Military spending in Zambia
Zambia: Military spending was 421.22 million constant 2022 US$ in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Military spending in Zambia, 1964–2023
Source: Barnum et al. - Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in constant 2022 US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for military spending in Zambia is 421.22 million constant 2022 US$, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.2% on the previous year and down 0.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending in Zambia peaked at 527.02 million constant 2022 US$ in 1981 and was at its lowest, 44.29 million constant 2022 US$, in 2001.
That places Zambia 118th out of 172 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 138.08 million constant 2022 US$ | 99.52 million constant 2022 US$ | 160.20 million constant 2022 US$ | 6 |
| 1970s | 367.67 million constant 2022 US$ | 163.82 million constant 2022 US$ | 466.76 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 321.61 million constant 2022 US$ | 147.47 million constant 2022 US$ | 527.02 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 116.86 million constant 2022 US$ | 85.98 million constant 2022 US$ | 170.57 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 170.71 million constant 2022 US$ | 44.29 million constant 2022 US$ | 315.74 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 398.64 million constant 2022 US$ | 310.15 million constant 2022 US$ | 459.51 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 397.61 million constant 2022 US$ | 384.09 million constant 2022 US$ | 421.22 million constant 2022 US$ | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 115 Paraguay 476.41 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 116 Namibia 463.26 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 117 Kyrgyzstan 439.89 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 119 Chad 410.87 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 120 Mozambique 387.93 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 121 Congo 358.41 million constant 2022 US$ compare
More reference data data for Zambia
- Spring temperature anomalies -0.0386 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies -0.018 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.3261 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.5273 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies -0.2981 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 483.32 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military spending in Zambia?
- Military spending in Zambia was 421.22 million constant 2022 US$ in 2023, according to Barnum et al. - Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest military spending recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 527.02 million constant 2022 US$ in 1981.
- What is the lowest military spending recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 44.29 million constant 2022 US$ in 2001.
- How does Zambia rank for military spending?
- Zambia ranks 118th out of 172 countries with data for 2023.
- Is military spending rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from Barnum et al. - Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Military spending. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
This data is expressed in US dollars. It is adjusted for inflation but does not account for differences in the cost of living between countries.