Photo: Kkibumba · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 02 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Zambia: Economy & Innovation
What does an economy do for the people inside it?
Zambia is placed 140th of 176 countries on economy & innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GDP per Capita (PPP) 3,742 (2025); Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit 3.108 (2025).
Share
Economy & Innovation
140th
of 176 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 3,742GDP per Capita (PPP), 2025GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
- 3.108Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, 2025Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
- -0.67Economic Complexity Index, 2024ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
- 72.7Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, 2024Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Zambia on economy & innovation — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
3,742
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Higher is better
Zambia: 3,742. Across the 185 countries in this edition, values run from 1,067 (Burundi) to 139,593 (Singapore); the world median is 17,265.
- World median
- 17,265
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 30,639 Seychelles
- Land neighbours
- Angola 8,760 · DR Congo 1,641 · Mozambique 1,451 · Malawi 1,623 · Namibia 10,242 · Tanzania 3,821 · Zimbabwe 5,529
Key 2 of 4
Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2016–2025 · Zambia’s is from 2025 · CC BY 4.0
3.108
Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
Higher is better
Zambia: 3.108. Across the 179 countries at their latest reading, values run from 2.113 (Pakistan) to 88.52 (Israel); the world median is 35.95.
- World median
- 35.95
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 60.79 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Angola 7.431 · DR Congo 8.696 · Mozambique 11.15 · Malawi 17.95 · Namibia 35.95 · Tanzania 16.67 · Zimbabwe 23.08
Key 3 of 4
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC0 1.0
-0.67
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Higher is better
Ranked 104th of 145 by Growth Lab at Harvard University
Zambia: -0.67. Across the 145 countries in this edition, values run from -3.53 (Chad) to 1.729 (Japan); the world median is 0.131.
- World median
- 0.131
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 0.287 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- Angola -0.768 · DR Congo -3.126 · Mozambique -1.227 · Malawi -1.007 · Namibia -0.52 · Tanzania -0.923 · Zimbabwe -1.091
Key 4 of 4
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
72.7
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Higher is better
Zambia: 72.7. Across the 139 countries in this edition, values run from 14.83 (Niger) to 99.85 (Iceland); the world median is 72.83.
- World median
- 72.83
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 90.12 Kenya
- Land neighbours
- DR Congo 39.21 · Mozambique 54.39 · Malawi 50.37 · Namibia 72.92 · Tanzania 59.83 · Zimbabwe 49.52
02Over time
Which way Zambia is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
GDP per Capita (PPP)
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) · higher is better
ZambiaWorld median
Zambia rose from 2,221 in 2000 to 3,742 in 2025; the world median went from 10,589 to 17,265.
Every year’s figures
Year Zambia World median 2025 3,742 17,265 2024 3,708 18,108 2023 3,673 17,686 2022 3,585 16,933 2021 3,503 16,260 2020 3,392 15,631 2019 3,592 16,761 2018 3,647 16,349 2017 3,613 16,129 2016 3,598 15,512 2015 3,577 14,857 2014 3,586 14,475 2013 3,535 14,681 2012 3,475 14,631 2011 3,336 13,916 2010 3,267 14,101 2009 3,066 13,655 2008 2,908 14,030 2007 2,796 13,755 2006 2,673 12,983 2005 2,564 12,023 2004 2,472 11,608 2003 2,384 11,183 2002 2,299 11,144 2001 2,269 10,907 2000 2,221 10,589 Economic Complexity Index
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) · higher is better
ZambiaWorld median
Zambia rose from -0.78 in 2000 to -0.67 in 2024; the world median went from 0.016 to 0.131.
Every year’s figures
Year Zambia World median 2024 -0.670 0.1310 2023 -0.706 0.0710 2022 -0.687 0.0580 2021 -0.617 0.0010 2020 -0.688 0.0470 2019 -0.671 0.0300 2018 -0.539 -0.0150 2017 -0.755 0.0080 2016 -0.488 -0.0660 2015 -0.540 -0.0600 2014 -0.458 -0.0190 2013 -0.389 0.0140 2012 -0.507 0.0060 2011 -0.749 -0.0140 2010 -0.600 -0.0020 2009 -0.532 0.0990 2008 -0.509 0.0700 2007 -0.695 -0.0080 2006 -0.795 0.0740 2005 -0.959 0.0510 2004 -0.963 0.0505 2003 -0.694 0.0450 2002 -0.600 0.0100 2001 -0.753 0.0470 2000 -0.780 0.0160 Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+) · higher is better
ZambiaWorld median
Zambia rose from 21.36 in 2011 to 72.7 in 2024; the world median went from 37.03 to 72.83.
