Military spending in Zambia
Zambia: Military spending was 342.74 million constant 2024 US$ in 2025. ▲ Rising
Latest (2025)
342.74 million constant 2024 US$
Change on year
down 1.8%
World rank
117th
of 162 countries
All-time high
368.57 million constant 2024 US$
in 1986
All-time low
76.95 million constant 2024 US$
in 1996
Years of data
37
1984–2025
Military spending in Zambia, 1984–2025
Source: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in constant 2024 US$.
Analysis
In 2025, military spending in Zambia stood at 342.74 million constant 2024 US$.
The figure is down 1.8% on the previous year and down 5.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending in Zambia peaked at 368.57 million constant 2024 US$ in 1986 and was at its lowest, 76.95 million constant 2024 US$, in 1996.
Zambia ranks 117th of 162 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 37 years of available data.
Military spending in Zambia, year by year
| Year | constant 2024 US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 247.92 million constant 2024 US$ | — |
| 1985 | 199.82 million constant 2024 US$ | -19.4% |
| 1986 | 368.57 million constant 2024 US$ | +84.5% |
| 1987 | 332.63 million constant 2024 US$ | -9.8% |
| 1988 | 247.94 million constant 2024 US$ | -25.5% |
| 1989 | 358.34 million constant 2024 US$ | +44.5% |
| 1990 | 315.52 million constant 2024 US$ | -11.9% |
| 1991 | 210.90 million constant 2024 US$ | -33.2% |
| 1992 | 239.69 million constant 2024 US$ | +13.6% |
| 1993 | 116.33 million constant 2024 US$ | -51.5% |
| 1994 | 136.79 million constant 2024 US$ | +17.6% |
| 1995 | 115.05 million constant 2024 US$ | -15.9% |
| 1996 | 76.95 million constant 2024 US$ | -33.1% |
| 1997 | 77.14 million constant 2024 US$ | +0.2% |
| 1999 | 114.92 million constant 2024 US$ | +49.0% |
| 2004 | 150.51 million constant 2024 US$ | +31.0% |
| 2005 | 168.53 million constant 2024 US$ | +12.0% |
| 2006 | 184.12 million constant 2024 US$ | +9.3% |
| 2007 | 208.57 million constant 2024 US$ | +13.3% |
| 2008 | 207.79 million constant 2024 US$ | -0.4% |
| 2009 | 196.17 million constant 2024 US$ | -5.6% |
| 2010 | 217.95 million constant 2024 US$ | +11.1% |
| 2011 | 228.92 million constant 2024 US$ | +5.0% |
| 2012 | 254.82 million constant 2024 US$ | +11.3% |
| 2013 | 274.98 million constant 2024 US$ | +7.9% |
| 2014 | 338.33 million constant 2024 US$ | +23.0% |
| 2015 | 361.94 million constant 2024 US$ | +7.0% |
| 2016 | 294.99 million constant 2024 US$ | -18.5% |
| 2017 | 287.18 million constant 2024 US$ | -2.6% |
| 2018 | 329.76 million constant 2024 US$ | +14.8% |
| 2019 | 288.14 million constant 2024 US$ | -12.6% |
| 2020 | 255.96 million constant 2024 US$ | -11.2% |
| 2021 | 234.98 million constant 2024 US$ | -8.2% |
| 2022 | 268.85 million constant 2024 US$ | +14.4% |
| 2023 | 327.93 million constant 2024 US$ | +22.0% |
| 2024 | 348.99 million constant 2024 US$ | +6.4% |
| 2025 | 342.74 million constant 2024 US$ | -1.8% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 342.74 million constant 2024 US$ is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 557.82 million constant 2024 US$, 61% of the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 342.74 million constant 2024 US$ is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 336.91 million constant 2024 US$, 1.0× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 292.54 million constant 2024 US$ | 199.82 million constant 2024 US$ | 368.57 million constant 2024 US$ | 6 |
| 1990s | 155.92 million constant 2024 US$ | 76.95 million constant 2024 US$ | 315.52 million constant 2024 US$ | 9 |
| 2000s | 185.95 million constant 2024 US$ | 150.51 million constant 2024 US$ | 208.57 million constant 2024 US$ | 6 |
| 2010s | 287.70 million constant 2024 US$ | 217.95 million constant 2024 US$ | 361.94 million constant 2024 US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 296.58 million constant 2024 US$ | 234.98 million constant 2024 US$ | 348.99 million constant 2024 US$ | 6 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 114 Namibia 386.27 million constant 2024 US$ compare
- 115 Ghana 385.16 million constant 2024 US$ compare
- 116 North Macedonia 346.10 million constant 2024 US$ compare
- 118 Gabon 336.91 million constant 2024 US$ compare
- 119 Mauritania 314.82 million constant 2024 US$ compare
- 120 Jamaica 279.84 million constant 2024 US$ 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)
- Political opposition, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Elected parliament and government, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military spending in Zambia?
- Military spending in Zambia was 342.74 million constant 2024 US$ in 2025, according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest military spending recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 368.57 million constant 2024 US$ in 1986.
- What is the lowest military spending recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 76.95 million constant 2024 US$ in 1996.
- How does Zambia rank for military spending?
- Zambia ranks 117th out of 162 countries with data for 2025.
- Is military spending rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 5.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Military spending. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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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.