Zambia - Economy
How is the economy of Zambia? Based on the information we have, Zambia has a lower middle-income Sub-Saharan economy; major copper exporter; high public debt is held mostly by China; systemic corruption; one of youngest and fastest growing labor forces; regional hydroelectricity exporter; extreme rural poverty. Key agricultural products in this country include: sugarcane, cassava, maize, milk, soybeans, vegetables, wheat, groundnuts, beef, sweet potatoes (2022).
More about the economy of Zambia
Labor force 7.051 million (2023 est.)
Industrial production growth rate 1.73% (2023 est.)
Industries copper mining and processing, emerald mining, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture
Population below poverty line 60% (2022 est.)
Taxes and other revenues 16.78% (of GDP) (2021 est.)
Fiscal year
Exchange rates
Currency Zambian kwacha (ZMK) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2023 20.212 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022 16.938 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021 20.018 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020 18.344 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2019 12.89 (2019 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022 $2.968 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021 $2.754 billion (2021 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2020 $1.203 billion (2020 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022 $1.093 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021 $2.63 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2020 $2.139 billion (2020 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2021 71.41% of GDP (2021 est.)
Budget
Revenues $5.388 billion (2021 est.)
Expenditures $5.554 billion (2021 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
Remittances
Remittances 2023 0.89% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022 0.83% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021 1.08% of GDP (2021 est.)
Household income
Lowest 10% 1.4% (2022 est.)
Highest 10% 39.1% (2022 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022 $10.022 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021 $7.691 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2020 $5.866 billion (2020 est.)
Imports (partners) South Africa 26%, Equatorial Guinea 18%, China 14%, UAE 7%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 6% (2022)
Comodities Imports force fertilizers, refined petroleum, trucks, copper ore, packaged medicine (2022)
Exports
Imports 2022 $10.022 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021 $7.691 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2020 $5.866 billion (2020 est.)
Exports (partners) Switzerland 30%, China 18%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 10%, Pitcairn Islands 10%, UAE 7% (2022)
Comodities Exports force raw copper, refined copper, gold, precious stones, iron alloys (2022)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023 $76.493 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022 $72.277 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021 $68.672 billion (2021 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) $28.163 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP Per capita
Real GDP per capita 2023 $3,700 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022 $3,600 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2021 $3,500 (2021 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
Agriculture 2.8% (2023 est.)
Industry 36.1% (2023 est.)
Services 54.9% (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
Household consumption 35.6% (2022 est.)
Government consumption 14.3% (2022 est.)
Investment in fixed capital 25.1% (2022 est.)
Investment in inventories 1.9% (2022 est.)
Exports of goods and services 40.8% (2023 est.)
Imports of goods and services -39.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2023 5.91% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022 5.99% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2021 5.2% (2021 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
Total 9.8% (2023 est.)
Male 9.7% (2023 est.)
Female 9.8% (2023 est.)
All Important Facts about Zambia

Want to know more about Zambia? Check all different factbooks for Zambia below.

Zambia is found in Eastern Africa