Primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zambia
Zambia: Primary government spending as a share of original budget was 103.0% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zambia, 2007–2025
Source: World Bank – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zambia stood at 103.0%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 7.3% on the previous year and down 10.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zambia peaked at 132.5% in 2011 and was at its lowest, 81.6%, in 2022.
That places Zambia 50th out of 166 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
Primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 89.7% | — |
| 2008 | 97.5% | +8.6% |
| 2009 | 110.7% | +13.6% |
| 2010 | 118.6% | +7.1% |
| 2011 | 132.5% | +11.8% |
| 2012 | 99.3% | -25.1% |
| 2013 | 106.7% | +7.5% |
| 2014 | 93.9% | -12.0% |
| 2015 | 115.3% | +22.8% |
| 2016 | 110.0% | -4.6% |
| 2017 | 96.0% | -12.7% |
| 2018 | 110.5% | +15.1% |
| 2019 | 108.6% | -1.7% |
| 2020 | 114.3% | +5.2% |
| 2021 | 115.4% | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 81.6% | -29.3% |
| 2023 | 95.6% | +17.2% |
| 2024 | 111.2% | +16.3% |
| 2025 | 103.0% | -7.3% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 103.0% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 96.7%, 1.1× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 103.0% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 98.1%, 1.1× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 99.3% | 89.7% | 110.7% | 3 |
| 2010s | 109.1% | 93.9% | 132.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 103.5% | 81.6% | 115.4% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More reference data data for Zambia
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Global number of reported disasters by size, gaps filled 0 events (2025)
- Annual precipitation, annual growth rate 40.84 % change on previous year (2025)
- Free country, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, gaps filled 4 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Consumer price index 483.32 2010 = 100 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zambia?
- Primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zambia was 103.0% in 2025, according to World Bank – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest primary government spending as a share of original budget recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 132.5% in 2011.
- What is the lowest primary government spending as a share of original budget recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 81.6% in 2022.
- How does Zambia rank for primary government spending as a share of original budget?
- Zambia ranks 50th out of 166 countries with data for 2025.
- Is primary government spending as a share of original budget rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Primary government spending as a share of original budget. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget (%).