Primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe: Primary government spending as a share of original budget was 127.9% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zimbabwe, 2009–2021
Source: World Bank – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zimbabwe is 127.9%, measured in 2021.
That represents a change of down 49.9% on the previous year and up 91.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zimbabwe peaked at 255.2% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 5.7%, in 2009.
That places Zimbabwe 5th out of 166 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zimbabwe, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 5.7% | — |
| 2010 | 40.9% | +624.4% |
| 2011 | 66.9% | +63.4% |
| 2012 | 60.1% | -10.1% |
| 2013 | 92.4% | +53.8% |
| 2014 | 97.7% | +5.7% |
| 2015 | 85.4% | -12.6% |
| 2016 | 92.9% | +8.7% |
| 2017 | 74.8% | -19.5% |
| 2018 | 81.1% | +8.3% |
| 2019 | 218.8% | +169.9% |
| 2020 | 255.2% | +16.6% |
| 2021 | 127.9% | -49.9% |
Zimbabwe compared with similar countries
- Zimbabwe's 127.9% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 96.7%, 1.3× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Zimbabwe's 127.9% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 98.1%, 1.3× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zimbabwe changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | +624.4% | 5.7% | 40.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5.7% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 1 |
| 2010s | 91.1% | 40.9% | 218.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 191.5% | 127.9% | 255.2% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Zimbabwe
More reference data data for Zimbabwe
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 58,959 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 58,959 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 58,959 (2026)
- Global number of reported disasters by size, gaps filled 0 events (2024)
- Annual precipitation, annual growth rate 122.78 % change on previous year (2025)
- Free country, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, gaps filled 5 (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 11,077 2010 = 100 (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zimbabwe?
- Primary government spending as a share of original budget in Zimbabwe was 127.9% in 2021, 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 Zimbabwe?
- The highest recorded value was 255.2% in 2020.
- What is the lowest primary government spending as a share of original budget recorded in Zimbabwe?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.7% in 2009.
- How does Zimbabwe rank for primary government spending as a share of original budget?
- Zimbabwe ranks 5th out of 166 countries with data for 2021.
- Is primary government spending as a share of original budget rising or falling in Zimbabwe?
- Over the last ten years it is up 91.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zimbabwe 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 (%).