Zambia GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Zambia has a resource-rich African economy supported by copper mining, agriculture, services, and domestic consumption. This page explores its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+4.3%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#45
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+0.5 pp
2025: +3.8%
Africa Rank
#27
Out of 54 countries
1. Zambia GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Zambian economic growth is strongly influenced by copper production, commodity prices, agriculture, investment, and energy supply. Debt conditions also remain important.
2. Zambia GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Zambia’s growth history has been shaped by mining cycles, public investment, debt pressures, and agricultural performance. Copper remains the central export industry.
3. Zambia GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +4.3% | +0.5 pp |
| 2025 | +3.8% | 0.0 pp |
| 2024 | +3.8% | -1.6 pp |
| 2023 | +5.4% | +0.2 pp |
| 2022 | +5.2% | -1.0 pp |
| 2021 | +6.2% | +9.0 pp |
| 2020 | -2.8% | -4.2 pp |
| 2019 | +1.4% | -2.6 pp |
| 2018 | +4.0% | +0.5 pp |
| 2017 | +3.5% | -0.3 pp |
| 2016 | +3.8% | +0.9 pp |
| 2015 | +2.9% | -1.8 pp |
| 2014 | +4.7% | -0.4 pp |
| 2013 | +5.1% | -2.5 pp |
| 2012 | +7.6% | +2.0 pp |
| 2011 | +5.6% | -4.7 pp |
| 2010 | +10.3% | +1.1 pp |
| 2009 | +9.2% | +1.4 pp |
| 2008 | +7.8% | -0.6 pp |
| 2007 | +8.4% | +0.5 pp |
| 2006 | +7.9% | +0.7 pp |
| 2005 | +7.2% | +0.2 pp |
| 2004 | +7.0% | +0.1 pp |
| 2003 | +6.9% | +2.4 pp |
| 2002 | +4.5% | -0.8 pp |
| 2001 | +5.3% | +1.4 pp |
| 2000 | +3.9% | -0.8 pp |
| 1999 | +4.7% | +5.1 pp |
| 1998 | -0.4% | -4.2 pp |
| 1997 | +3.8% | -2.4 pp |
| 1996 | +6.2% | +3.3 pp |
| 1995 | +2.9% | +16.2 pp |
| 1994 | -13.3% | -13.2 pp |
| 1993 | -0.1% | -2.2 pp |
| 1992 | +2.1% | +2.8 pp |
| 1991 | -0.7% | -0.1 pp |
| 1990 | -0.6% | +3.1 pp |
| 1989 | -3.7% | -13.0 pp |
| 1988 | +9.3% | +7.8 pp |
| 1987 | +1.5% | -0.2 pp |
| 1986 | +1.7% | +0.5 pp |
| 1985 | +1.2% | +2.9 pp |
| 1984 | -1.7% | -0.6 pp |
| 1983 | -1.1% | +1.8 pp |
| 1982 | -2.9% | -9.5 pp |
| 1981 | +6.6% | +2.7 pp |
| 1980 | +3.9% | — |
4. Zambia GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+4.3%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+4.5%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+3.5%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+5.0%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from strong global demand for copper and significant mineral potential, while debt and electricity shortages can constrain broader activity.
5. Zambia GDP Growth Rate vs Africa and World
Zambia
+4.3%
Africa Average
+4.1%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
2.1%
4.3%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Zambia’s GDP growth rate is approximately
0.2 pp
above the
Africa average
and
1.5 pp
above the world average.
6. Zambia GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #23 | Ghana | +4.8% |
| #24 | Sierra Leone | +4.6% |
| #25 | Kenya | +4.5% |
| #26 | Mauritania | +4.4% |
| #27 | Zambia | +4.3% |
| #28 | Egypt | +4.2% |
| #29 | South Sudan | +4.1% |
| #30 | Comoros | +4.1% |
| #31 | Nigeria | +4.1% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Zambia
Zambia GDP (Nominal)
$41.2 Billion
(2026)
Zambia GDP Growth Rate
+4.3%
(2026)
Zambia’s growth can be stronger than regional averages when copper markets are favorable. Its dependence on mining, however, creates substantial commodity exposure.
Explore more:
Zambia GDP
9. Zambia GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on copper investment, debt management, energy supply, agriculture, and reforms. Commodity volatility and infrastructure constraints remain key risks.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +4.7% | +0.4 pp |
| 2028 | +5.1% | +0.4 pp |
| 2029 | +5.3% | +0.2 pp |
| 2030 | +5.3% | 0.0 pp |
10. Zambia GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Zambia GDP growth rate is estimated at +4.3% in 2026.
It ranks #45 globally and #27 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate accelerated by 0.5 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +4.5%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +3.5%.
The current rate is 0.2 percentage points above the Africa average.
The current rate is 1.5 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +5.3% in 2030, 1.0 percentage points above the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. Zambia GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Zambia GDP growth rate is estimated at +4.3% in 2026.
Zambia ranks #45 globally and #27 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +4.3% in 2026.
Zambia GDP growth rate was +2.9% in 2015.
Zambia GDP growth rate is 0.2 percentage points above the Africa average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.