Total natural resource rents in Zambia
Zambia: Total natural resource rents was 35.3% in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Total natural resource rents in Zambia, 1970–2021
Source: The Changing Wealth of Nations, World Bank staff estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 35.3% for total natural resource rents in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 117.4% on the previous year and up 102.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total natural resource rents in Zambia peaked at 38.7% in 1973 and was at its lowest, 5.1%, in 1993.
Zambia ranks 5th of 211 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 22.1% | 10.2% | 38.7% | 10 |
| 1980s | 11.4% | 6.6% | 21.1% | 10 |
| 1990s | 7.6% | 5.1% | 21.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 13.9% | 6.9% | 21.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 12.8% | 7.9% | 18.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 25.7% | 16.2% | 35.3% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
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 total natural resource rents in Zambia?
- Total natural resource rents in Zambia was 35.3% in 2021, according to The Changing Wealth of Nations, World Bank staff estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total natural resource rents recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 38.7% in 1973.
- What is the lowest total natural resource rents recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.1% in 1993.
- How does Zambia rank for total natural resource rents?
- Zambia ranks 5th out of 211 countries with data for 2021.
- Is total natural resource rents rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 102.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from The Changing Wealth of Nations, World Bank staff estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Total natural resource rents. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Natural resources rents are estimated as the difference between the price of a commodity and the average cost of producing it. Total natural resources rents are the sum of oil rents, natural gas rents, coal rents, mineral rents, and forest rents.