Military spending, per capita in Zambia
Zambia: Military spending, per capita was 15.64 constant 2024 US$ per person in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Military spending, per capita in Zambia, 1984–2025
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in constant 2024 US$ per person.
Analysis
The most recent figure for military spending, per capita in Zambia is 15.64 constant 2024 US$ per person, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 4.5% on the previous year and down 29.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending, per capita in Zambia peaked at 52.75 constant 2024 US$ per person in 1986 and was at its lowest, 8.35 constant 2024 US$ per person, in 1997.
That places Zambia 134th out of 161 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Military spending, per capita in Zambia, year by year
| Year | constant 2024 US$ per person | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 37.68 constant 2024 US$ per person | — |
| 1985 | 29.47 constant 2024 US$ per person | -21.8% |
| 1986 | 52.75 constant 2024 US$ per person | +79.0% |
| 1987 | 46.25 constant 2024 US$ per person | -12.3% |
| 1988 | 33.54 constant 2024 US$ per person | -27.5% |
| 1989 | 47.22 constant 2024 US$ per person | +40.8% |
| 1990 | 40.52 constant 2024 US$ per person | -14.2% |
| 1991 | 26.42 constant 2024 US$ per person | -34.8% |
| 1992 | 29.31 constant 2024 US$ per person | +10.9% |
| 1993 | 13.89 constant 2024 US$ per person | -52.6% |
| 1994 | 15.95 constant 2024 US$ per person | +14.8% |
| 1995 | 13.09 constant 2024 US$ per person | -17.9% |
| 1996 | 8.55 constant 2024 US$ per person | -34.7% |
| 1997 | 8.35 constant 2024 US$ per person | -2.3% |
| 1999 | 11.8 constant 2024 US$ per person | +41.3% |
| 2004 | 13.27 constant 2024 US$ per person | +12.5% |
| 2005 | 14.38 constant 2024 US$ per person | +8.3% |
| 2006 | 15.18 constant 2024 US$ per person | +5.6% |
| 2007 | 16.6 constant 2024 US$ per person | +9.3% |
| 2008 | 15.96 constant 2024 US$ per person | -3.9% |
| 2009 | 14.54 constant 2024 US$ per person | -8.9% |
| 2010 | 15.61 constant 2024 US$ per person | +7.3% |
| 2011 | 15.86 constant 2024 US$ per person | +1.6% |
| 2012 | 17.09 constant 2024 US$ per person | +7.8% |
| 2013 | 17.86 constant 2024 US$ per person | +4.5% |
| 2014 | 21.28 constant 2024 US$ per person | +19.2% |
| 2015 | 22.07 constant 2024 US$ per person | +3.7% |
| 2016 | 17.44 constant 2024 US$ per person | -21.0% |
| 2017 | 16.47 constant 2024 US$ per person | -5.6% |
| 2018 | 18.35 constant 2024 US$ per person | +11.4% |
| 2019 | 15.56 constant 2024 US$ per person | -15.2% |
| 2020 | 13.43 constant 2024 US$ per person | -13.7% |
| 2021 | 11.99 constant 2024 US$ per person | -10.7% |
| 2022 | 13.34 constant 2024 US$ per person | +11.3% |
| 2023 | 15.82 constant 2024 US$ per person | +18.6% |
| 2024 | 16.37 constant 2024 US$ per person | +3.5% |
| 2025 | 15.64 constant 2024 US$ per person | -4.5% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 15.64 constant 2024 US$ per person is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 28.14 constant 2024 US$ per person, 56% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 15.64 constant 2024 US$ per person is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 18.2 constant 2024 US$ per person, 86% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 41.15 constant 2024 US$ per person | 29.47 constant 2024 US$ per person | 52.75 constant 2024 US$ per person | 6 |
| 1990s | 18.66 constant 2024 US$ per person | 8.35 constant 2024 US$ per person | 40.52 constant 2024 US$ per person | 9 |
| 2000s | 14.99 constant 2024 US$ per person | 13.27 constant 2024 US$ per person | 16.6 constant 2024 US$ per person | 6 |
| 2010s | 17.76 constant 2024 US$ per person | 15.56 constant 2024 US$ per person | 22.07 constant 2024 US$ per person | 10 |
| 2020s | 14.43 constant 2024 US$ per person | 11.99 constant 2024 US$ per person | 16.37 constant 2024 US$ per person | 6 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 131 Nicaragua 16.35 constant 2024 US$ per person compare
- 132 Niger 16.12 constant 2024 US$ per person compare
- 133 Lesotho 15.76 constant 2024 US$ per person compare
- 135 Nepal 14.48 constant 2024 US$ per person compare
- 136 Tanzania 13.94 constant 2024 US$ per person compare
- 137 Benin 13.75 constant 2024 US$ per person compare
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 military spending, per capita in Zambia?
- Military spending, per capita in Zambia was 15.64 constant 2024 US$ per person in 2025, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest military spending, per capita recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 52.75 constant 2024 US$ per person in 1986.
- What is the lowest military spending, per capita recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.35 constant 2024 US$ per person in 1997.
- How does Zambia rank for military spending, per capita?
- Zambia ranks 134th out of 161 countries with data for 2025.
- Is military spending, per capita rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 29.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Military spending, per capita. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 37 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
Military spending divided by Population, total, matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.
Military spending ÷ Population, total
Computed from
- Military spending Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data
- Population, total World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN)
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
Military spending divided by Population, total, matched on country and year. Neither publisher issues this ratio as a series; it is computed here from both.