Every year’s figures
Year Zambia World median 2024 73 73 2021 49 74 2017 46 59 2014 36 52 2011 21 37
03In context
Zambia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 176 countries on economy & innovation, never a place within the region.
Zambia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 176; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GDP per Capita (PPP)GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) | Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of CreditFirms with a bank loan or line of credit (%) | Economic Complexity IndexECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) | Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionAdults with an account (% of population aged 15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Namibia | 100th | 10,242 | 35.95 | -0.52 | 72.92 |
| Zambia | 140th | 3,742 | 3.108 | -0.67 | 72.7 |
 Tanzania | 141st | 3,821 | 16.67 | -0.923 | 59.83 |
 Zimbabwe | 143rd | 5,529 | 23.08 | -1.091 | 49.52 |
 Angola | 145th | 8,760 | 7.431 | -0.768 | — |
 Malawi | 161st | 1,623 | 17.95 | -1.007 | 50.37 |
 Mozambique | 165th | 1,451 | 11.15 | -1.227 | 54.39 |
 DR Congo | 172nd | 1,641 | 8.696 | -3.126 | 39.21 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 176.
Placed either side on economy & innovation
The countries immediately above and below Zambia in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Zambia is ahead of the world, and behind
46 more statistics filed under economy & innovation, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median6
Statistics on which Zambia does better than the middle country measured.
Crop Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.23123.04106.23▼ Worsened since 2012
Zambia: 123.04 · world median 106.23 · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 53.79 to 189.93; higher is better.
Position 39th of 195 · derived.
Food Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.08119.91106.08▲ Improved since 2012
Zambia: 119.91 · world median 106.08 · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 71.08 to 177.49; higher is better.
Position 45th of 195 · derived.
GDP GrowthWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3963.7583.396▲ Improved since 2015
Zambia: 3.758 · world median 3.396 · GDP growth (annual %). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -5.847 to 19.34; higher is better.
Position 78th of 186 · derived.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1943.940.19▲ Improved since 2020
Zambia: 43.9 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 82nd of 195 by Oxford Insights.
Livestock Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 107.06109.06107.06▼ Worsened since 2012
Zambia: 109.06 · world median 107.06 · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 35.52 to 190.08; higher is better.
Position 92nd of 194 · derived.
Management Practices IndexWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 52.3952.7452.39No earlier reading
Zambia: 52.74 · world median 52.39 · Management practices index, medium and large firms (0–100). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 28.07 to 69.29; higher is better.
Position 82nd of 169 · derived.
Behind the world median21
Statistics on which Zambia does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8143.9241.81No earlier reading
Zambia: 43.92 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 84th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 25.4220.0225.42No real change since 2014
Zambia: 20.02 · world median 25.42 · Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.377 to 87.15; higher is better.
Position 99th of 170 · derived.
Firms with an International Quality CertificationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 10.48.05110.4No earlier reading
Zambia: 8.051 · world median 10.4 · Firms with an internationally recognised quality certification (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 45.77; higher is better.
Interest Payments on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 1.4511.6931.451▼ Worsened since 2014
Zambia: 1.693 · world median 1.451 · Interest payments on external debt (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.069 to 17.92; lower is better.
Position 45th of 112 · derived, 1st = worst.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.093-0.454-0.093▼ Worsened since 2015
Zambia: -0.454 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 135th of 209 · derived.
New Business DensityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.1871.5012.187▼ Worsened since 2014
Zambia: 1.501 · world median 2.187 · New limited liability companies registered per 1,000 people aged 15–64. World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 26.76; higher is better.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48618,69246,486No real change since 2010
Zambia: 18,692 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 108th of 150 · derived.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.15.316.1▼ Worsened since 2013
Zambia: 5.3 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,8903,34212,890▼ Worsened since 2012
Zambia: 3,342 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 133rd of 166 · derived.
Global Innovation IndexWorld Intellectual Property Organization · 2025 · world median 28.5219.5828.52▲ Improved since 2022
Zambia: 19.58 · world median 28.52 · GII score (0–100). World Intellectual Property Organization, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.94 to 65.96; higher is better.
Ranked 112th of 139 by World Intellectual Property Organization.
Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate)World Bank Group (Prospects Group) · 2020 · world median 27.539.6427.5▲ Improved since 2010
Zambia: 39.64 · world median 27.5 · Informal output, model estimate (% of official GDP). World Bank Group (Prospects Group), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 7.91 to 60.43; lower is better.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6732.5446.67No real change since 2012
Zambia: 32.54 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 160th of 195 · derived.
ICT Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 0.9750.060.975▼ Worsened since 2014
Zambia: 0.06 · world median 0.975 · ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.45; higher is better.
Position 102nd of 119 · derived.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,636589.21,636▼ Worsened since 2017
Zambia: 589.2 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 66th of 75 · derived.
Debt Service on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 12.9330.4712.93▼ Worsened since 2014
Zambia: 30.47 · world median 12.93 · Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.285 to 96.2; lower is better.
Position 14th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.1960.485No real change since 2013
Zambia: 0.196 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 150th of 170 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.9541.9701.95No earlier reading
Zambia: 41.9 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 129th of 145 · derived.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.841.863.8No earlier reading
Zambia: 41.8 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 88th of 99 by World Energy Council.
Total Factor Productivity LevelGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.6270.310.627No real change since 2013
Zambia: 0.31 · world median 0.627 · TFP level at current PPPs (USA = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.052 to 1.192; higher is better.
Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 12,8001,71712,800▼ Worsened since 2017
Zambia: 1,717 · world median 12,800 · Actual individual consumption per capita (PPP, current international $). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 688.7 to 52,654; higher is better.
Position 165th of 173 · derived.
External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 43.94114.243.94▼ Worsened since 2014
Zambia: 114.2 · world median 43.94 · External debt stocks (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 2.213 to 350.57; lower is better.
Position 6th of 110 · derived, 1st = worst.
No better end19
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.70835.261.708Moved since 2011
Zambia: 35.26 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 5th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Export Concentration IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 0.3060.6830.306No real change since 2015
Zambia: 0.683 · world median 0.306 · Export concentration index (0–1, normalised Herfindahl–Hirschman). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.059 to 0.933.
Statutory Corporate Income Tax RateOECD · 2026 · world median 243024Moved since 2016
Zambia: 30 · world median 24 · Combined statutory corporate income tax rate, central and sub-central government (%). OECD, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 36.13.
Terms of Trade IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 103.23132.17103.23Moved since 2015
Zambia: 132.17 · world median 103.23 · Terms of trade index (2015 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 38.2 to 1,448.
Gross Savings (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 22.0632.1622.06Moved since 2014
Zambia: 32.16 · world median 22.06 · Gross savings (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -21.13 to 47.82.
Position 25th of 146 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 24.6535.3324.65No real change since 2015
Zambia: 35.33 · world median 24.65 · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.228 to 75.09.
Position 27th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Foreign Direct Investment InflowsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 1.9684.4741.968No real change since 2015
Zambia: 4.474 · world median 1.968 · FDI inflows (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -32.97 to 2,221.
Inflation, GDP DeflatorWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3065.6293.306Moved since 2015
Zambia: 5.629 · world median 3.306 · Annual change in the GDP implicit deflator (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -7.93 to 227.09.
Commodity Export DependenceUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 67.1788.7867.17No real change since 2014
Zambia: 88.78 · world median 67.17 · Commodity exports (% of merchandise exports, three-year average). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.605 to 99.77.
Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All ProductsWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 3.664.083.66Moved since 2012
Zambia: 4.08 · world median 3.66 · Applied tariff rate, trade-weighted mean (%). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 29.52.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2402,4422,240Moved since 2022
Zambia: 2,442 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6.5724.1066.572Moved since 2015
Zambia: 4.106 · world median 6.572 · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 47.59.
Position 96th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.268.74911.26No real change since 2015
Zambia: 8.749 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 87th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tax Revenue (% of GDP)OECD · 2024 · world median 21.8517.2421.85Moved since 2014
Zambia: 17.24 · world median 21.85 · Total tax revenue, all levels of government (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.11 to 45.18.
Complexity Outlook IndexGrowth Lab at Harvard University · 2024 · world median -0.225-0.842-0.225Moved since 2014
Zambia: -0.842 · world median -0.225 · Complexity Outlook Index (standardised; roughly −2.5 to +3). Growth Lab at Harvard University, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -1.682 to 2.878.
Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 9.6024.8059.602Moved since 2015
Zambia: 4.805 · world median 9.602 · Services exports (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.085 to 166.21.
