Government expense — all countries

Government expense — Zambia

Government expense in Zambia in 2021 — 25.14%. Ranked 72 in the world out of 125. Since 1998, the indicator has risen by 5.53 pp.

2021 25.14% −0.24 pp vs 2020
World rank 72of 125
Period maximum 25.37%2020
Period minimum 14.1%2001

Trend over time

1998–2021 · % of GDP

Government expense — Zambia, 1998–202110152025301998200120042007201020132016201920211998: 19.61%1999: 16.03%2001: 14.1%2002: 14.17%2003: 15.74%2004: 17.45%2005: 19.76%2006: 14.24%2007: 14.77%2008: 16.38%2009: 14.5%2010: 14.67%2011: 14.5%2012: 16.53%2013: 17.85%2014: 20.26%2015: 23.23%2016: 22.41%2017: 20.92%2018: 20.11%2019: 21.96%2020: 25.37%2021: 25.14%
Change over the period: +5.53 pp Annual average: 0.24 pp

Comparison, 2021

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Zambia

Zambia 25.14%
World 31.74%
Government expense — Zambia, by year Zambia All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2021 25.14 −0.24 pp
2020 25.37 +3.42 pp
2019 21.96 +1.85 pp
2018 20.11 −0.81 pp
2017 20.92 −1.49 pp
2016 22.41 −0.83 pp
2015 23.23 +2.98 pp
2014 20.26 +2.4 pp
2013 17.85 +1.32 pp
2012 16.53 +2.04 pp
2011 14.5 −0.17 pp
2010 14.67 +0.17 pp
2009 14.5 −1.88 pp
2008 16.38 +1.62 pp
2007 14.77 +0.53 pp
2006 14.24 −5.52 pp
2005 19.76 +2.31 pp
2004 17.45 +1.7 pp
2003 15.74 +1.57 pp
2002 14.17 +0.07 pp
2001 14.1
1999 16.03 −3.58 pp
1998 19.61

About the indicator

Central government expense as a percent of GDP: compensation of public employees, purchases of goods and services, interest on debt, subsidies, grants and social benefits. The indicator is broader than government consumption from the national accounts, because it includes transfers — pensions and benefits — which the accounts record as household income. The quantity is closely tied to the level of income: in advanced countries it is usually twice as high as in the poorest ones.

Important: Central government only. In federations the spending of regions is not included here, so comparing unitary and federal states by this indicator calls for a caveat.

Source: World Development Indicators (World Bank), license CC BY 4.0.