Zambia GDP Per Capita (2026)
Zambia has a resource-based Southern African economy supported by copper mining, agriculture, construction, services, energy, and trade. GDP per capita provides a useful measure of how national economic production compares with population and helps place the country’s mineral-driven economic activity into a per-person context. Explore Zambia’s latest GDP per capita data, historical trends, growth patterns, and economic comparisons below.
GDP Per Capita 2026
$1,831
Est. in USD
World Rank
#161
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+38.9%
+$513
Africa Rank
#28
Out of 54 countries
1. Zambia GDP Per Capita in 2026
Zambia’s GDP per capita reflects economic output generated for each resident, with copper mining playing a central role in national production and export earnings. Agriculture, services, construction, and energy also contribute to the economy. Adjusting total GDP for population provides a standardized measure that makes comparisons with countries of different sizes more meaningful.
2. Zambia GDP Per Capita Growth (1980–2026)
3. Zambia GDP Per Capita (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Per Capita (USD) | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1,831 | +38.9% |
| 2025 | $1,318 | +11.0% |
| 2024 | $1,187 | -10.8% |
| 2023 | $1,331 | -8.0% |
| 2022 | $1,447 | +28.4% |
| 2021 | $1,127 | +18.4% |
| 2020 | $952 | -24.4% |
| 2019 | $1,259 | -14.0% |
| 2018 | $1,464 | -1.3% |
| 2017 | $1,483 | +19.7% |
| 2016 | $1,239 | -4.4% |
| 2015 | $1,296 | -24.1% |
| 2014 | $1,708 | -6.2% |
| 2013 | $1,821 | +6.5% |
| 2012 | $1,710 | +5.2% |
| 2011 | $1,625 | +12.0% |
| 2010 | $1,451 | +27.7% |
| 2009 | $1,136 | -17.4% |
| 2008 | $1,376 | +23.0% |
| 2007 | $1,119 | +6.4% |
| 2006 | $1,052 | +48.0% |
| 2005 | $711 | +29.5% |
| 2004 | $549 | +23.1% |
| 2003 | $446 | +13.2% |
| 2002 | $394 | +5.1% |
| 2001 | $375 | +4.5% |
| 2000 | $359 | +2.6% |
| 1999 | $350 | -6.2% |
| 1998 | $373 | -20.0% |
| 1997 | $466 | +16.5% |
| 1996 | $400 | -7.4% |
| 1995 | $432 | +1.4% |
| 1994 | $426 | 0.0% |
| 1993 | $426 | -4.7% |
| 1992 | $447 | -4.9% |
| 1991 | $470 | -12.3% |
| 1990 | $536 | -9.3% |
| 1989 | $591 | +3.5% |
| 1988 | $571 | +63.6% |
| 1987 | $349 | +20.3% |
| 1986 | $290 | -33.2% |
| 1985 | $434 | -8.1% |
| 1984 | $472 | -20.1% |
| 1983 | $591 | -16.4% |
| 1982 | $707 | -6.5% |
| 1981 | $756 | 0.0% |
| 1980 | $756 | — |
4. Zambia GDP Per Capita Growth
1-Year Change
+38.9%
(2025 to 2026)
5-Year Change
+62.5%
(2021 to 2026)
10-Year Change
+47.8%
(2016 to 2026)
20-Year Change
+74.0%
(2006 to 2026)
Zambia’s GDP per capita can be influenced by copper prices, mining output, exchange rates, inflation, investment, electricity supply, and population growth. Commodity cycles can have a significant effect on annual performance because mining remains a major part of the economy. Historical data helps show how output per resident has evolved through periods of expansion, slowdown, and adjustment.
5. Zambia GDP Per Capita vs Africa and World
Zambia
$1,831
Africa Average
$3,302
World Average
$25,179
$0
$12,590
$25,179
USD
Zambia’s GDP per capita is approximately
44.5%
below the
Africa average
and
92.7%
below the world average.
6. Zambia GDP Per Capita Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Per Capita (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| #25 | Senegal | $2,054 |
| #26 | Comoros | $1,951 |
| #27 | Guinea | $1,848 |
| #28 | Zambia | $1,831 |
| #29 | Benin | $1,809 |
| #30 | Nigeria | $1,556 |
| #31 | Uganda | $1,476 |
7. GDP vs GDP Per Capita in Zambia
Zambia GDP (Nominal)
$41.2 Billion
(2026)
Zambia GDP Per Capita
$1,831
(2026)
Zambia’s total GDP measures the overall scale of economic production across the country, while GDP per capita divides that output by population. Total GDP highlights Zambia’s economic size and importance as a copper producer, whereas GDP per capita provides a population-adjusted measure of production per resident. Both indicators together offer a more balanced view of economic performance.
Explore more:
Zambia GDP
8. Zambia GDP Per Capita Forecast
| Year | GDP Per Capita (USD) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $1,870 | +2.1% |
| 2028 | $1,940 | +3.7% |
| 2029 | $2,120 | +9.3% |
| 2030 | $2,235 | +5.4% |
Zambia GDP per capita is projected to reach $2,235 by 2030, representing a 22.1% increase from the 2026 level.
9. Zambia GDP Per Capita: Key Findings
Zambia GDP per capita is estimated at $1,831 in 2026.
It ranks #161 globally and #28 in Africa.
GDP per capita increased by 38.9% compared with 2025.
Over the last 5 years, GDP per capita grew by 62.5%.
Over the last 10 years, GDP per capita grew by 47.8%.
It is approximately 44.5% below the Africa average.
It is approximately 92.7% below the world average.
The forecast reaches $2,235 by 2030, 22.1% above the 2026 level.
10. What Is GDP Per Capita?
GDP per capita is the total economic output of a country divided by its population.
GDP Per Capita
=
GDP
÷
Population
It helps measure the average economic output per person and is widely used to compare economic performance across countries. Higher values generally indicate greater economic output per resident.
11. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Sources:
World Bank,
United Nations
Population Source:
UN Population Division
Currency:
Current USD (Nominal)
Update Frequency:
Annually
Last Updated:
September 2026
12. Zambia GDP Per Capita FAQs
Zambia GDP per capita is estimated at $1,831 in 2026.
Zambia ranks #161 globally and #28 in Africa by GDP per capita.
Yes. GDP per capita increased by approximately 38.9% compared with 2025.
Zambia GDP per capita was approximately $1,296 in 2015.
Zambia GDP per capita is approximately 44.5% below the Africa average.
14. Explore GDP Per Capita
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.