 24.4% | -43.3% |
| 1998 | 24.5% | +0.2% |
| 1999 | 26.8% | +9.5% |
| 2000 | 26.0% | -2.8% |
| 2001 | 21.4% | -17.8% |
| 2002 | 22.2% | +3.9% |
| 2003 | 21.4% | -3.7% |
| 2004 | 18.0% | -16.0% |
| 2005 | 18.3% | +2.0% |
| 2006 | 9.0% | -50.8% |
| 2007 | 10.7% | +18.2% |
| 2008 | 12.4% | +16.8% |
| 2009 | 13.4% | +7.6% |
| 2010 | 8.5% | -36.5% |
| 2011 | 6.4% | -24.4% |
| 2012 | 6.6% | +2.3% |
| 2013 | 7.0% | +6.1% |
| 2014 | 7.8% | +11.9% |
| 2015 | 10.1% | +29.5% |
| 2016 | 17.9% | +76.7% |
| 2017 | 6.6% | -63.2% |
| 2018 | 7.5% | +13.9% |
| 2019 | 9.2% | +22.1% |
| 2020 | 15.7% | +71.9% |
| 2021 | 22.0% | +40.0% |
| 2022 | 11.0% | -50.1% |
| 2023 | 10.9% | -1.0% |
| 2024 | 15.0% | +37.7% |
| 2025 | 13.9% | -7.2% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 13.9% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 3.6%, 3.9× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 13.9% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 3.5%, 4.0× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 69.3% | 47.0% | 123.4% | 4 |
| 1990s | 76.2% | 24.4% | 183.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 17.3% | 9.0% | 26.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 8.7% | 6.4% | 17.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 14.8% | 10.9% | 22.0% | 6 |
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)
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, annual growth rate 13.19 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.1053 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, per capita 138.75 units per person (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, annual growth rate 7.79 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0769 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, per capita 101.32 units per person (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0464 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is inflation, consumer prices in Zambia?
- Inflation, consumer prices in Zambia was 13.9% in 2025, according to International Financial Statistics database, International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- What is the highest inflation, consumer prices recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 183.3% in 1993.
- What is the lowest inflation, consumer prices recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.4% in 2011.
- How does Zambia rank for inflation, consumer prices?
- Zambia ranks 17th out of 192 countries with data for 2025.
- Is inflation, consumer prices rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 37.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from International Financial Statistics database, International Monetary Fund (IMF), published as part of Inflation, consumer prices (annual %). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Inflation as measured by the consumer price index reflects the annual percentage change in the cost to the average consumer of acquiring a basket of goods and services that may be fixed or changed at specified intervals, such as yearly.