Price Level of Household ConsumptionGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.5230.3410.523Moved since 2013
Zambia: 0.341 · world median 0.523 · Price level of household consumption (US output price level in 2021 = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.177 to 65.54.
Creative Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1.2350.0541.235Moved since 2014
Zambia: 0.054 · world median 1.235 · Creative goods exports (% of merchandise exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.23.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95171.81657.95Moved since 2014
Zambia: 171.81 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
No current reading for Zambia
Adjusted Net Savings (last 2020), Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Container Port Traffic, Creative Services Exports (last 2023), Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) (last 2024), Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, General Government Consumption (last 2024), Gini Index (last 2022), Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID) (last 2022), GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2021), Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP) (last 2024), Household Consumption (last 2024), ICT Services Exports (last 2023), Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) (last 2024), Income Share Held by Lowest 20% (last 2022), Income Share Held by Richest 10% (last 2022), Liner Shipping Connectivity Index, Logistics Performance Index (last 2018), Merchant Fleet by Country of Ownership, Palma Ratio (last 2022), Research and Development Spending (last 2008) and Trade (% of GDP) (last 2024). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Economy & Innovation among Zambia’s 15 topics
Economy & Innovation is Zambia’s 12th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 61st of 1864/4 keys
- Energy63rd of 1653/3 keys
- Digital & Technology94th of 1984/4 keys
- Peace & Security99th of 1774/4 keys
- Gender & Equality103rd of 1834/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions113th of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties117th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture127th of 1844/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital142nd of 1963/3 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 144th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience143rd of 1934/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation140th of 1764/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing174th of 2004/4 keys
- Work & Labour163rd of 1824/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality158th of 1593/3 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on economy & innovation
The three countries placed highest of 176, and the leaders Zambia can most readily be measured against.
1
AustriaWestern Europe
1st of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
GermanyWestern Europe
3rd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Mauritius36th4/4 keysThis page
Zambia140th4/4 keys
Positions out of 176 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Zambia and economy & innovation
On economy & innovation
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On economy & innovation
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
On economy & innovation
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
08Questions
Zambia on economy & innovation: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Zambia rank on economy & innovation?
Zambia is placed 140th of 176 countries on Economy & Innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (GDP per Capita (PPP), Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, Economic Complexity Index and Account Ownership at a Financial Institution). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GDP per Capita (PPP) figure for Zambia?
3,742 in 2025 (gDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 17,265.
What is the latest Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit figure for Zambia?
3.108 in 2025 (firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 35.95.
How does Zambia compare with DR Congo on economy & innovation?
DR Congo is placed 172nd of 176, and Zambia 140th. GDP per Capita (PPP): DR Congo 1,641, Zambia 3,742; Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit: DR Congo 8.696, Zambia 3.108; Economic Complexity Index: DR Congo -3.126, Zambia -0.67; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution: DR Congo 39.21, Zambia 72.7.
How have Zambia’s economy & innovation figures changed?
GDP per Capita (PPP) rose from 2,221 in 2000 to 3,742 in 2025; Economic Complexity Index rose from -0.78 in 2000 to -0.67 in 2024; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution rose from 21.36 in 2011 to 72.7 in 2024.
Which economy & innovation statistics are missing for Zambia?
No current reading is published for Zambia on Adjusted Net Savings, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Container Port Traffic, Creative Services Exports, Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP), Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, General Government Consumption, Gini Index, Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID), GNI per Capita (PPP), Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP), Household Consumption, ICT Services Exports, Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP), Income Share Held by Lowest 20%, Income Share Held by Richest 10%, Liner Shipping Connectivity Index, Logistics Performance Index, Merchant Fleet by Country of Ownership, Palma Ratio, Research and Development Spending and Trade (% of GDP). They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
The total size of an economy is deliberately left out: a very large economy spread over a very large population is not doing more for each person. Growth rates, trade shares and the structure of output (how much is farming, industry or services) are published here as context, because they describe an economy's shape rather than how well it serves people. Jobs and wages have their own topic, Work & Labour.
How the Economy & Innovation standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The economy & innovation method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GDP per Capita (PPP) — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Economic Complexity Index — Growth Lab at Harvard University, CC0 1.0
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
The other 46 statistics on this page come from 14 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Zambia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Zambia (banner) — Kkibumba, CC0
- Austria — chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Germany — dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Zambia: Economy & Innovation — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/zambia/economy