Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP) in Zambia
Zambia: Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP) was 8.7% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP) in Zambia, 1960–2025
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
Zambia recorded 8.7% for share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.3% on the previous year and up 16.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) in Zambia peaked at 33.3% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 3.8%, in 1960.
That places Zambia 115th out of 202 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP) in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 3.8% | — |
| 1961 | 4.9% | +29.6% |
| 1962 | 4.8% | -1.2% |
| 1963 | 5.5% | +13.8% |
| 1964 | 5.7% | +3.6% |
| 1965 | 6.3% | +11.4% |
| 1966 | 7.8% | +23.3% |
| 1967 | 9.0% | +15.3% |
| 1968 | 9.7% | +8.1% |
| 1969 | 8.2% | -16.1% |
| 1970 | 10.1% | +23.9% |
| 1971 | 12.7% | +25.4% |
| 1972 | 13.6% | +7.0% |
| 1973 | 12.3% | -9.3% |
| 1974 | 12.8% | +4.4% |
| 1975 | 15.9% | +24.0% |
| 1976 | 14.4% | -9.8% |
| 1977 | 17.8% | +23.8% |
| 1978 | 19.1% | +7.5% |
| 1979 | 18.3% | -4.3% |
| 1980 | 16.9% | -7.4% |
| 1981 | 17.7% | +4.7% |
| 1982 | 18.6% | +4.8% |
| 1983 | 19.8% | +6.7% |
| 1984 | 20.5% | +3.3% |
| 1985 | 22.9% | +11.5% |
| 1986 | 22.7% | -0.9% |
| 1987 | 25.7% | +13.6% |
| 1988 | 30.8% | +19.8% |
| 1989 | 31.0% | +0.5% |
| 1990 | 31.9% | +2.9% |
| 1991 | 33.3% | +4.7% |
| 1992 | 33.2% | -0.5% |
| 1993 | 25.0% | -24.8% |
| 1994 | 9.1% | -63.6% |
| 1995 | 9.2% | +1.0% |
| 1996 | 10.9% | +18.9% |
| 1997 | 10.8% | -1.1% |
| 1998 | 10.8% | -0.2% |
| 1999 | 10.2% | -5.2% |
| 2000 | 9.5% | -7.4% |
| 2001 | 9.1% | -3.9% |
| 2002 | 9.6% | +5.5% |
| 2003 | 10.1% | +5.9% |
| 2004 | 10.1% | -0.8% |
| 2005 | 9.8% | -2.2% |
| 2006 | 9.4% | -4.4% |
| 2007 | 8.7% | -7.7% |
| 2008 | 8.5% | -2.6% |
| 2009 | 8.7% | +2.7% |
| 2010 | 7.6% | -12.7% |
| 2011 | 7.5% | -0.8% |
| 2012 | 7.1% | -5.9% |
| 2013 | 6.0% | -14.9% |
| 2014 | 6.8% | +13.2% |
| 2015 | 7.5% | +10.3% |
| 2016 | 7.7% | +2.2% |
| 2017 | 8.1% | +5.7% |
| 2018 | 6.8% | -15.7% |
| 2019 | 6.8% | -0.9% |
| 2020 | 7.7% | +13.5% |
| 2021 | 8.7% | +12.5% |
| 2022 | 8.0% | -7.8% |
| 2023 | 8.5% | +6.3% |
| 2024 | 9.0% | +6.4% |
| 2025 | 8.7% | -3.3% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 8.7% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 11.4%, 77% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 8.7% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8.4%, 1.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | -63.6% | 25.0% | 9.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 6.6% | 3.8% | 9.7% | 10 |
| 1970s | 14.7% | 10.1% | 19.1% | 10 |
| 1980s | 22.7% | 16.9% | 31.0% | 10 |
| 1990s | 18.4% | 9.1% | 33.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 9.3% | 8.5% | 10.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 7.2% | 6.0% | 8.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 8.4% | 7.7% | 9.0% | 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)
- 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 share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) in Zambia?
- Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) in Zambia was 8.7% in 2025, 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 share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 33.3% in 1991.
- What is the lowest share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.8% in 1960.
- How does Zambia rank for share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp)?
- Zambia ranks 115th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (gdp) rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.3%. 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 Share of manufacturing in gross domestic product (GDP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Manufacturing comprises units engaged in the physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products.