Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average in Zambia
Zambia: Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average was 18.94 in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average in Zambia, 1987–2026
Source: World Bank staff calculations based on Datastream and IMF International Finance Statistics data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average in Zambia is 18.94, measured in 2026.
That represents a change of down 25.1% on the previous year and up 83.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average in Zambia peaked at 26.13 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.0084, in 1988.
That places Zambia 106th out of 195 countries with data for 2026, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 0.0097 | — |
| 1988 | 0.0084 | -13.2% |
| 1989 | 0.0141 | +67.1% |
| 1990 | 0.0309 | +119.3% |
| 1991 | 0.066 | +113.4% |
| 1992 | 0.176 | +166.4% |
| 1993 | 0.4626 | +162.9% |
| 1994 | 0.6721 | +45.3% |
| 1995 | 0.8545 | +27.2% |
| 1996 | 1.19 | +39.1% |
| 1997 | 1.3 | +9.2% |
| 1998 | 1.82 | +40.1% |
| 1999 | 2.43 | +33.9% |
| 2000 | 3.27 | +34.5% |
| 2001 | 3.67 | +12.0% |
| 2002 | 4.49 | +22.4% |
| 2003 | 4.79 | +6.7% |
| 2004 | 4.76 | -0.5% |
| 2005 | 4.42 | -7.2% |
| 2006 | 3.59 | -18.7% |
| 2007 | 4 | +11.2% |
| 2008 | 3.75 | -6.2% |
| 2009 | 5.05 | +34.7% |
| 2010 | 4.8 | -5.0% |
| 2011 | 4.86 | +1.3% |
| 2012 | 5.14 | +5.8% |
| 2013 | 5.39 | +4.7% |
| 2014 | 6.16 | +14.3% |
| 2015 | 8.63 | +40.2% |
| 2016 | 10.31 | +19.5% |
| 2017 | 9.54 | -7.5% |
| 2018 | 10.47 | +9.8% |
| 2019 | 12.9 | +23.2% |
| 2020 | 18.29 | +41.7% |
| 2021 | 19.99 | +9.3% |
| 2022 | 16.92 | -15.4% |
| 2023 | 20.2 | +19.4% |
| 2024 | 26.13 | +29.3% |
| 2025 | 25.28 | -3.2% |
| 2026 | 18.94 | -25.1% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 18.94 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 129.28, 15% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 18.94 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 563.92, 3% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.0108 | 0.0084 | 0.0141 | 3 |
| 1990s | 0.9 | 0.0309 | 2.43 | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.18 | 3.27 | 5.05 | 10 |
| 2010s | 7.82 | 4.8 | 12.9 | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.82 | 16.92 | 26.13 | 7 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
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)
- 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)
- Civil liberties rating, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average in Zambia?
- Official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average in Zambia was 18.94 in 2026, according to World Bank staff calculations based on Datastream and IMF International Finance Statistics data.
- What is the highest official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 26.13 in 2024.
- What is the lowest official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0084 in 1988.
- How does Zambia rank for official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average?
- Zambia ranks 106th out of 195 countries with data for 2026.
- Is official exchange rate, lcu per usd, period average rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 83.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank staff calculations based on Datastream and IMF International Finance Statistics data, published as part of Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Official exchange rate refers to the exchange rate determined by national authorities or to the rate determined in the legally sanctioned exchange market. It is calculated as an annual average based on monthly averages (local currency units relative to the U.S. dollar).